Grandpa Rocked Gently and Juniper Slept Right Beside the Chair
The old rocking chair creaks softly, and Gus rests one hand on the armrest, smiling down at the floor. Juniper lies stretched out on the wooden boards beside the chair, her eyes closed and her fluffy tail curled in a half circle, as deeply asleep as a cat can be. A lamp, a mug, and a potted plant sit in the background, and warm afternoon light falls across the floor. A knitted throw hangs over the back of a chair in the corner, and the sleeping cat has chosen the one patch of floor where the sun lands.
A sleeping cat is a happy cat. Adult cats often nap for much of the day, and a quiet, safe spot near the people she loves is a favorite place to do it. Some cats sleep beside a rocking chair because the gentle motion and soft sounds are soothing, though it is wise to keep paws and tails clear of the rockers. If your cat starts sleeping much more or much less than usual, talk to your vet.
Juniper's whole body has gone limp with trust, and Gus seems to be trying not to move a muscle. The chair rocks, the light shifts a little, and nothing at all needs doing. It is the sort of afternoon people remember long after the day is over. Some naps are best left undisturbed, and this one has all the signs of a long and happy one.
