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A pale snow Bengal cat with blue eyes lies on a knit blanket by a brick fireplace with six yellow ducklings pressed to it. 27 / 34

The Fire Burned Down, but the Hearth Was Still the Warmest Spot in the House

AI imagebengal catducklingsfireplace

The brick hearth is quiet now, with only gray ashes and a few charred logs left behind, but the corner in front of it is still the warmest spot in the house. A snow Bengal with a pale coat dappled in soft rosettes lies stretched on a cream knit blanket, her pale blue eyes calm and drowsy. Six yellow ducklings have pressed themselves against her in a tight bunch, a few resting their heads on her shoulder. On the mantel above sit a mug, a small succulent, a knitted scarf, and a pair of glasses, and a basket and bookshelf fill the cozy room.

Fireplaces and wood stoves draw pets like magnets on chilly days, so a little safety planning goes a long way. A sturdy fireplace screen or gate keeps curious paws and fluffy tails away from flames and embers. Ashes can stay hot for a long time after a fire seems out, so they should be cleaned out carefully and stored in a metal container outdoors. Fire starters, matches, and cleaning chemicals belong out of reach. Pets that nap close to a heat source can also overheat or get singed fur without realizing it, so it helps to provide a warm bed a safe distance away.

With the fire out and the blanket warm, this pile of fluff seems to have found the ideal balance. Cozy, safe, and close enough to remember how good the glow felt last night.

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