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A cream cat dozes on a folded gray blanket near a cast-iron wood stove beside a large cluster of yellow ducklings. 33 / 34

The Wood Stove Burned Down to Embers, and the Sleepiest Gathering Began

AI imagecream catducklingswood stove

The old cast-iron wood stove has burned down to embers, and the floor in front of it holds the sleepiest gathering in the house. A round cream cat lies on a folded gray knit blanket, eyes squeezed nearly shut in blissful drowsiness. Beside her, a big cluster of fluffy yellow ducklings has piled together on the worn wooden floorboards, some nodding off and others blinking at the warm glow. A log rests inside the stove's open door, a pair of slippers sits by the wall, and the whole corner feels hushed and snug.

Cats seem to love warmth more than almost any other pet, and there's a reason for it. Their comfortable temperature range is higher than ours, so a heat source that feels pleasant to us can feel downright luxurious to a cat. That's why they hunt down sunbeams, warm laundry, and spots near radiators. Wood stoves, though, get extremely hot on every surface, not just inside. A stove-safe hearth gate or a barrier a few feet away can prevent burns on curious paws and singed whiskers. Placing a cozy bed at a safe distance gives pets the warmth they crave without the risk.

This cream cat has clearly chosen her spot wisely: close enough to feel the heat, far enough to stay safe. The ducklings have simply followed the warmest friend in the room.

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