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A long-haired silver tabby cat and a small spotted goat kid sleep together on a jute rug by a black wood stove. 16 / 21

The Wood Stove Was Glowing, and the Forest Cat Used His Friend as a Chin Rest

AI imagenorwegian forest catbaby goatwood stove

A black cast iron wood stove stands in the corner of a rustic mudroom, its glass door showing the faint glow of embers. On the jute rug in front of it, a long-haired silver tabby with a magnificent plumed tail has dozed off with his eyes closed and chin resting on the head of a small goat kid. The kid, white with soft brown spots and floppy ears, lies stretched out against the cat's side, sound asleep. Slippers, a rack of shoes, coats on hooks, a basket of blankets, and a little potted plant make it feel like a farmhouse settling in for a cold night.

Goats handle cold better than many people expect, as long as they stay dry and out of the wind. Many grow a fluffy undercoat in winter, and digesting hay actually produces heat inside the rumen, so plenty of good hay is one of the best ways to help goats stay warm. Deep, dry straw bedding and a draft-free shelter with good ventilation are usually enough for healthy adult goats. Heat lamps in barns are a well-known fire risk, so many keepers avoid them or use them with great care. Very young, sick, or elderly goats may need extra help, so ask your vet.

For this little kid, though, a warm stove and a fluffy cat seem like the perfect combination. Outside it may be freezing, but in here, everything is cozy.

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