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A red merle Australian Shepherd and a white cat sleep with their faces together in a nest of golden hay. 20 / 31

A Red Merle Aussie Curled Around a Sleeping White Cat in the Hay

AI imageaustralian shepherdwhite cathay

Gold light spills over a bed of hay where a red merle Australian Shepherd has curled his fluffy body into a ring. Tucked into the curve of his head is a white cat, her pink nose resting against the dog's snout and her ears folded softly flat. Both have their eyes closed. Behind them are an old wall, a coil of wire and a blue bucket, giving the corner of the barn a peaceful, rustic feel.

We could call the dog Rusty and the cat Snowdrop. They breathe so slowly that the hay barely moves. It looks like the quietest spot on the farm.

Australian Shepherds are working dogs that spend long days herding in the field, so a nap like this is well earned. They are smart, athletic, and happiest with a purpose, whether that is agility, training or chores. White cats, especially those with blue eyes, are sometimes born deaf, though many hear perfectly well, and your vet can check. Hay is a classic barn bedding, but it can be dusty and may trigger sneezing or itchy eyes, and moldy hay is unsafe. Fresh straw or a clean blanket is often a cozier choice for pets in the house or a barn, and either should be changed when damp.

Rusty and Snowdrop look as though they could sleep like this until the evening bell.

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