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A litter of tiny kittens sleeps curled against a chocolate brown Poodle on a rug in front of a stone fireplace. 8 / 34

A Chocolate Poodle Held Still So the Kittens Could Nap by the Fire

AI imagepoodlekittensfireplace

On a woolly rug before a stone fireplace, a chocolate Poodle lies curled with his curly ears resting close to a heap of tiny kittens. There are ginger, gray tabby, calico and black ones, all pressed against his curly coat and each other. A basket of yarn, a mug and a pair of slippers sit nearby, and light slants through a curtained window. The light from the hearth makes the curls look like polished chocolate, and the whole room seems to be breathing slowly.

We might call the Poodle Cocoa. His tight brown curls look like wool, and the kittens fit into them like they were made for it. He keeps his eyes half shut and his body still, so they can sleep.

Poodles are smart, trainable dogs that come in toy, miniature and standard sizes. They have curly coats that shed little but need regular brushing and grooming. They tend to be gentle and sensitive, and many get along with cats. When kittens sleep next to a dog, check that nobody gets squeezed and that the dog is calm and relaxed. Fireplaces need a sturdy screen so that sparks and heat stay away from animals, and a fireplace should never be left unattended with pets nearby. Fresh water and a quiet room make a big difference for young kittens.

Cocoa stays still, and the kittens sleep on. Nobody is in any hurry for the morning.

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