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A cream point Ragdoll cat lies on a woven rug next to a tortoise beneath apple tree branches by an open patio door. 14 / 31

A Ragdoll and a Tortoise Escaped the Heat Under the Apple Tree

AI imageragdolltortoiseapple tree

Apple branches hang overhead, heavy with small fruit, and beneath them a cream point Ragdoll lies on a woven rug with her eyes half closed. Her pale, fluffy coat spreads across the weave, tail curled loosely. Beside her, a tortoise rests with his head and legs relaxed, shell dappled with light. Through the glass doors behind them, a sofa and some scattered toys can be seen.

Shade is a gift in warm weather, and both cats and tortoises benefit from a cool spot to rest. Tortoises like to bask, but they also need a place to escape the heat, so a mix of sun and shade is ideal. Ragdolls, with their silky coats, can get warm too. Fallen fruit can attract insects and may upset a pet's stomach, so clear it away. Apples are safe for tortoises in small amounts, but seeds should be removed, and ask your reptile vet about diet.

We will call the tortoise Gus. A soft breeze stirs the leaves, and Gus breathes slowly. The cat's blue eyes close. It is an easy, hushed afternoon, with the sound of rustling branches and a quiet house nearby. Whatever the day holds, it can wait until the shade moves on. It is the sort of afternoon that asks nothing from anyone. The apples hang above, the rug is warm below, and the two friends in between have everything they want. If a neighbor looked over the fence, they would probably tiptoe past so as not to break the spell, and they would be right to do so.

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