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A brown tabby American Shorthair and a tortoise rest on a knit blanket beside a frost-covered window. 25 / 31

A Tabby and Old Gus Watched the Frost Form From a Warm Blanket

AI imageamerican shorthairtortoisewinter window

Frost has painted feathery ferns across the window glass, and inside, the lamp makes a warm yellow circle. A brown tabby American Shorthair sits on a knit blanket, her striped coat glowing and her eyes on the window. At her side, a tortoise has settled onto the blanket, head up, shell gleaming. A basket, a mug, and some knickknacks crowd the shelf nearby.

Cold weather calls for extra care with a tortoise. Many tortoises need steady heat, and a drafty windowsill can be too chilly, even if the room feels warm. Use proper heat and light sources and check temperatures with a thermometer, and your reptile vet can help. American Shorthairs are sturdy, easygoing cats that are good at settling in. A warm blanket and a lamp make a cozy place for both animals, and they can share the view of winter from a safe distance.

We can call the tortoise Gus. He seems to enjoy the glow of the lamp, and the tabby is entranced by the ice patterns on the glass. Outside, the world is cold and silent, with snow resting on the rooftops. Inside, there is a lamp, a blanket, a friend, and a good view. They could not ask for more. The lamp hums, the frost spreads, and the blanket stays warm. It is a winter evening worth lingering in, and neither of them has any plans to leave.

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