A Tortoiseshell Took Guard Duty Over the Puppy's Basket Nap
Upright and alert, a tortoiseshell cat sits at the back of a woven basket with her ears angled forward and her green eyes fixed on something beyond the frame. In front of her, a tan puppy sleeps curled into a round comma on a linen cloth, his nose tucked down and his ear folded. The cat's marbled coat of dark brown, copper and gold blends into the earthy tones of the basket. A blue cloth sits in a pile behind them, and a wooden chair leg and a cream wall make up the quiet room. She looks every bit like a tiny, self-appointed bodyguard.
Cats often take a high or elevated seat, because it makes them feel secure and lets them watch for anything unusual. A basket with sides works especially well, because it gives a sense of protection on all sides. Young puppies need a lot of sleep and do best when they have a quiet, draft-free spot. If your animals share a basket, make sure it is big enough for both, line it with a washable cloth, and check that no wicker is sticking out where a puppy might chew or scratch himself.
The puppy has no idea that someone is watching over him. He is simply enjoying the kind of deep sleep that only a protected pup can have.
