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A brown tabby American Shorthair cat and a tortoise sit together on a worn black tractor seat in a workshop. 12 / 21

A Tabby Cat and a Tortoise Claimed the Old Tractor Seat

AI imageamerican shorthairtortoisetractor

A brown tabby American Shorthair has settled onto the cracked black seat of an old tractor, front paws folded, looking off to one side. Right beside her, Gus the tortoise sits with his head stretched forward. Sunlight comes through a nearby window, lighting up dust in the air. A pair of slippers lies on the floor and a basket and some laundry sit by the door. The cat's tabby stripes look like carved wood, and the tortoise's shell is a rounded tan dome. They look like they're waiting for a ride. A shaft of sunlight lands on the tractor's steering wheel, and the cat's ear twitches.

American Shorthairs are sturdy, adaptable cats once prized as barn mousers, and they have a reputation for being calm, friendly and good with families. They are generally healthy, though they can overeat, so measured meals and regular play are smart. A workshop or barn is interesting to cats, but it often contains hazards like oil, antifreeze, which is very toxic, sharp tools and rusty metal, so pets should be kept away from them. Tortoises can sometimes wander into trouble in such spaces, so a safe, fenced area is better. A clean seat in the sun makes a much better perch. A little exercise and a good brushing help keep a shorthair's coat healthy.

The tractor isn't going anywhere, but its two passengers look perfectly satisfied. Tractor seats make surprisingly good thrones.

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