A Plate of Cookies Waited for Santa. A Calico Got Closer.
The cookies were meant for Santa, but somebody else got there first. A calico kitten has her nose almost touching the plate, whiskers fanned out, orange and black fur fluffed up from the effort of leaning in. Chocolate chip and sugar cookies sit in a pile, a few crumbs have already escaped across the wooden table, and the soft-focus living room behind her has a blanket on the couch and pine garland curling along the edge.
Chocolate chip cookies are a classic Christmas Eve treat, and also one of the things to keep away from pets. Chocolate is toxic to cats and dogs, and some cookies also hide raisins, macadamia nuts or sweeteners that are unsafe for animals. Kittens are especially quick, so a plate left at nose level is an invitation. Set the plate on a high counter or cover it, and sweep up crumbs. Cats are meat eaters by nature and don't need sweets at all, so a nibble of kitten food is a much better reward. If she does swallow something questionable, talk to your vet.
For now the kitten is just sniffing, gathering evidence and deciding how she feels about the evidence. Her expression is pure concentration, the look of a detective at a very delicious crime scene. Santa will have to settle for whatever is left, and he's probably used to it.
