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A tortoiseshell cat sits on a cream cable-knit blanket looking up toward a Christmas tree with lights and a bead garland. 1 / 24

A Tortoiseshell Cat Eyes the Tree and Quietly Makes a Plan

AI imagetortoiseshell catchristmas treeblanket

Her golden eyes are turned up and her ears point forward, and the tortoiseshell cat is plainly fascinated by something high in the tree. She sits on a cream cable-knit blanket, her coat a dark swirl of brown, black and copper. Behind her, wooden beads loop through the branches, a stack of books and a few mugs sit on a side table, and the room is warm and lived-in.

Tortoiseshell cats get their patchwork coat from genetics, and nearly all of them are female. Many owners describe them as spirited, with strong opinions, though every cat has her own personality. A cat looking up at a tree is usually thinking about climbing it, so a stable stand, ornaments hung high and cords tucked away are all worth doing. Keep the water in the tree stand covered, too, as it can contain bacteria or additives. A scratching post or a cat tree nearby might satisfy the climbing urge.

Let's call her Maple. She watches the lights with the focus of a cat plotting a very careful plan. She'll sit there a moment longer, and then one graceful leap could send the whole thing wobbling, though for now she's simply enjoying the glow. Cats and Christmas trees have been getting into this friendly rivalry for generations, and she is likely to carry on the tradition long after the lights come down.

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