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A calico cat sits on a snowy porch beside pine garland with berries, looking off to the side in warm evening light. 3 / 24

A Calico Surveys Her Snowy Porch Like She Owns the Whole Street

AI imagecalico catsnowy porchgarland

Warm porch light spills over the calico's orange, black and white coat as she perches on the snowy edge of a step. Pine garland dotted with red berries and pinecones wraps the railing beside her, and a dusting of snow covers the boards and the ground beyond. Her green-gold eyes are fixed on something in the yard, and her ears are up in alert attention, as though she has just heard a rustle in the shrubs.

Cats are naturally curious about the outdoors, and a porch can be a fascinating spot for watching birds, squirrels and weather. Still, winter conditions need some caution. A cat should not stay outside long in the cold, since paws and ears chill quickly, and she should always be able to get indoors easily. Garlands can be tempting to chew, and some festive greenery, such as holly, mistletoe and berries, can upset a cat's stomach or be toxic, so keep decorations out of her reach. Check her paws after she comes in and wipe off any road salt or ice melt.

We'll call her Clementine. She carries herself like the official greeter of the neighborhood, taking a careful survey before deciding whether to stay or come inside. The warm window behind her suggests the decision won't take long, and a soft bed and a bowl of dinner will soon win the day.

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