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A calico cat sits on a grey doormat in front of a teal door with a pine wreath and a jacket on a hook. 14 / 24

A Calico Waits at the Wreath Door for Someone to Come Home

AI imagecalico catfront doorchristmas wreath

She sits on the grey rug, tail curled around her paws, looking off to one side as if listening for the sound of a car in the driveway. The calico's coat is a warm patchwork of orange, black and cream, and behind her the teal front door wears a wreath of pine and a bow. A green jacket hangs on a hook, a basket sits by the entryway, and a few pine sprigs add holiday color.

Cats often wait by the door because they're creatures of routine. They notice when family members come and go, and a regular schedule helps them feel secure. Calicos get their patchwork coats from genetics, and nearly all are female. Be careful when the door opens during the holidays, since visitors and delivery drivers create chances for an indoor cat to slip outside. A microchip and a collar with an ID tag are smart precautions. Wreaths and greenery near the door are best kept out of paw reach, because nibbling on some plants can upset a cat's stomach.

Let's call her Penny. She waits with quiet patience, the neighborhood's most polite doorman, ready to greet the first person through the door. When they arrive, she'll give a soft meow, wind around their ankles and lead the way to the food bowl. It is a quiet, hopeful little scene, and a reminder that the best part of coming home is being greeted by someone who has been waiting just for you.

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