Three Stockings Hung on the Mantel, and a Tiny Sleeper Lay Beneath
Right below three hand-knit stockings, one white, one red, and one green, a silver tabby kitten is fast asleep on the wooden mantel. Its stripes are crisp and gray, its eyes are shut, and its chin rests on the wood as if it were a pillow. Evergreen branches and pinecones decorate the mantel above, and the afternoon light picks out the cables in the knitting. Beyond the brick, a quiet living room holds a cozy blanket on a couch and a basket by the hearth.
Cats are famous sleepers, and kittens can nap for most of the day. Sleep is when young animals do much of their growing, and they tend to choose warm, elevated spots where they feel safe. A mantel is a classic perch, but if there is a fireplace below, always use a sturdy screen and never allow a kitten to nap near a lit fire. Candles and hot decorations on a mantel are also risky for curious pets. If your kitten seems to sleep nonstop, that is usually normal, though your vet can answer any concerns.
This tiny sleeper, whom we might call Mistletoe, has chosen to wait for Santa in the most relaxed possible way. The stockings hang above, ready for treats, while the kitten dreams below. Whatever the dream is, it must be a good one, because the sleepy face is pure peace.
