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A tortoiseshell kitten sits on a kitchen floor gazing through an oven window at a roasting turkey. 23 / 23

The Turkey Started Roasting, and Someone Pulled Up a Front-Row Seat

AI imagetortoiseshell kittenthanksgivingkitchen

The oven light is on, the turkey is turning a gorgeous golden brown, and someone has pulled up a front-row seat. A fluffy tortoiseshell kitten sits on the speckled kitchen floor right in front of the stainless steel oven, her patchwork coat of black, caramel, and ginger glowing in the warm light. Her eyes are fixed on the window in the oven door, where the bird roasts on its rack surrounded by vegetables. A plaid dish towel hangs over the counter's edge, and garlic, fresh herbs, and a small bowl sit beside the stove.

Cats have a far keener sense of smell than people do, so a roasting turkey must be an incredible experience for a kitten. That powerful nose is part of why cats are drawn to the kitchen during holiday cooking. A few precautions keep them safe. Oven doors and stovetops get very hot, and kittens may jump up or lean against appliances without understanding the danger. Keeping kittens out of the kitchen while the oven is opened, and never leaving hot pans or roasting juices within reach, helps prevent burns. Once the meal is served, wrap up bones and drippings securely so they can't be stolen later.

Patience is a virtue, and this little tortie is practicing it beautifully. The turkey still has an hour to go, but she's not going anywhere until it's done.

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