She Looked at the Christmas Tree Like It Had Just Appeared From Nowhere
Wide copper eyes turn skyward as a cream British Shorthair kitten admires something above her head, perhaps a star, perhaps an ornament, perhaps just the ceiling. She sits on a soft white blanket with her round cheeks and pink-lined ears catching the daylight, while the Christmas tree sparkles in the background, wrapped with tiny lights and baubles. A throw rests on the couch behind it and a few pine cones sit on the floor.
British Shorthairs are sturdy, round-faced cats with plush coats and calm, easygoing dispositions. They tend to be affectionate without being clingy and often prefer sitting beside you to being carried. Kittens, however, are still energetic and curious, and a glowing tree can look like the best climbing frame ever built. Keep your tree anchored, place fragile ornaments high, and skip tinsel and ribbon, which cats love to chew and which can cause serious intestinal trouble if swallowed. Pine needles and tree water can upset a stomach, so cover the base. Talk to your vet if you ever suspect she has eaten something she shouldn't.
It is a quiet moment of wonder from a small cat who is seeing her first Christmas tree. If she keeps looking up that sweetly, the whole family may forget to worry about how many ornaments are at paw height. For a first Christmas, it is a pretty good start.
