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A chubby cream cat sits on a wood floor beside a dark green door decorated with a pine and cone wreath. 1 / 21

The Greeter at the Wreath Door Had Waited All Afternoon

AI imageexotic shorthairchristmasfront door

The front door is dressed for the holidays, with a full wreath of pine and cones hanging at eye level, and right below it sits a round cream-colored cat with a squashed little face and big copper eyes. Coats hang on hooks in the entryway, a few pairs of boots are lined up along the wall, and a woven mat waits on the floor. The cat looks slightly upward, as if listening for footsteps on the porch, ears tipped forward and paws tucked neatly together.

That plush, teddy-bear look is typical of the Exotic Shorthair, a breed often described as a short-haired cousin of the Persian. They tend to be quiet, easygoing companions who enjoy being near their people more than racing around the house. The dense coat is easier to care for than a long Persian coat, but a few brushing sessions a week still help with shedding. Flat-faced cats can also get watery eyes, so gently wiping the corners with a soft damp cloth is a common habit, and your vet can advise on anything beyond that.

Doorways are a favorite post for cats because they offer a view of both the inside world and the outside one. This cream gentleman seems to have taken the job of official greeter very seriously, and the wreath makes a fine backdrop for the role.

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