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A brown tabby cat looks upward at a lit Christmas tree in a cozy living room with blankets and wrapping on the table. 2 / 21

She Stared at the Christmas Tree Like It Owed Her Something

AI imagetabby catchristmas treeliving room

From the arm of a cozy couch, a brown tabby tips her chin all the way up and stares at the lights. The tree glows behind her with warm white bulbs and a scatter of ornaments, and the living room around her is happily lived in, with plaid blankets, a basket, a pair of reading glasses and some half-finished gift wrapping on the table. Her whiskers fan out and her green-gold eyes are fixed on something shining near the top branches.

A lit tree is a lot for a curious cat to take in, and it helps to set it up with a little planning. Keep the cords tucked out of reach, since chewing on a wire is dangerous, and place breakable or dangling ornaments higher up rather than on the lowest branches. Tinsel and ribbon are tempting to bat around but can cause serious trouble if swallowed, so many cat families skip them. If the tree stands in water, cover the base, because that water is not meant for drinking. When in doubt about anything your cat swallowed, call your vet.

Tabby is a coat pattern rather than a breed, and the classic swirls on this cat blend beautifully with the evergreen and wood tones in the room. She looks perfectly calm for now, as though she is simply admiring the view. Whether she plans to climb it is a question for tomorrow.

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