Onyx Sat Next to the Snowman and Stared It Down

Sitting in the snow just a paw's length from a snowman in a red plaid scarf, the black Maine Coon kitten stares at the camera with wide golden eyes. The snowman has coal eyes, a carrot nose, and three black buttons, and a pair of wreaths hangs on the door of the house behind them. A blue bucket, a stack of wood, and a few steps frame the snowy yard.

Maine Coon kittens grow into very large cats, but they're still tiny fluffballs at this age. Their thick, water-resistant coat was developed for cold climates, which helps explain why this breed handles winter weather better than some others. Even so, a kitten has very little body fat and loses heat quickly, so snow time should be short and supervised. Dry him off with a warm towel when he comes inside.

Maine Coons are curious, intelligent, and social, and a snowman is the sort of new thing a kitten will want to inspect. The best approach is to let him approach on his own terms, and to keep an eye out for any hazards in the yard, like salt, antifreeze, or sharp debris. Indoor play with feather toys and puzzle feeders is an excellent way to let him burn energy when the weather is too cold.

We'll call him Onyx. The snowman hasn't said a word, which is fine, because Onyx is only here for the scarf.