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A seal point Siamese kitten sleeps curled up on a wooden mantel under three knitted Christmas stockings. 4 / 21

Three Stockings Hung by the Mantel, but a Fourth Thing Was Sleeping There

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Three cable-knit stockings in cream, forest green and cranberry red hang from a rustic mantel, and right beneath them a seal point Siamese kitten is fast asleep. Her cream body is curled into a perfect crescent, and her dark chocolate face is tucked into her paws. A garland of greenery and dried orange slices drapes above, a leafy plant sits to one side, and soft sunlight turns the brick behind her golden.

Siamese cats are known for being talkative and people-focused, so a sound sleep like this might be a rare break from chatting. Kittens in general sleep a great deal, often well over half the day, because they are growing quickly. A quiet, warm and safe resting spot helps them recharge, and it is kind to let them nap without too many interruptions.

The seal point coloring, with its dark face, ears, paws and tail, comes from a temperature-sensitive gene, which is why those points tend to be the cooler parts of the body. It is a neat bit of cat science that explains the classic look.

Mantels are a fun place for cats, but real fireplaces and candles are not a good mix with curious kittens. Using a screen, never leaving flames unattended and keeping decorations like dried fruit out of reach are simple precautions. Here, though, everything looks peaceful. We will call her Cocoa, and she has earned her rest. The stockings can wait until she wakes up.

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