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A blue-gray British Shorthair cat sits on a rug with a grumpy expression beneath an orange and black pennant garland. 2 / 26

A Gray Cat Was Not Impressed by the New Halloween Decorations

AI imagebritish shorthairhalloween garlandgrumpy cat

Under a string of orange and black pennants dotted with tiny jack-o'-lanterns and bats, a round-faced blue-gray cat sits with a perfectly unimpressed look. Her cheeks are plump, her eyes are copper-gold and half-narrowed, and her whole body says she did not ask for decorations. A rug, a sofa with a green throw, and a houseplant fill the living room behind her.

British Shorthairs are known for their dense plush coats, round faces, and calm temperaments. They tend to be easygoing, quietly affectionate, and a bit more reserved than very athletic breeds, so that frown may be nothing more than her normal face. Dangling decorations like this garland do deserve a safety check, though. Cats love to bat and chew string, and a long strand of paper or cord can be swallowed or wrap around a paw or neck. Hang garlands high out of reach, and look for any that have come loose. A sturdy scratching post and a few toys of her own are good ways to redirect attention. And a calm cat deserves plenty of quiet time during a busy season.

Cats often seem judgmental when their routines change, since they prefer familiarity.

If her eyebrows could move, this is exactly where they would go. The pennants flutter above her, and she lets them, with the look of a cat who will forgive all of this by dinnertime.

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