Smokey the Exotic Shorthair Tried Baking, Sort Of, and Wore the Results

Flour has settled across this grey Exotic Shorthair like a light dusting of snow. It is on his nose, in his whiskers, along the top of his round head, and in a small drift on the countertop beneath him. His amber eyes are large and slightly offended, and his ears are tilted back in the universal sign of a cat who knows he has been spotted. Behind him sits the aftermath of an ambitious baking session, with a wooden board, a spoon, an open bag, and a stack of dishes.

Exotic Shorthairs are often described as the easygoing cousins of the Persian, with the same flat face and round, teddy-bear look but a shorter coat that is easier to keep up. They tend to be gentle, affectionate, and happy to follow their people from room to room, which is probably how he ended up on the counter. Kitchen counters are worth thinking about with any cat. Flour is harmless to touch, but some common kitchen items, like onions, garlic, chocolate, and raisins, are not safe for pets. If your cat gets into something you are unsure about, call your vet.

Let's call him Smokey, since he is currently half smoke and half bakery. A damp cloth will take care of the whiskers, and nobody will be baking anything until the counter is cleaned. He, of course, will remain deeply unimpressed by all of it.