An Orange Longhair Took Over the Laundry Basket and Looks Delighted

The orange longhair is sitting in the laundry basket with a calm, pleased smile, as though he has always been part of the laundry. Clean clothes billow around him in soft heaps: white tees, gray shirts, folded towels, and a pair of dark socks lie spilled on the floor. His fur is a warm, fluffy gold, and his green eyes look gently toward you. A shelf of folded towels sits behind him, a cloth bag hangs at the side, and a wicker basket full of towels is stacked above. The room is simple and clean, and he is the happiest thing in it.

Cats love cozy spaces, and a basket of warm, freshly washed laundry is about as snug as it gets. The fabric smells like their people, it holds heat, and the sides of the basket make them feel safe. If your cat likes a laundry basket, you can give him a soft blanket in a smaller basket of his own, so the clean clothes stay clean. Long-haired cats shed a lot, so regular brushing helps keep clothes fur-free. If your cat chews fabric or eats threads, mention it to your vet, since swallowed fibers can be dangerous.

He looks as though he has just been crowned king of the laundry room. The clothes will need folding again, and perhaps a lint roller, but nobody will have the heart to move him. It is a fine way to spend an afternoon, and he knows it.