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A brown tabby cat sits in a wicker laundry basket surrounded by clothes strewn across a wooden floor. 4 / 26

Fresh Laundry Was Folded. Maple the Tabby Had a Different Plan.

AI imagetabby catlaundry basketamerican shorthair

Clean towels were folded just a moment ago, and now they are everywhere. Maple the brown tabby sits in the middle of the wicker basket looking straight into the room, wide-eyed and perfectly composed, with a pink shirt, a pair of jeans and several soft towels spilling over the edges around her. More laundry lies across the wooden floor, a bottle of detergent stands in the corner, and the basket creaks slightly under her. Her striped coat and tall ears make her look like a queen on a rather untidy throne.

Cats adore laundry baskets for good reasons. A pile of warm clothes is soft and cozy, and the basket sides make a snug, enclosed space that helps a cat feel safe. Clean laundry also smells like the people they love, and fresh-from-the-dryer fabric holds heat, which is very attractive to a creature that enjoys temperatures higher than people do. American Shorthairs are sturdy, adaptable cats known for being friendly and easygoing, and many are happy to nap anywhere comfortable. If you want to keep your folded clothes fur-free, a cardboard box or a soft bed with a worn T-shirt inside placed nearby can be a good substitute. One practical safety note: always check the dryer and washer before closing the door, since cats sometimes curl up inside.

Maple will be lifted out, the towels will be refolded, and by tomorrow she will be back in the basket. Some thrones are simply too good to give up.

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