Raphael the Gray Tabby

A gray tabby named Raphael lived in a house during the winter polar vortex. He was a creature of habit, and his most pressing winter habit was finding the precise location of warmth.

One particularly frigid afternoon, Raph discovered a new kitty perch: the top of the heat unit. It wasn’t just warm; it was the warmest spot. As he curled up, a moment occurred: a face-warming trend. To any observer, his face glowed with blissful heat. The external heat source created feline contentment.

His human, James, noticed the trend. He knew this warmth was normal, a sign of comfort and security. But being a diligent cat owner, he also kept a watchful eye.

One evening, James observed a subtle shift. The warmth was present, yet quiet stillness, uncharacteristic of Raph, also existed. He declined his favorite salmon snack and moved with a lethargy that sent a small chill down James’s spine, colder than the winter air outside.

A quick trip to the vet confirmed his suspicions. The face-warming trend, when coupled with a loss of appetite and unusual listlessness, was not just about seeking comfort; it was a fever.

Raph, via medicine plus rest, recovered again, mastering thermal comfort. The face-warming trend returned, but this time, it was a healthy glow of a happy, warm, and well-monitored cat, who knew the difference between a cozy sunbeam and a call for his human’s gentle attention.
,