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An older couple in cream cable-knit sweaters work on a crossword at a kitchen table while a tortoiseshell cat lies in front. 1 / 34

Walt and June Were Stuck on Seven Across. Mabel Had Thoughts.

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Seven across is giving Walt and June trouble, and Mabel the tortoiseshell has decided the best place to help is right on the table. The couple lean in shoulder to shoulder in their matching cream cable-knit sweaters, Walt peering through his glasses while June points to a square with a quiet smile. A slice of toast waits on a plate, a mug of coffee cools at the edge, and Mabel sprawls across the wood with her patchwork coat of black, amber and caramel glowing in the soft kitchen light. Her golden eyes say she already knows the answer and simply chooses not to share it.

Tortoiseshell cats are not a breed but a color pattern, and nearly all of them are female because the genes for orange and black coat colors are carried on the X chromosome. Owners often joke about "tortitude," a reputation for sass and strong opinions. Personality really comes down to the individual cat, but many torties are affectionate, chatty and very interested in whatever their people are doing. Cats who sit on newspapers, keyboards and puzzle books are usually seeking attention and warmth, and the spot where your hands are busy is the most interesting place in the room. A cozy cat bed placed near the breakfast table can give a curious cat a good alternative perch.

Shared routines like a slow breakfast and a puzzle are a lovely way to start the day, and a cat who insists on joining in only makes the ritual sweeter. The crossword may stay half finished, but nobody at this table seems to mind one bit.

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An older couple in cream sweaters sit on concrete steps, each brushing a tortoiseshell cat lying between them.Two Brushes, One Tortoiseshell, and a Very Clear Verdict From MabelAn older couple in cream sweaters bathe a wet tortoiseshell cat in a soapy galvanized tub in a backyard garden.Bath Day in the Backyard Washtub. Mabel Was Not Consulted.
An older couple in cream sweaters doze head to head in a recliner while a tortoiseshell cat rests on the armrest.Walt and June Dozed Off in the Recliner. Mabel Stayed on Duty.An older couple in gray sweaters fix a wooden fence in the yard while a tortoiseshell cat holds a stick in its mouth.Walt Had the Hammer, June Had the Board. Mabel Brought Her Own Tool.A smiling older couple in cream sweaters sit on a boardwalk bench by the beach, holding a tortoiseshell cat on their laps.A Breezy Day on the Boardwalk, and Mabel Got the Best SeatAn older couple in cream sweaters sit in the cab of a rusty vintage pickup with a tortoiseshell cat on the seat beside them.Walt Drives, June Rides Shotgun, and the Middle Seat Has Strong Opinions