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A smiling older couple in cream sweaters walk hand in hand past farmers market stalls as a tortoiseshell cat walks ahead. 11 / 34

Walt and June Went to the Farmers Market. Mabel Led the Parade.

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Saturday at the farmers market means fresh produce, friendly faces and a stroll with the one you love. Walt and June walk hand in hand down the sidewalk, grinning like newlyweds in their matching cream cable-knit sweaters. Crates of apples, leafy greens, squash and pumpkins line the stalls under canopies to the left, and a tidy little blue house with potted geraniums sits across the way. Out in front, Mabel the tortoiseshell trots along in a red collar, chin up, leading the parade as if she has a shopping list of her own.

Cats who are comfortable outdoors and in busy places are the exception rather than the rule, so outings like this need some planning. A secure harness with a leash attached is the safest option, since a collar alone can slip off if a cat panics. Busy markets bring crowds, dogs, strollers and loud noises, any of which can startle a cat. Keep visits short, stay toward quieter edges, and have a carrier on hand in case your cat wants a safe place to retreat. Keep an eye out for dropped food, too, since onions, garlic and some other common market items are not safe for cats.

Walt and June came for tomatoes and maybe a loaf of bread. What they really got was a sunny walk together, and a small tortoiseshell who seems to think the whole market was set up just for her.

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