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Elderly Black man in glasses playing checkers on a porch table while a Bengal cat rests its chin on the table in front. 6 / 27

Grandpa Was Thinking Three Moves Ahead. Jasper Was Ready to Call a Foul.

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Red and black checkers sit mid-game on a wooden board, and Grandpa, in a cozy cable-knit cardigan and black-rimmed glasses, studies them with the seriousness of a grandmaster. The covered porch behind him opens onto a green backyard with a blue watering can and potted plants. But the most attentive player is not Grandpa at all. Jasper the Bengal has stretched out across the porch table, resting his chin flat on the weathered wood, his golden-green eyes wide and steady, his whiskers fanned out. He looks ready to call a foul.

Board games like checkers, chess, and dominoes are a terrific way for older adults to keep their minds engaged, and they are even better when shared with friends or family. Cats seem to enjoy being part of these quiet gatherings too. Bengals are highly social and intelligent, and they often want to be right in the middle of whatever their people are doing. Resting a chin on a table or a lap is a sign of trust and comfort. Just keep an eye on small game pieces, which a playful paw might bat away or a curious mouth might try to taste.

Grandpa may be thinking three moves ahead, but Jasper is thinking about whether those checkers would be fun to knock off the table. It is going to be a close game either way.

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