Grandpa Was Picking Apples. Jasper Was Running His Own Inspection Below.
Rows of apple trees stretch across the orchard, their branches heavy with shiny red fruit. Grandpa, in a brown cable-knit cardigan and glasses, reaches high overhead to twist a ripe apple from its branch, his expression calm and focused. On the grass below, a scattering of fallen apples lies among the leaves, some bright and fresh, others spotted and bruised. Stalking low among them is Jasper the Bengal, nose pressed close to one apple as he gives it a thorough, suspicious sniff.
Apple orchards make for a lovely autumn outing, and it is natural for a curious cat to investigate the fruit on the ground. A small piece of plain apple flesh is not toxic to cats, but the seeds, stems, and leaves contain compounds that can be harmful, so they should be kept away from pets. Fallen apples that are rotting or fermenting are also best avoided, since they may harbor mold or cause stomach upset. Cats get little benefit from fruit anyway, as their diet is built around animal protein. Keep your cat on a harness in open spaces like orchards, and wipe their paws afterward if the area may have been sprayed.
Grandpa is gathering apples for pies and cider, and Jasper is conducting his own careful inspection of the harvest. Together, they make a fine orchard crew on this crisp fall day.
