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An older man in a knit cap rakes autumn leaves as a tuxedo cat leaps into the leaf pile with paws outstretched. 31 / 37

Grandpa Had Almost Finished Raking the Leaves Into a Perfect Pile

AI imagetuxedo catautumn leavesyard work

Grandpa had nearly finished. The rake was moving in steady strokes, the leaves were gathering into a respectable pile, and then, with a rustle and a flash of white paws, Domino launched himself right into the middle of it. The cat is caught mid-pounce with eyes wide and tail up, crisp orange and brown leaves flying around his feet. Grandpa, wool cap on and rake in hand, peers down with a face that's half exasperation and half amusement. Behind them, a porch holds potted mums, a coiled hose, and a pair of muddy garden shoes.

Leaf piles are pure entertainment for cats. They crunch, they shift, they hide all kinds of interesting smells, and every rustle sounds like it might be a mouse. A little supervised play is fine, but a few precautions help. Leaf piles can hide sharp sticks, insects, and sometimes ticks, so a quick check of your cat's coat afterward is wise, especially around the ears and neck. Avoid letting cats play in piles near roads or where lawn chemicals have recently been applied. And if you plan to bag or burn leaves, always check the pile first, since small animals love to burrow into them.

Domino has clearly decided that raking is a game invented entirely for his benefit. Grandpa will be starting this pile over in a moment or two.

Fall chores take a little longer with a cat around, but they're a lot more fun.

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