Hank Had Almost Finished Raking the Leaves. Almost.
Hank had almost finished. The rake was moving in steady strokes, the leaves were gathering into a respectable pile, and then Ziggy launched. The Bengal is caught mid-leap, front paws reaching, back legs tucked, eyes locked on the crunchy heap of orange and brown leaves. Hank, glasses pushed up on his head and plaid sleeves rolled, is laughing so hard his eyes have nearly closed. Behind them, the fence and trees blaze with fall color, with plenty more leaves still waiting to come down.
That leap is pure instinct. Pouncing is part of the hunting sequence cats are born with, and a rustling pile of leaves sounds and moves a lot like small prey hiding underneath. Bengals in particular tend to be athletic, playful cats who need outlets for all that energy. Indoors, wand toys, crinkle balls, and paper bags with the handles removed can scratch the same itch. If your cat plays outside in leaves, check the pile first for sticks, thorns, or anything sharp, and afterward look over the coat for burrs and ticks. Avoid leaving rakes with the tines facing up, which can be a hazard for paws and people alike.
The leaf pile will have to be raked again, of course. But judging by Hank's laugh, that's a trade he's happy to make every single autumn.
