Dottie Brought Out an Extra Chair for Pearl. It's Still Empty.
The sky beyond the yard has gone peach and rose, and the maple leaves overhead are turning orange at the edges. Two folding lawn chairs sit on the grass by the blue-gray house, but only one is occupied. Dottie leans back in her cream cable-knit cardigan, silver hair tousled by the breeze, gazing off toward the sunset with a calm, reflective expression. Pearl has settled into her lap instead of the empty chair, sitting tall with her white fur glowing faintly in the dusky light, one golden eye half-closed as the evening cools.
Autumn evenings bring a few seasonal things for cat owners to keep in mind. As days get shorter, cats often become more active at dusk, when birds and small animals are moving around, so outdoor time is best kept supervised and brought indoors before dark. Cooler nights mean a warm indoor bed becomes more appealing. Fallen leaves can hide ticks, and some autumn plants, like certain mums and bulbs being planted for spring, are harmful to cats if chewed. A quick look over your cat's coat after time outside is a good seasonal habit.
The second chair stays empty, and nobody minds. Pearl knows exactly where the warmest seat in the yard is, and Dottie is more than happy to keep it for her until the very last light fades from the sky.
