Harold Dropped the Tailgate to Watch the Fields. Saffron Had Something to Tell Ruth.
Out at the edge of a field, the old blue pickup has its tailgate down, and Harold and Ruth are taking in the evening. Harold, in a green flannel shirt and wristwatch, rests his hands on his knees with a gentle smile, while Ruth, in a cream cardigan, bends toward Saffron with a laugh. The Abyssinian sits upright on the worn truck bed between them, stretching up to bump noses with Ruth. A pair of work gloves and a blue rag lie nearby, and beyond them, rolling fields, a wire fence, and a pale sunset sky stretch out for miles.
Cats often greet the people they love by touching noses or bumping heads, a behavior called bunting. Cats have scent glands on their cheeks and foreheads, so a head bump or nose touch is a friendly way of saying hello and mixing familiar scents together. It's generally a sign of trust and affection. If your cat comes along on drives or outings, make sure it rides in a secure carrier while the vehicle is moving, and only let it out in a safe, quiet spot, ideally on a harness. Open fields can hold surprises, from wildlife to sudden noises, that may startle even a calm cat.
Some of the best moments aren't planned at all. A tailgate, a sunset, and a cat offering a little nose kiss turn an ordinary drive into a memory Harold and Ruth will talk about for a long time.
