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An elderly Black woman in a denim jacket offers seeds to mallard ducks at a pond's edge as a black cat sits beside her. 19 / 36

A Black Cat at the Duck Pond Sounds Like Trouble. Licorice Surprised Everyone.

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Down at the park pond, the mallards have spotted Grandma Odessa, and they're paddling over in a hopeful little flotilla. She kneels in the grass at the water's edge in a denim jacket, glasses on her head, holding out a palm full of seeds while a small heap of grain waits on the bank. Right at her side sits Licorice, surprisingly calm, his golden eyes focused on the ducks rather than chasing them. Across the water, there's a paved walking path, a chain-link fence, and a row of tidy houses under a pale sky.

If you enjoy feeding ducks, what you offer matters. Bread is a popular choice but provides little nutrition for waterfowl, and leftover soggy crusts can foul the water. Better options include cracked corn, oats, birdseed, chopped lettuce, or thawed frozen peas, offered in small amounts. Many parks have their own rules about feeding wildlife, so it's worth checking signs first. Bringing a cat along needs extra care: a secure harness and leash are a must, since even a mellow cat may react to sudden wings or quacking, and keeping a respectful distance protects both the cat and the birds.

Licorice's patience here is pretty remarkable, considering how many feathers are within pouncing range. Maybe he knows he's on his best behavior, or maybe he's simply happy to be included. Either way, it's a peaceful picture of a lady and her cat enjoying the pond.

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A laughing elderly Black woman holds a bowl of popcorn on the couch while a black cat reaches a paw toward it.Movie Night Hadn't Even Started When Licorice Made His First MoveA smiling elderly Black woman in a gray cardigan sways in a sunny kitchen as a black cat with its tail raised walks by.Grandma Odessa Started Swaying to the Radio. She Wasn't Dancing Alone for Long.
An elderly Black woman in a blue cardigan sips lemonade through a straw on a porch at dusk with a black cat on her lap.Grandma Poured Herself One Glass of Lemonade. Licorice Claimed the Rest of the Evening.An elderly Black woman in a cream sweater holds a soaking wet black cat wrapped in a plaid blanket inside her entryway.The Sky Opened Up Halfway Through Their Walk. Licorice Came Home Looking Like This.An elderly Black woman with a canvas tote walks through a patch of orange pumpkins while a black cat walks beside her.Grandma Went Pumpkin Picking. Her Black Cat Had Strong Opinions on Which One.A smiling elderly Black woman pins white sheets on a clothesline as a black cat pushes out from between the hanging laundry.Grandma Odessa Pinned Up the Last Clean Sheet. Then the Laundry Moved.