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An elderly Black woman with a tote of fresh vegetables smiles down at a fluffy black cat at an outdoor farmers market. 32 / 36

Grandma Odessa Went Shopping for Tomatoes. Licorice Came Along for Something Else.

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Saturday morning at the farmers market, and Grandma Odessa's tote is already bulging with leafy greens and ripe tomatoes. She's dressed for errands in a denim jacket over an olive top, a fine gold chain at her neck, and she's smiling down at the fluffy black cat beside her. Licorice gazes up at her with big golden eyes, his long fur catching the morning breeze. All around them, white canopy tents shelter wooden crates and woven baskets heaped with zucchini, peppers, pumpkins, and greens, while shoppers drift past in the soft background.

Busy public places can be a lot for a cat, so if you ever bring yours along, comfort and safety come first. A well-ventilated carrier or a pet stroller gives a cat a secure retreat, and a snug harness and leash are essential for any time outside it. Watch for signs of stress, like flattened ears, a low crouch, or frantic attempts to hide, and head home if they appear. Many markets have rules about animals, especially near food stalls, so check ahead. For most cats, honestly, the best part of market day is the fresh catnip or cat grass you bring home for them.

Licorice seems unbothered by the bustle, or perhaps he's just focused on the one person who matters. Odessa looks proud to have him along. A good haul of produce and a loyal companion make for a very satisfying morning.

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An elderly Black woman in a cream cardigan reads a worn handwritten letter while a black cat lies across her lap.Grandma Odessa Unfolded a Letter She's Read a Hundred Times. Licorice Noticed.An elderly Black woman in glasses bathes a soapy black cat sitting in a galvanized metal tub in a backyard.Grandma Odessa Filled the Old Washtub With Bubbles. Licorice Was Not Consulted.
An elderly Black woman leans over a plush pet bed, tucking a plaid blanket around a black cat wearing a green knit sweater.Every Night, Grandma Odessa Does the Same Thing Before Licorice Goes to SleepAn elderly Black woman waters a front-yard flower bed with a metal watering can while a black cat sits watching the spray.Grandma Odessa Watered the Flowers. Licorice Was Watching Something Very Closely.An elderly Black woman with short silver curls in a green cardigan holds a black cat on a covered porch as rain falls.The Storm Rolled In. Licorice Knew Exactly Where He Was Going.A smiling elderly Black woman rakes autumn leaves as a black cat bounds through the pile toward the camera.Grandma Odessa Finally Finished Raking the Leaves. Then Licorice Saw the Pile.