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An elderly Black grandma hammers wooden fence boards in a yard while a fluffy orange cat holds a twig in its mouth. 4 / 30

Grandma Was Fixing the Fence When a Very Serious Orange Cat Reported for Duty

AI imageorange catfence repairbackyard

The backyard project is in full swing. Odessa kneels in the grass in an olive hoodie, a hammer in one hand and a few nails at the ready, working on a section of fence rail laid across the ground. An open toolbox sits beside her with screwdrivers, a level, and a pair of work gloves, and a blue bucket waits near the back steps. But the real surprise is her helper. Marmalade sits proudly right in the middle of the work zone, his long orange coat glowing in the daylight, holding a twig crosswise in his mouth like a tiny carpenter with a pencil behind his ear. His golden eyes stare off with total seriousness.

Cats carrying sticks or toys in their mouths is less common than in dogs, but plenty of cats do it, sometimes even bringing items to their people as a kind of gift. It can be playful hunting behavior or simply curiosity about an interesting object. Still, a work area is not the safest place for a curious cat. Nails, screws, sharp tools, sawdust, and paint or wood treatments can all cause injuries or irritation. It is a good idea to keep pets indoors or at a safe distance during home repairs, and to sweep up small hardware afterward. Twigs from untreated, nontoxic plants are usually harmless to carry, but chewing them should be discouraged.

Odessa does not seem to mind the extra supervision. The fence will be standing again before supper, and Marmalade will surely claim the credit, twig and all.

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