Opal Was Stuck on 14 Down. Butterscotch Put His Paw Right on It.
Toast on a plate, coffee in a mug, and the morning crossword spread out on the kitchen table: Opal's breakfast routine is nearly perfect. The only problem is the enormous orange cat who has joined her. Butterscotch sits right at the table's edge, his huge fluffy chest puffed out and his long ginger fur glowing in the window light. He leans in toward the puzzle with one paw planted firmly on the corner of the page, as if he has strong opinions about a particular clue. Opal, in a green sweater with her glasses low on her nose, peers at the grid and at him with a patient, amused expression. Dishes and a small plant sit by the sink behind them.
Crossword puzzles are a favorite morning ritual for many people, and keeping the mind active with word games, reading, and conversation is commonly encouraged at every age. Cats seem to love paper projects too, likely because they know where your attention is focused, and they want a share of it. If your cat tends to sit on the newspaper or bat at your pen, try setting a cozy spot or a small treat puzzle nearby before you start, so they have their own breakfast activity. And keep coffee and buttered toast out of reach, since caffeine is toxic to cats and buttery foods can upset their stomachs.
Opal might finish the puzzle a bit slower today, but she has the most enthusiastic partner in town. Maybe Butterscotch knows the answer to 14 down after all.
