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A white-haired grandmother rakes autumn leaves as a Siamese cat leaps forward into the leaf pile, paws outstretched. 4 / 36

Grandma Edie Spent Twenty Minutes on That Leaf Pile. Miso Needed About Two Seconds.

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Grandma Edie had been raking for twenty minutes, and the pile was looking very tidy. Then Miso arrived. The seal point Siamese is caught mid-pounce, front paws stretched forward, blue eyes huge, tail held out behind her for balance as she sails straight toward the crunchy orange and red leaves. Edie leans on her rake in an olive quilted vest and a cream sweater, her white hair in a loose updo, smiling at the chaos she knows is about to happen. Behind them, a gray-sided house, a screen door, potted mums, and a yard full of autumn color set the scene.

Playing in leaves can be wonderful enrichment for a cat, tapping into the instinct to stalk and pounce on rustling things. A few cautions make it safer. Leaf piles can hide sticks, thorny debris, insects, or small wildlife. Some common yard plants and autumn decorations can be harmful to cats, so it is worth checking what grows nearby. Cats that spend time outdoors should be up to date on vaccines and flea and tick prevention, which your vet can advise on. Supervised play or a harness is a good compromise for indoor cats who love a little outdoor adventure.

The leaves will need raking again, but Edie does not seem to mind one bit. Some chores are worth doing twice when the reward is watching a cat discover the joy of a perfect autumn pile.

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