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A white-haired grandmother works on a wooden fence while a Siamese cat sits beside her holding a small twig in its mouth. 16 / 36

Grandma Edie Was Fixing the Old Fence. Miso Showed Up With Her Own Tool.

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Every repair job needs an assistant, and Miso has reported for duty with her own tool: a thin twig clamped in her mouth like a cigar. Grandma Edie kneels by the weathered picket fence in an olive quilted vest and plaid shirt, glasses low on her nose, working a small tool into the old wood with total concentration. Miso sits right at her elbow, blue eyes looking off to the side, as though waiting to be asked for the twig. The yard behind them is a happy jumble of garden hose, scrap boards, a potted plant on the fence rail, and dry leaves on the ground.

Cats carrying sticks, leaves, or toys in their mouths is a surprisingly common behavior, and Siamese cats are often noted for playful, almost doglike habits like fetching. Still, chewing on sticks can lead to splinters in the mouth or gums. Outdoor work areas also hold hazards for curious cats: nails, screws, sharp tools, wood stain, and treated lumber. Keeping hardware in a closed container and putting tools away when you step aside helps. If your cat ever seems to be pawing at its mouth, drooling, or refusing food after chewing something, check with your vet.

Whether Miso is helping or just keeping Edie company is up for debate. Either way, the fence is getting fixed and the job is a lot more fun with a twig-carrying cat on the crew.

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