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Woman fills in a crossword with a pencil at a breakfast table while a gray Russian Blue cat sits close, eyeing the page. 13 / 38

Grandma Got Stuck on a Crossword Clue. Sterling Leaned In to Take a Look.

AI imagerussian bluecrosswordbreakfast table

Seven letters, starts with a C. Grandma Dottie has her pencil hovering over the newspaper crossword, a cup of frothy coffee by her elbow and a slice of buttered toast waiting on a plate. Sterling has hopped right up to the table to help, sitting so close that his gray whiskers nearly brush the puzzle. He's studying the grid with complete seriousness. Linen napkins lie bunched on the tabletop, and the kitchen counter behind them holds a bowl of apples, bananas and a little succulent soaking up the morning light.

Word puzzles are a favorite morning habit for many older adults, and plenty of people find that keeping the mind busy with games, reading and conversation is a pleasant part of staying sharp. A pet at the table adds a sense of company to the routine, even when the 'help' is mostly sitting on the paper. If your cat likes to join you at meals, it helps to decide early whether the table is allowed. Some families offer a chair or a window perch nearby instead, which keeps fur out of the toast and avoids accidental tastes of things like butter or coffee, neither of which suits a cat.

Sterling hasn't solved a single clue, but he has mastered the art of looking thoughtful. With a partner like that, even the hardest Sunday puzzle feels like a team effort.

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