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Older woman reaches up to pick a red apple while a gray Russian Blue cat sniffs fallen apples in the grass below. 23 / 38

Grandma Was Picking Apples. Sterling Was More Interested in the Ones on the Ground.

AI imagerussian blueapple orchardautumn

The little backyard orchard is heavy with fruit this fall. Grandma Dottie reaches up to twist a shiny red apple from a low branch, the cuffs of her chunky cardigan pushed back. Down in the grass, Sterling has found something far more interesting than the tree: a scattering of windfall apples. He's crouched low with his nose pressed close to one bruised red apple, whiskers forward, investigating every inch. Fallen leaves, scattered twigs and more apples dot the grass, and a weathered fence runs along the back of the yard.

Cats are natural sniffers, and new smells like ripening fruit are irresistible to explore. While most cats won't eat apples, it's good to know that apple flesh without seeds or skin is generally considered safe in tiny amounts, but the seeds, stems and leaves contain compounds that can be harmful to pets. Fallen fruit can also ferment as it rots, and fermenting fruit isn't something any pet should eat. If you have fruit trees, picking up windfalls regularly keeps the yard safer and also discourages wasps, which are drawn to sweet, fallen fruit and could sting a curious nose.

Sterling's apple inspection is thorough, if not especially productive. Still, it's hard to imagine a nicer way to spend a crisp autumn afternoon than in the orchard, side by side, each one busy with their own favorite job.

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