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An older woman in glasses plays checkers on a porch while a grey Sphynx cat rests its chin on the wooden table edge. 28 / 39

Abuela Rosa Set Up the Checkerboard. Her Opponent Rested Her Chin on the Table.

AI imagesphynx catcheckersporch

The red and black checkers are lined up and ready on a small wooden board, and Abuela Rosa is studying her opening move with a quiet smile. She's in a light blue shirt and coral-flowered apron, glasses perched on her nose, hands folded at the table's edge. Her opponent, or at least her audience, has a unique strategy. Chispa is stretched out on the porch boards with her chin resting right on the edge of the weathered table, big ears tilted, golden eyes peering across at the board as though she's calculating several moves ahead. A plaid blanket, a water bottle, and potted plants clutter the cozy porch behind them.

Chin-resting is a sweet bit of cat body language. A cat who lays its head down near you while keeping its eyes open is usually relaxed and engaged, comfortable enough to settle but still interested in what you're doing. Board games can also be a nice moment to involve a playful cat, but small game pieces like checkers, dice, and tokens are tempting to bat around and could be a choking risk if chewed. Keeping spare pieces in a closed box and giving the cat a crinkle toy or wand toy nearby can satisfy that curiosity. Sphynx cats in particular tend to want to be part of everything.

Rosa might win this game without much trouble. Still, it's hard to imagine a better opponent than one who never gloats and always shows up.

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