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An older woman crouches under an apple tree picking fruit while a grey Sphynx cat sniffs fallen red apples on the ground. 33 / 39

Abuela Rosa Reached for the Ripest Apple. Chispa Was Busy Investigating the Ground.

AI imagesphynx catapple pickingautumn

The apple tree beside the pale blue shed is heavy with ripe fruit, and Abuela Rosa has crouched down to pick one from a low branch, smiling as she turns it in her hand. She's dressed for the job in a plaid flannel shirt and a long floral apron, a wicker basket half full of red apples waiting nearby. Down at ground level, Chispa is on her own mission. The grey Sphynx is crouched low among the fallen leaves, nose to the ground, wrinkled forehead furrowed in concentration as she sniffs a speckled windfall apple, her pale eyes narrowed with curiosity.

Cats experience the world largely through their noses, and an orchard floor is packed with interesting smells: fruit, soil, leaves, and traces of whatever wildlife has wandered through. Sniffing is a healthy, enriching activity, but snacking on what's found there isn't a good idea. Apple seeds, stems, and leaves contain compounds that can be harmful, and fermenting fruit can upset a cat's stomach. Cats are also not built to digest much fruit. Outdoor time for a Sphynx is best kept short, shaded, and supervised, preferably on a harness, to protect that sensitive bare skin from sun and scratches.

Rosa's basket is filling up nicely, and Chispa has inspected nearly every apple on the ground. It sounds like a productive afternoon for both of them.

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