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A grandma with curly gray hair reaches for red apples on a tree while a gray tabby cat sniffs fallen apples in the grass. 7 / 24

Grandma Edie Was Picking the Best Apples Off the Tree. Pebble Was Busy With the Others.

AI imagegray tabbyapple pickingautumn

The backyard apple tree is heavy with fruit, its branches bending low with shiny red apples. Grandma Edie, in a gray cardigan over a plaid flannel shirt, reaches up to test one with her fingers, glasses on and expression thoughtful. Down in the grass, Pebble has found a far more interesting project. He crouches low among the windfalls, nose pressed close to a bruised yellow apple, whiskers twitching as he works through each scent. A cloth bag of picked apples sits near the fence, along with a pair of work gloves.

Fallen fruit is worth keeping an eye on when pets are around. The flesh of an apple is not toxic to cats, but cats have no real need for fruit, and the seeds, stems, and leaves contain compounds that can be harmful in larger amounts. Windfalls can also start to ferment as they rot, and they attract wasps and bees, which can sting a curious nose. Picking up fallen apples regularly keeps the yard safer for pets and tidier too. Cats are mostly interested in smells anyway, and a yard full of fruit is like a newspaper full of fresh stories.

Pebble will likely move on soon to sniff the next apple, and the next, inspecting each one as if it matters a great deal. Grandma Edie will fill her bag, and maybe there will be pie by Sunday. It is the kind of slow autumn afternoon that smells as good as it looks.

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