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An older man in a cardigan and glasses plants a tomato seedling while a calico cat digs a hole in the soil beside him. 2 / 39

Otis Was Planting Tomatoes. Clementine Started a Project of Her Own.

AI imagecalico catgardeningbackyard

Spring planting is underway in the backyard, and Otis is down on his knees in the raised bed, cardigan sleeves pushed up, gently pressing a young tomato seedling into the dark soil. Trays of basil and starter plants line the wooden edge, a green watering can waits on the path, and gloves are tossed aside on the grass. Right next to his hands, Clementine has started a project of her own. Her white front paws are deep in a fresh hole, dirt flying, and her face says she is absolutely certain she is helping.

Digging in loose, soft soil comes naturally to cats, because freshly turned garden beds look and feel a lot like a giant litter box. That instinct can be a problem for vegetable gardeners. A few simple tricks help: lay chicken wire or plant netting just under the soil surface, scatter pine cones or stones between seedlings, or give the cat a small digging patch of her own in a corner of the yard. It is also worth checking what grows nearby, since some common garden plants, including tomato leaves and stems, can upset a cat's stomach if she chews on them. Keeping fertilizers and slug baits out of reach matters too. If you are unsure whether a plant is safe, talk to your vet.

Otis does not seem to mind the extra help today. A tomato plant, a curious calico, and a sunny afternoon in the dirt make for a pretty good start to the growing season, even if a few holes end up in the wrong places.

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An older man in glasses and a cardigan sorts black-and-white photos on a table while a calico cat sniffs at them.Otis Opened the Old Photo Box. Clementine Moved In for a Closer Look.A smiling older man in glasses and a mustard cardigan holds a calico cat on his lap beside a turntable.Otis Put on a Record and Sat Down. Clementine Had Been Waiting for That.
An older man in glasses reads a folded letter while a calico cat sleeps with her head on his knee beside a mug.Otis Read an Old Letter Slowly. Clementine Stayed Right by His Knee.An older man in a green cardigan sits on weathered porch steps holding a calico cat securely in his arms.Otis Picked Clementine Up Halfway Up the Porch StepsA calico cat rests her chin on a wooden table beside a checkerboard while an older man in a cardigan makes a move behind her.Otis Was Deep in a Game of Checkers. Clementine Picked Her Seat.A calico cat leaps between white sheets on a clothesline while a smiling older man in a cardigan pins up laundry.Otis Was Hanging Sheets on the Line. Clementine Took a Flying Leap.