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A calico cat rests her chin on a wooden table beside a checkerboard while an older man in a cardigan makes a move behind her. 7 / 39

Otis Was Deep in a Game of Checkers. Clementine Picked Her Seat.

AI imagecalico catcheckersporch

The checkerboard is out on the old wooden table, red and black pieces lined up, and Otis is leaning over it with one hand hovering above his next move. His mustard cardigan and glasses give him the look of a man who has played this game many times. Clementine is in the foreground, calico chin resting flat on the edge of the table, ears turned slightly sideways, amber eyes half-lidded. Behind them the porch opens onto a misty green yard, and the morning is soft and quiet. She looks like a spectator who has decided to watch from the best seat available.

Cats are drawn to the places where their people spend time, and a game table gives plenty to watch. Moving pieces catch their attention, and resting a chin on a surface is often a sign of relaxed curiosity. Small game pieces are worth keeping out of reach during play, because a curious paw can swat a checker onto the floor, and cats may chew on pieces small enough to swallow. If you are playing with a cat nearby, a slow, steady hand movement keeps her calm, and a nearby bed or blanket gives her a place to settle. Many cats also like predictable routines, so a regular afternoon game can become a happy habit for both of you. Fresh air on a covered porch adds to the fun, as long as the cat stays safely supervised.

Otis will make his move eventually. Clementine seems to be in no rush to see how it turns out, and honestly, neither does he.

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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.A calico cat sniffs a pile of wood curls on a porch bench while an older man in a cardigan whittles with a small knife.Otis Was Whittling on the Porch. Clementine Had Questions About the Curls.
An older man in a knit cardigan sips coffee on weathered porch steps while a calico cat looks up at him.Otis Sat Down With His Coffee. Clementine Looked Up With One Idea.A calico cat sits upright on a breakfast table beside a crossword puzzle while an older man in a cardigan fills in answers.Otis Started the Crossword. Clementine Took the Seat Next to the Clues.An older man in a green cardigan reads a newspaper on a couch while a calico cat sleeps curled up on his lap.Otis Opened the Newspaper. Clementine Claimed Her Spot on His Lap.An older man in a green cardigan holds a calico cat snugly wrapped in a blanket beside a door with rain outside.Otis Brought Clementine Inside Out of the Rain. The Blanket Did the Rest.