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An older man in a tan cardigan holds out crumbs to mallards at a pond while a calico cat sits a few feet away. 33 / 39

Otis Offered Crumbs to the Ducks. Clementine Watched From the Grass.

AI imagecalico catducksbackyard pond

Three mallards paddle close to the muddy bank, their green heads glinting, and Otis kneels at the edge with a handful of crumbs held out in his palm. His tan cardigan looks soft in the golden light and his glasses sit low as he smiles at the ducks. A few feet away, Clementine sits on the grass with her calico fur fluffed out, front paws together and eyes locked on the birds. A brick house and a green fence frame the yard behind them. She is perfectly still, though her tail tip is just beginning to twitch with interest.

Feeding ducks is a classic outing, but bread is not great for them, because it fills them up without giving the nutrition they need. Better choices include a little cracked corn, oats, or chopped greens, offered in small amounts. Cats and ducks do not always mix well, so it is wise to keep a cat on a harness or well back from the water's edge during feeding time. Wild birds can carry germs, so wash your hands afterward, and avoid letting your cat lick the pond water or wet ground. Ponds can also hold algae and other hazards, so supervise outings closely. If she ever eats or drinks something unusual outdoors, talk to your vet.

Otis lets the crumbs fall and the ducks gather. Clementine watches the whole show from her spot on the grass, calm, curious, and just a little bit tempted.

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An older man in a knit cardigan sleeps in a hammock strung between two trees with a calico cat curled up on his chest.Otis Stretched Out in the Hammock. Clementine Climbed Aboard Too.A smiling older man in a cardigan holds out his palm while a calico cat places her paw in his hand on a patterned rug.Otis Held Out His Hand. Clementine Knew Exactly What to Do.An older man in a cream cardigan leans on an old wooden dock holding a fishing pole beside a calico cat.Otis Cast a Line From the Old Dock. Clementine Sat Right Beside Him.An older man in an olive cardigan sits in a green folding chair beside a calico cat in a backyard at dusk.Otis Pulled Up a Chair for the Last Light. Clementine Squeezed In Too.