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A white-haired woman in glasses hammers a wooden fence as a ruddy Abyssinian cat holds a thin stick in its mouth beside her. 13 / 34

Grandma Ruth Was Fixing the Fence Alone. Then Her Assistant Arrived.

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Tap, tap, tap. Grandma Ruth bends over the leaning section of the garden fence, glasses perched on her nose and a hammer gripped firmly in one hand, steadying a loose board with the other. Her plaid shirtsleeves are pushed up under the green quilted vest, and her white hair is knotted out of the way. Right beside her, Saffron sits tall with a long, thin stick clamped crosswise in his mouth, staring up with wide golden eyes as if to say he brought the lumber. The yard around them is full of small details: a galvanized watering can by the steps, potted plants on the stoop, and a pair of sneakers left near the door.

Abyssinians are often described as playful and busy, and some cats do pick up and carry objects, much like a dog bringing a toy. It is a fun habit, but outdoor projects call for a bit of care. Keep nails, screws, and small hardware in a closed container, since a cat can step on a sharp point or try to chew something dangerous. Splintered sticks are also not ideal chew toys, so swapping a stick for a sturdy cat toy is a good idea once the photo moment passes. And a hammer swinging close to curious paws is a good reason to have a helper keep a cat at a safe distance during the noisy parts.

The fence will be standing straight again by suppertime. Saffron will take full credit, of course, and Ruth will let him, because that little stick was clearly the most important piece of the whole repair.

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