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A white-haired woman in glasses and a navy vest carries a ruddy Abyssinian cat past produce stalls at a street market. 25 / 34

Grandma Ruth Went to the Farmers Market. She Didn't Carry a Basket.

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Tomatoes, cucumbers, bundles of green beans, and baskets of garlic line the sidewalk stalls, and the whole street smells of fresh produce. Grandma Ruth is making her weekly rounds with a canvas tote over her shoulder, a navy quilted vest over her cream sweater, and her glasses perched on her nose. Instead of a basket in her arms, though, she is carrying Saffron. The ruddy Abyssinian rests against her chest with his front paws draped over her forearm, looking out at the busy market with wide, curious eyes and ears tilted toward every new voice. Ruth gazes down at him with a gentle, slightly amused smile.

Busy public places can be a lot for a cat to take in. Crowds, unfamiliar dogs, strange smells, and sudden noises can startle even a confident cat, and a frightened cat can wriggle free in a heartbeat. If you want to bring a cat somewhere like a market, a secure carrier or a well-fitted harness with a leash is much safer than holding the cat loose. Start with short, quiet outings and watch for signs of stress, such as flattened ears, wide pupils, or a lashing tail. Many cats are happiest at home, and that is perfectly fine. Some curious, people-oriented cats, though, do seem to enjoy a little supervised adventure.

Ruth came for a few tomatoes and some fresh beans. She will leave with those, plus a dozen compliments from the vendors about her handsome copper-coated shopping companion.

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