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A smiling elderly Black man in a green cardigan crouches in a yard holding a small ball out to a seal point Birman cat. 7 / 32

Otis Crouched Down With the Ball. Mocha Lowered Herself Into Position.

AI imagebirmanbackyard playfetch

Crouched low in the backyard grass among scattered autumn leaves, Otis holds out a small brown ball with a grin that lights up his whole face. He is clearly ready for a game. Mocha is crouched too, body low, one front paw stretched forward, her dark ears tipped toward the ball and her blue eyes sharp with intent. Behind them, the yard is a gardener's happy clutter: terracotta pots of herbs, a blue watering can on its side, a rake against the fence, and a plaid blanket tossed over a lawn chair.

Many people are surprised to learn that some cats will play fetch. Cats are natural hunters, and chasing, pouncing on, and carrying small objects mirrors the way they would catch prey. Some individuals enjoy bringing a toy back to their person to keep the game going, and social, people-loving breeds may be more likely to join in. Short, regular play sessions help with fitness, reduce boredom, and strengthen the bond between cat and owner. Use toys large enough that they cannot be swallowed, end the game while your cat is still interested, and offer a treat at the end to mimic the satisfying finish of a hunt.

Whether Mocha brings the ball back or simply bats it under the lawn chair is anyone's guess. Otis looks thrilled either way, and that is really the whole point of the game.

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A laughing elderly Black man in a cream cardigan holds a vanilla ice cream cone as a seal point Birman sniffs it.Otis Brought Home a Vanilla Cone. Mocha Wanted to Inspect It Personally.An elderly Black man in a cream cardigan sits in a wooden rocking chair while a seal point Birman sleeps on a rug at his feet.Otis Settled Into His Rocking Chair. He Didn't Rock Once All Afternoon.
An elderly Black man in a cable-knit cardigan brushes a seal point Birman lying on wooden back steps at sunset.Otis Brought the Brush Out to the Back Steps. Mocha Melted on the Spot.An elderly Black man in a knit cardigan sleeps on the grass with his head resting against a sleeping seal point Birman.Otis Lay Down in the Grass for Five Minutes of Sun. Mocha Joined Him Cheek to Cheek.An elderly Black man in a knit cardigan fills a wooden bird feeder full of sparrows while a seal point Birman sits nearby.Otis Filled the Bird Feeder at Dusk. Mocha Sat Below It, Suspiciously Still.An elderly Black man in a brown cardigan plays an old upright piano as a seal point Birman sits on the wooden bench beside him.Otis Sat Down at the Old Piano. Mocha Claimed the Other Half of the Bench.