Otis Was One Clue From Finishing the Crossword. Then Mocha Sat Down on It.
Pale morning light comes through the kitchen window, a mug of coffee is cooling at his elbow, and Otis has a pencil poised over the newspaper crossword. He is grinning, maybe because he just cracked a tricky clue, or maybe because of the furry editor who has planted herself right on top of the puzzle pages. Mocha sits squarely in the middle of the action, her chocolate mask and blue eyes turned toward the camera, one white-gloved paw resting on a printed grid as if she is pointing out a mistake. A plate of toast, a spare pair of glasses, and a bowl of bananas and apples complete the breakfast scene.
Cats love sitting on paper, books, and keyboards, and there are a few simple reasons for it. Whatever you are focused on is clearly important, and sitting there puts the cat at the center of your attention. Paper also holds a bit of warmth from your hands and the table, and a flat, defined area like a newspaper page can feel like a cozy little territory. If you would rather keep the puzzle clear, try placing a folded blanket or a small cat bed on a chair right next to you. Many cats are happy with a spot that is close by rather than directly on top of your work.
Otis may finish the crossword today or he may not. Either way, with Mocha checking every answer, he has the most dedicated puzzle partner in the neighborhood, and that seems to suit him just fine.
