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A woman with glasses plays checkers at a wooden table while a blue point Ragdoll cat rests her chin on the table edge. 31 / 31

Grandma Nell Was Winning at Checkers Until Bluebell Joined the Table

AI imageragdoll catcheckersporch

The checkerboard sits between red and black pieces, and Grandma Nell, glasses on, is studying her next move with a half-smile. In the foreground, Bluebell's big face fills the frame as she rests her chin right on the edge of the wooden table, ears pricked, blue eyes half-lidded. Behind them is the porch, with a throw blanket over a chair and a few tools on a bench. The game seems to be going slowly. A few chipped red pieces are already lined up near Nell's side of the board, hinting that she may be a more serious player than she first appears.

A cat resting her chin on the table is often a sign she is relaxed and wants to be part of things. Cats also have scent glands on their cheeks and chin, and rubbing there is a way of marking a place as familiar and safe. Games are great for quiet company, but small game pieces can be tempting for a swatting paw, and a piece rolling away could be swallowed, so keep an eye on them. If your cat likes to join in, offer her a toy of her own to bat. Ask your vet if she starts chewing on things.

Checkers is a patient game, and Bluebell is a patient audience. Nell has the board in front of her and an uncritical advisor beside her. The next move can wait.

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