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A grandma with a silver braid holds a pencil over a crossword on a breakfast table while a calico cat sits beside her. 17 / 32

Dottie Was Stuck on Seven Across. Marigold Seemed to Have a Theory.

AI imagecalico catcrosswordbreakfast table

Breakfast is half finished: a cup of coffee, a few slices of toast, a bowl of berries and a lamp casting a warm glow. Dottie, silver braid down the front of her denim shirt, rests her pencil over a crossword puzzle with a look of quiet concentration. Beside her at the table Marigold sits tall, her orange, black and white face turned in profile and her green eyes thoughtfully on the puzzle, one white paw resting on the tabletop. A framed photo and a plant sit on the shelf behind them.

Word puzzles are a favorite pastime for many older adults, and keeping the mind busy with crosswords, jigsaws and games is a pleasant habit. Pets add companionship to those slow mornings, and a cat nearby can make the routine feel even more cozy. Table manners deserve a gentle rule, though. Cats love to explore plates and cups, but human foods can upset their stomachs, and some, like grapes, raisins, onions and chocolate, can be harmful. Keeping a small treat dish on the floor and teaching your cat that the table is for people helps keep the peace at breakfast.

Marigold looks like she already has an answer for seven across. Whether it is correct is anyone's guess. Dottie smiles, pencil poised, and gives her partner time to think. It is the kind of unhurried morning that makes the toast taste better.

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