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A grandmother in glasses holds a sandwich while a blue point Siamese cat sniffs it on a garden bench. 12 / 20

A Sandwich, a Quiet Bench and a Nose That Arrived Too Fast

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The sandwich is only halfway to Ruth's mouth when a gray-masked nose arrives to inspect it. Grandma Ruth sits on a weathered wooden bench in a sage green quilted vest, glasses low on her nose, holding a sandwich layered with lettuce and sliced meat. Misty the blue point Siamese has climbed onto the bench beside her, blue eyes wide, whiskers forward and nose within an inch of lunch. Behind them the garden is quiet, with a wooden fence, a clay pot and patches of winter grass.

Cats are obligate carnivores, so the smell of sliced meat is almost impossible for them to ignore. Even so, people food is best kept to a minimum. Deli meats are often very salty, and bread, onions, garlic and certain sauces are not good for cats. A tiny taste of plain cooked chicken is typically safer than anything seasoned, and treats should be a small part of her daily diet. Keep sandwiches out of reach while you eat, and never leave food on a bench where she can help herself. If your cat gets into something she shouldn't, or her appetite changes, it is best to call your vet. A treat made for cats is a much safer way to share a picnic.

Ruth looks down at her visitor with an amused, soft expression. She knows exactly how this goes. Somewhere inside her is a firm rule, and somewhere nearby is a pair of pleading blue eyes. The negotiation is quiet and old, and it will probably end in a cat-friendly snack and a very satisfied Siamese. Lunch outdoors is better with company.

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