Grandpa Watered the Flowers and Juniper Followed Every Drop
A thin stream of water pours from the can in Gus's hands, sprinkling a bed of pink blossoms and purple sprigs. Juniper sits close beside him, her ears tilted toward the sound and her blue eyes tracking each drop as if it were a tiny show. The morning light is soft, an open door shows a cozy house behind them, and Gus gives the can a careful tilt. Along the path, a few mossy pots and a spare trowel wait their turn, and the whole yard has the freshly washed look of early morning.
Gardens are nice places for cats, but a few cautions are worth knowing. Some common garden plants, including lilies, are dangerous for cats, so it is wise to check any plant before planting it near a pet. Fertilizers and garden chemicals should be stored out of reach and kept off beds where a cat might walk and groom her paws. Cats also tend to enjoy watching moving water, even when they have no wish to get splashed. If you aren't sure about a plant, ask your vet or a local garden center.
Juniper isn't moving, even as the drops catch the light. Gus keeps watering with the patient routine of a longtime gardener, and the flowers lean up to meet him. It looks like another small, good morning. Few things are as calming as watching water fall on thirsty plants, and she seems to agree.
