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A ruddy Abyssinian cat and a white goat with black spots and horns sit snuggled together inside a worn metal wheelbarrow. 13 / 21

The Old Wheelbarrow Usually Hauls Dirt. Today It's Carrying Something Sweeter.

AI imageabyssinian catgoatwheelbarrow

A battered old wheelbarrow sits parked in the corner of the barn, its metal tub scuffed and dented from years of hauling. Today it carries a far sweeter load. A ruddy Abyssinian has curled into the front, paws tucked under and green eyes glancing up, while a white goat speckled with black spots lies snugly behind her, horns curving back and chin resting just above the cat's head. A bit of straw lines the bottom. Rubber boots, work shoes, a potted plant, and a blue jacket hanging on a nail fill the sunny doorway behind them.

Cats and goats often share space on small farms, and barn cats have long been valued for keeping mice and rats away from stored feed. Rodents can contaminate grain and hay and spread disease, so a tidy barn helps everyone. Storing feed in sealed metal bins, cleaning up spilled grain, and keeping hay off the ground make a barn less inviting to pests. Barn cats themselves still need care, including regular meals, fresh water, a warm shelter, and vaccinations, especially rabies, since they may encounter wildlife. Spaying or neutering keeps the cat population healthy and manageable.

In this cozy wheelbarrow, though, nobody is on duty. The barn work can wait while a hardworking cat and her goat friend take a well-deserved break. Sometimes the best seat on the farm is the one with wheels.

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