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A sleek black cat and a tortoise look over the wooden edge of a raised garden bed in the evening light. 2 / 21

At Dusk, a Black Cat and a Tortoise Inspect the Garden Bed

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Evening settles over the backyard, and a sleek black cat rests her paws on the edge of a raised garden bed, golden eyes glowing a little in the dim light. At her side, Gus the tortoise stretches his wrinkled neck over the same board, nose pointed toward whatever is growing inside. String lights flicker on in the background, and a green watering can waits by the fence. Both have the same hopeful look, as if the garden might serve dinner. The cat is the elegant one, and the tortoise is very much the patient one.

Gardens are exciting for pets, but they hold hidden hazards. Many common plants, including lilies, which are especially dangerous for cats, can make animals sick, so it pays to check before planting. Tortoises, for their part, love tender weeds like dandelions and clover, which are a healthy part of many species' diets, but only if no pesticides have touched them. Cats are crepuscular, meaning most active around dawn and dusk, which is why this twilight scene suits her so well. Always keep fertilizers and slug bait locked away, and ask your vet if you suspect your pet ate something unsafe.

The garden is quiet now, and the two of them are in no rush to find out what's in it. The cat blinks slowly, and Gus keeps his eyes on the greens.

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