The Leaf Pile on the Porch Belonged to a Tabby and a Bunny

A drift of orange and gold leaves has collected on the porch, and two friends are sitting right in it. A silver tabby with bright yellow-green eyes lies with her paw stretched out, and beside her a tan lop-eared bunny nestles into the leaves with ears hanging and eyes soft. A doorway, a basket and a few shoes line the wall behind them.

Autumn leaves are a lot of fun for pets, but it helps to check them first. Wet leaves can grow mold, and some can hide sharp sticks or small objects that a pet should not eat. Rabbits like to nibble, and not all leaves are safe for them, so it is wise to offer only safe, known greens and hay. Tabby is a coat pattern, not a breed, and silver tabbies often have bold stripes and bright eyes. A cat and rabbit who get along can share a pile of leaves, but supervision is wise, since a rabbit has delicate bones. Talk to your vet about autumn safety for pets.

The leaves crinkle, the light is soft and there is a smell of cool afternoon in the air. The two friends settle in as if the whole season has been arranged just for them. It is a very comfortable way to watch the year turn. A leaf drifts down onto the bunny's back, and the cat watches it land with great interest, but neither of them is in any hurry to move.