A Fresh Pumpkin Pie Cooled on the Counter. Somebody Small Was Sitting Very Close.
The pie is fresh out of the oven, its crust golden and fluted, its filling smooth and glossy. Right beside it on the kitchen counter, swaddled in a chunky orange knit blanket, sits a small blue-gray kitten with only her round face and big pointed ears peeking out. Her yellow-green eyes are fixed on the camera with an air of innocence that doesn't quite hide her interest in that pie. A carved jack-o'-lantern, scattered maple leaves, cinnamon sticks, and paper bats taped to the window turn the kitchen into a Halloween bakery.
Her plush, silvery coat and gentle face bring to mind the Russian Blue, a breed known for its dense blue-gray fur and, in adults, vivid green eyes. Russian Blues are often described as quiet, gentle, and loyal to their families, sometimes a little reserved with strangers. As for that pie, it's best kept out of reach. Rich, sugary desserts aren't good for cats, and holiday baking spices such as nutmeg can be harmful to pets in larger amounts. Counters can also hold hot pans, sharp knives, and other hazards. Giving a curious kitten a safe perch elsewhere, like a cat tree near the kitchen, lets her watch without getting into trouble.
For now, she seems content to be bundled up and admired. The pie, thankfully, appears untouched.
Nothing says autumn quite like a warm kitchen, a fresh pie, and a kitten wrapped up like a cinnamon roll.
