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A pale blue-point kitten with gray ears and tail sits beside an archway of hay bales next to a small jack-o'-lantern. 11 / 25

A Gray-Eared Kitten Stopped at the Door of the Hay Bale Maze

AI imageblue point kittenragdollhay maze

A little stack of hay bales forms a doorway, and a pale blue-point kitten sits just outside it, tilting her head to look at the dark opening. Her ears and tail are smoky gray, her face is soft cream, and her bright blue eyes are fixed on the entrance as if she is deciding whether the maze is worth the risk. Loose straw covers the pavement, a carved pumpkin grins from the corner, and the sunny front steps of the house sit just behind. Let's call her Mist.

Ragdolls, which the colors here suggest, are known as one of the larger, more laid-back breeds. They often enjoy being near their people and may follow them from room to room. Kittens are born white and develop their pointed colors slowly over the first couple of years, so a kitten like this one will probably darken a bit as she grows. Their silky coat is less prone to matting than you might think, but a weekly brushing keeps it neat.

Tunnels and mazes appeal to cats because of how they think about space. A narrow entrance gives a sense of security and a good lookout, and a tunnel is perfect for ambushing a toy. You can create the same feeling at home with a paper bag with the handles removed, a cardboard box with two holes cut into it, or a cat tunnel from a pet store. Hay itself can be dusty, and loose straw can irritate noses or get chewed, so it makes better scenery than bedding for a kitten.

Mist is still weighing her decision. Whether she dives in or sits another minute, the entrance will be waiting.

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