Gracie Kept a Close Watch on the Pie While It Cooled
A round-faced gray Scottish Fold sits on the kitchen counter with her amber eyes fixed on a pumpkin pie that is cooling on a wire rack. Her small folded ears lie flat against her head, and her wide, serious face tells the whole story. Beside her are a dish of butter, a bowl of cranberries and walnuts, a wooden spoon, and a couple of kitchen towels. The kitchen behind them is bright and neat.
Scottish Folds are known for their small, forward-folded ears and round faces, which come from a natural gene variation. The same gene can also affect cartilage and joints, so a vet checkup is especially useful for the breed, and a good diet and healthy weight are helpful. They are typically gentle, sweet-natured cats who like being close to their people.
A pie on the counter is a very tempting thing for any cat, and counters are a place cats love to explore. Pies often contain sugar, cream, and spices such as nutmeg that are not meant for cats, so it is best to cover them or keep them in a closed room until serving. We will call this careful watcher Gracie. She hasn't touched the pie, and she may not, but she is clearly planning something. It is hard to know whether she is guarding the pie or admiring it, but she looks as serious about the job as any baker.
