The Pumpkin Lit Up at Dusk, and a Shaggy Guest Moved In Beside It

Dusk has come, and the jack-o'-lantern is glowing. A shaggy brown tabby Norwegian Forest Cat sits beside it on the weathered porch step, thick fur ruffled by the evening breeze, pale green eyes fixed on something past the edge of the picture. The pumpkin's triangle eyes and jagged smile flicker softly. Behind them, a door stands open to the dark interior, a pot of mums waits on the railing, and a faded blue shirt hangs over a chair.

Norwegian Forest Cats are an old, hardy breed from cold climates, with a thick double coat and a bushy tail that suits chilly evenings. They are typically gentle, patient, and a bit independent, and they enjoy climbing. That long coat tangles easily, so regular brushing, especially during seasonal shedding, keeps it healthy and reduces hairballs. If you light your jack-o'-lantern with a real candle, make sure it sits where a curious tail can't brush it, since a swishing tail near a flame is a real hazard. Battery-powered flickering lights give the same warm glow with far less worry, which is a better choice for homes with cats.

We might call him Bjorn, and he seems perfectly content to share the evening with a pumpkin. Neither of them says a word. They simply glow and watch, one with a candle's light and the other with a tabby's calm, and the street seems quieter for the company.