A White Cat Sits Among the Rose Petals and the Pieces of a Vase
Pink rose petals drift across the wooden floor, and a white cat sits in the middle of them, green eyes steady, ears pulled slightly back. Next to her, a blue ceramic vase lies in pieces, its roses spilled in a tangle of stems and soil. A single bright rose still rests in the broken base, almost as if it was placed there on purpose.
The hallway behind her is calm: sunlight on the floorboards, a pair of sneakers by the door, a backpack, and a shelf with a few shoes. We'll call her Snowdrop. She has the careful, sheepish look of a cat who knows she did something and is deciding how much to confess.
Cats knock things over for reasons that range from curiosity to attention-seeking to simply enjoying the sound. Vases are a classic casualty, and broken pieces can cut paws, so move the cat away first and sweep up carefully. Flowers deserve a second look too, since some are toxic to cats. Lilies in particular can be dangerous, even a small amount of pollen or water, and other common blooms can also cause problems. Roses are generally considered less harmful, but thorns can scratch. Place arrangements where your cat can't reach, use heavier vases, and give her a safe cat grass or herb to nibble. If she chewed any unfamiliar plants, call your vet.
Snowdrop stays right where she is, small and quiet among the petals, as though the roses had fallen on their own.
