Merry Christmas Eve!

Hello and Merry Christmas Eve to all! Tomorrow is Christmas, as you all certainly know, and the kitties are getting ready for a visit from Santa Paws.

Before the kitties show you how they're preparing for the man in red to visit, I want to share one of my favorite festive photos of my precious pup Astrid, who gained her angel wings this September. It's our first Christmas without her, but I will never, ever forget the 11 wonderful Christmases we were blessed to celebrate with her.

You can see Evan (well, minus his head) in that there photo with Astrid, as they were buddies. Evan still hangs out by the Christmas tree at our back door, which is indeed where he's waiting for Santa Paws today.

As she waits for Santa Paws, Thimble decided to snap some festive glamour shots. What else is a gorgeous model to do on Christmas Eve?

As for Eddy, she's inspecting her abused beloved tree in my bedroom.

Eddy's paying especially close attention to the state of that big red ribbon she loves so much.

It needs to look just right for Santa Paws, after all.

Yesterday, Tonks inspected the outside of her favorite tree to make sure it looked just right for Santa Paws. Today, she's making sure the inside of her tree is all ready for Christmas.

And of course we didn't forget our house panther housemates, Toby and Winky. They own my sister, who currently lives with us, and they also love Christmas. First up is Toby, the handsomely fuzzy boy with majestic whiskers. I'm not sure if he thinks he can see Santa Paws through the ceiling, but he's looking up and waiting for something festive.

And then, mimicking her big brother, here's little miss Winky (and a calico photobomber).

Merry Christmas Eve!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is the image from last year's Christmas card. I wanted to go with A Christmas Carol sort of situation back then. My sweet angel pup Astrid played the role of Scrooge, with my extra special Evan playing Tiny Tim. Of course, the other kitties showed up to the festive party as well.

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Tip of the Day

We recently mentioned some ways to make Christmas special for both your own furbabies and those in shelters. Today, we want to remind you to remember those furbabies who are outdoors and in your neighborhood. Do you have stray or feral cats in your area? If so, for Christmas, or any day possible, try to give them any extra help you can. During this holiday season, or all year round, try to give strays and ferals extra food, treats, or even a toy. If possible, also try to offer them shelter in some way, even if it's something makeshift. This is something that can greatly benefit them during a cold and snowy winter. We'll soon be sharing some repeat yet also significant tips on offering assistance to outdoor strays and ferals, but for now we'll offer this simple reminder to remember outdoor furbabies during this holiday season.

Since we're talking about outdoor animals, perhaps also don't forget the squirrels and birds. For Christmas, you could throw some extra food out for wildlife, to allow them an extra festive day as well. Some places even make or sell especially festive suet cakes and other goodies for outdoor critters this time of year.

So, this Christmas season, don't forget to think outside of your own home and family. Of course Christmas is a time for family, but it's also a time to remember how lucky we are, and how others may not be so lucky. So, spread the love this Christmas season!

Tonks Tuesday: The Christmas Tree Inspection

There are just 2 days until Christmas. Tonks wants to make a good impression on Santa Paws, so she's inspecting her beloved Christmas tree to make sure it looks just right.

The tree probably wouldn't have to be so heavily inspected if Tonks didn't constantly catapult herself into it and climb all over it. But, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Merry Almost Christmas to all!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Christmas is quite literally right around the corner and I've only just started finishing up some of my new Christmas drawings for the season. Thankfully, Christmas Day itself is only the first of the Twelve Days of Christmas. So, my festive doodles for this year will be a Twelve Days of Christmas celebration rather than a lead-up to the big day itself. All that said, we'll share a couple more flashbacks, and then on Christmas Day we'll kick off the brand new festive doodles, starting with this year's Christmas card. For today, though, here's an another oldie for you.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip relates to the spirit of gift-giving during the holiday season. In particular, we're talking about the practice of giving cats, dogs, and other little critters as gifts on Christmas morning. The important thing here is that anyone giving a furry friend as a gift realize the significance of such a gift. Obviously, a living creature requires proper care and commitment. For this reason, if you or someone you know is intending on giving a cat, dog, or other critter as a gift, be sure that all considerations have been made. Does the recipient want a furry friend? Do finances, time, age, location, and other such factors allow the recipient to properly care for a furry friend? These are just the basics that need to be considered, as cats, dogs, and other animals come with far more factors than this. After all, pets are a commitment that can be with you for many years.

The long and short if it is that while it is wonderful to think of an animal finding a home on Christmas morning, it is still important to ensure that said animal will not end up without proper care, or back at a shelter or abandoned. There are of course times when giving or receiving a cat, dog, or other critter as a gift works out perfectly fine. Such cases might include when a husband or wife gifts a furbaby to their spouse who wants and can care for it, or when a parent knows their child wants and is capable of assisting in the care of a cat, dog, or other pet. If you or someone close to you is planning to surprise someone with a furry friend on Christmas morning, just as with any gift, do take into consideration whether a pet is appropriate for the recipient in question.

Mancat Monday: The Christmas Countdown

It's the week of Christmas. To be exact, it's 3 days until Christmas. Evan is indeed counting down the days, and since we're so close to the big day itself, he wanted to have an especially festive-looking Mancat Monday post. So, he went for a handsome, whiskery portrait of himself by his favorite Christmas tree

Evan and all of us here wish you a Merry Almost Christmas!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

This festive time of year, our homes are often more likely to be full of potential dangers. After all, we often deck the halls this time of year. Today's tip is to take this into consideration before leaving your furbaby home alone or in any way unattended. Before you leave your furbaby alone, do consider the decorations you have out and what risks they might pose. What's more, especially when your furbaby is left alone or unattended, be sure to make the house a safe place for them to stay. For example, unplug the Christmas tree lights and other similar decorations so that your furbaby cannot harm themselves. Of course, also make sure that no candles are lit when you are not present. Also think about small parts and pieces of decorations, especially if your furbaby is a chewer or is known to eat anything and everything. Move any such decor out of your furbaby's reach when you are not home or able to monitor them. Of course, it is best to always have decor with small or in any way dangerous parts and pieces well out of reach of curious paws and mouths. If need be, simply don't put out such decor in the first place. Or, only put out such decor in rooms or spaces where your furbaby does not have access. Long story short, before you leave your furbaby home alone or otherwise unattended, always be aware of the decor you put out for the holidays and what danger such decor might pose. As needed, when your furbaby is not being monitored, remove, turn off, or in some way render such decor a non-risk.

Festive Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Red Ribbon (Yet Again)

Hello, friends! We're of course ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. I still need to _________ before Christmas.

2. Don't forget to acknowledge _________ at Christmas.

3. _________ is my Christmas miracle.

4. I _________ on Christmas Eve and _________ on Christmas Day.


My answers are below in bold, accompanied by some festive rambling. 'Tis the season.

1. I still need to wrap gifts before Christmas.
(I always tell myself I'm going to wrap gifts early, but I never seem to manage it. That said, I'm wrapping gifts tonight. I'm honestly looking forward to it. Once I get home from work and get the kitties all settled for the evening, I'm going to put on Christmas movies and wrap away. It's perfect timing as well, because one of my sister's gifts has been lost in the mail for weeks but is finally out for delivery today. Whew.)

2. Don't forget to acknowledge delivery drivers at Christmas.
(As someone who isn't a fan of shopping or leaving my house any more than necessary, I do a lot of online shopping. For that reason, I always try to put out some treats for delivery drivers to select from when they're delivering at my house leading up to Christmas. After all, their loads are bigger and their days are longer this time of the year. I didn't get their treat station set up outside as early as I wanted to this year, but I'm still hoping some delivery drivers get to take advantage of it.)

3. Last week's delivery of a stray kitty to a local rescue is my Christmas miracle.
(I mentioned in this post here that a stray kitty started showing up in my neighborhood a while back, and I was so worried about her as the winter got colder and colder. After being turned away by some shelters as well as animal control, a local rescue was finally able to take her in for me, and I was so happy to transport her to them last Wednesday. Just two days after she was taken in by the rescue, we had highs barely over zero and wind chills down to nearly -30°F. I was so glad she wasn't out there for that.)

4. I feel especially festive on Christmas Eve and a bit more melancholic on Christmas Day.
(Ever since I was a kid, my family's big Christmas celebration is on Christmas Eve. We go to a beautiful Mass at our church in the early evening of Christmas Eve. Then we go to my parents' house for supper, and then we put on the A Christmas Story marathon on the TV and open the gifts under the Christmas tree. We stay up late and eat festive desserts and all that fun jazz. On Christmas morning my parents come to my house for sausage and scrambled eggs and we open our stockings and watch at least one Christmas movie, usually Arthur Christmas, and then later that night my sister and I go back to my parents' house and watch none other than Die Hard. Christmas Day is beautiful, but it often feels bittersweet. It's only the first of the Twelve Days of Christmas, but the TV stops playing Christmas movies, and radio stations stop playing festive music, and soon after you start seeing Christmas trees tossed to the cub. That always makes it feel a bit sad.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

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Eddy loves her year round Christmas tree in my room. She especially loves when I put its festive lights on and top it with that giant red ribbon.

For Christmas next week, you'll get to see Eddy giving that red ribbon the attention it deserves. Or perhaps doesn't deserve. We'll let you be the judge of that.

Eddy and all of us here wish you a festive Friday!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

My dad and I both enjoy horror movies, and so a couple times a week I go to my parents' house to watch scary movies with him. This time of year, we focus on creepy Christmas movies, and last night we watched Krampus. I really enjoy that movie, and I find the idea of Krampus festively frightful. A couple years ago I drew what I call Krampuss, and it seems fitting enough to share that today.

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Tip of the Day

Our past couple of tips covered what you can do to keep your furbaby happy and safe if you are traveling during this holiday season. On the other hand, what if your family is coming to your house for the holidays? First, as we've said many, many times before, practice door safety when guests are coming and going. If need be, block your kitty or pup's access to the door, or give them a safe room in which to stay. Consider whether your guests are staying for a short or long visit, and consider your individual furbaby's personality and behaviors when determining if, how often, or for how long they can safely intermingle with guests.

Of course, it isn't just your furbaby you have to worry about when guests arrive. Make sure that all guests know any important rules when it comes to your furbaby. If your kitty or pup is staying in a safe room while guests visit, for example, then make sure guests know if they are to refrain from visiting that room in the house. On the other hand, if your furbaby is a social butterfly and is out and about with guests, make sure that your guests understand what they should and should not do to keep your kitty or pup safe. For example, make sure guests are aware of the potential for escapes if the door is kept open. In addition, guests should know whether you allow your furbaby treats, and what human foods are dangerous and should not be fed to your kitty or pup. Also take safety precautions if guests are staying overnight. For example, make sure guests know to keep all medications or other potentially dangerous items well out of reach of resident cats and dogs.

It is possible for your house to be inhabited by both your furbabies and guests during this holiday season. At the same time, it's also important to make sure that all precautions are made to ensure that guests' stays are safe for everyone, including the furbabies of the home. So, simply think ahead and prepare both your furbabies and guests for a safe Christmas.

Thankful Thimble Thursday with the Big Red Ribbon

It's Thursday, which means my tabby girl Thimble is of course here and ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble found out that last week Eddy shared photos of her posing with the Christmas tree in my bedroom. That's the tree that's loosely decorated with battery-operated lights and a big red ribbon on top, as in her youth Eddy proved that she can't be trusted with anything else on a tree. Thimble decided she also wanted to pose with this tree, and so here you go.

Thimble and Eddy both love to sit on their cat tree beside the Christmas tree and watch into the back yard. They love keeping tabs on the squirrels and birds and neighbors back there.

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Now, of course, we have the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. I still need to _________ before Christmas.

2. Don't forget to acknowledge _________ at Christmas.

3. _________ is my Christmas miracle.

4. I _________ on Christmas Eve and _________ on Christmas Day.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I have done a number of doodles over the past few festive seasons that relate to my love for the song "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas", and this is one of them.

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Tip of the Day

Today we have our final tip on traveling with your furbaby this holiday season, or any time of the year. When traveling, always think ahead to your final destination and your plans for the entire trip, and then prepare accordingly. Will you be staying with family or friends? Do they have other animals? If so, does your furbaby get along with the other animals? Will your kitty or pup need to remain in a separate room or in a cage? Or, are you staying in a hotel? If so, did you ensure that it's a pet-friendly hotel? What are their requirements for a pet staying at their facility? Consider any and all such factors, and then think ahead to what you might need to prep for your furbaby's stay at your final destination.

In all of this planning, of course also don't forget the basic necessities. Bring plenty of your furbaby's food, especially if they are on a prescription or other special diet. Bring bowls and even water as needed. If your furbaby is on medication, bring ample amounts of it, especially in the event of any unexpected delays. Don't forget any potentially necessary items, such as cages, leashes, harnesses, seat belts, blankets, toys, and even cleaning supplies. Though it may not be a pleasant thought, also be sure to make plans and preparations for any emergencies that might arise. For example, take your furbaby's medical records with you, your veterinarian's information, as well as contact and other information on veterinary hospitals located in your travel destination. It never hurts to be over-prepared, so as space allows, plan and pack anything and everything you might need for the comfort and safety of your furbaby during your travels.

Woof Woof Wednesday with Festive Angel Astrid

It's time for some more festive fun with my sweet angel pup Astrid. We've shared flashbacks of the big girl in her Christmas sweater before, but how about another one?

That sweater isn't the only festive attire Astrid wore, though. We also always put a Christmas ribbon on her collar. My mom (Astrid's beloved Gammy) made all of Astrid's collar ribbons, and my favorite of her Christmas ones starred the renowned red truck:

Happy Wednesday from my sweet angel Astrid and all of us!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's doodle is indeed another flashback, this one being one of our previous Christmas card images. It of course starred all of the kitties as well as sweet pup Astrid.

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Tip of the Day

Today is another one of our tips on how to travel with your furbaby this holiday season, or any time of the year. When traveling with your furbaby, consider how you will be traveling and what all therefore might be necessary. Are you and your furbaby traveling by car? Plane? Train? For a plane, train, or other public transportation, do your research and understand what all that particular company might require for your furbaby to board and travel. Is a carrier required? If so, how small or big of one? Is a health certificate required, and/or proof of particular vaccinations? Look into all of this and plan well in advance so that all can be squared away before you and your furbaby head out on your travels. Of course, this is all also important to keep in mind when traveling in your own car. Proper, safe restraint is important even in a car, of course. Have secure carriers for kitties and small dogs, or leashes and seat belts for larger dogs. Even in your own car it is also important for your furbaby to be up-to-date on certain vaccines and other medical care, in case you should be stopped and asked for proof of their health status. So, while it is often possible to travel with your kitty or pup, do of course ensure that you allow proper time to find out what all you will need for safe and legal travels.

Tonks Tuesday with Our New Tree

Tonks has been enjoying our new Christmas tree. I mentioned a week or two ago how I won two new trees at a local Christmas tree festival this year. I only got one of them put up in the house, as I wasn't expecting so many new trees. Not to mention the one I didn't set up has a disco ball that spins on top of it, and I haven't yet decided on how to make that work with Tonks.

All that to say, my sweet calico has at least been enjoying our new, Tonks-safe tree.

I not only loved the classic aesthetics of this tree, but I loved that, save for one glass ornament I removed, every other bit of this tree is safe at my house. Cloth ribbons, wooden gingerbread house ornaments, and globe ornaments that are just plastic wrapped in red cloth made this tree immediately safe for my home. And when I won it, they handed it to me still decorated, but wrapped in plastic so that everything stayed in place. I genuinely just carried it into my house, set it on the floor, cut off the plastic, plugged it in, and I was done.

What's amazing is that Tonks actually hasn't tried to climb that tree at all. She bats at the parts and pieces, as you can see in the photos above, but she saves all the tree climbing for our bigger, older tree in which she loves to nap.

Oh, and I did take a picture of that tree when I first saw it at the festival where I won it.

It was one of dozens of trees, and it looked so pretty standing there. It's looking a little more askew now, as Tonks and the other kitties do bat at the ribbons and ornaments, but it's still pretty. It also came with those pretty lantern globes beneath it, and both Tonks and Thimble love watching where their lights glint on the walls.

Tonks and all of us here wish you a festive day!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm still working on this year's new Christmas doodles. I thankfully got our Christmas card doodle finished early in the month and will finally be sending those in the mail tomorrow. But, Christmas is barely over a week away and I meant to have shared multiple other new doodles by now. But, as you all know, life happens. I'll get them finished, though, and at least the Twelve Days of Christmas only starts on Christmas itself, as that gives me all those days to continue sharing the festive fun. Anyway, all that to say, we're still going with festive flashbacks doodles, and here's an old one starring my sweet calico angel Rosie.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, we mentioned how to prepare your furbaby if you are leaving them to travel for the holidays. Today, we are starting a short series of tips on what to do if you are traveling with your furbaby. First and foremost, if you plan to take your furbaby with you on a trip this Christmas, or any time of the year, talk to your veterinarian. Discuss with them your furbaby's health and whether traveling is safe for them. Some furbabies, such as those who are geriatric or who are suffering from an illness, might not be good candidates for traveling, especially long distance. If you are in need of traveling with such a furbaby, though, have a detailed discussion with your veterinarian on what you must do to take all precautions to keep your furbaby as healthy and happy as possible during travels. In some cases, even for young and healthy kitties or pups, some form of sedation might be in their best interest for traveling. This is another detail that you must discuss with your veterinarian. It is always our furbaby's best interest that we must have in mind, so ask your veterinarian any and all questions you have regarding keeping your furbaby happy and healthy during travels.