Another Pumpkin Pal on Tonks Tuesday

Tonks found out that yesterday Evan shared some pumpkin pals. So, today, the little calico wanted to do the same.

Tonks wishes you all a not-so-spooky sort of day!

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Spooky Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

We're just in the early stages of our October-long Halloween tips. Today, how about we get one of the most common Halloween tips out of the way? That's right, today we're talking about candy. The long and short of it is that you should never leave candy sitting out where your furbaby can find it and help themselves. Whether it be candy you're saving for yourself, or the candy dish you've prepared for those trick-or-treaters, always keep it well hidden from the kitties and pups.

As you all certainly know, chocolate can be very toxic to our furbabies. Another candy danger includes artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which can be found in sugar-free candy, among other foods and goods. This candy discussion can also include raisins, and the double whammy that is chocolate-covered raisins. After all, raisins are toxic to kitties and pups just like chocolate is. To be on the safe side, no matter what kind of candy you're handing out this Halloween or have around the house, keep it hidden away from curious paws and maws.

In the event that your furbaby finds the candy, know the potential signs of toxicity. These can vary, and might include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or even neurological symptoms. Should you think or know that your furbaby has gotten into your candy stash, or should you observe any signs of toxicity, do not hesitate to seek veterinary assistance. It also does not hurt to have on hand a poison control number, such as the ASPCA at 1-888-426-4435.

Mancat Monday: Evan's Pumpkin Pals and an Update on Trapper

First and foremost, thank you all for the purrs and prayers for my parents' kitty Trapper. My entire family appreciates it so very much. I had a longer update typed out here, but I'm going to shorten it because everything really is up in the air right now. The rare but aggressive pancreatic carcinoma seems to be causing Trapper to decline rather quickly.

Trapper is losing weight and muscle rapidly, and despite getting subcutaneous fluids both at the vet and at home, his fur looks very dehydrated and feathered. Trapper does still try to do some of his usual stuff, but he's a very tired little guy who is declining right before our eyes. He does have an oncology appointment scheduled for Wednesday, but this afternoon my mom is taking Trapper to our usual, trusted vet to see his thoughts on Trapper's current status. This is the same vet who takes care of my own kitties, and he is a very kind and also very honest vet, which I appreciate so much. Said vet will do another ultrasound to see if Trapper's tumor has noticeably grown since last week, and he also plans on giving Trapper more fluids and to determine if there's anything else that could keep him comfortable.

Thank you all again for the purrs and prayers for sweet Trapper. He's such a blessing to our family, and so are all of you.

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Evan is now here on this Mancat Monday, and he's getting frightfully festive. Well, perhaps not frightfully so. After all, do these pumpkin pals really look all that scary?

Wishing you all a happy Monday!

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Spooky Flashback Doodle of the Day

With everything going on with Trapper and other parts of life, I haven't worked on my new Halloween drawings or my writing project in many, many, many days. I'll get back to it, but for now how about a bit of concept art starring my story's main kitty character? This kitty was of course inspired by my boy Evan. Oh, and the story kicks off on Halloween, because I couldn't help myself.

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Tip of the Day

Our past two Halloween tips were about potential hazards of Halloween decorations. Wreaths, garland, and festive trinkets can pose dangers, as can candles in or out of jack-o'-lanterns. And, of course, don't forget cords for strands of lights or other decor. Relating to these previous decor tips, today we're talking about ways you can keep your furbaby safe while also getting festive.

First, of course, keep any and all potentially hazardous items high off of the ground, or out of the reach of your furbaby in any other way necessary. In addition to this, you can tape down or tuck away cords to lights or other decor. There are even pet-safe and child-safe cord covers, under which cords can be tucked away from curious paws. But, what about when it comes to candles? Aside from refraining from burning them, or keeping them out of reach or in a room away from your furbaby, you can try battery-operated or other similar artificial candles. You can use these safer options in festive candle holders, or even to light your jack-o'-lanterns. Of course, though, do keep in mind that batteries and plastic parts and pieces can also pose their own risks to furbabies. So, while fake candles might not burn your furbaby, it is still wise to keep an eye on your furbaby around such items, especially if your kitty or pup is a chewer.

To expand on the above, we'll give a little reminder to also keep in mind wildlife, as well as stray and feral cats, when decorating outdoors. Cords to light strands, for example, can be just as dangerous to outdoor animals as they can be to indoor animals. The same goes for candles, such as those in jack-o'-lanterns that you might set up on your porch. So for the safety of animals outdoors, keep cords outdoor-safe, and keep them as safely and securely hidden as possible. Just as we mentioned for indoor furbabies, you can use battery-operated or other artificial candles to prevent burns or fires when lighting jack-o'-lanterns outdoors. Again, though, do keep in mind that batteries and plastic pieces can also pose threats to animals.

One other particular outdoor Halloween decoration we want to address are artificial cobwebs. Please use these with caution, or don't use them at all. These fake cobwebs could lead to animals outdoors becoming dangerously tangled. What's more, ingesting them can lead to issues such as bowel obstruction. Decorations such as artificial cobwebs might be fun and festive, but always keep the safety of both indoor and outdoor animals in mind when using any such products.

Friendly Fill-Ins and...Here's Eddy!

Hello and happy Friday, friends! We're 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 plan to _________ and _________ in October.

2. _________ was the highlight of my week.

3. 'Tis the season for _________.

4. Though a lot of people like _________, I can't stand it.


My answers are below in bold, and are yet again accompanied by far too much rambling. I apologize, but I'm admittedly in a bit of an anxiously wordy mood.

1. I plan to watch lots of Halloween movies and finish all of my new Halloween drawings in October.
(I go to my parents' house every Tuesday and Thursday night to watch horror movies with my dad. In October, we always make a list of movies that take place around Halloween. Many are repeats we watch every year, and some are new. I look forward to this every October. I also put on other nostalgic Halloween movies at my house as often as I can. As for the second part of my answer, though things have gotten pretty chaotic in my family, I'm still trying my absolute best to finish all of my new Halloween doodles I've outlined for this year. I am waiting on a restock of my markers to arrive in the mail, so hopefully those show up soon.)

2. Seeing my parents' cat Trapper play in the bathtub was the highlight of my week.
(That might sound a bit odd or specific, but it's for a good reason. My week took a huge downturn when my parents' kitty Trapper, who is my girl Thimble's littermate, was diagnosed with cancer. Right now, all signs point to the discovered tumor being a pancreatic carcinoma, which is pretty much a worst case scenario. My mom is waiting to know what day the local university veterinary teaching hospital can see him for a consult at their oncology department. With the very short time most cats survive with this cancer, we're hoping they can see him very, very soon. All that to say, despite his significant weight loss, muscle loss, and dehydration, as well as his odd skin issues that we learned are cancer-related paraneoplastic dermatitis, Trapper is still trying to do some of his usual things. He's always loved playing in the bathtub, and my dad says he's still been doing that every morning. What's more, sweet Trapper asked me to turn the bath water on for him when I was at their house last night. I loved seeing that, and of course I happily complied.)

3. 'Tis the season for Christmas shopping.
(I easily could have put yet another Halloween answer here, and I almost did. But, the reality is that by Halloween, I'm usually well into my Christmas shopping. I've already done quite a bit of it already, and this month I have a few more things I intend on purchasing for family Christmas gifts. I've never been much of a procrastinator, because that makes me anxious. So, even while I'm in the midst of Halloween fun that I enjoy so much, I'm also thinking about Christmas.)

4. Though a lot of people like all things pumpkin spice, I can't stand it.
(Here's the thing: I love pumpkin pie. When I make pumpkin pie, though, I add a healthy dose of cinnamon, and then either no other spices or only a tiny bit of ginger and cloves. I prefer just the cinnamon. I also love other baked pumpkin goods that have very pumpkin-y flavors rather than the spicy side of things. The spice part of that usually overwhelms my taste buds. So, when it comes to actual pumpkin spice and everything flavored like it, I'm not really a fan.)

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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Are you ready for your Eddy fix? Today we have a flashback for you, and it's a favorite of mine. Eddy's photo today also goes with an old doodle I scribbled up a couple years ago. So, let's begin with Eddy, who doesn't believe in personal space in the bathroom. See?

Every time Eddy tries to break into the bathroom like this, it reminds me of the scene in The Shining when the crazed main character tries to force his way through a door. You know that famous "Here's Johnny!" scene? Either way, I made this version of it for Eddy, but of course I Halloweenified it.

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Tip of the Day

As we mentioned yesterday, we're dedicating October to tips all about Halloween. We already discussed keeping wreaths, garland, and other similar Halloween decor either pet-friendly or out of your furbaby's reach. Today, we're expanding on this with a tip that we've covered in a variety of ways in past tips. We're talking, yet again, about candles. This time of year, candles often become more popular because of cool weather, and because of the delicious scents often associated with this season of autumn. What's more, candles often come into play when we carve jack-o'-lanterns. These carved pumpkins can pose just as much of a risk as open candle flames. Curious paws or faces, or even wagging tails, could be burned by candles out in the open or those in a pumpkin. Fire could also result if a kitty or pup knocks over a candle, or a jack-o'-lantern containing a candle.

For the above reasons and more, light plain candles or those in jack-o'-lanterns only if they are safely out of reach of your furbaby, even if that means lighting them in a room not accessible to your kitty or pup. It is also of course best that candles or jack-o'-lanterns be left lit only if you are available to monitor the situation. If you are not able to keep an eye on a candle, jack-o'-lantern, and nearby furbabies, then do not leave any flames lit.

Candles and jack-o'-lanterns can make for very festive decor. However, flames can of course pose a risk to your furbaby, and also to your home in general. Therefore, always put the safety of your furbaby and everyone else in the home first when it comes to fiery festivities this time of year.

An Unfortunate Update on Thimble's Brother Trapper

Hello, friends. I mentioned yesterday how my parents' kitty Trapper, who is my girl Thimble's littermate, was going to the vet for I believe the third or fourth time this month because of some health issues he's having.

That up there is sweet and handsome Trapper. Though the below photo of Thimble doesn't really show it well, these two look a lot alike.

Now, back to Trapper's vet visit. My mom took her sweet Trapper in yesterday, and the short story is that we didn't get the news we wanted. Though we're awaiting pathology results to know more, Trapper almost certainly has cancer.

Trapper's noticeable symptoms all started with skin issues on his head as well as ear infections. Despite treatment, the skin issues continued, and they spread and got worse. Then he began rapidly losing weight and muscle, and his fur became very unkempt. He also became more tired and subdued, though with moments of him trying to do his usual thing. Though his bloodwork overall looked good about a month ago, he did have some mild anemia.

We were hoping we were dealing with a treatable autoimmune issue, given Trapper's odd array of symptoms. The skin issues were the primary reason we thought that, but we now know those are likely hormonally-induced or otherwise secondary to the main problem. That's because Trapper has a 3 cm mass in the right side of his abdomen. His vet believes it is a malignant, aggressive neuroendocrine cancer, and that it's possibly on his pancreas or adrenal gland. Trapper's vet was able to get a fine needle aspirate, and our local university veterinary hospital will be looking at those slides and giving more info on it likely this afternoon.

At this point, until my mom hears back from Trapper's vet with more information following the pathology, we are not yet sure what the treatment or management of symptoms will be. The vet did do further imaging yesterday, and it does not appear that the cancer has spread anywhere else at this time. It's still likely an aggressive form, though, as Trapper lost 2 lbs in less than a month. He had plenty to lose and is still 17 lbs, but it's still not good.

Until we hear more, we don't know if surgical removal of the tumor is even an option or beneficial. If it's not, we at least hope that there are medications that could perhaps help slow things down, or at least treat the symptoms and give us some more time with sweet Trapper. He did get some pep in his step after getting subcutaneous fluids and a vitamin B12 injection at his appointment yesterday, so that's another option that can be done regularly.

Trapper is such a sweet boy, and this seems so unfair. Of course, that's always the case. Like all the kitties in my family, Trapper is considered a senior. He's 12 years old, but that still seems far too young. His and Thimble's littermate Talon passed away early last year, at the age of 10, from a rare lung cancer. The type of cancer Trapper's vet believes he has is also considered rare.

I'm sorry this is such a morose and also rambling post. I find it very cathartic to share this sort of stuff here, with fellow animal lovers. I love all of the animals in my life, of course including my parents' kitties, and I can only hope we still have plenty of good days left with Trapper. We shall see. For now, my parents and of course my sister and myself will be giving him lots and lots of love.

If you have purrs and prayers to spare for Trapper, my family would greatly appreciate it!

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We're of course still sharing 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 plan to _________ and _________ in October.

2. _________ was the highlight of my week.

3. 'Tis the season for _________.

4. Though a lot of people like _________, I can't stand it.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Spooky Flashback Doodle of the Day

Happy October! Which pretty much means, well, Happy Halloween! We'll be sharing nothing but spooky and kooky doodles for the next 31+ days. I'm still working on my new doodles for this Halloween season, so for today I'll share this flashback of a feline version of my favorite nostalgic Halloween movie.

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Tip of the Day

Given how much we love Halloween here, we're going to make a series of tips on Halloween last all the way through October. We're going to start today with none other than the festive decorations. Most people might be more cognizant of their decorations and how they might affect the resident furbabies around Christmastime. However, also keep pet-safety in mind if you put up Halloween decorations. Halloween decorations can come in all shapes and sizes, such as wreaths, garland, and all sorts of trinkets and goodies in between. If you're anything like us, you have all sorts of black cats and pumpkins out on display this time of year. No matter what kind of decorations you put out, make sure that anything your furbaby might chew on is out of their reach. Small pieces of Halloween decor, or parts and pieces of off larger pieces of decor, could lead to choking, obstruction, or perforation of the bowel if ingested. So, while you don't have to refrain from being festive and decorating for Halloween (or any holiday), you simply need to take your kitty or pup's safety into consideration when placing all decor.

Woof Woof Wednesday with Astrid and Trapper

It's Woof Woof Wednesday, and today sweet angel pup Astrid allowed herself to take a bit of a backseat for the sake of her kitty pal Trapper.

Trapper is my girl Thimble's littermate, and he owns my parents. He loved Astrid, but he also trolled her. He was in charge, and Astrid knew it. They had a very special relationship.

That said, Trapper is headed to the vet today because he's been having some health issues. It started a little over a month ago with a bald, sore patch on his head beside his left ear, and he was treated for an ear infection as well as a skin infection. At the time, he also had bloodwork done that showed a bit of anemia, and he was a bit dehydrated. He's been seen twice since then, with what seemed like a stubborn ear infection, with hair loss around his ears.

Trapper's symptoms have now all gotten much worse. He seems to be having some oozing sores on his head, and now his paw pads are even cracking and flaking. The poor boy's anus even has an oozing sore as of last night. And he's itchy. Like, really, really, really itchy. While his vet will of course be the one to give any final diagnoses, if you look up pemphigus foliaceus, Trapper's symptoms look a lot like that. I saw this condition once at the vet clinic where I used to work, and it's an autoimmune skin disease that causes a lot of the exact issues Trapper is having, both dermatologic and systemic.

Again, Trapper's vet will examine him, do testing, and make any necessary diagnoses. But, though we of course don't want Trapper to have an autoimmune disease, this could be a better outcome than certain other illnesses. Trapper was diagnosed with diabetes 3 years ago, and he's on the pill Bexacat for treatment of that. I mention this because the main treatment for many autoimmune issues is steroids, a fact that doesn't really mix well with diabetes. Trapper's vet has already said that if Trapper does have an autoimmune disorder, steroids might be necessary, even if a low dose for a short time. There are also non-steroidal immunosuppressant options, though, so there's hope. Assuming that's what Trapper is suffering from, of course.

I will also note that Trapper has noticeably lost weight, as well as muscle, and his coat has gotten increasingly unkempt. That has me, and of course my parents as well as my sister, very worried. He clearly has something going on with his skin, but it could be a secondary thing because of something else going on. I want to be hopeful, but I also want to be realistic.

Is that enough rambling? I do indeed ramble when I'm worried about any of my furry family members, so my apologies. All that said, if you have some purrs and prayers to spare for Trapper, we'd really appreciate it. Tomorrow Thimble will give an update on how Trapper's vet appointment went. After all, Trapper is her twin brother.

Happy Wednesday to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Trapper and Astrid's relationship always reminded me a bit of Garfield and his canine pal Odie. For that reason, how about we share this here old doodle on the eve of Halloween month?

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Tip of the Day

Since September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, we'll be finishing out the month on this topic. Today's tip relates to how our furbabies might let us know they are in pain. This can be a bit difficult sometimes, as cats and even dogs can be very good at hiding pain. This is why we must be very observant of our furbabies on a regular basis, in order to know when they aren't acting themselves.

The symptoms of pain in our furbabies can vary greatly, depending on the source of the pain, as well as the individual animal. You might see decreased activity level, or even a decrease in your cat or dog's appetite. Another potential sign is an altered gait, or an unwillingness or inability to move or jump. A cat in pain might avoid or miss the litter box, and a dog in pain might have accidents inside the house. Aggression and hiding are yet more potential signs that your kitty or pup is in pain. The list of signs and symptoms of pain in animals could go on and on. This is why it's imperative that you know your kitty or pup's norm, and that you make frequent observations of their activities and behavior in order to catch when anything is out of the norm. Altered activity or behavior could mean any number of things, pain being one possibility.

What's more, if your furbaby does indeed have difficulty jumping due to an injury or arthritis, for example, you can put pet stairs or a pet ramp beside chairs, couches, or beds in the home. This can help your kitty or pup better reach elevated areas without having to jump, which could otherwise exacerbate pain associated with an injury or arthritis. For a cat, another way to help them combat pain and discomfort is to give them litter boxes with low sides, so that they can easily walk right in. Or, you can also give them a ramp or stairs leading up to the entrance of the litter box, if needed. If it helps reduce pain associated with certain injuries, arthritis, or other ailments, you can also elevate your kitty or pup's food and water bowls.

Another simple way to help a pained furbaby feel some relief and comfort is by way of their beds and blankets. You can offer extra soft and thick beds, and in easy to reach locations. Some forms of pain are also alleviated by heat, which means that safe, pet-friendly heated blankets or heated beds could also be of use. Of course, you would need to take all necessary safety precautions when using any heated or electric products.

In more extreme cases, your furbaby might be in need of direct assistance with their mobility. If need be, you can use various forms of slings to help your kitty or pup ambulate. You can use a towel or blanket to create a makeshift sling, for example. Another option is to purchase a sling, or a harness with handles, which are indeed available on the market.

It is not easy to see our furbabies in pain. At the same time, it is not easy for them to feel such pain. That's why it is important to do what you can to alleviate your kitty or pup's pain, even if that means a bit of redecorating within your home.

Tonks Tuesday with the Headless Horseman

I've been enjoying some Halloween horror books. After all, 'tis the season. For that reason, Tonks wanted to share an old photo from a few years back, when she posed with none other than The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.

I still need to reread that there spooky tale this season. Before I read it for the first time ever a few years ago, I was afraid it would be boring. Sure, it's not like reading a modern book, but I honestly really enjoyed it. That's why I try to reread The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at least every couple of Halloweens, and I'm indeed due for that reread.

Tonks and all of us here wish you a happy Tuesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

This here doodle seems apt enough to share today. After all, it stars my angelic calico Rosie and none other than the Headless Horseman. Oh, and a cat-o'-lantern, of course.

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Tip of the Day

I very much so failed to create a Remember Me Thursday post last week, so today's tip is going to be to remember the importance of adopting shelter animals, so that they can indeed know the love of a forever home. Even if you are not looking to adopt, you can still spread the word to others about adopting a cat, dog, or other companion animal from a shelter. You can also help by volunteering time and resources to a shelter, as any little bit of assistance can help them adopt out more animals. Lastly, when adopting or spreading the word about animal adoption, please don't forget those animals who are special needs, geriatric, or in any other way often considered less likely to be adopted. Every single cat, dog, and other companion animal deserves the chance to feel comfort and love in a home of their own.

A Ghostly Mancat Monday

This weekend, Evan supervised me through the door as I mowed. While he watched me, he felt like someone was watching him as well. Weird, huh?

Remember that ghostly little fella? He makes an appearance, or two or a dozen, here on our blog every Halloween season. I actually haven't done our full annual photo shoot with him for each kitty this year, so I should really get to that. For now, though, the ghosty at least helped Evan spy on his mom and the neighbors outside.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Given some of the above commentary, how about this old doodle from a few years ago?

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Tip of the Day

Today is the last tip in our disaster preparedness series, and it is one that we have repeated many times, on many different occasions. This tip is to always ensure that your furbaby has some form of identification. We've mentioned this tip many, many times before, we'll gladly say it again. In the unfortunate event that your furbaby becomes separated from you in any form of disaster or emergency, some form of identification could more easily bring them back to you. A collar with an ID tag as well as a microchip are the most common forms of ID for our kitties or pups. In addition to ensuring this identification is on your cat or dog, also make sure that the information is up-to-date. If you have moved addresses or changed phone numbers, for example, make sure this is reflected on your furbaby's identification. No one ever wants to consider being separated from their kitty or pup, but should this happen in an emergency or any event, your furbaby is more likely to find their way back to you if they are wearing some form of identification.