The Letter X and Halfway to Halloween with Tonks

We're in the last few days of the April A to Z Challenge.

There are just three more days of me sharing my own versions of covers for some of my favorite books, mine of course starring cats. Today we've reached the letter X. Believe it or not, I couldn't come up with any books on my list of favorites that started with an X. So, for today, X is for xeno, which is a prefix derived from the Greek word that essentially means "alien". So, today's book is about aliens. It's another one written by one of the older fantasy and sci-fi authors introduced to me by my dad. That said, today we have the 1951 novel The Puppet Masters by Robert A. Heinlein.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. My name is also not Robert A. Heinlein, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and cats, and so I drew this unofficial version of the book's cover.]

I don't read a whole lot of sci-fi, but most of my favorites that I have read and enjoyed were written decades ago. For some reason, that's my kind of sci-fi. Also, for the record, the above is not what the aliens from The Puppet Masters look like. I believe Heinlein's aliens are slug-like. But, they are aliens, and there are UFOs, and so that there doodle I scribbled up a couple years ago was almost perfect for this cover.

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Now, of course, it's time for the Tonks Tuesday part of this post. This time of year is roughly halfway to Halloween, and so for today the calico is here to remind you all that she's surrounded by Halloween pillows and tons of other spooky decor all year long.

As long as those kooky pillow don't take her window seat, Tonks doesn't mind them being around. Sometimes she even naps with them.

Happy Tuesday to all!

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Tip of the Day

If springtime for you means a few more road trips here and there, make sure that you take precautions to protect any furbabies who are accompanying you. For example, cats are safest if kept in a secure carrier, as are small dogs. There are also means of and products for belting in a carrier, to add another level of safety for your small furbaby accompanying you in the car. As for larger dogs, make sure they are leashed in the car, as well as belted in. Again, there are methods and products for doing this that can ensure they are as safe as possible in case of an emergency.

There are of course other safety precautions to make when it comes to going on car rides with your furbaby. For example, watch those windows, such as by ensuring that no escapes can happen through an open window. Also, as we're sure you all know, make sure that you do not leave a pup or kitty in the car in the heat, or even in the cold, for that matter. All in all, if you plan on taking some trips on the road this spring, and if your furbaby is accompanying you, be sure to consider and plan for their safety.

The Letter W and Evan Dazzles in the Sun

Welcome to the last week of the April A to Z Challenge!

I'm down to the final few days of sharing my weird artistic covers for some of my favorite books, of course with most of them starring cats. Today we've reached the letter W. Just like with a couple of other covers this month, W stands for the author's name rather than the book itself. As in, W stands for Washington Irving. He's indeed the author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, one of my favorite Halloween tales.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. My name is also not Washington Irving, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and cats, and so I drew this unofficial version of the book's cover.]

Just like I mentioned when sharing my cover for A Christmas Carol, when I first read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow years ago I feared it would be one of the more boring classics. I didn't find it to be that, though, and I greatly enjoyed the story as well as the spooky atmosphere. Even better, the end of April and early May are often celebrated by some (including myself) as "halfway to Halloween", so that there book cover is just one spooky one I'll be sharing over the next few days.

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Now, of course, it's time for Evan's Mancat Monday part of this post. Today, you get to see this handsome boy dazzling in the sun.

Like pretty much all kitties, Evan loves himself a warm and toasty sun puddle. He hopes you all get to enjoy some sunshine today!

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Tip of the Day

 

As spring really gets underway, don't forget that our furbabies can have allergies just like we can. Just as with us, pollen, grass, and other airborne allergies can lead to itching, scratching, sneezing, and a number of other similar symptoms in our kitties and pups. If you notice any such symptoms in your furbaby, discuss this with your veterinarian. There are antihistamines and other treatments that can potentially help alleviate allergies for our furbabies.

In addition to veterinary and medicinal care, there are other considerations to make when it comes to helping a kitty or pup cope with seasonal allergies. For example, though we all love window whiffies, keep in mind that open windows can potentially exacerbate allergies, as the allergens then have easy access into the home. So, closed windows are often best for keeping the allergens down within the home. For furbabies who go outdoors, when they come inside, you can wipe off their paws and even wipe down their body to help remove allergens. Regularly cleaning floors, curtains, bedding, clothing, and so forth can help keep a handle on allergens that might find their way into the home. Regularly changing the filter in your heating and cooling system is another important factor. An air purifier can also help.

As always, we of course want what's best for our furbabies. Allergies can lead to discomfort, so of course helping your furbaby cope with them is crucial. If you think or know that your furbaby has seasonal allergies, or any allergies at all, discuss this with your veterinarian and do all that you can to minimize their effects.

V Stands for...Lovecraft?

We're in the last few days of the April A to Z Challenge. We have some extra weird and wacky ones to finish off this month.

I'm of course still sharing fan art covers for some of my favorite books. Most of my book covers this month star cats or other cute and fuzzy animals, but today is one of the days this isn't true. There is technically an animal on today's cover, but it's neither cute nor fuzzy.

Today we've reached the letter V. I did have one book idea that started with V, but I didn't get a new drawing done for it and simply don't have anything in my archives to create its cover. (I'll hold off on mentioning the book just yet, as I'd like to go back and create it and a few other neglected book covers even after the April challenge is over.) So, instead, I made V stand for H.P. Lovecraft. Why? Because there's a V in his name. Solid plan, huh? Some of you might know that H.P. Lovecraft is a classic horror author. I've enjoyed many, many of his stories, including those with his famously octopus-like monstrosity known as Cthulhu. Just like I did for my Edgar Allan Poe book cover a few days ago, I decided to let H.P. Lovecraft have an omnibus cover for all of his tales.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true book cover, and I am also most certainly not H.P. Lovecraft. I'm just someone who likes books and creepy things and so drew this unofficial version of this cover.]

Now, I had to do some major rigging of that original drawing to make it look like the true horror that was H.P. Lovecraft's tales. The original doodle was something I created for my springtime "Halfway to Halloween" April A to Z Challenge a few years ago. All of those starred my angel Rosie. If I could've cropped the image into a book cover and still included Rosie, I absolutely would have. The original drawing didn't allow for that, though. But, since we need a cute kitty like Rosie in today's post, I'll share that original H.P. Lovecraft drawing here.

Happy Caturday, friends!

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Tip of the Day

Our spring safety tip today involves those beloved window whiffies. As you all certainly know, before opening those windows, make sure that they have screens and that those screens are properly safe and secure. Check those window screens before allowing your kitty or pup access. If any weak spots or issues are noted, do not allow your furbaby access until the window is safe against escape by kitty or pup.

Also keep in mind that it is possible for a window screen to seem secure, but for a furbaby to lean or push against it and thereby knock it loose. It's also possible for little claws to make weak spots in screens. For this reason, never leave your cat or dog unattended with open windows. This way, no accidental falls or escapes from the window can occur. We're a broken record, so we'll again repeat that it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Friendly Fill-Ins, the Letter U, and Eddy's Eye Roll

Hello, friends! We're here and 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. This week we're doing question-style fill-ins. We thought this fun version would not only allow you to turn these thoughts into your own questions, but would also allow others to answer your personalized questions in your comments.

1. Have you ever noticed _________?

2. Would you choose _________ or _________?

3. Do you think it's possible to _________?

4. What _________ would you recommend for _________?

My answers are below in bold. I'm editing this here after the fact in order to say that, yes, I of course still managed to ramble even when I'm the one asking you all questions. I just couldn't help but overexplain myself and answer some of these myself.

1. Have you ever noticed how bad people are at driving?
(I'm sure you have. Obviously not everyone is a bad driver. I bet some of you are great drivers, but I'm thinking you all have noticed that a lot of people aren't. I feel like I'm noticing this more and more these days. I don't know if it's impatience or just inability behind the wheel, but the roads are a scary place these days.)

2. Would you choose sweet or savory?

(More often than not, I have a sweet tooth. That's not to say I never want or eat savory foods, as some of my favorite meals I eat nearly every day are of course just that. But, when I'm feeling snacky or otherwise hungry in between meals, I more often than not am craving something sweet. I can't think of the last time I craved chips when peckish, yet I'm always craving chocolate and caramel.) 

3. Do you think it's possible to love your job?

(I think about this a lot. I'm certain there are people out there who at least mostly enjoy what they do for a living. Like many people out there, though, I don't currently love my job. I'd love to have a more creative job, something relating to my art and/or writing. I know that's not an uncommon thought, as a lot of us would love to turn our hobbies into even a bit of income. I always hope that I'd actually love my job if I were able to make income off of my creative passions.)

4. What brand and/or flavor of canned cat food would you recommend for a picky cat?
(Obviously this will vary based on the cat and his or her tastes, but in general, what is a wet food that your picky, or even not picky, kitty absolutely loves? I've never had a cat before that makes it difficult to keep weight on then, but now I have myself a Tonks. She's happy, active, and all of her exams and bloodwork have pointed to her being a healthy cat. But, she's so picky with food and because of it sometimes loses weight she can't afford to lose. She won't eat dry food, yet she also always tries to find fault with most canned food I offer her. Every time I find a food she loves, she gets bored of it within with a few days or weeks. So, feel free to throw any and every recommendation you have. Maybe there are some brands or flavors I haven't yet stumbled upon that I could find and give Tonks to try.)

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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And now we have today's edition of the April A to Challenge.

I'll yet again say that for this year's alphabetical challenge, I'm creating my own artistic covers for some of my favorite books. And my covers will all star cats, or sometimes other animals.

Today we've reached the letter U. While I actually had a couple of options for titles starting with U, I ended up going with letting U stand for the name Ursula K. Le Guin. She is another older fantasy author that my dad introduced to me in my youth. She wrote many books in the 1960s and 70s, and some beyond that as well. The first book my dad recommended I read of hers was A Wizard of Earthsea, which is more or less about a powerful but arrogant young wizard who has to battle his own sort of demons and travel the sea and such in order to learn some life lessons. I enjoyed this book immensely and read the rest of the series as well.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. My name is also not Ursula K. Le Guin, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and cats, and so I drew this unofficial feline version of the book's cover.]

That's yet another cover I created using an older doodle, this one scribbled up quite a few years ago. It's certainly not a perfect rendition of the happenings of the book, but I do like how it played into the young wizard attending a magical school and traveling the sea. I wish I'd been able to create a brand new drawing for this one, but I've working on my writing project a lot these past couple of days instead. I've finally started getting a lot more done with that, so it's all about balance, I guess.

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And now it's time for the Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop, hosted by none other than Melissa and Mudpie of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows.

Today our blooper queen Eddy of course has a blurry shot to share with you all. In this one, she was not interested in me snapping her photo. As a result, it looks like she's quite literally rolling her eyes in annoyance.

Wishing you all a happy Friday!

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Tip of the Day

Today's spring safety tip is another one we've very recently mentioned, but that we'll repeat again. It is to always be aware and cautious of the potential dangers of various fertilizers, pesticides, and other such chemicals that are often used this time of the year. If you plan to use any such products, do your research and try to avoid using potentially toxic variations. No matter what kind you use, though, to be safe, keep any such products stashed safely away from your furbaby's reach.

But, this tip also goes beyond what you might be using in your own personal environment. For pups or kitties who go outdoors, you should take into consideration that unfamiliar yards, parks, and other such areas may use products that could have toxic effects if walked through, ingested, and so forth. When out and about with your furbaby, or even just yourself, try to avoid areas where you know or think any unsafe chemicals are used. When you arrive back at home after a walk or other excursion, wipe off paws and shoes, so that you can do your best to remove any traces of fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals. There is no such thing as being too careful when it comes to the health and safety of our furbabies, so do all that you can to keep your kitties and pups protected from potentially dangerous chemicals this time of year, and all year round.

The Letter T and Thimble's Sunny Doors

Hello and hi! We're here for another day of the April A to Z Challenge.

I'm still sharing fan art covers for books this month, with most of those covers starring cats. It would probably be pretty easy to find a book starting with today's letter, that being T. That said, just as was the case with S yesterday, when I was rigging my list of books in order to include all the ones I wanted this month, I had to shift and fudge things a bit. So, T doesn't stand for a book title, but instead for T-Rex. As in, Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. My name is also not Michael Crichton, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and cats and dinosaurs, and so I drew this unofficial version of the book's cover.]

Now, I'm going to tattle on myself. I haven't read this book. It is high on my list of books to read, though. My dad has read it, and he's discussed with me how it's more so the story told in the second movie of the franchise by the same name. I in part included this book this month because I stumbled upon this old doodle of a T-Rex cat that I'm not sure I ever shared here. What's more, though, Jurassic Park is probably in my top 3 favorite movies of all time. I've loved the concept of dinosaurs since I was a kid, and my parents did indeed let me watch this when I was young. I've never been very easy to scare, and so rather than be terrified by a movie portraying big scary dinosaurs tearing apart people who are far too bold, I was enamored and immensely enjoyed it from my very first viewing of it. So, thank you, Michael Crichton.

 

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Now, Thimble is indeed here and ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is grateful that it's sunny door season. Well, it's technically rain and thunderstorm season, of which we've had plenty. But, on those sunny days, it's gorgeous and still cool enough to let the kitties enjoy the view from the screen doors.

Above is Thimble enjoying the front door, and below is Thimble enjoying the back door.

Like most cats, Thimble absolutely loves basking in the sun. She's a pro at hunting down those sun puddles. She knows which rooms to be in at certain times of the day in order to soak in all the sunshine possible.

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And, 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. This week, we decided to go for question-style fill-ins. Ellen had this fun idea, which will not only give you the opportunity to ask some questions you might have, but will also allow others to answer those questions of yours in your comment section. So, here are tomorrow's fun question fill-in statements.

1. Have you ever noticed _________?

2. Would you choose _________ or _________?

3. Do you think it's possible to _________?

4. What _________ would you recommend for _________?

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Tip of the Day

We're here with another spring pet safety tip today. This one is another tip we've repeated many, many times, but it's also one we think is worth saying again in this springtime series. And that is, to consider keeping up with those preventatives. As the weather warms and the grass grows green, pests such as fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks will be out and about in full force. We very recently gave a series of tips on buggers such as these, what parasites they can harbor, and what diseases they can pass on to our furbabies. Tapeworms, heartworms, and Lyme disease, for example, can result if your furbaby falls victim to such pests. This can of course affect their health and happiness, and nobody wants that.

So, in short, do consider keeping up with preventatives for your kitties and pups. Discuss the best options with your veterinarian. And, of course, only give your furbaby a preventative that is formulated for their species, as well as their age and weight. Proper prevention indeed plays a part in keeping our furbabies as healthy as possible.

The Letter S and Stunning Angel Astrid

Hello and welcome to another day of the April A to Z Challenge!

I'm still sharing fan art covers for some of my favorite books as my contribution to the alphabetical challenge. My covers all star mostly cats, but also sometimes other animals.

Today we've reached the letter S. You'd think this letter would be easy to find a title to match. When I was rigging the alphabet in order to squeeze in all the books I wanted to share this month, though, I ended up making S stand for Scrooge. And so, today we have A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. Believe it or not, my name is also not Charles Dickens, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and animals and so drew this unofficial furry version of this book's cover.]

As I mentioned yesterday, in order to accomplish my neglected writing goals for this month, I'll now likely be sharing book covers mostly created from older doodles I completed over the past couple or few years. Today's cover uses part of my Christmas card image from 2024. It stars my now angel pup Astrid as Scrooge, and my extra special orange boy Evan as Tiny Tim. Our housemate Toby also made it onto this cover, while the other kitties unfortunately got (mostly) cropped out to make this image a book cover.

Also, I'll admit that I do find certain literary classics to be slow and boring reads. I worried that would be the case when I first read A Christmas Carol many years ago, but it wasn't. This story involves Christmas and spooky things, both of which I'm a big fan. I really enjoy reading this frightfully festive tale.

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And, of course, it's time to share a memory of my sweet angel pup Astrid. This one is from a beautiful walk a few years ago. I remember scrambling to get my phone out to snap this shot when Astrid stopped to stand in this stunning scene.

Wishing you all lots of sunshine of your own today!

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Tip of the Day

 

We've gotten into the habit of repeating series of tips from the past, but some topics are worth it. And so, just as we've done the past few years, we're now sharing a series of tips on pet safety in the spring. Today's springtime tip is one that we've shared far more than once before, and that is to always be aware and cautious of the plants you have both in your garden and in your house. Some of the springtime plants that can be highly toxic to our furbabies include certain lilies, daffodils, and tulips. The list most certainly does not end there, though.

All of the above is why, before you bring any plants anywhere near your kitty or pup, always do your research and understand any potential toxicity. One good resource for finding out the potential toxicity of plant types is by perusing the ASPCA's extensive information on plants, which you can find by clicking here. In short, to keep your furbaby safe this spring, of course be aware of any and all plants with which they come in contact. And, of course, if you have any concern that your furbaby may have gained access to a toxic plant, seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible.

The Letter R and Tonks in a Box

Hello and welcome to another edition of the April A to Z Challenge!

I'll go ahead and repeat myself by saying that this month I'm creating fan art covers for some of my favorite books. Most of these covers also star cats. Today we've reached the letter R, which I've made stand for raven. As in, well, "The Raven". I've been a fan of Edgar Allan Poe's macabre stories and poems for a very long time. One of my favorite is indeed "The Raven", but today I created a cover for all of Poe's works. I have a number of books with this exact sort of title, including an antique omnibus from the 1800s that my sister got for me. But, here's my version, starring not only a raven but also Poe's beloved tortie, Cattarina.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true book cover, and I am also most certainly not Edgar Allan Poe. I'm just someone who likes books and animals and so drew this unofficial version of this cover.]

That cover is indeed created with an old doodle from many years ago. Truth be told, while I got a ton of new doodles done for the beginning of the alphabet's covers, I've now fallen behind on this month's art. What's more, I not only wanted to create these book covers for the April A to Z Challenge, but I hoped to partake in a writing challenge also going on this month. My writing has really fallen on the back burner as I've worked on my alphabetical drawings. So, in order to give my writing project some attention this month as well, most or possibly all of my remaining book covers might be made using old doodles that I've created over the past few months or years. There will indeed still be a book cover for every remaining day of April, but I'm not sure how many, if any at all, will include the brand new doodles I had planned. I'm grateful that I do have hundreds of doodles from over the years that I can use if needed.

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Now, you better believe we have adorable Tonks for you all to see today. This calico has really been into boxes lately. Well, she's always into boxes, but these days she loves taking her naps in them.

At least one box in the house now has a blanket in it for Tonks. I should get a photo of her snoozing in that one, as it's currently her favorite.

Happy Tuesday to all!

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Tip of the Day

In case you forgot, April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. And, in case you forgot, we're doing a short series of tips on this topic. Today, we have a simple tip on how you can help prevent cruelty and neglect of animals. And that is simply to adopt your furbabies from shelters or rescues. Though there are indeed reputable and responsible breeders out there, there are also, unfortunately, a vast number of backyard breeders and puppy and kitty mills where animals are inhumanely treated as nothing but tools for the sake of human profit. By purchasing from such breeders or from pet shops, you are supporting the cruel treatment of the animals used by these breeders. So, please always consider adopting from shelters and rescues.

Also, as we're certain you already know, please also have your kitties and pups spayed or neutered. In addition, if you are able to do, consider assisting with trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs, which help reduce overpopulation both in the wild and in the shelter system. Strays, ferals, and even intact house pets can contribute to a large number of kittens and puppies being born in the wild. Sadly, these outdoor animals can make accessible and easy targets for cruel treatment from humans who wish them harm. We have all heard the terrible stories of animal cruelty inflicted on innocent creatures living outdoors. So, for more reasons than one, please also spay and neuter your pets, and consider assisting in TNR programs.