Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Another Autumnal Adventure with Astrid

Today's autumnal adventure with pup Astrid was actually from a couple weeks ago, before all the leaves seemingly just fell off the trees overnight. In this photo, though, this pretty tree still had that gorgeous look to it. See?


Poor Astrid is so tolerant of me asking her to stop and pose for photos like this. Sometimes she looks at me like I'm crazy, or gives me an expression that makes it very clear that she'd be happy to skip the photo shoot, but she still always stops and puts up with me anyway. Thanks for humoring me, Astrid!

Happy Wednesday, friends!



***
Flashback Doodle of the Day




***
Tip of the Day

Many Thanksgiving dinners include bread, rolls, biscuits, or other doughy goods. That being said, be cautious and aware when cooking bread around dogs and cats. If a pup or kitty consumes unbaked bread dough, especially that which contains yeast, serious side effects could result. For example, unbaked break dough can expand inside the warm intestinal tract, which can in turn result in life-threatening bloat, twisted stomach, and other potential issues. Yeast in unbaked bread dough not only can result in bloat, though, but also fermentation. Such fermentation produces alcohols, which can then be absorbed into the bloodstream and result in alcohol poisoning. Needless to say, unbaked bread dough can be very dangerous, or deadly, if consumed by a cat or dog. So, never leave unbaked bread dough unattended. Keep your kitty or pup out of the kitchen, or do whatever else you must to keep your kitty or pup from giving that dough and other dangerous Thanksgiving feast foods a taste test.

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Tonks Tuesday: Clothes and Cat Naps

Tonks loves fleece blankets. They're one of her favorite things in the world. In these photos, though, this calico cutie isn't snoozing on a fleece blanket, but instead one of my fleece coats.


I sat my coat down on a chair momentarily after taking it off, and that was a rookie mistake.


Tonks will let me know when I'm allowed to wear my coat again.

This reminds me how the other day Eddy was sleeping on some clothes I had just finished drying and had sat down before I hung them up in the closet. I let her sleep on them, since she looked so cute. Except then she vomited all over them and I had to toss them right back in the washer. Life with cats is something else sometimes, but I love it.

Happy Tuesday, friends!



***
Flashback Doodle of the Day

I always forget about these doodles I scribbled up a few years ago until I see them in my archive. So, who remembers these?





***
Tip of the Day

A discussion on Thanksgiving dinner foods would not be complete without noodles, would it? In our family, at least, noodles are indeed a Thanksgiving staple. If noodles are part of your holiday meal, it could likely be considered safe to feed your furbaby a small amount of plain noodles. Noodles can be a good source of energy in the form of carbohydrates, but of course they are best enjoyed in moderation for your furbaby. That being said, as always, also do consider any ingredients added to the noodles. Refrain from feeding your pup or kitty noodles that include garlic or onion, for example, or that include any fatty or other sauces that might lead to gastrointestinal upset, pancreatitis, or other issues. So, if your furbaby fancies a taste of pasta, as long as it's plain, they can enjoy that little taste.

Monday, November 18, 2024

Magnificent Mancat Monday

It's Mancat Monday, and today mancat Evan wanted to remind everyone just how magnificent he and his whiskers are.


Evan hopes that seeing his handsome face helped brighten your day!



***
Flashback Doodle of the Day




***
Tip of the Day

Continuing on with our Thanksgiving dinner tips, yet another common holiday dish is white potatoes, such as mashed potatoes. When it comes to feeding your furbaby white potatoes, those that are cooked and plain can be a reasonable treat in moderation. When additional ingredients are added, though, then you have to start being extra cautious about offering potatoes as a treat. For example, butter or sour cream might cause gastrointestinal distress, especially for cats and dogs who are lactose intolerant. In addition, as we've said before, added ingredients such as garlic, onion, or excess salt can potentially be dangerous if consumed by a kitty or pup. So, you  can let your furbaby try out those mashed potatoes, but first make be sure to take into account how they're prepared.

In addition to white potatoes, Thanksgiving is also often a popular time for sweet potato dishes. If plain and simple, sweet potatoes can make for a great treat for a kitty or pup. They are a great source of fiber and vitamin A, as well as vitamin C, potassium, and a variety of other beneficial nutrients. Plain steamed, baked, or mashed sweet potatoes would be a great treat to allow your kitty or pup during that Thanksgiving dinner. That all being said, though, do be cautious of dishes such as sweet potato casserole. These altered versions of sweet potato often contain added sugar, sugary marshmallows, and other potential seasonings or ingredients that could be unhealthy or lead to gastrointestinal side effects. So, sweet potatoes are a great treat to offer that furbaby in your life, but do be sure it's of the plain and healthy variety. Just as with white mashed potatoes, make sure you know how sweet potatoes are prepared prior to letting your furbaby have a taste.

Friday, November 15, 2024

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Festive Wait

Hello, 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 learned _________ the hard way.

2. I am overdue for _________.

3. I used to _________, but now I _________.

4. _________ is the strangest thing I _________.


My answer are below in bold.

1. I learned not to stand behind Evan during medication time the hard way.
(When Evan first started getting prescribed his armory of medications, I had to create a workable system for giving them to him. After all, the first time I gave him meds, I came up behind him to do so. In response to the outrage, Evan sprayed me with urine. He would do that nearly every time I medicated him, and I started referring to it as his rage pee, because he'd only do it when he was experiencing something he didn't particularly like, which includes medication time. Now that he's on some meds that help him be more calm and less anxious, he doesn't rage pee as often. Even so, I still never stand directly behind Evan when giving him meds.)

2. I am overdue for a visit to the dentist.
(I know this isn't a good thing, and I'm not proud to admit it. Going to the dentist is one of my primary medical fears. I've also never in my life had dental insurance, and since I do pretty stringent dental care at home, I often convince myself that it's okay to skip the dentist and instead use the funds to get my kitties to the vet and such. I'm not even going to say how long it's been since I've been to the dentist, but I know it's important and I really need to prioritize getting that scheduled.)

3. I used to have the Facebook app on my phone, but now I have uninstalled it and will keep it that way.
(Especially in recent years, I've found Facebook to be a rather toxic thing on most days. I still use Facebook on a computer to check on my various cat groups and friends and that sort of thing, but I no longer keep the app on my phone. The notifications and messages and that sort of thing were really starting to feel overwhelming to me, so it will never again be on my phone. I sometimes have the Instagram and/or Twitter apps on my phone, because for some reason I find them more manageable. But, whenever I find them and their notifications overwhelming, I delete them as well.)

4. A marshmallow is the strangest thing I have used to give a cat meds.
(My parents have a cat who apparently likes marshmallows. We only learned this when I one time dropped one at my parents' house, and the kitty in question swooped in and ate it. Then he started begging for them. Fast forward to when this poor kitty recently ended up with allergic bronchitis and needed to take a pill during his treatment, and the only way we could easily get it down him was in a mini marshmallow. We avoid giving our kitties these kinds of foods that aren't good for them, but we were desperate to get that pill down him, and it was a marshmallow to the rescue.)


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.



***

Today, Eddy wanted to share yet another reminder that, soon, her favorite Christmas tree will be decorated for the season. This little lady can't wait!


Eddy doesn't climb her tree as much as she once did, but she still does sometimes. And even when she doesn't climb it, she still loves sitting beside it.

Happy Friday, friends!



***
Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's doodle is a rather old flashback that I wanted to recreate this year but have not yet done so. If it doesn't happen this year, hopefully I get around to a new and improved version of this next year.




***
Tip of the Day

Yesterday we discussed whether it was safe to feed your furbaby a taste of that Thanksgiving turkey. Another food you might find on the Thanksgiving table is ham. Is this safe to feed your furbaby, though? Ham, like turkey potentially can be, is often high in fat. Ham is also often processed or treated, and can possibly contain high amounts of salt. These factors can lead to any number of issues, such as gastrointestinal distress or pancreatitis, if consumed in excess by your kitty or pup. And, just as we've said of other Thanksgiving foods, also be aware of other potentially concerning ingredients added to ham, such as onion and garlic. While very small amounts might not have an effect for some furbabies, do be aware of the potential side effects that fatty, processed, treated, or seasoned ham can cause.

It's also worth noting to be aware of the contents and preparation of chicken, beef, and all meats served at your Thanksgiving dinner. These can all potentially contain problematic fat, or additives such as onion, garlic, salt, and so forth. To prevent pancreatitis, gastrointestinal distress, or other issues, either refrain from giving your furbaby a taste at all, or give treats only in moderation and only when you are certain that the food contains no potentially dangerous components.

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Is It Christmas Yet?

It's Thursday, which of course means Thimble is here for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.


Today, Thimble is grateful that it's almost time for the Christmas trees to go up. She loves to keep them company. See?


Though she's tried a time or two, unlike Eddy and Tonks, Thimble isn't exactly a pro at climbing Christmas trees. That's why she instead loves to sit beneath the trees or beside them. I put three Christmas trees up every year, all in different rooms of the house, and each of them is beside a cat tree or piece of furniture that kitties like Thimble can use to enjoy the company of the Christmas trees. Thimble can't wait for that this year.



***

And 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 learned _________ the hard way.

2. I am overdue for _________.

3. I used to _________, but now I _________.

4. _________ is the strangest thing I _________.


We'll see you tomorrow, friends!



***
Doodle of the Day

Earlier this month I scribbled up a new doodle with those "Happy Hallowthanksmas" vibes, but I forgot to share it. So, here's a doodle that involves Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, because what else is November for.




***
Tip of the Day

Our series of tips relating to Thanksgiving food safety of course must include a little discussion on turkey. Is it safe to feed your kitty or pup some Thanksgiving turkey? Turkey bits fed in moderation can be a safe and delicious treat, but only as long as excess fat and bones are removed. Fat can lead to pancreatitis, among other potential issues. Bones are a choking hazard, and of course can also lead to perforation or obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. Also keep in mind whether any additional ingredients, seasonings, or other additives were used when cooking the turkey. For example, onion, garlic, or excess salt on the turkey could potentially lead to gastrointestinal upset or other dangers. So, you don't have to skip giving your furbaby a taste of that Thanksgiving turkey, but do be sure you offer treats only in moderation, and that you take precautions for the health and safety of your furbaby.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Adventures with Astrid and the Burning Bush

Astrid wanted to share with you all the burning bush she found on a recent walk. Don't worry, it wasn't literally burning. That's just what these bushes are called, which is a fact I only know because my childhood home has one of these in its front yard.


Astrid of course performed a thorough investigation of the bush. I'd like to think it smelled autumnal and fresh, but she was almost assuredly sniffing another dog's urine.

Happy Wednesday, friends!



***
Flashback Doodle of the Day




***
Tip of the Day

In yesterday's Thanksgiving tip, we mentioned how it might be best to keep those pecans and that pecan pie out of your furbaby's reach. Today, we're giving a reminder to be cautious with all nuts, especially if you're not sure how they might affect your furbaby. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, and other nuts can all potentially lead to gastrointestinal upset, some potentially causing more severe reactions than others. The possibility and severity of a reaction also might depend on your particular furbaby, and their particular gastrointestinal tract. Some nuts, such as walnuts, macadamia nuts, hickory nuts, and the previously mentioned pecans, can also contain a toxin that affects the nervous system, especially if they become moldy. For reasons such as these, to be on the safe side, it is best to simply keep any nuts, and dishes containing nuts, out of your furbaby's reach. As always, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Cute Tonks on Tuesday

Today, Tonks is here to again remind you all just how cute she is. You can blame this here human for the poor lighting, but at least Tonks is cute in both the light and the dark.


Those majestic whiskers can sure still be seen even in poor lighting. Oh, and do you see the snowman on Tonks's fleece blanket? It's not snowing outside, but it sure is chilly, so it's fitting enough.

Happy Tuesday, friends!



***
Flashback Doodle of the Day




***
Tip of the Day

Today's tip in our Thanksgiving series is about pie. As we've said on many occasions over time, plain pumpkin contains fiber and other nutrients that can have benefits for our furbabies and their health. That being said, though, not all components of Thanksgiving pies are as equally beneficial. For example, another popular Thanksgiving dessert is pecan pie, but do be cautious with this around your furbabies. Pecans are not particularly safe to feed your pup or kitty. One reason is simply that pecans can cause an upset gastrointestinal tract, and could also lead to bowel obstruction. Also take into consideration any other pies you make and what ingredients they contain. For example, chocolate pies or those containing raisins are of course dangerous to cats and dogs. What's more, when it comes to any kind of pie—whether it be pumpkin, pecan, or another—added sugars and other potential added ingredients can be less than ideal for our kitties and pups to consume. So, when you're making or eating those Thanksgiving pies, keep dangerous ingredients and the final products well out of reach of your furbaby.