A Purple Tonks Tuesday

My favorite color is purple, which means I have my fair share of blankets and other decor of that color. Tonks has decided that purple is now her color, and she has become quite a fan of this particular purple fleece blanket.

No matter what colors she's surrounded by, I happen to find Tonks eternally adorable. Tonks agrees, but right now she's all about that purple.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's National Pet Poison Awareness Month tip is one we've touched on time and time again, but it is a pretty important one. As you all certainly know, never forget that some human founds can indeed be toxic to our kitties and pups. Chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, grapes, and raisins are just some of the foods that could lead to extremely dangerous or even fatal consequences if ingested. Also don't forget about the sweetener known as xylitol. This can often be found in sugar-free gums and candies, but also in various other foods, drinks, and even medicines, supplements, and toothpaste. This sneaky ingredient is indeed toxic, especially to dogs.

Though symptoms of toxicity can vary based on what human food your furbaby ate, and how much, signs can include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, difficulty walking, or any other number of concerning manifestations. If you know or think your furbaby might have eaten a toxic food, do not hesitate to seek veterinary assistance. Just as with any poison, removing the toxins from the body and treating the patient in a timely manner can be a matter of life or death. To prevent such emergencies, avoid feeding your furbaby any and all foods that you are not absolutely certain are safe.

Mancat Monday in the Carrier

Last week, Evan went to our vet's groomer for one of his regular sanitary shaves. He always just lies down in his carrier and pouts on the way there. But, when I go to pick him up and take him home, he always perks up and gets incredibly happy. On the way home he sits up, looks around, purrs, and all that jazz. Though it looks like he's giving me the side eye in this here photo, it's after I'd picked him up and so he was actually purring and rubbing his cheeks against his cage.

How about a cute blooper with Evan's nose all scrunched up mid-rub?

This last one is sort of blurry but also sort of not, but either way Evan looks so handsome in it, so here you go.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Next up in our National Pet Poison Awareness Month series of tips is a quick discussion on rodenticides. We rather recently mentioned these, but we'll mention them again for this month of poison prevention. These chemicals, meant to kill mice, rats, and other rodents, are dangerous all around. Depending on the type of poison, rodenticides can cause any number of potentially fatal side effects, such as internal bleeding or acute kidney failure. Ingesting the rodenticide itself is of course one way in which your furbaby can be poisoned. In addition to this, though, if a rodent ingests the rodenticide or walks through it, and then your furbaby gets a hold of that rodent, the poison can also pass into your furbaby's system this way.

To be safe, simply try to avoid the use of rodenticides completely. If rodenticides are being stored or used in your home, garage, garden, or other areas, absolutely ensure that your cat or dog cannot reach them. Also monitor your furbabies if you think rodents are in your house and a rodenticide is being used, to ensure your cat or dog does not catch or eat a rodent that has been poisoned. Severe side effects can result from rodenticides, for both the rodents, your furbabies, and even wildlife. So, please do all that you can to avoid their use.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Still Annoyed Eddy

Hello and hi! We're ready and excited 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 don't _________, but I appreciate those that do.

2. Lately, I can't get enough _________.

3. _________ scared me away from _________.

4. _________ forced me to learn how to _________.


My answers are below in bold, and are again accompanied by far too much rambling. Believe it or not, I'm not very talkative when you meet me in person. But, if you give me a keyboard, my fingers always have lots to say. Especially when it's a topic that interests me. I apologize that you wonderful folks always get the brunt of that, as seen below.

1. I don't possess the bravery required to save lives, but I appreciate those that do.
(I recently saw a video of firefighters saving people and animals in all sorts of fires and other terrifying situations. It really made me think about how those men and women willingly choose a job that puts their lives at risk on a daily basis. The same goes for combat soldiers and other such brave souls who put their lives on the line for others. I am so grateful people like that exist, and I appreciate what they do for others. I also appreciate doctors who put in a great deal of work and long hours, and I'm sure ample amounts of stress, to perform life-saving treatments for their patients.)

2. Lately, I can't get enough humorous fantasy reads.
(My all-time favorite genre is fantasy, and right now that's all I'm in the mood to read. I also often go through spells where I'm in the mood for horror or thriller reads, and I was in that reading habit a couple months ago. Not now, though. The only problem is that because of an enjoyably comedic fantasy series I've been reading, I'm now mostly in the mood for books with those same vibes. So now I'm constantly on the lookout for niche books in the humorous fantasy genre, which is strangely difficult to find.)

3. Evan's urethral blockage scared me away from feeding my kitties Temptations treats.

(I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before, but it's the first thing that popped into my head when I came up with this fill-in. Evan had a urethral blockage in December 2022. A couple months before that, I started giving him and the other kitties Temptations treats instead of their usual Friskies Party Mix treats. Fast forward and Evan ended up hospitalized the day after Christmas with a blocked urethra. While he was still hooked up to an IV and catheter at the vet, I unintentionally stumbled upon an article about how Temptations treats might be linked to urinary blockages in cats. For the record, I don't know that there's any scientific proof of this. But, I've since seen multiple cat owners mention this potential link as well, given their own experience. I haven't fed my kitties Temptations since. We're back to Friskies Party Mix, but my kitties aren't complaining.)

4. My job as a vet assistant forced me to learn how to handle fractious cats.
(I mentioned this previous job of mine last week, and how I ended up resigning from it a decade ago due to the toxic work environment. That said, the kitties I met at the clinic taught me a lot for which I'll always be grateful. On pretty much day one of that job, I was thrown into situations that required me to learn how to physically as well as mentally handle fractious, aggressive, and sometimes outright feral cats. I learned all sorts of techniques for dealing with such kitties, which has actually come in handy when helping various ferals in my neighborhood, or even when handling typically friendly kitties in my family who turn into little tigers when things like nail trims or vet visits are needed.)

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? We know you are. I've shared quite a few photos and tidbits lately revolving around the fact that Eddy really isn't a big fan of having her photo taken. So, how about another shot in that vein? See this adorably annoyed look on her face?

Though not a fan of the camera, Eddy still often humors me and lets me snap photos here and there. I've mentioned how I refuse to have no photos of my sweet girl, and so I'm glad she lets me sneak some in. And by sneak I mean she's fully aware I'm there and so offers me the cute grumpy face you see there.

Don't worry, though, because Eddy always gets some of her beloved treats as soon as I'm done taking her photo. And if she's in the mood, I also bestow upon her lots of kisses and cuddles.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, we discussed being aware of your furbaby's safety around potentially hazardous plants. Today, as yet another tip for National Pet Poison Awareness Month, we're giving a reminder to also be careful of other dangers that might come with those plants. When outside with your pup or kitty, always be cognizant of the fact that some areas may have been treated with fertilizers, weed killers, and pesticides. Depending on their ingredients, such garden substances can potentially affect the intestinal tract, respiratory system, the mucosal membranes of the eyes and nose, or the skin. So, try to avoid using such garden treatments in your yard and around your home, or ensure that any treated areas are kept off limits to your pups and kitties. Also be careful when you are away from home and in areas with which you are not familiar, including strangers' yards and public parks, as you do not know what types of plant or lawn treatments may have been used in such places.

In addition, if you do use any form of fertilizer, weed killer, or pesticide, always be cautious where you store it. Make sure that it is in an areas that your furbaby cannot reach. And yet another consideration to make is the possibility of your furbaby or yourself unknowingly walking through a treated area while outside. Therefore, after a stroll outside, you might consider wiping off your furbaby's paws, as well as your shoes, to help ensure that nothing unknown is left lingering and entering the home. We can't say it enough times—it's better to be safe than sorry.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Sunshine, Stripes, and Big Ears

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! Thimble is of course here and ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is grateful for so many things, like sunshine, how cute she is, her adorably large ears, and the stunning stripes on her cheeks.

She thought you might want a closer view of her cuteness, so here you go.

Thimble wishes you all lots of sunshine!

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And now 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 don't _________, but I appreciate those that do.

2. Lately, I can't get enough _________.

3. _________ scared me away from _________.

4. _________ forced me to learn how to _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Spring is just around the corner (hopefully), and that means blooms and blossoms will start to make appearances. As beautiful as it is, though, don't forget that this season can also come with dangers. That's why today's tip for National Pet Poison Awareness Month is to keep in mind that some of the plants blooming this time of year can indeed be poisonous to your pups and kitties. These include, but are not limited to, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, crocus, azaleas, and lilies. Of course, there are plants that bloom during other parts of the year that are also toxic, so be aware of this year-round.

Try to keep your furbaby from chomping on any questionable plants, keeping an especially close eye when out on walks or in unfamiliar areas. In your own yard, block off your furbaby's access to areas that contain plants, in order to avoid the ingestion of any potentially toxic ones. If you think your furbaby might have snacked on a dangerous plant or begins displaying signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, or lethargy, seek veterinary assistance immediately. The beauties of spring can indeed bring their fair share of dangers, so always be aware of your furbaby's safety around the plants that are blooming.

Woof Woof Wednesday with Angel Astrid...and Evan

I was going through old photos of my sweet angel pup Astrid, and I was reminded of the time I got photographic evidence of how Evan would always gladly crawl right by and sometimes over Astrid.

Astrid and Evan grew up together, as I brought them both home as a puppy and kitten in the summer of 2013. They always had such a typical sibling relationship, including some cute moments of affection but even more moments of trolling each other. I loved seeing them interact, and I'm glad for all of those memories. Evan is definitely the kitty who grieved the loss of Astrid the most, but he's been doing a lot better lately.

Wishing you all a blessed Wednesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

And so continue our tips for National Pet Poison Awareness Month. We've mentioned before the benefits of having a first aid kit for your furbaby. What's more, a first aid kit would do well to take the potential for poisoning into consideration. For example, it could be beneficial to have 3% hydrogen peroxide as part of a pet first aid kit, as this can be used to induce vomiting, most commonly in dogs. For poisons that involve skin contact, dish soap could potentially be used to help remove the offending agent, and so even that could be included in a pet first aid kit.

All of the above being said, though, it is most wise to never try to treat a poisoned cat or dog without first contacting a veterinarian. This is because, depending on the type of toxic substance involved in a poison event, and even sometimes depending on the particular animal's overall health status, certain treatments could do more harm than good. For example, if your furbaby ingested a corrosive agent, inducing vomiting could cause even more damage. For reasons such as these, always contact a veterinarian immediately when poisoning is known or suspected. A veterinarian can inform you if or what first aid you can perform, and you can then use items from your pet first aid kit to offer immediate care as recommended. Of course, getting your furbaby to a veterinarian in an emergency is still crucial. But, first aid treatment can certainly help stall or treat the effects of a toxicity.

A Tonks Tuesday Blanket Fort

Hello, friends! I typed our post up hours ago but failed to ever push publish. My apologies. I also apologize to Tonks, as she's the star of this now exceedingly late post.

For today, Tonks wants to share a photo that is admittedly not the best quality. That said, she found out Thimble has been sharing blanket fort shots, and as the queen of burrowing under blankies, Tonks wanted to partake. So, here's Tonks under a blanket that she very recently used to create her very own blanket fort.

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

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm ready for spring, and today's post stars a cute little calico, so here's an old doodle that combines those two things.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, as part of National Pet Poison Awareness Month, we mentioned the importance of having solid plans for taking your furbaby to a local veterinary clinic in the event that they are exposed to a poisonous substance. Along these same lines, also don't forget about the ASPCA Poison Control Center, which you can call 24/7. The phone number is 1-888-426-4435. This is an option in perhaps a bit less dire circumstances, when it is more likely that immediate medical attention is not needed. The ASPCA Poison Control Center can help you determine, for example, if the amount of chocolate your dog ate or if the pill of your human medication that your cat swallowed is something that might warrant a rush trip to the vet. Though, they can also potentially recommend treatments or at-home first aid tips in the case of poison exposure. There is the chance that you will be charged a consultation fee, but, should you need professional poison control advice immediately, that number might very well be a good one to call.

Up Close and Personal on Mancat Monday

Hello and happy Monday, friends! Since it is indeed Mancat Monday, Evan wanted to grace you all with an up close and personal shot of his handsome face. Here you go!

Evan and all of us here wish you a wonderful day!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

In March, I'll be working on my doodles for the April A to Z Challenge. I know what I'm doing for the alphabetical month and have planned out a number of the drawings already, but I have yet to make much actual drawing progress at all. So, that's what my artsy time in March will entail. That said, I do have some new drawings I'll be sharing with you in March. After all, I have a number of doodles I've finished over the past few months, possibly over the last year or so, many of which I simply never uploaded and shared. I'll work on uploading and sharing those in March since everything I draw this month will be shared in April.

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Tip of the Day

We're yet again going to be repeating a series of tips from previous years. This is because the topic at hand is an important one. After all, March is Pet Poison Awareness Month, and so we'll be giving some tips relating to this over the next couple of weeks. We'll begin with a simple one. For today, we just want to remind you to always have a plan for an emergency, of course including the possibility of your furbaby ingesting some form of toxic material. This could be chocolate, a poisonous plant, human medication, or even an item such as a battery. Being prepared would include knowing where to take your furbaby, as quickly as possible, in the event that they consume anything poisonous. For example, if the trip to your regular veterinarian is not a quick drive, then perhaps have another backup clinic in mind, one that is closer, in the event that you need to get your furbaby help in a very timely manner.

Along this same line of thought, also make sure you know the nearest emergency veterinary clinic, especially for evenings, weekends, and holidays. Have the phone number and address of said clinic handy, such as in your phone or on your refrigerator. What's more, we may not always think of this, but also try to be knowledgeable of how to get to any clinic you might need, before you might need to get there in a pinch. If need be, bookmark or print out directions to nearby clinics and keep them somewhere accessible. This way, should your furbaby get into anything poisonous, you can hop in the car and get help without delay. As we always say, it's better to be safe than sorry.