Thursday, March 6, 2025

Thankful Thimble Thursday: The Wake-up Call

It's Thursday, and you better believe Thimble is here for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is grateful that her adorable face is the first thing this mom of hers sees every morning.


Thimble knows that she's downright adorable, and so she ensures that I get a good view of that fact every single morning. She is my cute little wake-up call, and I'm not complaining about that one bit.

Oh, and Thimble is also glad that she has stunning whiskers on her cute little face. She was especially glad that they took center stage in one of the photos during this particular photo shoot. See?


As always, Thimble hopes that seeing her adorableness made your Thursday better!


***

And now, of course, we have for you 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. My March to-do list includes _________ and _________.

2. I used to like _________, but not anymore.

3. _________ is an obscure _________ that I really enjoy.

4. I'm most productive _________.


We'll see you tomorrow, friends!



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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is a springtime one I scribbled up a few years ago and that I would love to recreate, in no small part because I drew it so very crooked last time.




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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, though, 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.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Adventures with Astrid: A Not-So-Spring Walk

Astrid loves winter. We've mentioned that before. She loves cold weather, which means of course she doesn't mind if the grass is dead and the trees are barren.


I, for one, can't wait to get some photos of Astrid surrounded by bright green grass and full trees. I'm not the biggest fan of hot weather, but I do love getting bright and shiny photos of Astrid. That said, I will still happily go on walks with Astrid in her beloved winter weather. That's still a blessing in and of itself.


Astrid is sending you all warm wishes and sunny walks!



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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.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Tonks Tuesday: Warm and Toasty

It's Tonks Tuesday, and today the calico is yet again having a warm and toasty nap. After all, she's snoozing on a blanket straight out of the dryer.


Tonks hopes you all get to have as cozy of a nap as she's having!



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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.

Monday, March 3, 2025

Mancat Monday

Hello, friends! I apologize for this exceedingly late post. This weekend turned chaotic, and that bled into today, and so now here I am even more late than usual.

All that said, it's Mancat Monday, so here's a handsome Evan for you all to enjoy.


Evan is sending you all happy vibes on this Monday!



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Flashback Doodle of the Day




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Tip of the Day

We're yet again going to be repeating a series of tips we've shared in 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.

Friday, February 28, 2025

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Photo Fails

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 can't _________ since _________.

2. _________ since _________.

3. _________ was my first ever job.

4. _________ is my best advice for _________.


My answers are below in bold.

1. I can't get comfortable some nights since my cats are in charge.
(I honestly just put the first thing that came to my mind, and currently I have a sore shoulder that is the result of me sleeping in an odd position because of how Thimble informed me I was and was not allowed to sleep the other night. After all, the little tabby sleeps on top of me every night, and she's very bossy particular on how I'm allowed to sit or lie in bed. I know some people would say to lock the cats out of my room if they cause issues, etc., but I'm just straight up not going to do that.)

2. It has been 0 days since Tonks jumped on my back.
(Tonks loves piggyback rides. She usually waits until I'm bent over, such as while I'm scooping litter, but sometimes she'll jump onto me when I'm standing straight up. Luckily, she's very agile and a skilled jumper, on top of only being 9 lbs. So, as long as I keep her nails trimmed, it's not a huge problem to have Tonks riding around on me like I'm her own personal pony. It does make doing lots of things a little more difficult, but I'm getting used to doing various tasks with a calico sitting on me, since she does it pretty much every single day.)

3. Dog-sitting was my first ever job.
(I started doing a lot of pet-sitting, house-sitting, and baby-sitting all around the same time, when I was about 10 years old. I think the first job ever was watching one of my neighbor's elderly dogs. His name was Lucky, and he was an absolute sweetheart. Around that same time I also started house-sitting for multiple neighbors, and started helping a couple of neighbors with their kids during the summer months. Said pet-sitting, house-sitting, and baby-sitting all became my main source of income and kept me very busy all throughout my school years, including while I attended college. I ended up taking care of quite a few different children, many houses of vacationing folks, and—my favorite—I got to meet and care for dozens upon dozens of dogs, cats, and other furry, feathered, and scaled friends.)

4. "Do your best" is my best advice for just about anything.
(I tried to think of something more profound for this one, but my mind just kept going to this. I have had to tell myself this so many times in life, and I've told it to others as well. In any given situation, all a person can do is their best, and then whatever is meant to happen will happen.)

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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I tried to get more photos of Eddy enjoying her favorite window the other day. In true Eddy style, though, she only had lots of blurs and bloopers to share. Which is perfect, since it's time for the Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop, hosted by none other than Melissa and Mudpie of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows.


So, here's your dose of blurry, bloopery Eddy.




This last one below might be hard to decipher, but it's Eddy turning around and giving the camera a blurry shot of her cute little bum.


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



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Flashback Doodle of the Day

It's the last day of February. That said, it's also 60°F and gorgeous outside, so I again feel compelled to share a spring doodle.




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Tip of the Day

Today is the last day of National Cat Health Month. For our final tip, we're closing out our discussion on medication administration with subcutaneous injections. This topic might sound scary, but with some practice, and perhaps a cooperative kitty, you can become a pro at it.

First and foremost, ensure that you and your kitty are as comfortable and ready as possible for injection time. This may indeed take trial and error. It may also take time for your kitty to become accustomed to injections. One option is to have your cat sit on your lap. You can place a towel or blanket on your lap, as an added protection against claws. Placing your kitty on a table, counter, or even the back of a sturdy chair or couch are other potential options. If you have a helper, they can try to hold your kitty, with said kitty wrapped in a blanket or towel if needed, while you give the injection.

That being said, before getting too far ahead of yourself, make sure that you properly prepare the syringe and needle. If you have any questions regarding the use of a syringe and needle, of course ask your veterinarian, or even request a demonstration. Once you get used to it, it's really not as scary as it seems. With the needle and syringe ready, depending on the medication being injected, be sure to shake, roll, and invert the bottle as needed. Then, of course, using the needle and syringe, draw up the prescribed dosage.

Giving a cat a subcutaneous injection is often best done in the skin near their shoulders. Before giving the injection, you will need to "tent" your kitty's skin. In other words, pick up the skin between your thumb and index finger. If you are right-handed, you can do this with your left hand, so that you can give the injection with your right hand. While preparing to inject, try to keep the needle more or less parallel to the cat's back, as going in at too much of an angle could lead to issues such as going through the skin on the side or hitting muscle.

Now, with the needle parallel to the back, you will want to give the injection in the "tent" of skin that you've formed by pulling up the skin. Push the needle into the skin firmly enough to slide the needle through, but not so hard that the needle ends up going through the skin on the other side, or that the syringe slams against your cat's tented skin. Again, this all might sound scary, but the more times you do this, the more you you will get the feel of it.

At this point, obviously, you will inject the medication. Push the syringe's plunger, making sure that you don't wiggle the syringe and needle too much while you do this. Depending on how you feel most comfortable holding the syringe, you will typically be pressing the plunger with either your index finger or thumb. Once you have given the injection, slide the needle back out, place the safety cap on it, and safely dispose of it. Check to make sure that there is no moisture on your cat's back, which might indicate that the needle either went through to the other side, or that it did not go in at all.

Related to this, if you are giving subcutaneous fluids, such as for a kitty with kidney disease, the general procedure will be very much the same, but the fluids will take longer to complete. You will inject the needle in the same manner as mentioned above, but your kitty will need to remain in place for minutes at a time. So, be sure that both you and your kitty are comfortable before beginning subcutaneous fluids administration. Also be sure that you follow other instructions for giving fluids at home, including warming the fluids bag, ensuring the line has been tested, and so forth. Veterinarians will most often give a demonstration on fluid administration before having you do it on your own. Of course, never be afraid to ask your veterinarian any questions that you have regarding any form of medication administration.

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Thankful Thimble Thursday

Hello, friends! Thimble is, as always, more than ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is grateful for how stunning she is. Honestly, just look at this little princess.



Thimble is cute and she knows. And she uses it to her advantage. She of course always gets her way, so that's that.



***

Now, let's share 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 can't _________ since _________.

2. _________ since _________.

3. _________ was my first ever job.

4. _________ is my best advice for _________.


We'll see you tomorrow, friends!



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Flashback Doodle of the Day

It feels so much like spring outside, despite it still being February, that I really felt compelled to share a flashback spring doodle today. And so, here you go.




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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, we gave a lengthy tip on administering oral medications to your kitty. Today, we're here to give a lengthy tip on the ins and outs of transdermal medications. Transdermal medications are those applied to and absorbed through the skin. A number of medications can be given this way, such as methimazole (for the treatment of hyperthyroidism) and even famotidine (Pepcid), just to name a couple. If you will be administering transdermal medication for your kitty, of course read the directions as prescribed by your veterinarian, and discuss with your veterinarian any concerns that you have.

So, transdermal medication has to be applied to, obviously, the skin. It is best applied to skin that is clean, free from as much as hair as possible, and where your kitty cannot easily lick or reach. This makes the pinna (the flap of the ear) an ideal place for applying transdermal medication.

To actually apply the transdermal medication, ensure that you are wearing gloves. As its name suggests, this type of medication does indeed absorb through the skin, and that includes your own skin as well as that of your kitty. If your kitty is on transdermal thyroid medication, for example, using your bare hand to apply it could lead to unwanted effects on your own endocrine system. So, put on disposable gloves, which are sometimes even provided with the prescription. You could also buy finger cots, which are latex coverings for a single finger.

Next, when you and your kitty are ready and you're gloved, place the medication on your gloved finger. Sometimes it is suggested that you squirt the medication onto your index finger, but, ultimately, place it on whichever digit works best for you and for effective administration. Transdermal medication is sometimes provided in pre-filled syringes, from which you can eject the prescribed dosage. Other times you might receive a transdermal medication in a container that is dosed out using a twist knob. Either way, dose out the medication as prescribed and instructed on the label.

Now, when you have the medication on your gloved finger, apply it to the upper to middle part of the pinna of the ear and rub it in. Again, this medication is easily absorbed through the skin, and so excess being left behind is not ideal. So, rub it in as thoroughly as possible, which of course will also ensure that your kitty is receiving his or her full dosage.

All of that being said, of course try to make the medication administration process as comfortable as possible for both your kitty and yourself. You can try to do apply transdermal medications when your kitty is relaxed, as long as you are prepared and are able to safely do so without getting any of the medication on yourself or anywhere else besides your kitty's ear. You can also, of course, use treats as a reward. Just as with oral medication administration, you can use a partner-in-crime if needed, or a blanket or towel to help keep your kitty still and safe. Sometimes it takes trial and error to figure out what works best for you and your kitty, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Adventures with Astrid: Footprints Aplenty

It's the last Wednesday of February. That means it's Astrid's last post of the winter months. So, how about some snowy photos from recent walks?


Pretty much every time we get snow, I get an obligatory photo of Astrid's extra special 3-toed pawprint.


For anyone who doesn't know or remember, Astrid lost the outer toe on her back right foot to cancer way back in 2017, when she was just 4 years old. She's been cancer-free since, and has an adorably 3-toed foot to prove it.

Astrid's pawprints aren't the only ones we're sharing today, though. On a recent walk, we came upon the prints of another dog in the neighborhood. This dog must be roughly the size of a bear, though. Its pawprint is on the left in the photo below, and 85-lb Astrid's pawprint is on the right.


Not only have we come across bear-dog pawprints, but we also found lots of duck and goose trucks down by the creek in our neighborhood. See?


Now, the last photo for today was actually snapped in our back yard. Astrid helped me get a photo of 3 sets of pawprints, those being (from left to right in the photo below) the tiny prints of a shrew we've seen a few times, the possums who snack on the cat food we leave out for the neighborhood feral kitties, and of course the pawprints of said feral kitties.


Astrid also hopes you enjoyed her modeling skills in these photos! Happy Wednesday, friends!



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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Given the wintry photos above, and given that I unfortunately still haven't scanned our newest winter doodles, I went through our archives to find a winter flashback doodle starring pup Astrid. Here's what I scrounged up:




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Tip of the Day

We have three days left of National Cat Heath Month. For these last couple of days, we'll be discussing some methods for administering medication to that kitty of yours. We'll be starting today with oral medications. This is a long one, so kudos to anyone who makes it to the end.

To begin, if your kitty is prescribed a medication in the form of a pill, tablet, or capsule, there are a number of methods for attempting administration. If possible, and if your kitty is open to the idea, you can use pill pockets or another form of treat in which to hide the medication, and then your kitty might simply eat it up that way. Sometimes pills, tablets, or capsules can also be hidden in a bowl of moist food. If it is small enough, the entire pill can be left intact and hidden whole in the food. Or, some pills can be crushed and then stirred in and masked by the moist food. That being said, some pills, tablets, and capsules are not as effective or sometimes not truly safe to crush and expose in this way, so always ask your veterinarian first regarding this method. 

If a kitty will not voluntarily ingest a pill in the above ways, though, then you may very well have to manually pill your cat. First and foremost, be gentle with this method, and make sure your kitty is as comfortable as possible, and of course not harmed. It's also important to ensure that you are not bitten. One of the best methods for pilling a cat involves placing your hand over the cat's head and more or less using their cheekbones as a handle. This way, you can gently tilt your kitty's head back, and they will often then open their mouth on their own. As long as you do it safely, you can also place the tip of a finger on the incisors (not the canines!) of the lower jaw in order to help open the mouth. When your kitty's mouth is open, you can carefully place the pill inside, trying to get it as far back on the tongue as is possible and safe. You can try doing this with the pill plain, or put it in a small treat to better mask it. When the pill is inside the mouth, close your kitty's mouth and gently hold it shut. Sometimes, if needed, blowing on their nose or gently rubbing their throat will prompt them to swallow the pill.

There are also pilling devices on the market. I personally do not prefer to use these, but for kitties who need it, you can perhaps try this method. When using a pilling device, you can use the same methods as indicated above for opening your kitty's mouth, and then use the device to place the pill as far back on the tongue as possible.

For kitties who simply do not tolerate being pilled, there is also the chance that the pill can be suspended in a liquid form. Do discuss this with your veterinarian, though, as this method is not effective with all medications. If the medication at hand is able to be given in liquid form, though, sometimes you can do this yourself, simply by crushing the pill and dissolving it in water or a safe broth or gravy. Other times, pharmacies can prepare a liquid solution for you. For tips on the administration of liquid medications, see below.

As for liquid oral medications, you use the appropriate syringe or dropper to pull up the prescribed dosage. If your kitty does not sense it and refuse to eat it, you can sometimes mix liquid medication in moist food. If your kitty will not eat food laced with medication, though, then squirting it directly into their mouth is your likeliest option. It is typically recommended that liquid medications be injected into the pocket of space that is between the cheek and the teeth. As needed, you can use the methods indicated above for opening your kitty's mouth for easier administration of the liquid medication. However, do not tilt your kitty's head back when administering liquid medications, as aspiration is possible.

What's more, keep in mind that larger quantities of liquid medications, such as over 0.5 or 1.0 mL of medication, may need to be injected into the mouth in multiple rounds. This is because squirting larger quantities of liquid into your kitty's mouth could be dangerous, such as by potentially leading to aspiration. So, depending on the dosage prescribed, it might be safest to squirt in half or so of the liquid, allowing your kitty to swallow that, and then squirting the rest into the mouth.

Other tips include having a partner-in-crime to help you administer your kitty's medication. One person can hold the kitty, for example, while the other gives the medication. Whether you are by yourself or have help, you can also use the help of a towel or blanket. You can wrap the kitty in this, to keep them and their legs still during the process.

If you have trouble giving your kitty oral medications, even when using methods such as those discussed above, of course discuss this with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian might be able to suggest other options for medication administration. We will be discussing transdermal medications and subcutaneous injections over the next two days, so if either of those are a solution your veterinarian proposes, we'll be offering tips on those as well.