Tonks Tuesday on the Window Throne

It's Tonks Tuesday, and today the calico is of course having a bit of a rest in one of her favorite places.

Tonks loves sleeping on the back of the couch by the window. She often requests a throne there, such as that pillow. She often sleeps on that pillow as well as a giant pile of blankets that she often insists I build for her. I'm surprised she settled for just the pillow in that photo above.

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

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today is my mom's birthday, that being the kitties' and pup's Gammy. I haven't yet uploaded her birthday doodle for this year, but how about this past one to celebrate? I'd apologize for the litter box imagery, but I'm thinking a lot of you see this in your real life, so a scribbled up version hopefully isn't too appalling.

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Tip of the Day

Today's pet parenting hack of a tip is one to help you sleep better at night. Does your kitty or pup ever wake you up during the night, perhaps seemingly bored or hungry? The first step in a case such as this is of course to make sure there is no medical explanation. If your furbaby is indeed healthy, though, and they simply wake you in the middle of the night for some playtime or a midnight snack, then there are a couple of simple things you can do to try to combat this.

First, you can do a bit of a pre-bedtime play session with them. One of the last things you do before you go to bed can be a game of fetch, perhaps a little fun with a wand toy, or anything that your furbaby finds fun and that expends their energy. This will help tire your furbaby out, and will hopefully help satisfy their desire to play so that they can sleep through the night.

Second, in the case that your furbaby wakes you up in the middle of the night out of hunger, perhaps save their last meal of the day for right before bed. Fill their bowl just before you go to bed, so that they will go to bed with a full stomach. If needed and possible, you can also make this nighttime meal their largest of the day, to even further satisfy them and their stomach. In some cases, this is all it takes to help keep those hungry furbabies satiated until their breakfast.

Just like us, our furbabies are not immune to restless nights or a desire for a midnight snack. If a medical concern has been ruled out, then try to find a way to help both you and your furbaby sleep through the night. Satisfying the play or hunger drive just before bed may be all that is needed.

Just Another Manic Mancat Monday

Hello, friends! We're having a bit of chaotic Monday. My car died this weekend. I was able to jump it yesterday, but after it ran for a while and then turned off, it was dead again. Then this morning it decided it was happy to start on the first try, no questions asked, as if it hadn't refused to start for the previous 24 hours. I dropped my car off at the the shop anyway, as I'd rather not be left stranded whenever it decides to die again. But this isn't a car blog. This is a cat blog, so let's move on to some kitty shenanigans, shall we?

So, my poor boy Evan likely has another UTI.

Thankfully, Evan is actually acting pretty happy. He just got his second Solensia injection for pain relief on Friday, and these injections have been making him feel and act great. Though the injections are often given for arthritis, our vet had the idea to try it for Evan's pain related to his bladder cystitis. So far, it's working great. That said, over the weekend, Evan's urine developed a very pungent odor reminiscent of his past UTIs, and he was also urinating more frequently than usual. I emailed Evan's vet, and he agreed that given his urinary history and chronic issues, we should put Evan on a 10-day course of antibiotics. I'll be picking those up today, and Evan will be so thrilled.

Evan and all of us wish you a magnificent Monday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Given that today's post is about Evan but also my car, how about this old Harry Potter-inspired doodle starring Evan (and Eddy) taking a ride in a magical car that flies? Makes total sense. So here you go.

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Tip of the Day

Today's pet parenting hack of a tip is one to help you save on floor space. When it comes to storing some of your pet supplies—whether it be treats, canned food, medications, brushes, toys, or cleaning supplies, just to name a few—you can try using a shower caddy or other similar shelving system. You can even get shelving units that are meant to hang from a door, such as by a hook that goes over the top of door, to further save on both floor and wall space. Sometimes our furbabies come with a lot of supplies, and we have to find a place to put all of those items. So, as needed, think outside the box and find ways to use a variety of storage systems that will help save you on floor space or even wall space.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Elegant Eddy

Hello and happy Friday, friends! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. A word to describe my life right now would be _________.

2. _________ drives me batty.

3. When it comes to _________, I'm most known for _________.

4. _________ is my idea of cozy.


My answers are below in bold.

1. A word to describe my life right now would be chaotic.

(This is probably a pretty normal situation for most people. Sometimes, life is just crazy. Between work, my aging furry babies, and life in general, I'm just in one of those crazy seasons right now.)

2. Technology drives me batty.

(I really enjoy and appreciate a lot of what technology has to offer. It can save lives, not to mention it simply makes life easier and more fun sometimes. But, sometimes it doesn't. Between device errors and breakages and my own lack of technological savvy, I often get really frustrated with technology. It's a running joke in my family that I'm the person who can look at a technological device and it'll pretty much self destruct.)

3. When it comes to going to our vet, I'm most known for being the lady with the paralyzed cat.

(Perhaps because my special needs boy Evan is at the vet so much, even if it's just for his regular sanitary shaves, everyone there knows me by sight. And they mostly associate me with my sweet and special orange boy. When I occasionally show up with my other kitties or pup Astrid, it's like some of the staff there forgets I have other furry babies, because they're always expecting to see Evan. It's not that they're unhappy to see my other furry family, it's just that Evan is very well known at our vet.)

4. Home is my idea of cozy.

(As I've mentioned many times, I'm a homebody. I love nothing more than being home with my kitties and pup, and home is simply where I'm most cozy and happy.)

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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It's time for your Eddy fix! Unfortunately, this busy girl was busy spying on wildlife, so the view you get of her is this classy one here:

Elegant, right? In case you can't make heads or tails of that, Eddy's heady is over at the right, staring out the window. You can barely see her ears poking up thanks to the sunlight and the used and abused cat tree's sisal rope dangling down. Her bum is so politely facing the camera.

Eddy and all of us here hope you have a wonderful day!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I found another old doodle I forgot I'd scribbled up in a past series of spooky summertime drawings. So, I might as well share it now, right?

I honestly have a number of new doodles of all sorts I still haven't shared with you all. I simply need to get them scanned and uploaded. Hopefully this weekend I can work on that and start sharing all of those new ones next week.

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Tip of the Day

Today's pet parenting hack tip is a simple yet important one. Especially if your furbaby is a known chewer, do consider getting covers for power cords and other cables. I'm sure you all know the dangers that chewing on a cord can pose to our furbabies. So, to prevent this, cover up those cords and cables. There are a variety of cord and cable covers available on the market. There are covers that encase cords so that they are safe yet still able to be easily moved, and there are ones that essentially pin cords safely and securely to the floor. Of course, those are just two examples as to how you can make cords and cables safe around your furbabies. Perhaps do a bit of research, and, depending on your home and technological setup, determine what kind of cord and cable covers would best work for both you and your furbaby. As we always say, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Another Thankful Thimble Thursday in the Sun

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

Today, the little tabby lady is yet again grateful for sunshine, and her majestic whiskers.

Thimble does wish her amateur photographer of a mom had done better with the lighting in order for you to better see her adorable tabby face, but that cuteness still comes through.

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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. A word to describe my life right now would be _________.

2. _________ drives me batty.

3. When it comes to _________, I'm most known for _________.

4. _________ is my idea of cozy.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We've been sharing a lot of spooky summertime doodles lately, but we can't ignore this little thing called Christmas in July. So, for today, how about an old doodle of this festive sort, which for one reason or another I created with Wild West vibes.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip is one a bit more for the dogs, but of course could be used for kitties if the situation applies. What we're talking about today is bell training. It can help to have a way for your dog to tell you they need to go to the bathroom. Since jumping and scratching at the door is not all that ideal, you can hang a bell, or a strand of bells, on the doorknob. Of course, make sure the design of the bell and any attachments are safe for your furbaby, especially if they're a chewer. Once you've selected and placed the bell to be used, training techniques such as positive reinforcement can be used to teach your dog to ring the bell prior to going outside to use to the restroom. This will allow your dog to make the connection that, if they ring the bell on the door, they will be let out to use the restroom. Just as with any training, this may take time, but with patience, practice, and positive reinforcement, everyone involved can get the hang of it.

Annoyed Adventures with Astrid

On these extremely hot summer days, sometimes pup Astrid's main adventure of the day is out to the back yard. Recently, I followed her out there in hopes of getting a cute photo shoot. The problem is that Astrid has always been a mixture of paranoid and annoyed when she's followed around, and so I ended up with photos like this:

Do you see that side-eye? I'm pretty sure she was also chuffing at me in that photo. Astrid is not an aggressive girl whatsoever, but her facial expressions alone usually give away her true thoughts. And in that moment above, she was sufficiently annoyed with me.

In that one, I distinctly asked Astrid to look at me. And so, of course, she refused. She's still pretty darn cute, though.

Astrid has always had a big personality. While she's slowed down at her age of 12, that ornery personality is still there, which makes me so very happy. Oh, and she's still a shameless cat food thief.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm pretty sure I re-share the doodle below every single year. Since I recently shared a number of old and new spooky summertime doodles, I think this one yet again fits right in.

I scribbled that one up many year ago, after one summer seeing a spooky typewriter like that in an early Halloween decor launch. I can't remember what store it was at, but I remember thinking it looked pretty darn cool. I didn't end up buying it, but I did immediately go home and scribble up this doodle.

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Tip of the Day

Over the past couple of days, we've talked about the option of having cat grass available for your kitty to snack on or play in, or even using artificial grass to give your kitty a mock grassy area for napping or playing. Today, we're yet again expanding on this idea by suggesting that, if possible, you can start a cat garden for your kitty's enjoyment. This can be outdoor or indoor, of course assuming that your kitty does not put itself in any danger by having access to a large quantity of pet-friendly plants.

So, what could you put in a cat garden? First, of course, you could have cat grass and catnip. Also don't forget about valerian, which is a great alternative to catnip. Another option is cat thyme, which is known to make cats feel more content than plants such as catnip. Keep in mind, though, that some people find the odor of cat thyme to be rather unappealing. The traditional thyme herb is also non-toxic to cats, if you're looking to give your kitty even more variety. You can plant these goodies in separate pots throughout your kitty's favorite room, or you can plant them all together in one large pot, to give your kitty his or her own little jungle. An added bonus is that, if you have other plants in the home that are pet-friendly but which you'd like to keep safe from curious paws and teeth, offering a cat garden can help distract your kitty from these other plants.

It is worth mentioning that some sites online will mention adding other plants or herbs to a cat garden for more variety. If you are looking up such information online, always be cautious and careful to double check the safety of any plant you place in a garden for your cat. For example, lemon grass and chamomile are sometimes indicated as safe for pets, but such plants have been known to cause issues such as upset stomach and vomiting. Another example is parsley, which is typically harmless in small amounts, but which can lead to sensitivity to the sun and sunburn if consumed in large quantities. When in doubt, of course consult a veterinarian regarding safe plants, or visit the ASPCA's list of toxic and non-toxic plants.

Tonks Tuesday: Coy and Cozy

It's Tonks Tuesday, and today the little calico is here to bring you a bright and sunny shot of her cute self.

Tonks apologizes for not looking at the camera, but sometimes she simply likes to play coy. At least she's also quite cozy on a pile of blankets in that there photo. Tonks loves herself a comfy blanket, or two or three or seven.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I was scrolling through older doodles, and this one popped up. I think it was from an April A to Z Challenge from years past, when K stood for kickboxing. Or maybe it was B for boxing. For all I know it was H for health or F for fitness. I genuinely can't remember, but either way, here's a kitty ready to assist in a workout.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, we mentioned some of the benefits of growing cat grass indoors for your kitty. We wanted to offer a couple more tips in this same line of thought. First, you don't only have to grow cat grass in small pots from which your kitty can have a bit of a green snack. Another option is to create for your kitty a cat grass bed. For example, you could grow some cat grass in a larger pot, and some cats will enjoy this grassy environment for napping or playing purposes. Cats' ancestors out in the wild often live, sleep, and even play in this type of grassy environment, so why not our domesticated kitties?

Another option is to create beds or play areas out of artificial grass, which can again give off the idea of a more wild environment for your kitty. Most synthetic grass materials are safe for pets, but you should of course still always double check, or simply look for ones that are specifically designed to be pet-friendly. There are, in fact, artificial grass toys, scratchers, and beds that are specifically designed for cats. Did you know there are even artificial grass potty mats for dogs, or even cats? All in all, artificial grass is not only low-maintenance, but can also have beneficial effects for your kitty. It can offer them a place to play or snooze, all while mimicking grassy environments found out in the wild. If you think your cat might enjoy cat grass or synthetic grass in the form of a bed or play area, perhaps look into setting this up for them.

Mancat Monday: The Paw Pillow

It's Mancat Monday, so of course handsome Evan is here to grace you with his adorableness.

Evan often uses his paws as pillows of a sort, like in that photo there. I always try to get photos of him when he does it, because it's just so cute.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

The photo above reminded me of this doodle I scribbled up last year, so I figured I'd share it again today.

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Tip of the Day

Is your kitty a chewer? Do they put anything and everything in their mouth? While we're sure you all know to keep potentially dangerous plants out of your home, do you have safe or fake plants on which your kitty chews? If your cat goes outdoors, do they tend to eat grass on the lawn? If the answers to any of these are yes, and if medical issues have been ruled out for any abnormal behaviors, do perhaps consider keeping some cat grass growing in your home. Even if any of the above statements aren't true of your cat, you can of course still offer cat grass. Cat grass is a safe plant on which many cats enjoy chewing, and which also serves as a source of fiber than can help keep things moving sufficiently through the GI tract. For example, cat grass might be able to help prevent issues with hairballs.

You can purchase cat grass that has already been grown and is ready for your kitty's chompers, or you can grow your own. It is relatively simple to grow, and is also typically cheap. So, do consider looking into keeping cat grass in your home, both for your kitty's entertainment as well as for their health. Of course, do monitor your kitty, especially when first offering cat grass. If they gorge on the grass and/or vomit after eating it, then only offer it to them on occasion, or not at all.