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.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Blurry Eddy

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 rue the day _________.

2. One thing I wish I had closure with is _________.

3. _________ recently took a turn for the worse when _________.

4. My _________ has improved thanks to _________.


My answers are below in bold. I rambled on and on and then on and on some more, and for that I apologize. Feel free to skim or skip my longwinded answers. I wouldn't blame you one bit.

1. I rue the day that I took my previous job as a veterinary assistant.
(This answer is mostly truth, but also partly a lie. Nearly 15 years ago, soon out of college, I took a job as a veterinary assistant at a new feline veterinary clinic in town. My boss was the founding and only veterinarian. She was a very controlling, caustic woman. Within a couple months of me starting, all of my fellow vet assistants and the one certified vet tech all quit or were fired. The vet never hired anyone else, and for over 2 years I was the only employee at this full-service veterinary clinic. I stayed because I was fresh out of college and wanted a job that used my animal sciences degree. I often worked 10-12 hours per day Monday through Friday, and the vet would often call wanting me to come in on weekends for one reason or another. She didn't like when I said no, but I started doing it anyway because I was exhausted. Finally, I resigned. She didn't like that either. All that said, I learned more about feline diseases and veterinary care in 2.5 years at this clinic than I did in 4 years of college. I will always be grateful for that knowledge, but not for the stress and exhaustion. The clinic is no longer open.)

2. One thing I wish I had closure with is what happened to the adoptable kitties at the aforementioned clinic after I resigned.
(The clinic I mentioned above had some adoptable kitties that we acquired over a couple years. We also had boarders, sometimes a dozen at a time, and so some mornings I was the only worker there to take care of 15+ kitties temporarily living there while also setting up for surgeries and appointments. But that's beside the point. When I left, there were 5 adoptable kitties at the clinic, one being a sweet little lady I was heavily considering adopting. Before I left for the final time, I said goodbye to all of them and gave them lots of kisses and cuddles. I often wish I knew what happened to those kitties. For all of her potential faults, the vet loved cats and so I know she wouldn't just dump the kitties, even after she closed her clinic. But, I still wish I knew they all had happy endings.)

3. My car recently took a turn for the worse when it refused to start.
(This is a bit of an exaggeration. I actually did get the car started, but it took at least half a dozen attempts before it finally decided to turn over. This was all related to the issues it had a few weeks ago, which had seemed to improve. They had apparently only done so temporarily, though, and so to the mechanic's shop my car went. Luckily it was fixable. The bill was a painful one, but this car is paid off. It's also 16 years old and so my car insurance payments are absolutely miniscule compared to those for newer cars. I'm really hoping to avoid car shopping for as long as possible, so I'm trying to keep this 16-year-old car going as long as possible.)

4. My writing habit has improved thanks to my attempts to stay disciplined.

(Though I haven't yet succeeded at writing in my book-in-progress every single day, or at least close to it, I've written more days this month than I haven't. Writing is a huge passion of mine, and publishing my weird stories is one of my greatest goals in life. I have some rather experimental publishing plans I'm determined to try out this year, so I've been staying as disciplined as possible when it comes to consistently writing. I'm participating in a writing challenge in March, and I hope to write 50,000 words over the month, so I need to ramp up my discipline, time management, and consistency even more.)

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

Eddy is, as always, our resident blooper queen. It's especially easy to get blurry shots of her when she's annoyed that I'm taking her photo, as was the case below.

Don't worry, Eddy got kisses and treats after those shots were snapped. That made her much happier, especially when it came to the treats. Eddy doesn't dislike kisses and cuddles, but she much prefers treats.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We've shared a couple other doodles from a witchy winter series I scribbled up a few years ago, so how about yet another one today?

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Tip of the Day

We're still in National Cat Heath Month, and today we'll be discussing some methods for administering medication to that kitty of yours. This is going to be 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 canned 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 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.

Next up, we have liquid oral medications. With these, 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 using 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. For example, some medications can be given in a transdermal form on the skin, so this is one option to discuss with your vet if needed.

Thankful Thimble Thursday on a Fleece Blanket

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

Today, Thimble is again grateful for fleece blankets. They're one of her most favorite things in the world.

Thimble especially loves the fleece blankets form CatLadyBox. We're not sponsored, but Thimble did want to share how much she loves their blankets. Her most favorite is one with a pretty white kitty on it. That's the one Thimble usually snoozes on, but before that there photo was snapped her brother Evan may or may not have peed on it. The colorful blankie she's on in that photo up there is her second favorite.

Thimble hopes you all get to enjoy a fleece blanket nap in today!

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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 rue the day _________.

2. One thing I wish I had closure with is _________.

3. _________ recently took a turn for the worse when _________.

4. My _________ has improved thanks to _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Yesterday we shared a witchy winter doodle I scribbled up a few years ago. That one was from a series of similar doodles, so here's yet another old one from that time.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, as part of National Cat Health Month, our tip involved food allergies. Keep in mind, though, that cats can of course be allergic to any number of things, not just food. Symptoms such as itchy skin, hair loss, rashes, and so forth can also result from seasonal and airborne allergies, allergies to fleas, and any number of other allergens. A cat can even be allergic to fragrances and other components in items such as cat litter or laundry detergent.

That all being said, if your kitty has dermatological or even respiratory signs of allergies, try to pinpoint when it started, and discuss this with your veterinarian as needed. Keep track of if your cat displays symptoms year-round, or if the symptoms are new. Does your cat have scabs or bites on their skin? Is he or she on monthly preventatives for fleas? Did you start using a new kind of cat litter? What about a new kind of laundry detergent with which you've cleaned blankets and bedding? Think back to even weeks or months ago, as allergies can take time to manifest. If the onset of symptoms can be tracked down to exposure to a new litter or other removable or remediable environmental factor, then it might be an easy fix. If your kitty is diagnosed as having seasonal or airborne allergies, though, then you can discuss with your veterinarian what might be done to help your kitty stay as itch-free and comfortable as possible.