Angel Astrid's Birthday, Friendly Fill-Ins, and Eddy with the Pup

I'm going to start this post by wishing my sweet angel pup Astrid a Happy Heavenly Birthday!

My girl Astrid loved cookies, and so each year I got her some to celebrate her big day.

Astrid would be 13 years old today. The last photo below was snapped on her birthday last year, when she turned 12.

Astrid, your humans and kitties miss you so much, and we love you always and forever. Happy Heavenly Birthday, sweet girl!

I didn't get Astrid's new birthday doodle done yet, though after much debate I did finally decide what I want to draw to celebrate this girl. At least I think I've decided. I've truly been having trouble settling on what to draw for my dear pup for her first heavenly birthday, hence why it's not done yet. I'll be working on that doodle this weekend. For today, to celebrate the sweet angel's birthday, how about a couple of her birthday doodles from the past?

That one up there was scribbled up a few years ago in honor of Astrid's love of ice cream. And the one below was her birthday doodle from last year, when all of the furry babies got Harry Potter-esque parties in their celebratory drawings.

Happy Birthday, Astrid! We hope you're having just as fun of a party up there as we're having for you down here!

***

And now we have the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. 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. My zodiac sign is _________.

2. My Chinese zodiac animal sign is _________. 

3. For me, _________ brings back memories of _________.

4. _________ is the only thing keeping me from _________.


My answers are below in bold. Yet again, they're accompanied by far too much of my rambling.

1. My zodiac sign is Aries.

(I admittedly don't know much about astrology. I have known my zodiac sign since I was a kid, though. When I do see things about my zodiac sign, I often feel like I don't really relate to what is said about it. For this fill-in, I looked up some of those traits often listed for Aries, and I do relate to a couple, such as being independent or indeed having moments of impatience. That said, I don't relate to pretty much any other Aries descriptors I see. I'm not an impulsive or spontaneous person, I'm rarely short-tempered, I do not enjoy competition, and I'm really not all that energetic. I think I was born under the wrong sign.)

2. My Chinese zodiac animal sign is the snake.

(I had to look this one up. I know even less about the Chinese zodiac than I do about the, well, non-Chinese zodiac. I will note that I'm not a big fan of snakes, so I always cringe a bit when I'm reminded that my Chinese zodiac is indeed the snake. That said, I did look up some traits of the snake for the purpose of this fill-in, and I actually do relate to it quite a bit. That's probably because it's described as almost the complete opposite of the aforementioned Aries.)

3. For me, the smell of coffee brings back memories of sleepovers at my grandma's house.

(I don't drink coffee. I've never enjoyed the taste of it, not even when it's diluted with milk and chocolate. That said, a lot of people around me do drink coffee, both in terms of my family and coworkers. Every time I get a whiff of freshly brewed coffee, I'm taken back to the times I woke up at my grandma's house as a kid. She always brewed a batch of very strong coffee the moment she got up, and she still does to this day. While I don't like the taste of coffee, I do love the smell of it.)

4. My own doing or lack thereof is the only thing keeping me from achieving my goals.
(While things like work and life in general keep me busy, as they do with most people, I'm well aware that I'm the main reason I haven't yet accomplished some of my big goals. I'm talking about things like finishing and publishing the stories I'm writing and doing more with my art. I admittedly often lack the discipline, focus, or time management to fully work toward my goals, and that's something I'm constantly working on. That said, I've actually been writing quite a bit lately, though I have fallen a bit behind on the drawings I want to complete.)

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.

***

Since it's our pup Astrid's heavenly birthday, Eddy agreed to share one of the only photos I have of her posing with Astrid.

Eddy isn't a big fan of other animals in general, but she would have rather spent time with Astrid than the other kitties in the house (except for Evan, whom Eddy loves so much). Astrid was always such a perfect dog around cats. She loved them, and they loved her. The fact that even a skittish kitty like Eddy would sit with Astrid was always to me a testament to what an amazing, perfect dog Astrid was and always will be.

***

Tip of the Day

Today's tip in our cat health series is plain and simple. We're here to remind you to make sure that your cat has easy access to fresh water at all times. Water intake is of course crucial to a kitty's health, as it is important for proper functioning of not only organs such as the kidneys, but all systems of the body. So, make sure that your cat has water readily available. Some considerations to make include ensuring that your kitty has water accessible in areas where they are comfortable drinking, such as somewhere that is not too heavy with foot traffic, yet also somewhere that they frequent often. You can of course also offer water bowls in multiple areas of the house, something that is often especially important in multi-cat households.

What's more, make sure that your kitty's water is in a bowl or other drinking vessel that they like. Some cats prefer typical bowls, some cats only want bowls with especially low sides, some cats might even show a preference for drinking water out of cups or another container with high sides, and other kitties prefer fountains or other sources of moving water. Also, of course, freshen up that water as often as possible or as needed. Cats can be picky creatures, and some cats might refuse to drink water that is not fresh. In addition, fresh water is also simply healthier overall. Offering your kitty a fountain is one way to keep their water fresh, as not only is the water moving, but fountains also typically contain filters. All in all, especially given how important it is for all bodily functions, make sure to give special attention to your kitty's water bowl.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: My, What Big Ears

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

During a recent photo shoot, Thimble had trouble sitting still. After all, the camera gets her so very excited. I couldn't get her to stop rolling and shifting enough to get a true photo of her adorable face, but she did give me some shots of her adorably large ears.

Today, Thimble is indeed grateful for those gigantic ears of hers. After all, they allow her to hear the pop of the lid when a jar of her beloved baby food is being opened.

Speaking of baby food, Thimble now gets AminAvast, that being a kidney nutraceutical, mixed in with baby food. Her kidney values were starting to look a tiny bit elevated on her senior bloodwork in October, so I started her on that since it worked wonders for my calico angel Rosie. Even more so, I gave Rosie her AminAvast in baby food, and that was when then-kitten Thimble started begging for tastes of Rosie's baby food. For 10 years after Rosie's passing, Thimble continued getting baby food as a daily treat. And now she's getting kidney supplements in said baby food just like Rosie did. Oh, and just like Rosie, Thimble's favorite flavor of baby food is ham.

***

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. My zodiac sign is _________.

2. My Chinese zodiac animal sign is _________. 

3. For me, _________ brings back memories of _________.

4. _________ is the only thing keeping me from _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

I've been feeling a bit spooky and kooky lately, so this flashback doodle seems fitting enough.

***

Tip of the Day

Today's National Cat Health Care Month tip is all about those litter boxes. Especially if you have multiple cats, make sure that you have enough litter boxes with regard to the number of kitties in the home. It is often recommended that you have as many litter as you have cats, plus one. If there are not enough litter boxes, it is possible that cats might quickly find the litter boxes too filled or dirty, or that there might even be some bullying or battles over use of litter boxes. This could lead some cats to have to hold onto their urine or stool, which in turn could lead to issues such as UTIs or constipation. Or, some cats might simply begin looking for other areas in the house to urinate or defecate outside of the box.

Other litter box issues that might lead to health concerns or unwanted behaviors include litter boxes that are not cleaned enough, litter boxes that are in an area that is too high traffic for some cats' preference, litter boxes that are hidden too far away for certain cats' liking, or litter boxes that contain a type of litter that certain cats simply do not prefer. Obviously, issues such as holding urine or stool, resulting UTIs and constipation, and out-of-box urination and defecation are not ideal. For these reasons, do be sure that the litter box situation is suitable for all cats in the house, so that all the kitties involved can stay as happy and healthy as possible.

Woof Woof Wednesday with the (Almost) Birthday Angel Astrid

This Friday, February 20th, is my sweet angel pup Astrid's birthday. It's her first heavenly birthday. She would be turning 13 years old.

We'll of course be having a little birthday shindig during Friday's post for this sweet angel. I've been planning out a birthday doodle for Astrid, but I'll admit I haven't gotten far at all with that and I'm not sure it'll be done before her birthday. I think I'm having trouble feeling like anything I draw might not be good enough for this sweet girl's first heavenly birthday. I know that's not true, though, and that Astrid wouldn't want me thinking like that. I will absolutely finish a birthday doodle for her soon and will share it when it's done.

That said, when recently scrolling through photos of my Astrid, I saw the one above. I loved getting photos of her adorably large nose. If you look closely, you can see that her nose is bunged up in that photo. Why? Because Astrid always made a game out of using her nose to toss her food bowl around, no matter what kind of bowl we tried or where we put it. She always seemed to have some level of frantic fun shoving her bowl around with her snout. My pup was admittedly bit of a neurotic girl, and her vet once said that if dogs could be diagnosed with autism, he'd easily hand that diagnosis to Astrid. I loved her quirkiness so much and always will, even if that meant she sometimes threw her bowl around and took chunks out of her nose.

Angel Astrid and all of us here wish you a wonderful Wednesday!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is a very old one, but it of course stars Astrid.

***

Tip of the Day

We're still not done with tips for National Cat Health Care Month. Today, we're here to remind you to regularly groom your kitty. Brushing your cat has many benefits, such as removing hair that might otherwise lead to hairballs. Hairballs can not only potentially cause vomiting, but also, in some cases, intestinal blockages, which are certainly something no one wants. In addition, brushing can of course also help prevent painful mats, or remove those that are forming. A well-groomed kitty is a happy and healthy kitty, so keep that brush handy. Regular nail trims would also come into play in this topic of regularly grooming your kitty. Of course, if your kitty does not allow for you to brush him or her or trim his or her nails, then perhaps consider a professional groomer, or asking your veterinarian if they offer grooming services. This is especially important for kitties with issues such as mats or painfully long nails that need addressed.

While we're on this topic, remember that cats are both physically and behaviorally equipped to bathe themselves. Therefore, unless your kitty becomes unusually dirty or for some reason is in dire need of a full bath, putting your kitty in that bathtub for a scrub down is not generally necessary. In fact, bathing your kitty could even lead to dry skin or fur, which is of course not ideal for their comfort or health. So, unless a bath is absolutely called for, leave the regular grooming to brushing, nails trims, and other such tasks that will keep your stay kitty sleek, shiny, healthy, and happy.

Tonks Tuesday: The Bath Time Sequel

Yesterday, Evan shared how he likes to spend time in his favorite kitty bed. He even shared a photo of himself bathing in that bed, and today Tonks wanted to share a sequel to that. After all, on that day she joined Evan for her own bath on the chair beside his bed. See?

Squeaky clean Tonks and Evan wish you a terrific Tuesday!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

This old doodle below jumped out at me in my image archives recently. I drew it a few winters ago, in honor of how my sweet calico angel Rosie used to keep me company when reading.

***

Tip of the Day

We have a couple more tips related to this National Cat Health Care Month. These last ones are some random bits and pieces to help keep your kitty as happy and healthy as possible. Today it's all about those ears. Just as with humans, our kitties' ears can get a bit dirty. Wax can accumulate in a cat's ears, and can even become impacted. Your vet will likely check your cat's ears during their regular exams, but in between those times, if needed, you can help keep your kitty's ears clean at home. The safest thing to do is to ask your veterinarian not only if and how often your kitty needs those ears washed, but also what ear cleanser to use. Many veterinary offices will have pet-friendly ear cleaning solutions available. Some of these simply require that you drip some in the cat's ear and then rub the base of the ear. It can often be as simple and easy as that, if that is something your veterinarian thinks is of benefit to your kitty.

Also related to ear health is allergies. Airborne allergies can lead to itchy ears, just as can food allergies. Ear infections can result from such allergies, or from other potential causes. No matter the reason, always be sure to keep an eye on those ears. Does your kitty hold one or both ears down? Does he or she scratch at them? Are there scabs or hair loss around the ears? Are the ears warm to the touch? Do they have a strange odor to them? Ear infections, or other issues of the ear, can of course manifest in a variety of ways. So, if you have any concerns, do discuss the topic with a veterinarian. If there is an infection, antibiotics for the affected ear or ears will be necessary to treat the infection. Infections in the ear can lead to permanent damage if left untreated, so though it may seem like a small concern, that's not necessarily the case.

The ears are just one of the many parts of your kitty that can affect their overall health and happiness. This time of year, especially in extremely cold temperatures, kitties who live or go outdoors could even potentially suffer from frostbite on their ears. This is just one more example of an ailment that can afflict those feline ears. All in all, keep an eye on those ears.

Mancat Monday from Bed

It's Mancat Monday, and Evan wanted to share some photos from his favorite bed.

That's the kitty bed Evan got for his birthday last year. It's his favorite bed and he spends a lot of time in it. I always put a blanket in it for him, which Evan loves. I do that not only to make the bed even more cushy, but also because my orange boy is a urinary incontinent little guy and so I'm trying to help the poor bed combat that as much as possible. The blanket gets changed out very often, typically multiple times a day, and that usually keeps the bed from succumbing to too much trauma. That said, the bed still gets cleaned almost daily. Evan's beds and blankets simply don't survive long without a trip to the washer.

Next up is a blooper from when Evan took a bath in his bed. This hind limb paralyzed boy's baths always look cute and so very special.

Evan and all of us here wish you a magnificent Monday!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Our current topic of conversation stems back to the fact that it is National Cat Health Month. Our last tip regarded diet, and we made a comment on the fact that your kitty's weight will indeed help determine the best diet for them. Today's tip is a continuation of that topic of weight. If your cat is overweight, for example, then portion control is of course important, as is the type of food, frequency of feedings, and other such factors. There are weight loss cat foods on the market, these often focusing on high protein intake, but do be sure to discuss with a veterinarian your kitty's weight and the best diet to help them live a healthy, fit life. Similarly, if a cat is underweight, such as due to an illness, diet can play a large role in increasing their weight and overall health. Again, discuss with a veterinarian what type and quantity of food to feed your cat in order to achieve an optimal weight.

Moving on from diet, though, we'll now briefly discuss activity level. We'll primarily discuss this in terms of overweight cats, as activity level indeed affects this greatly. So, especially if your cat is overweight, engage them in various activities and games each day. You can grab a toy and play chase or catch with them. Wand toys, as you all certainly know, are often great at getting cats up and moving. You can also enlist the help of more advanced interactive toys, which can keep your cat busy without you having to do all the work. Anything that is safe yet that also keeps your kitty's interest and prompts them to move around and participate in daily activity can be a great benefit to their body condition and overall health.

The above being said, if your cat is in any way ill or injured, such as with asthma or an injury, do be sure to discuss with a veterinarian what types of activity are safe for them. Diet and activity level will both of course play a large roll in keeping your cat's weight in a healthy range, but not all diets and activity levels are suited for all cats. So, if your cat is overweight, or even underweight, perhaps do some research, discuss your individual kitty's condition with a veterinarian, and then remain motivated and optimistic about getting your kitty healthy and fit.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy with Her Mancat Evan

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. A Ted Talk that I found helpful was done by _________.

2. If I could make my own candy heart it would say _________.

3. I _________ early in the morning, but I _________ late at night.

4. _________ is what I love most about myself.


My answers are below in bold.

1. A Ted Talk that I found helpful was done by someone yet to be determined.
(I've actually never seen or listened to a single TED Talk. I've always meant to look into finding some that might be up my alley, as I do enjoy listening to podcasts and videos on topics that interest or inspire me. I listen to a lot of podcasts and videos from or about my favorite authors, for example, as reading and writing have a lot of meaning to me. I should look for some TED Talks in that vein.)

2. If I could make my own candy heart it would say, My true love has 4 paws.

(I was really trying to think of something clever for this one, but all I could come up with is that true statement right there.)

3. I am inspired and productive early in the morning, but I am slow and sleepy late at night.

(Especially as I've gotten older, I've really become an early bird. I just love getting up to a silent world, when it's just me and the birds. And my kitties demanding I fill their food bowls. I love seeing the sunrise, and that time of day really makes me feel inspired and productive. When it comes to evening and especially late at night, though, I've usually lost most of my steam by then and often end up asleep on the couch in front of the TV despite telling myself to at least try to get some art or writing done before bed. There's a chance I'll get something done on a Saturday or Sunday night, when I haven't been at work all day, but even those evenings often end up with me prematurely falling asleep.)

4. My compassion for animals is what I love most about myself.

(I love all animals, and I have an extra soft spot for special needs furry babies. When I see stories about animal abusers, or even just hear that someone doesn't like animals, I genuinely thank God that he provided me with compassion for the innocent creatures of the world. The kitties and pups in my life bring me more happiness than I can even express.)

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.

***

Are you ready for your Eddy fix? Today you actually get to see Eddy along with her beloved mancat Evan. After all, tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and the only other cat Eddy truly likes is Evan, and she absolutely adores him.

That photo is actually a couple years old, and it was snapped when Eddy and Evan were helping me do laundry one day. I picked it, though, as there's lots of pink going on with their blankets, and Valentine's Day is all shades of pink.

Eddy and Evan wish everyone a fantastic Friday!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

Also in honor of Valentine's Day, how about this macabre doodle of love I scribbled up a couple years ago?

***

Tip of the Day

We're continuing on with our tips for National Cat Health Month, today's tip being all about diet. As you all certainly know, not all foods are created equal. Always be sure to do your research and read labels, ensuring that you are feeding your kitty food that is as high-quality as possible. Also remember that cats are obligate carnivores, so make sure that their diet largely reflects this. In addition, when it comes to feeding your cat, it is of course important to take a number of other factors into consideration, such as their age and health status. For example, kittens do best on foods formulated for kittens, as these diets will include higher protein and fat content, which helps aid in their growth and development. As your cat ages, consider how their health will affect their dietary needs. For example, does your cat have kidney disease or diabetes? Cats with kidney disease should be on a diet lower in protein, in order to help their kidneys function as well as possible. On the other hand, cats with diabetes are often better regulated when on a diet higher in protein. Other factors that could affect diet include of course food allergies, dermatitis, arthritis, dental disease, and weight, just to name a few. The most important thing is to understand your cat's dietary needs based on their overall health status. Of course, as needed, discuss your kitty's dietary needs with their veterinarian, and make sure you understand what type of food would be best for them.

Thankful Thimble Thursday from the Blanket Fort

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

A few weeks ago, Thimble shared her gratitude for her newly discovered ability to crawl under blankets. Today, she's thankful for the same thing.

Thimble's newfound ability to enjoy blanket forts is bringing her much happiness pretty much every day now. I don't know that she'll keep this up in the hot summer months, but on these chilly days, she's quite pleased to have learned that she has the skills required to sneak and snooze under a cozy blanket.

Thimble hopes her kitty friends also enjoy blanket forts!

***

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 Ted Talk that I found helpful was done by _________.

2. If I could make my own candy heart it would say _________.

3. I _________ early in the morning, but I _________ late at night.

4. _________ is what I love most about myself.

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today we have yet another old doodle I scribbled up for Valentine's Day years ago. This particular holiday is far from my favorite, and I don't always feel inspired to scribble up new doodles for it. That was the case this year, so we're sharing some old ones.

***

Tip of the Day

Yesterday, our first tip for National Cat Health Month was to make sure your kitty is examined by a veterinarian at least once a year. Today, our tip is to also remember to be diligent of your kitty's health in between vet visits. You know your kitty best, and you spend lots of time by his or her side. So, be sure to do frequent observations and checks of their actions, behaviors, and overall health and happiness. For example, keep an eye on how much your kitty is eating and drinking, and make note of any changes in their food or water intake. In addition, check that litter box and take note of any changes there, such as the amount of urine or feces, or even the odor. Or, has your kitty become less active, or more active? What about the way they walk? Are they walking abnormally, such as favoring a foot? Do they still jump as often and as well as they used to? What about their vocalizations? Is your kitty more vocal than he or she used to be? Less vocal? Has the sound of their voice changed? Is your kitty hiding more often? Has he or she become more aggressive, or less tolerant of being petted or held? These are all just examples of things that you, as your kitty's companion, should keep an eye on regularly. Any such changes, even subtle ones, could be indicative of disease, injury, or any number of issues. So, be sure to make observations such as these, and report any concerns, no matter how big or how small, to your veterinarian.