Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Wordless Wednesday



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Our Doodle of the Day:




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Our Tip of the Day:
With Memorial Day, we reached the officially unofficial beginning of summer. To celebrate this pseudo start of summer, we'll dole out some past tips for keeping your furbaby healthy and happy in the heat. We all know that being outdoors can be beautiful and fun in the summer, but also always keep in mind the reality of its effects on your furbaby. For example, pavement can reach exceedingly hot temperatures in the sun, which could mean a deal of discomfort for those paw pads of your furbaby's. Therefore, on those hot, sweltering days, try sticking to walks and other outdoor activities during the coolest times of the day, such as early morning and late evening, so that your furbaby's paws do not have to battle the heated pavement and also of course so they do not in any way overheat. To further avoid heat stroke, never leave your furbaby in an enclosed space that can overheat, including cars as well as a sheds, garages, and so forth. If outdoors in the heat for any reason, always ensure that all furbabies have access to water as well as shade or somewhere to cool off, and always monitor them for signs of overheating. And don't forget that our furbabies can sunburn, too. The ears and nose can be two of the most susceptible areas to sunburn on your kitties and pups. Look into or consult a veterinarian regarding pet sunscreen if you are concerned that your furbaby might need it, such as if they spend a lot of time outdoors or even in sunny windows. Summer is a beautiful time of year indeed, but please do be sure to protect your furbabies as well as yourself from the dangers of that beauty.

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Tasty Tuesday (#ChewyInfluencer)

It's the kitties' turn to review a product from fantastic Chewy.com, as part of the Blogger Outreach Program. This month, we were all about trying out some new treats. That's why the kitties got to have their way with PurinaⓇ Pro PlanⓇ Crunchy Bites Cat Snacks.


These come in a variety of flavors. My kitties are all huge fans of chicken, so we of course went that route.


These treats aren't just cute, in shapes like stars, but also made from a genuine protein source. In this case, that is of course chicken. They also contain accents of carrots, tomatoes, and peas. What's more, they have the benefit of harboring no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Now, though, the remaining question is, did the kitties like them? To begin with, let me remind you that the only true feline treat eaters around here are Evan and housemate Toby. Thimble and Eddy don't understand why I sometimes put these weird kibble things in front of them. Seriously, what is that about?

Evan and Toby, though, they most often appreciate a little snack of kibbles. But did they enjoy these PurinaⓇ Pro PlanⓇ treats?



They sure did! Yum!

You know who else broke into the party and enjoyed her some kitty kibbles?


Pup Astrid, that's who. She strode in like a perfect Dogzilla and helped herself. She'll try to deny it, but I caught her red-handed white-pawed. And, like Evan and Toby, she gives the PurinaⓇ Pro PlanⓇ Crunchy Bites Cat Snacks 4 paws up.


(Disclaimer: As members of the Chewy.com Blogger Outreach Program, we received the PurinaⓇ Pro PlanⓇ Crunchy Bites Cat Snacks in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are our own. We only review products that we believe will be of interest to our readers, and we never recommend a product that we do not believe in.)


Wishing everybuddy a terrific Tuesday!



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Our Doodle of the Day:




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Our Tip of the Day:
While a small taste of dog food is likely not toxic for your kitty, and vice versa, it is still necessary that a furbaby be fed a diet formulated specifically for their species. This is especially the case for cats, who have specific dietary requirements that are not accounted for in dog food. For this reason, a cat cannot thrive on a diet of dog food. Therefore, as I'm sure you all already know, be sure your furbaby is fed a diet specifically for their species. Of course, this goes for other pets as well, such as rabbits, rodents, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. In addition, do your best to select a food that fits with their specific health status, such a kitten or puppy food for those growing young ones, a weight maintenance diet for those who might be overweight, or a renal diet for cats with chronic kidney disease. When in doubt about the best diet for your furbaby, never hesitate to consult your veterinarian.

Monday, May 29, 2017

Memorial Day Remembrance

Today, here in the US, we are celebrating Memorial Day. This is a day to remember all those who have lost their lives serving our country in the armed forces. Today, we reflect on all of the brave, past and present, two-legged and four-legged, and we give thanks for all they have given for the sake of our country.



Happy Memorial Day!
(And to our non-US pals, we wish you a very happy Monday!)



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Our Tip of the Day:
We have given this tip many times, and on many occasions, but we would yet again like to take today to remind you to always take into consideration your furbabies' safety during any holiday festivities. If you are having guests over, for example, please keep your kitties and pups safe from escape and heavy foot traffic. Also ensure that your furbaby is not fed any potentially hazardous foods, such as alcohol, chocolate, onion, garlic, or grapes. If fireworks are popular in your area on days such as Memorial Day, and especially if your furbaby is afraid of loud noises, consider shutting windows and curtains, and perhaps turning on some music or the television, in order to keep the effects of the fireworks to a minimum. Your furbaby might also appreciate a calm and quiet area set up especially for them, where they can spend the time, such as during any Memorial Day parties or while fireworks are occurring. It is indeed possible for you to participate in Memorial Day festivities while also keeping your furbabies safe.

Sunday, May 28, 2017

A Selfie for Snowball

Today, we are remembering sweet Snowball of 15andmeowing. Snowball crossed the Rainbow Bridge and gained her wings on Friday, May 26th.


A great many furiends have gained their angel wings lately. While saying goodbye is always difficult, we are grateful for the time these angels had on earth with their families. We are also comforted in knowing that each of these angels will always be watching over those of us still on this earth.


As part of the Sunday Selfie blog hop, hosted by our wonderful pals over at The Cat on My Head, Thimble took that there selfie in honor of each and every angel shining down on us.


We are wishing everybuddy a blessed Sunday.



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Our Tip of the Day:
Please never forget to take a moment to remember all of those who have gained their wings. Whether furry or human, whether family or friend, it is important to remember and honor our angels.

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Caturday Art: Nurse Thimble

It's one of our favorite days of the week. It's Caturday, which means we've indeed reached the weekend. And it is a long weekend here in the US, as Monday is Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those who lost their lives serving in the armed forces.

Evan will be sharing a patriotic piece on Monday, for the day of remembrance itself. Today, though, we have something different in store for Athena's Caturday Art blog hop.


You see, Thimble informed me that, since she had to go to that nasty place called the V-E-T this week, and since she is now being forced to take antibiotics (yuck!) for 3 whole weeks because of her UTI, she better get to star in our art for today. I agreed to that. She didn't really give me any other specifications, though, so I ended up with this:


Thimble isn't sure what to make of this. And, quite frankly, neither am I.

Thimble hopes all of you furiends of ours have been avoiding undue visits to the stabby place!

 A happy and healthy Caturday to all!


(P.S. I mentioned yesterday how, since Thimble's return from the vet, Eddy has decided to consider her a new, strange cat worthy of much growling and hissing. Though this is the first time this has happened here at our house, it is not all that uncommon, and we received so many fantastic tips on what works for you furiends of ours in cases such as this. Many of you said that you bring the other kitty along for the ride to the vet, so as to prevent this. I forgot to mention yesterday, though, that despite the fact that all of our carriers are out and visible and accessible 24/7, Eddy is one of those kitties who nevertheless goes a tad bit berserk upon being put in a carrier and taken anywhere. She has been known to lash out at other nearby furbabies, which has made it impossible to either take her along to other furbabies' vet visits, or to bring any along on hers.

All in all, I'll be honest, Eddy seems firmly attached to some of her previously semi-feral ways. She not only loathes being caged, but also panics and hides when strangers arrive, which even puts home vet visits out of the picture. What's more, Eddy does the most hissing and growling in the house even when all is in a normal state. She has always been a skittish kitty. But that's all okay, because this momma of Eddy's also gets to witness all of the love she has to offer, and so it's totally worth it. Even if sometimes it sort of leaves me in a jam.

For now, I do have the long weekend in my favor. I am home and monitoring all interactions with Eddy and Thimble. I am using Feliway, as well as leaving items that smell like Thimble near Eddy's favorite areas to hang out, and I'm using lots of toys in distraction techniques. Since both Eddy and Thimble act more stressed upon being segregated in certain areas of the home, I simply have the house open for business as per usual. All the furbabies go where they please. Eddy will come out and about, but when she sees Thimble, she will still go through the ritual of freezing, assessing the situation, and then usually hissing and growling and running off under my bed to hide. The good thing is that none of this really sets off easy-going and sweet Thimble, and Eddy never gets physical about it, and never hides for long.

I feel that each time I witness this, Eddy does a bit more sniffing and assessing before or during her little ritual. I am hoping that she is slowly coming to terms with Thimble and her smell again. I'll also go ahead and note that Thimble and Eddy have never been the best of friends, anyway. Thimble is a bit of the boss lady here, and Eddy has always acted a bit differently towards her because of that. Their daily play with each other always involved chasing and hissing before all of this, as that was just the sort of relationship they had, it seemed. Eddy has always reserved most of her love for her momma and her beloved Evan, and so I will just be happy if Thimble and Eddy can go back to an ability to simply coexist in the same room. With patience, I hope to get there. Of course, Thimble is due for a recheck urinalysis next month, and then both she and Eddy are due for their annuals this summer. And so, I am already outlining some plans to hopefully keep possible nonrecognition aggression to a minimum. These plans involve lots of Feliway and removing as much vet smell as possible off of each returning furbaby.

Whew. That was a long P.S.)



***
Our Tip of the Day:
Don't forget to consider using some of the common tips for making vet trips as easy as possible, many of which we've mentioned in the past. For example, try keeping that dreaded carrier visible and accessible at all times, so that your furbaby doesn't learn to grow fearful of its appearance. Put a favorite blanket in the carrier, or an item of your clothing, and take it with you to the vet. Also consider taking a favorite toy or treats to help distract your furbaby, or to use as a reward for good behavior. You can also try something such as spraying the carrier with Feliway for cats, or use the dog version for those pups out there, as it mimics a calming pheromone to help soothe a stressed furbaby. And, of course, do all that you can to stay calm yourself. Your furbaby will feed off of you and your emotions, so do all that you can to be their rock. Then again, it is also possible that some furbabies, depending on their personality and past experiences, might just be naturally stressed when going to the vet. In such cases, discuss options beforehand with your vet. Discuss methods that might help calm your furbaby, medications that might calm or sedate your furbaby, and even consider discussing at-home visits or other similar solutions. Going to the vet can be a stressful experience for all involved, but if you stay calm and consider all options, you'll succeed!

Friday, May 26, 2017

Fill-Ins and Fighters

TGIF! Let's kick off the eve of the weekend with the always fun Friendly Fill-Ins.


This challenge is hosted by our good friends over at 15andmeowing and McGuffy's Reader. Our hosts are clever as can be. See the fill-ins they crafted for us this week?

1. My idea of roughing it is _________.
2. I never get sick of talking about _________.
3. My youth _________.
4. My "golden years" _________.

And here are the kind of answers I mustered up this time around:

1. My idea of roughing it is losing power.
(You know those times when a thunderstorm blows through, or even a winter ice storm, and you lose power? No lights, no kitchen appliances, all that jazz.. And if your gadgets aren't all charged up, you're out of luck. To be honest, I kind of enjoy these moments of silent darkness. Of course, though, let's be honest, if I know a storm is coming, I do charge up some of my gadgets, so that I don't get too bored.)

2. I never get sick of talking about my furbabies.
(As if you didn't already know that.)

3. My youth has been good to me.
(Sure, life isn't always sunshine and daisies. Nevertheless, I feel like my years thus far have been priceless in their own way. I've been blessed with family and furbabies and friends, past and present, and I certainly can't complain.)

4. My "golden years" will probably be much like all the other years.
(I imagine my golden years will be much like my current years, to be honest. I think older me will still very much enjoy spending oodles of time with furbabies, writing, drawing, and just all around enjoying life in my own way.)


Now, Eddy is here to show you her pictures of the week. She's back to her same ol' I-refuse-to-look-at-the-camera and I'm-a-purrfect-blur shenanigans.



See? All shades of photo shoot uncooperation. It's no wonder, though. I brought Thimble home from her day long visit at the vet on Wednesday night, after she was diagnosed with a UTI. Thimble feels much better already. In fact, she's already acting like her old self again. However, she sort of smells different. You know, the V-E-T will do that to a girl. Now, Eddy is convinced that I brought home a strange cat. Despite the fact that Thimble is still, well, Thimble, Eddy is not so sure.

To be honest, this here momma is pretty disheartened right now. When I first brought Thimble home, Eddy sniffed her and acted normal. Then she went back for a second sniff, and promptly jumped back and ran off to hide under my bed. Then, last night, Eddy began growling at Thimble, puffing up and acting like she honestly has no idea who she is, like she even might attack her. It's to the point where if Thimble is in sight, Eddy now either hides under my bed or growls, or both. Eddy has always been a mixture of skittish and territorial. She came to me semi-feral. But, when I did bring her home as a kitten, the first one she took to was Thimble. What's more, for 2 years now we've had a peaceful coexistence amongst all the furbabies in our house. That is why I am so disheartened by the current situation.

I will likely have to put a gate up in my bedroom doorway while I am at work today, to keep Eddy inside my bedroom, which has always been her safe room. I want her to still be able to view the goings-on in the house, and get used to the sight and scent of Thimble again, but I want to be certain that she will not harm Thimble while I am away (or vice versa, although the former is far more likely as Thimble is far from a brawler). It looks like I may be going out to replenish my stock of Feliway as well.

Though I know that this sort of reaction to another furbaby coming home from the vet is actually not terribly uncommon, it still makes me feel more than a bit upset. If you can spare them, this momma and her furbabies could use some purrs and prayers as I work to keep the furbabies from ripping each other to shreds.

Well, a happy Friday to all!


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Our Doodle of the Day:



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Our Tip of the Day:
In a multipet household, when bringing one of the resident kitties or pups back home from someplace such as the vet, keep in mind that nonrecognition aggression or nonrecognition fear is possible upon homecoming. This might occur, for example, if one of the furbabies in the home reacts to an unfamiliar smell (such as alcohol from a blood draw) or behavior (such as acting sedated after anesthesia) of the returning furbaby. Some animals are more prone to this, depending on their individual personality as well as past experiences. In such a case of nonrecognition aggression or fear, do not force the animals to interact right away. It might even be best if you separate them, and even treat it as if they are being introduced to each other all over again, from the beginning. Separate them, allow them to sniff each from under doors, sniff and see each other through screens or gates, and so forth. You might also consider trying out calming products, such as Feliway in the case of cats. Patience is key, as always.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

How do you spell V-E-T?

You know, we had a completely different post all ready for today. That's right, we did. Thimble was going to show you all what we watched during one of our most recent movie nights. But then, a certain little ladycat required an unexpected trip to the V-E-T, and so now we're here to tell you all about it.


See that face up there? That's the face of a kitty who doesn't feel well.

On Tuesday morning, before I left for work, Thimble was her usual self. She was sauntering around the house like the boss ladycat she is, slurping down moist food, nibbling at her dry food, having conversations with the wall, all that good stuff.

When I came home for lunch on Tuesday, Thimble was a bit quieter than usual. I thought that maybe it had something to do with the construction workers jack-hammering away at the sidewalk outside of our house. Besides, Thimble did indeed get up when I came home, checked the status of the moist food bowls, sat in her usual spot on the rug to make sure none of the other kitties got out of line. By the time I left to go back to work, Thimble was in her usual afternoon snoozie spot. To be honest, though, I didn't like how she was lying. She looked a bit hunched up and puffed out for my comfort. I warned her that if she didn't straighten up, I would schedule her a date with the V-E-T.

Fast forward to Tuesday evening, a couple of hours later when I arrived home from work, and Thimble was about the same. She mostly wanted to rest, not all that unusual for her at that time of day, but more so than I like to see. And she still looked uncomfortable. It was at about 8 pm when she refused her evening baby food treat, instead opting to vomit a bit of bile, and then curled up on the less than cozy seat of my exercise bike, somewhere she rarely if ever snoozes. At that point I knew for certain that she would be taking a trip to the V-E-T.

I know I can't be the only pet parent who stares at your sick furbaby after their primary veterinary office closes, thinking, "Are you hanging in there? Do we need to take a trip to the emergency clinic? Or can you wait until morning?" When Thimble purred and rolled her belly up for me, I decided I would watch her like a hawk, and if she didn't worsen, I would wait until morning.

Indeed, I watched her like a hawk. There wasn't a whole lot to watch, though, as Thimble slept through the night as per usual. She did pass a bit of soft stool on Wednesday morning, and had no interest in food whatsoever (and this is the girl that slaps her mommy across the face if the food bowls are empty past 5:30 am). Soon after, when the V-E-T opened, I called and asked to drop off my sick little ladycat. They're fantastic people there, and they were ready for her.


The PTU was all ready and waiting, and I ushered a reluctant Thimble inside. We arrived at the clinic, and everyone oohed and awwed over her, as per usual. I told the vet tech all of Thimble's symptoms, including how, as of that morning, her pupils were dilated. See there in the picture above? Something was indeed making this girl uncomfortable. Then they took her to the back, and, it being a drop off, I forced myself to leave and go to work.

There's not much more unnerving than waiting for your phone to ring, with hopefully good news on your furbaby's health. When the phone rang, I was in the car on my lunch hour, driving in the pouring rain. I answered immediately and pulled over. The doctor himself called, a war veteran with some serious skills in veterinary medicine (he just so happens to be the one who removed my Angel Rosie's faulty eyeball). The long and short of it? Thimble was being a perfect angel for them, her blood work was all normal, but she does have a urinary tract infection (UTI).
 
Okay, I can handle that. Thimble had a urinary tract infection as a kitten. Yes, as a tiny kitten, a runt who was malnourished before I met her, tiny Thimble had a UTI even back at 6 weeks of age. She hasn't had one since, which honestly always surprised me. Hopefully I didn't jinx the girl with that thought.

So, Thimble will be on antibiotics for 21 days, and then she'll have herself a recheck urinalysis. I hate forcing medicine in her mouth, the sweet thing she is who wouldn't hurt a fly (okay, I'm lying, she tortures flies with next to no remorse, but you get the idea), but I will do whatever it takes to make her feel better. Sorry, Thimble, that's just how much your mommy loves you.


I'll probably be getting that cold shoulder for a while now. But that's okay. At least Thimble will be feeling better soon enough.

Actually, after arriving back home on Wednesday night, Thimble was already acting exceedingly better. They had given Thimble some electrolytes during her stay at the V-E-T, in large part because she hadn't eaten in a day, and I could tell it made her feel a great deal better. When we got home she even begged for baby food and scarfed it down. Unfortunately, she also vomited it up. She continued to ask for food, the poor, starving girl, and finally was able to keep some down. It sure is comforting to see her acting like herself again, parading around the house, twitching her tail in excitement, and just being purrfect little Thimble that she is.

Now, if I can only convince Eddy that I didn't bring some new, strange cat home from the V-E-T. It's still the same ol' Thimble, Eddy, so you can out from under the bed now.


For Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop, this here mom is thankful for Thimble's health, and that all of her furbabies and all of our furiends.


Of course, as always, we're also thankful for our family and friends, like you!

Wishing everybuddy a wonderful Thursday!



***
Our Doodle of the Day:


This is the doodle we already had ready for today. Since she was going to be showing off our recent movie night, Thimble wanted to use this to remind everyone that the book is always better than the movie. It seems a bit out of place now, but Thimble insists that we still share it.

P.S. We asked if anyone could guess the movie we shared in our last Theatrical Thursday post, but we never gave you the answer. It was Coraline. Kudos to Annie Bear and Mary McNeil for guessing it right!



***
Our Doodle of the Day:
Always remember that our kitties, and even our pups, can be pros at hiding discomfort and disease. In the wild, displaying weakness can make one easy prey, and our furbabies have transferred that even to their lives with us. This is just one reason why it's important to take your furbaby in for at least their annual exams, so that those hidden diseases can be caught as early as possible. But, prevention of diseases can easily begin at home, even with simple checks of your furbaby and their behaviors. Get in the habit of keeping track of your furbaby's usuals, from how much and when they usually eat, when and where they usually relieve themselves, or how and where they usually sleep. Keep an eye on anything and everything about them, such as their posture – do they look hunched up, uncomfortable? How about their eyes? Are their eyes unusually squinted, their pupils dilated, their third eyelids up? Veterinarians can help treat and cure disease, but preventing it or catching it early is often something best suited for a pet parent. After all, no one knows your furbaby like you do.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Window Watching on Wordless Wednesday




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Our Doodle of the Day:




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Our Tip of the Day:
Just as is the case for us humans, diet can affect our furbabies' eyesight. For healthy eyesight, a pup or kitty needs proper nutrition that supports those peepers. To help give the furbabies in your life an extra boost in ocular health, perhaps opt for healthy treats such as carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, blueberries, or broccoli. You can either give these foods as treats themselves, or find natural pet treats that contain such ingredients, keeping in mind that any treats must be given in safe moderation. Of course, if you have any concern about your furbaby's eyesight or even simply keeping them healthy overall, discuss this with your veterinarian. It never hurts to ask a pro what food and treats can be given in order to promote a healthy and happy furbaby.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Tuesday Taste Test (#ChewyInfluencer)

Pup Astrid got to try some new treats recently, thanks to the Chewy.com Blogger Outreach Program. As we've mentioned before, Astrid far prefers soft and chewy treats. That's why I chose the Earthborn Holistic® Earth Bites for her to taste test this time around.


There are a number of flavors and types of these treats available. Since Astrid is a cheese fiend, though, and since she hasn't really had any cheese dog treats lately, I went the cheesy route for her. The best part is that Earthborn Holistic® treats are indeed pretty darn natural. The first ingredient is dried cheddar cheese, and they are also grain-free and gluten-free, as well as contain a lovely blend of fruits and veggies.

Even better? They are perfectly soft and moist, just how Astrid likes them.


And they must smell pretty darn good, too, because no matter how sneaky I was, I quickly attracted a spectator.


She's a patient girl, Astrid is, but how patient can one be when cheesy goodness is on the docket?


"Cheese please!"


"Oh my dog, Mom, could you take any longer?!?"

At that, I gave the poor, patient girl a taste. Did she like it?


Not that you can tell from that masterpiece shot, but Astrid loved her some cheesy treats! In fact, she liked the Earthborn Holistic® treats so much that she gave me her best pouty puppy face in hopes to earn some more.


Don't worry, I gave in to that face quite easily. You can even see her drool marks she left on the floor during her slobbery inhalation of the treats. Yum!


(Disclaimer: As members of the Chewy.com Blogger Outreach Program, we received the Earthborn Holistic® Earth Bites moist cheese treats in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are our own. We only review products that we believe will be of interest to our readers, and we never recommend a product that we do not believe in.)


We hope all of our furiends have a day as cheesy as Astrid's!


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Our Doodle of the Day:




***
Our Tip of the Day:
Don't forget that some cats and even dogs are lactose intolerant. Though they may like dairy foods such as cheese, sometimes it simply won't agree with them. However, if your furbaby likes the occasional cheesy treat, also remember that there are a number of cheeses that are in fact essentially lactose-free. Natural, hard, aged cheeses, such as cheddar and parmesan, often have no more than trace amounts of lactose. So, if your furbaby has a fondness for cheese, the occasional treat of these such types of cheese are your safest bet. Also keep this in mind when purchasing cheesy pet treats, and look at the ingredients to ensure that safe, quality cheese was used in the production of any such treats. Of course, still keep an eye out for any negative reactions, and also still be sure to keep all human food and even pet treats to a safe minimum in order to keep your furbaby healthy and therefore happy.

Monday, May 22, 2017

A Special Mancat Monday

As always, my boy Evan is here today for none other than Mancat Monday.


With his hind limbs paralysis, I have always been in the habit of calling Evan a special needs cat. However, recently I have been seeing the term specially abled used more and more frequently, and I am now extremely fond of this title. Evan may have special needs due to his condition, but he is indeed far more aptly described as specially abled.

Can Evan ambulate on four legs? No. But, that doesn't stop him from being anything less than a perfect cat. Thanks to his determination and innovation, Evan pulls himself up onto stools, couches, beds, and even jumps off of things at least as high as my waist. I used to panic and run to his aid when he'd pull such stunts. That is, until I realized they weren't stunts at all. They were Evan. They were his way of making do, his way of thriving and loving life. They were why he is specially abled.


No matter what kind of abled you are, we wish you a beautiful day!


***
Our Doodle of the Day:



***
Our Tip of the Day:
So that you're prepared for any potential medical emergency when it comes to your kitty or pup, always be sure to know and/or have immediate access to you veterinarian's phone number, as well as the nearest emergency clinic's number. If you're traveling with your furbaby, be sure to have access to contact information for veterinary clinics, including emergency ones, on your travels. Similarly, if you're traveling but your furbaby is staying home with a sitter, make sure you leave them the numbers for pertinent clinics. And, in case of an emergency, don't forget to always have your furbaby's medical records up-to-date and readily available. It's never fun to think there might be an emergency, but it's always best to be prepared nonetheless.

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Sunday Glamour Shots

It's one of our favorite days of the week, with one of our favorite blog hops of the week. As in, it's Sunday, which means it's time for the Sunday Selfies blog hop, hosted by the Kitties Blue over at The Cat on My Head!


Evan recently informed me that resident model Thimble isn't the only one who can do glamour shots. He made it clear that he can take just as bright and shiny of shots as she can. To prove himself, he snapped some glamorous selfies to share today.


See? Evan says glamour shots are easy as pie.


Of course Evan didn't forget to snap a glamorous profile shot.


But modeling sure is tiring work. Being so glamorous really wore Evan out, which of course meant that a nice little snooze was in store.

Did any of our furiends share any glamour shots today? What a silly question. You're all always glamorous!

Happy Sunday to all!


***
Our Doodle of the Day:

I guess I just felt compelled to draw my Angel Rosie in a bonnet.



***
Our Tip of the Day:
Don't let your old clothes go to waste! You can upcycle old shirts, pants, and even socks to be used by your furbaby. You can use pieces of clothing items to make knotted or braided toys, for example. Catnip can be tied in the knots of such a toy for a bit of added fun for those kitties out there. Your old clothing can even become your furbaby's new clothing. For example, if you have pup who enjoys wearing clothes, you can fashion some of your old shirts into shirts or sweaters for them. You can even uses pieces of the clothing to create bandanas for your pups or kitties. Also, of course, your old clothing can be used as bedding and blankets for your furbaby's comfort. We all know how our furbabies like to use our clothes for that purpose already!

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Caturday at the Cottage

All of my furbabies wanted to be included in our doodle for today's Caturday Art blog hop, hosted by the one and only Athena.


My furbabies didn't care what I doodled, just as long as they all had a role in it. Sometimes I find the options so endless and overwhelming, though, that a blank piece of paper stares me in the face for days on end. I found myself in just that sort of predicament this time around, until I finally told myself to stop stalling and just go with the flow. Well, I happened to tell myself that while watching Anne with an E, the new reboot of my childhood favorite Anne of Green Gables. With that playing on the TV, mixed with my fondness for all things quaint and Victorian, this emerged:


Welcome to our cottage! We hope your visit is a cozy one!

Happy Caturday!


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Our Tip of the Day:
If your dog or even your kitty gets out of the house and is nearby yet won’t come to you, you might try the trick of falling to the ground to give the impression that you are injured. You can try just lying there, as that might be enough to get your worried or protective furbaby to come over to you. If that’s not enough, though, you can try adding whimpers and cries, as many furbabies will respond to their human’s pain, even if fake, by coming to their aid. Of course there are also options such as using treats to entice a loose furbaby, or even their favorite toy. If your pup or kitty has a certain word or command that they always respond to, even if that word is "treat", try that as well. Though easier said than done, in the case that your furbaby gets loose, it is very important to not panic. Not only could your panic be relayed to your furbaby, but it is also crucial that you remain calm so as to assess the situation and try your best to determine the best course of action to return your loose furbaby home.

Friday, May 19, 2017

Party like it's Friday!

It's time to party like it's Friday! Because, well, it's Friday! Let's start the festivities with the ever fun Friendly Fill-Ins, hosted by our friends over at 15andmeowing and McGuffy's Reader.


Our hosts always know just the right fill-ins to get our minds going.

1. I have googled _________.
2. I have _________ on Ebay.
3. I think _________.
4. _________ thinks _________.

After some prodding and pleading, my brain finally gave me some ideas to work with. Here they are:

1. I have googled trolls.
(Weird, huh? I've mentioned before my love for animated movies and shows. One of those happens to be Trollhunters, and I recently found myself surfing the web for info on the different types of trolls seen on this show.)

2. I have bought oodles of old books on Ebay.
(I love to read, and I have a great fondness for the genre of fantasy. The thing is, though, that I most often prefer fantasies written by the old timers, fantasies that are often a bit obscure and hard to find. My dad, from whom I acquired my love for fantasy, will often give me book suggestions that require me to go on Ebay hunts.)

3. I think four-legged furballs are the best medicine.
(When I'm feeling blue, nothing lifts my spirits like a good ol' dose of my furbabies.)

4. "He is able who thinks he is able."
(I try to live with this mindset. Sometimes you just have to believe in yourself.)


Okay, now it's Eddy's turn to show you all what she's been up to this week. Last week she showed you how she uses this here human mom's headboard to fine-tune her mountain climbing skills. She's been doing more mountain climbing this week, but instead of focusing on her groovy moves like last time around, she's been enjoying the view.


Nothing like a good ol' view from the top.


So what if it's rude to spy on the neighbors?


Have any of our furiends been taking in some lovely views? We sure hope so!

Happy Friday, everybuddy!


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Our Doodle of the Day:




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Our Tip of the Day:
Yesterday we talked about how those pesky mosquitoes carry heartworm, and how it's important to take that into account for your furbaby's preventive care. We'll continue our talk on heartworm prevention today, but in a more natural way. Did you know that there are herbs and plants that are not only safe for your furbaby, but that can also help deter mosquitoes? One of these just so happens to be catnip! That's not all, though. Others that might help repel mosquitoes, and that are also safe for your furbaby, include basil, rosemary, and garden marigolds. A number of other plants and herbs are also said to have natural mosquito repellent abilities, but some of these are toxic to our furbabies, so always proceed with caution. That being said, when it comes to herbs and plants that are safe mosquito repellents, you can try planting or stationing some throughout your yard, especially in areas that you or your furbabies frequent, as well as by entrances to the house. Though this method is of course not fail-safe, it never hurts to take all precautions possible to keep your furbaby happy and healthy.