Monday, March 12, 2018

Mancat Monday Motivation

Today, mancat Evan is here to give you a bit of inspiration. We'll start with some photographic evidence of just how pawsome Evan is (not that we're biased or anything like that).



These photos are a bit dark, and unfortunately I'm a bit too lazy and unskilled to alter them. Hopefully, though, you can see Evan there on our newest cat tree. For those who don't know or don't remember, Evan is hind limb paralyzed. That is why his back legs look a tad bit unorthodox in these photos. That there happens to be how his legs always look when he sits, and it's never bothered him at all.

What's more, Evan got up there on that level of the cat tree all by himself. He has even gotten up on the highest level all by himself, but I have yet to get the camera out quickly enough to gather photographic evidence of this feat. It's times like this when I truly realize how much of inspiration Evan is to me. Being hind limb paralyzed, Evan could easily be grounded, but he does not allow for that. With a little help from strategically placed stools, he can get just about anywhere he wants.

I don't think you can see it all that well in the above photos, but that cat tree is at the foot of my bed. I place a big, sturdy pet bed at the end of my bed, so that it stretches across the footboard and onto one of the lower levels of the cat tree. Using this pet bed as a bridge, Evan gets onto the cat tree, and then pulls himself up onto the upper levels to his little heart's content.

I won't lie, Evan does not always succeed at such feats right at first. Sometimes he has to make a couple of attempts to find the best method for climbing, but he always manages it. When needed, which is not often, I help him or rearrange some things to make it easier for him. No matter what, though, he never gets discourage. Rather, he seems to thrive on his failed attempts and simply tries even harder the next time. I'm thinking that's why he always does ultimately succeed. Because he refuses to meet any other outcome. He is my hero, in case you didn't already know that.

Evan was, for more reasons than one, the inspiration for my Sparks for this week.


The Sparks blog hop, hosted by Annie of McGuffy's Reader, is a means for us to share positive thoughts in this often negative world. My positive thought for this week, inspired by my mancat Evan, is about never giving up.

"Failure is success in progress." -Albert Einstein

Never be afraid to fail, because success is just around the corner!

Wishing you all a magnificent, motivational Monday!



***
Our Tip of the Day:
Still continuing on with our National Pet Poison Awareness Month, we are today reminding you to keep any questionable kitchen products well out of reach of your furbabies. Just as laundry detergents can be dangerous, so can those used in the kitchen. Dishwasher detergent or tablets, for example, can often have corrosive or other dangerous side effects. Other potentially toxic kitchen products include degreasers, oven cleaners, and drain cleaners. These products can also potentially have corrosive effects, among other adverse reactions. If your furbaby ingests any such products, they might display gastrointestinal distress, oral ulcers, lethargy, or other symptoms. As always, if you think your kitty or pup might have ingested a toxic kitchen product, seek veterinary assistance.

19 comments:

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

Our HURRAH's for Evan getting up to the top of the cat tree! We kitties are determined things...

Fur Everywhere said...

Kitties are so amazing! Lita's achillies tendon shattered in her ankle, and she cannot use that leg to help her jump up anymore. I put the cat tree right by my bed so she can easily get onto it if she wants.

You are awesome, Evan! Don't let anything slow you down <3

Marg said...

Good for you Evan. Well done. Those front legs must be so strong. Nothing is going to stop you from enjoying life. You all have a terrific day.

Anonymous said...

Evan is one special guy - he WANTS TO so he TRIES. People need to get on board with that. I hear "I can't" so often but we never know what we CAN do until we try. Animals do that without over-thinking! BRAVO EVAN and every other special critter or human - if we believe in ourselves, the world will follow and there's a lot of energy in that..............Happy Monday!

Hugs, Pam and Teddy too

Sandee said...

I didn't know this about Evan. What an inspiration he is. I also linked him to Awww Mondays. Your Mancat Monday and your Sparks go so well together.

Have a purrfect Mancat Monday. My best to your mom. ♥

carol l mckenna said...

Evan is soooo handsome and attentive ~ great photos!

Happy Week to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Colehaus Cats said...

Handsome Evan, you are truly an inspiration. We absolutely LOVE seeing you up there on that cat tree! Thank you for that tip today. Our Mom keeps a plastic bag over the top of any can of scouring powder she might have under the kitchen sink, because sometimes, one of us sneaks under there and well, that can top makes a good stepping stool despite icky powder that collects there.

Josie Two Shoes said...

Evan looks so regal sitting there in the window, and I love that you have used his determination to inspire your spark. Failure only happens when we give up, and Evan doesn't! I love him just knowing that, and you for helping a little by arranging things to make his lofty goals possible. Isn't it amazing what we can accomplish when we help each other out?! <3

Toni said...

Excellent Spark! Evan looks like he has a bit of a dreamer in his soul.

Anonymous said...

I love the pictures just as they are. I find them thoughtful. They evoke a pensive feeling.
And, your Sparks is also very thoughtful. Beautiful Monday, my friend.
​Sparks: 23​
Annie at ~McGuffy's Reader~

Eastside Cats said...

Evan would climb a mountain, if he ever got the chance.

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

your spark is totally pawesome!! catchatwithcarenandcody

pilch92 said...

I love your spark and drawing of Evan to go with it, he is an inspiration. Great tip too.

Lisa said...

What an awesome, inspirational post! I can completely see how Evan is your hero. And you are a fantastic Mama to go to such lengths for him.

Melissa, Mudpie and Angel Truffles (Mochas, Mysteries and Meows) said...

Evan is most definitely a four-legged hero!!!

The Island Cats said...

It never ceases to amaze us what Evan can do. Nothing stops him.

messymimi said...

Evan is an inspiration, and i'm sure he would agree with Einstein.

The Swiss Cats said...

Paws up, Evan, you're amazing ! Your spark is very inspiring ! Purrs

Forty Paws said...

We are amazed that Evan is so great at climbing with his hind limbs being paralyzed. What a great Mancat!
Thank you so much for your kind words about Smokey crossing over to the Bridge. We are sure that Smokey will make it much brighter at the Bridge, as well as saying "Hello" to all those who have gone before.