Farewell to 2018

Evan shared a photo much like the one below on Christmas Eve, as he waited for Santa Paws to arrive.

Believe it or not, this is not a repeat photo. This is a brand new shot, taken on a brand new day. This time, though, instead of waiting for Santa Paws, Evan is waiting for the New Year to arrive.

In 2018, we were blessed with much happiness and health. This year brought us our newest additions, kittens Tonks and Winky. And we can't forget that their brother, Flitwick, was also adopted by this here human's parents. We are so very grateful for all with which 2018 gifted us. This year, and every year, we feel so blessed for all of our family and friends, including all of you. Thank you, friends, for helping make our 2018 a terrific one!

We hope all of you friends of ours had a beautiful and blessed 2018, and that the last day of the year brings you many more blessings.

Oh, and this post wouldn't be complete if we didn't wish you all a very merry Seventh Day of Christmas!

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Our Festive Doodle of the Day:

I had some unexpected duties to attend to this weekend, and was not able to finish the doodle I originally had planned for today. There were no emergencies, just some last-minute festive happenings in which I participated. So, I'm going to share a flashback doodle, all the way back to the very first doodle I shared in 2018. So, indeed, here is a reminder of the doodle I created for the first day of 2018:

That all being said and this flashback doodle now shared, I do intend on adding to this post the drawing I originally intended for today. I will very likely be able to finish it this morning, and will add it then, since this is indeed its intended home. If you come by before that doodle is added, feel free to stop by again later if you'd like to see our last true doodle of 2018.

This is a reminder to myself that one of my 2019 New Year goals is to prepare doodles and blog posts far more days in advance, so that I'm not always doing what I enjoy so last-minute. Since I have today and tomorrow off work with few to no plans, I will be doodling and writing to my little heart's content to get a head start on that.

Happy 2018!


And here's the edit with the doodle originally intended for this post. This is more or less a representation of what we'll be doing tonight, waiting for the clock to strike midnight for the New Year. 

Happy New Year's Eve, friends!

***

Our Tip of the Day:

We've been discussing care of ferals and strays during the winter months, and over the past few days our discussions have all been about food and water. We do have yet another tip on this specific topic. When it comes to offering food to ferals and strays, try to keep the location and timing of the feedings as consistent as possible. Keeping a predictable feeding schedule and food location can help an outdoor cat know when and where they can find food. Conserving energy is a very important thing for outdoor animals in the winter, and knowing when and where they can successfully venture out for a meal can indeed help ferals and strays save much-needed energy, rather than wasting their energy only to find no food present at their feeding station. Therefore, if you feed ferals and strays, keep in mind that it is very beneficial to the animals if you keep their food on a consistent schedule and in the same location.

A Festive Selfie and Secret Santa Paws Purrfection

We do indeed have a Sunday Selfie for you today. What's more, this selfie was snapped on none other than Christmas morning. That being said, there were lots fun and festivities going on Christmas morning, so today's selfie taker asked for help snapping a shot. Why? Because she was just too full of excitement to snap a selfie all on her own.

Thimble wants you all to know that she was forced to snap that assisted selfie while ever so rudely having to wait to open gifts, and that includes the gifts from our Secret Santa Paws. We received our package days and days before Christmas, but the poor furbabies had to wait until Christmas morning to open it. Thimble chased that box from hiding place to hiding place as she waited, because she sensed all the goodies that were in there. So, when that box was finally placed on the floor in preparation on Christmas morning, Thimble was all shades of eager. That shot of her above was taken during one of her breaks from impatiently sniffing and climbing our Secret Santa Paws box. What you can't tell is that she is watching over the box, and she didn't let it leave her sight once after it came out on Christmas morning.

We considered making you wait to know who our Secret Santa Paws was, but we'll go ahead and begin by telling you. Our Secret Santa Paws were a certain lady cat and mancat, of course as well as their mom, all the way over in Scotland. That's right, our Secret Santa Paws were Laser, McLaren, and their mom Carry of Carry Loves Cats! And let me tell you, they know us well, and they spoiled us!

I adored even just the wrapping itself. It's so pretty! I won't even hide the fact that I kept all of those beautiful, classic tags on the gifts, and they're going to be turned into some sort of Christmas craft or decor for next year.

The kitties loved the wrapped presents, too!

Poor kitties, having to wait for this human to snap roughly a thousand photos before they could open their gifts.

Finally, though, we started ripping into the goods! Guess what the kitties got?

Just look at that feathered kicker toy! It's also infused with catnip. Since kickers, feathers, and catnip are some of the kitties' favorite things, this is a hit! But guess what?

The kitties don't have to share a kicker toy. Why? Because each kitty got their very own kicker toy!

In case you haven't noticed, we're including bloopers in this post. There wasn't much choice otherwise, because the kitties were just that excited about the purrfect gifts they received from Laser, McLaren, and their mom Carry.

As if each kitty getting their very own kicker wasn't enough, they also got an entire treasure trove of toys!

There is literally something in that box that every kitty in this house absolutely adores. Needless to say, the kitties emptied that toy box all on their own very, very quickly.

And do you know what else? Laser, McLaren, and their mom Carry even sent a gift for the kitties' pup sister Astrid!

I don't think we've mentioned much on our blog what kinds of toys Astrid enjoys, but Laser, McLaren, and their mom Carry somehow knew that pup Astrid's most favorite kind of toy is a plush ball. Astrid knew it was for her, too, because she swooped right in and grabbed it up. Are you ready for another blooper?

Just like Laser, McLaren, and their mom Carry sent the kitties and pup Astrid some of their most favorite things, they did the very same for this here human.

Let me tell you, that sketchbook is not only all sorts of adorable, but it arrived just as I'm finishing up my current sketchbook. I was just thinking that I needed to order a new one, but now I don't have to. I cannot wait to scribble up all sorts of doodles in this adorable sketchbook!

Oh, but that's not all.

First of all, when I saw that little black envelope, I loved the mere words on it. Since I go by the moniker The Menagerie Mom here in the cat blogosphere, seeing La Menagerie on that little envelope sure made me smile. I smiled even wider when I opened up the envelope.

Is that not one of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry you've ever set eyes on? This is a purrfect piece for a cat lady's collection. I'll be showing it off plenty, that's for sure!

Truly, our wonderful and fantastic and amazing Secret Santa Paws clearly know all of us very well, and we could not be more happy or grateful. Thank you a million times over, Laser, McLaren, and Carry! You made our Christmas so very merry and bright!

If that's not a classic, happy Christmas morning sight, I don't know what is.

Merry Sixth Day of Christmas to all!

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Our Festive Doodle of the Day:

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Our Tip of the Day:

Today's tip on winter feral care is to remember to put water out for ferals and strays you care for. This sounds and often feels impossible, given that water freezes in cold temperatures. However, it is often possible to make water accessible to ferals or strays even in the winter months. Yesterday's tip discussed ways to successfully feed moist food to ferals in the winter, and most of those methods will also work for water. You can start by simply checking the water as often as possible, and removing ice or refreshing the water to ensure that it remains a liquid and not a frozen solid. You can also warm the water bowl, or even put out warm water, to delay its freezing. Other options include putting microwavable heat pads beneath the water bowl, using an electric heated bowl, or using another heat source in the area where the water is kept. With all such options, though, always keep safety in mind, and only choose and use heated products that best prevent burns and fires.

There are a couple of other considerations to make when putting water outside for ferals and strays in the winter months. To begin, as is possible, try to keep water bowls elevated off of the cold ground, to help keep it from freezing rapidly. In addition to this, using a deep bowl inside of a wide bowl will also help it to freeze less rapidly. Another option is to have a source of running water, such as by offering water in some sort of fountain, as moving water does not as easily freeze. And yet another way to help keep water from freezing rapidly in the winter is to put the bowl in the sun.

It also important to note that, as is possible, try to avoid putting water directly in a shelter or other area where ferals or strays might sleep. This is because spills can indeed happen, and a damp shelter and damp bedding material can make warmth and comfort difficult. So, there are many considerations to make when successfully offering water to ferals and strays in the winter months, but it is indeed possible, and of course also beneficial to them and their health.

Christmas Continues On and On and On

Guess what? It's still Christmas! At least, to us it is. As we've said before, we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, of which Christmas Day itself is only the first. That means today we're at the Fifth Day of Christmas, and so our Christmas doodles continue on.

Prepare yourself for a few more days of Christmas doodles, because I won't be able to bring myself to stop until the Twelve Days of Christmas are over.

Merry Fifth Day of Christmas!

P.S. Stop by tomorrow to see the wonderful goodies we opened up from our Secret Santa Paws on Christmas morning!

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Our Tip of the Day:

Yesterday we discussed feeding feral and stray cats outdoors in the cold winter months. As we mentioned yesterday, dry food is a good option in the winter, as it will not freeze like moist food. However, moist food still has its benefits, and so today we're here to give some tips on how to feed moist food outdoors in the cold months with at least some success. To begin, you can resort to putting moist food out only when you know the cat or cats you feed are present, so that they will be able to eat it immediately, giving it little to no time to freeze. Sometimes, though, you might not know when a feral or stray cat will show up for a meal. In such cases, there are ways to potentially offer moist food to ferals and strays, without the moist food freezing rapidly.

To begin, you can simply check on the status of moist food as often as possible, and warm or replace food that has become frozen. What's more, a source of heat will obviously help keep moist food from freezing at a fast rate, although you of course have to ensure that this source of heat is safe. This could mean doing something as simple as warming the bowl in which you put the moist food, or warming the moist food itself, to a safe temperature. There are also both electric and non-electric heat sources that can work for keeping bowls and their contents warm. For example, there are microwavable, or otherwise warmable, heating pads that can be placed under bowls to help prevent the rapid freezing of moist food that is fed to outdoor cats in the winter. There are also electric heated bowls that could keep moist food warm enough to prevent freezing. Other options of course include using a more extensive heat source within an entire feeding station or shelter, details which we will further discuss in upcoming tips. One important detail, though, as we mentioned just a few moments ago, is ensure that any heat source you use is safe and that it will not cause burns or fires. Always do your research before using any item that entails electricity and heating, and choose and use accordingly and wisely.

The last note to make here is that you should still of course make sure that moist food is not spoiling, such as if it manages to get too warm or sits out for too long. If a heated bowl or heat pad causes moist food to remain warm for long periods of time, do be sure to remove any uneaten food prior to spoilage. It might be cold outside during the winter months, but depending on the methods you use and the duration of time that outdoor cats' moist food is sitting out, it is always best to be aware of the potential for gastrointestinal or other issues that could result from the consumption of spoiled food.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Photo Fails

Happy Friday, friends! Are you ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins? We sure hope so, because here they are. Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. On New Year's Eve, I _________.

2. A goal that I have for 2019 is _________.

3. If I had to choose a guide word for 2019, it would be _________.

4. New beginnings _________.


Are you ready for my fill-ins and their, as per usual, long-winded explanations? If so, here you go.

1. On New Year's Eve, I resort to daytime napping in order to be awake at midnight.
(I am one of those who does enjoy being up when the clock strikes midnight for the New Year. When I was in my late teens and early 20s, I could easily stay awake all day and through midnight. Not anymore, though. So, I typically nap a couple hours before midnight, and set an alarm to make sure I'm back in the waking world to ring in the New Year.)

2. A goal that I have for 2019 is to (finally!) try my hand at publishing some of my stories.
(This was actually a goal that I had for 2018, as I think I mentioned at least once here on our blog. But, I obviously failed at that. I do indeed have a number of stories and their illustrations all in the works, I just need to finish them, polish them up, truly finalize them, and then try my hand at publishing. I still have a good deal of effort and time to put in before anything can reach the end game, but I'm okay with aiming for the end of 2019 to achieve this goal.)

3. If I had to choose a guide word for 2019, it would be discipline.
(I once heard a woman give a speech on motivation versus discipline. She did not believe that motivation was something you should wait for or bank on, at least not in most cases. Sometimes, as she said, you're just not going to feel motivated, and you're simply going to have to fall on discipline to get you through. That actually seems to make perfect sense, and in 2019 I'm going to practice some serious self-discipline in order to achieve my goals, such as #2 above.)

4. New beginnings can be a daunting yet rewarding thing.
(I don't really have a long-winded explanation for this one. I guess it sort of speaks for itself.)

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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Today is one of Eddy's favorite days of every month, and that is day of the Pet Photo Fails! Blog Hop, hosted by Melissa and Mudpie of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows. 

Eddy is the queen of bloopers around these parts, and so scrounging up a blooper or two is never difficult when it comes to this girl. Of course, we're going for festive bloopers this time around. After all, it's only the Fourth Day of Christmas. Anyway, this series of bloopers was the result of an attempt to catch Eddy posing on the window sill beside the Christmas tree. I found Eddy sitting so prettily on the window sill, just gazing at the tree. When I started snapping pictures, though, she of course went on the move and started trying to find a good entrance point into the tree. After all, this girl will unashamedly tear her way through any Christmas tree she meets.

Within seconds of that last photo being snapped, Eddy sailed onto the bottom branches of the tree. I somehow failed to snap a blooper of that, though. Shame on me.

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Our Festive Doodle of the Day:

I've always been fond of angel toppers on Christmas trees. However, due to how the trees at my house are treated, I always figure an angel tree topper would meet an early demise. So, I instead decided to draw myself an angel tree topper. Of course, it's in the form of my Angel Rosie.

Merry Fourth Day of Christmas!

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Our Tip of the Day:

We're starting a series of tips on how you can assist strays and ferals during the cold winter months. Today's tip regards feeding strays and ferals, and it is to make sure you understand the pros and cons of feeding dry versus moist food during the winter months. Dry food often takes more energy than moist food to digest, and animals need to conserve as much energy as possible to stay warm in the winter. However, that being said, moist food that is not immediately eaten can freeze during the winter months due to its high moisture content. For this reason, it is typically best to ensure that dry food is offered to strays and ferals in the winter months, as it will not freeze and therefore will be readily available even after sitting out for some time. All in all, though, it is possible and often beneficial to feed both dry and moist food to outdoor strays and ferals. Tomorrow we will further discuss how to successfully feed moist food to strays and ferals in the winter.

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

It's the Third Day of Christmas, and we're still all shades of festive over here. That includes our weekly rhyme. Indeed, we wrote us a Christmas poem for Angel Sammy and Teddy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.

Each week, our hosts give us a photo prompt as guidance for our poetic endeavors. This week's quaint and cozy image is this one here:

Since my mind is indeed still stuck on Christmas, I forced this colorful, green scene into something completely different. Don't worry, though, there is nonetheless a cozy cottage or two in my poem. There is nothing vibrant green or flowery about it, though.

The Christmas Village

Ruby Sue spent Christmas Eve at her grandmother's house.

It was a silent night, and Ruby Sue was as quiet as a mouse.

After all, she didn't want Santa Claus to know she was awake.

She didn't want Santa to think her belief in him was fake.

Ruby Sue sat tucked behind the Christmas tree,

So that both the window and the fireplace she could see.

When Santa Claus flew in and headed for that very chimney,

Ruby Sue would have to conceal her inevitable, excited squee.

Although, Ruby Sue thought perhaps Santa was used to that.

Surely she wasn't the only child seeking a glimpse of that man in the red hat.

Even so, Ruby Sue did not want to be caught.

She did not want to land on the naughty list, no she did not.

Suddenly, though, Ruby Sue thought that caught she had been,

For a whispering and chattering sounded just then.

"Hey, little girl!" a voice did call out.

It was quiet and not even remotely a shout.

The voice spoke up yet another time.

It was a few minutes before the source of the voice Ruby Sue did find.

At first, the girl thought there must be a mistake.

Was she in a dream from which she needed to wake?

Surely the voice wasn't really coming from her grandmother's Christmas village.

The mere thought left in Ruby Sue's mind a downright silly image.

That Christmas village was a sweet and simple thing, like others of its kind.

Ruby Sue had to make sure she wasn't outright losing her mind.

Atop that old oak table beside the Christmas tree,

That was where the Christmas village could be admired and seen.

Quaint little cottages were scattered all about,

And wreaths and garland they did festively tout.

Miniature folk inhabited that little Christmas town,

And not a single one of them sported even the hint of a frown.

One tiny little fellow wore a coat and a top hat,

And was accompanied by an even tinier grey tabby of a cat.

The festive feline could barely be seen in the village's fluffy snow,

And around its neck it wore a merry and bright red bow.

Ruby Sue knew the village and its folk were made of something like plastic,

And so to think that anyone there had spoken was absurd and drastic.

Yet, the voice again spoke out,

And Ruby Sue saw exactly from where it did spout.

As far as Ruby Sue knew,

Cats could only meow and mew.

So, then, why was the miniature grey tabby waving a paw,

With words coming out of its tiny little maw?

"Yes, little girl, I am talking to you," the cat did affirm.

Those words were followed by a surprisingly loud and rumbling purr.

It continued, "I'm sorry to interrupt your Santa Claus vigil,
But could you do me a favor that is perhaps ever so little?"

The cat's voice matched its tiny little stature.
"Do you see that cottage just there to my right?" the feline asked her.
"See? That little house that has fallen right over in the snow?
Sometimes a house or two simply tips over like so.
Do you think you could help it stand back up, though?"

Though Ruby Sue could not form any words in reply
She did reach out and sat the fallen little house upright.
"Thank you so very much, little girl!" the cat exclaimed.
"When your house has fallen, really nothing is quite the same."

The cat then turned and scanned his little Christmas town.
He called out, "Friends, let's be real now.
You can stop putting on your statuesque show.

It won't hurt if the truth this little girl knows."

Just like that, the Christmas townsfolk began moving all around.
Ruby Sue was so shocked she could not utter even the slightest sound.
The tiny little man nearest the cat raised his top hat to her in a greeting quite polite,

And then he disappeared into the house she had just sat right.

That very house's window then began to glow,

In tones of warm and comforting gold and yellow.

After that, the windows began to glow in all the little homes,

As well as in the shops and the church that matched the fluffy white snow.

As if the live action miniature Christmas village wasn't enough,
There was then a thud and a jingling of bells on the roof up above.
It was the tiny festive feline who purred and did declare,
"Santa Claus is here to make his visit for the year!"

There was a shuffling inside the chimney,
Just across the room from the glowing Christmas tree.
Two booted feet were the first to make an appearance.
When Santa fully emerged, the little townsfolk were clapping and cheering.

By that time, Ruby Sue had ducked back behind the Christmas tree.
She didn't want Santa to give her coal if the sight of her he did see.
She watched as Santa grabbed himself a cookie and sipped some milk.
Then, over to the Christmas village itself he did carry his gift bag of red silk.

The first thing he pulled out of that sack was a tiny green bow.
He lowered it to the miniature cat and said, "This is for you, my good friend Joe."
The cat happily cried, "Oh, goodness me, it's a new bow for my wardrobe!"
Santa then doled out gifts to the rest of the tiny Christmas folk, one by one.
How did Santa manage all this and still beat the rising of the sun?

Next, Santa placed much larger gifts beneath the Christmas tree,
Leaving far more than even Ruby Sue could believe.
Just before he returned to the fireplace across the room,
To the shadows in which Ruby Sue hid his eyes did dash and zoom.
There was a twinkle in Santa's eyes when Ruby Sue came into his sight.
He winked as he waved and said, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

***

As always, Thimble is now taking a turn to share her gratitude in this Thursday post. Thimble and all of the kitties here, as well as this here human, are all so very thankful for the wonderful Christmas we had with family and friends. We're also beyond grateful for the fun and festive surprises we opened up from our Secret Santa Paws!

We tore through those beautiful gifts on Christmas morning itself. This here is just a sneak peek, and this weekend we'll be sharing the full range of wonderful gifts we received. Thank you to our Secret Santa Paws!

***

Last but not least, we have for you the fill-ins for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. On New Year's Eve, I _________.

2. A goal that I have for 2019 is _________.

3. If I had to choose a guide word for 2019, it would be _________.

4. New beginnings _________.

We'll see you tomorrow! Merry Third Day of Christmas!

***

Our Tip of the Day:

Today's tip is one that can affect our indoor furbabies, and most certain any strays and ferals you might feed outside. During the cold winter months, it can be beneficial to increase the amount of food you feed to the furbabies in your life. This is because animals typically eat more in the cold months in order to produce more energy and heat for their bodies. This is why you might see your kitty or pup heading toward the food bowl more often than usual in the winter months. Then again, eating more food to stay warm is something that far more affects outdoor animals than indoor animals, since the latter are able to maintain their body heat far more easily. And, of course, if you have any concerns about how much your furbaby is eating or should eat, any time of the year, discuss this with your veterinarian.

When it comes to outdoor strays and ferals, if you are accustomed to offering them food outside, perhaps do consider feeding them larger quantities of food, or feeding them more often, during the cold winter months. Their bodies use that extra food to stay warm. Over the next few days we'll be giving more detailed tips not only on feeding strays and ferals, but also offering them assistance in other ways.

Merry Second Day of Christmas!

We hope you all had a merry and meowy Christmas! That being said, did you know that Christmas Day itself, December 25th, is only the First Day of Christmas? Since we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, that means the festivities will continue here on our blog through the first week of January. Today, our festive post is all about some Christmas cookies.



Those there were the final four cookies in pup Astrid's Advent calendar.

Astrid seemed more than happy to eat this cookie decorated with none other than Santa's glass of milk and cookie. Well, that is, she enjoyed it after she was sadly forced to pose with it for a photo shoot.

Don't worry, though, Astrid soon got to dig in.

We hope your Twelve Days of Christmas continue to be merry and bright! Happy Second Day of Christmas!

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Our Festive Doodle of the Day:

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Our Tip of the Day:

Did your kitty or pup get new toys for Christmas? We're thinking many of them probably did. Now that all such new Christmas gifts have been opened and are being enjoyed, consider going through your furbaby's toy stash, pulling out the ones they don't use, and donating them to a shelter or rescue. Many shelters will accept such toys as long as they are clean, as well as easily cleaned, and in good condition. Of course, it is nonetheless always best to do your research regarding an individual shelter or rescue's requirements for donations. Donating toys that your kitty or pup has accumulated but does not use not only keeps your furbaby's toy stash at manageable levels, but also of course benefits shelter kitties and pups who are awaiting their forever homes. This might also go for unopened cans of food your furbaby will not eat, and even clean blankets they do not use. Christmas is indeed the season of giving, and even though the 25th of December has passed, that spirit of giving does not need to come to an end.

Meowy Christmas and Happy Howlidays!

If you were part of this year's holiday card exchange, or if you have watched the wonderful Cat Bloggers Holiday Slideshow created by Peaches, Paprika, and their mom Carol, then you might have already seen that there Christmas card we doodled up this year. Regardless, we want to reiterate our message and wish each and every single one of you a Christmas, or any holiday you celebrate, that is merry and bright!

This Christmas, we are especially thankful for our family and friends, and that most certainly includes all of you. We are so blessed to have such kind, caring, supportive, and fun friends in all of you.

We really, truly wish for each and every individual to know love and comfort this Christmas.
Peace, joy, and many blessings to all.

MEOWY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOWLIDAYS!

***

Our Tip of the Day:

Christmas is often a time of remembrance, a time when memories find their way into our minds. This can sometimes make this time of year a bittersweet one, as we remember our loved ones, both human and furry, who are no longer with us. Today's tip is to of course remember lost loved ones with fondness during the beautiful holiday season, but also to find ways to include lost loved ones in the festivities, if this is something that would benefit you. There are a number of ways to keep lost furbabies' or other family members' memories alive and well during the holiday season, such as by hanging an ornament dedicated to them. One example of this includes picture frame ornaments, in which you can obviously place a photo of a lost loved one. Another example are ornaments sculpted or painted in the likeness of a lost loved one, and this of course includes ornaments made to resemble kitties or pups who have gained their angel wings.

In addition to memorial ornaments, you can also set up memorial stations in your house for lost loved ones. This memorial area can be a place where you set up photos of a lost kitty, pup, or human family member who is no longer with you. What's more, to maintain their memory and inclusion during the holidays, you can add festive decorations to the memorial area you have set up for them. You can festively light up the memorial station with lights or candles, as long as this is done in a safe manner. There are plenty of other options for using festive yet respectful decor to include a lost loved one in the holiday spirit.

Just one more of many options for keeping a lost loved one's memory alive and well during this holiday season is to make a donation or other gift in their memory. When it comes to an angel kitty or pup, you can donate goods to a shelter or rescue in their memory. You can also sponsor, or even foster or adopt, an animal in their honor. Though remembering lost loved ones during the holiday season can be a bittersweet thing, there are many ways in which to maintain a lost loved one's memory and include them in the festivities.

Merry Christmas Eve!

It's Christmas Eve! We're pretty sure most of you have already realized that, but we thought we'd remind you just in case. Around here, we're eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa Paws (that's not to be confused with our Secret Santa Paws, whose package has already arrived and we'll be opening either today or tomorrow!). Evan has decided that if you hang out around the Christmas tree, perhaps Santa will show up a little sooner.

Of course, soon enough, other kitties in the house started to catch onto Evan's plan and didn't want to be left out of the Santa Paws vigil.

That photo could be considered a challenge in itself. Though it might not be obvious, both kittens make an appearance in the picture above, along with Evan. Can you find both Tonks and Winky in there? Tonks is more obvious, but black kitty Winky is a master of camouflage and might be difficult to see. I sure hope she's not planning an ambush for Santa Paws.

Merry Christmas Eve, friends!

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Our Festive Doodle of the Day:

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Our Tip of the Day:

We recently mentioned some ways to make Christmas special for both your own furbabies and those in shelters. Today, we want to remind you to remember those furbabies who are outdoors and in your neighborhood. Do you have stray or feral cats around your area? If so, for Christmas, or any day possible, try to give them any extra help you can. During this holiday season, or all year round, try to give strays and ferals extra food, treats, or even a toy. If possible, also try to offer them shelter in some way, even if it's something makeshift. This is something that can greatly benefit them during a cold and snowy winter. We'll soon be sharing some repeat yet also significant tips on offering assistance to outdoor strays and ferals, but for now we'll offer this simple reminder to remember outdoor furbabies during this holiday season.

Since we're talking about outdoor animals, perhaps also don't forget the squirrels and birds! For Christmas, you could throw some extra food out for wildlife, to allow them an extra festive day as well. Some places even make or sell especially festive suet cakes and other goodies for outdoor critters this time of year.

So, this Christmas season, don't forget to think outside of your own home and family. Of course Christmas is a time for family, but it's also a time to remember how lucky we are, and how others may not be so lucky. So, spread the love this Christmas season!