Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

Welcome to another Thursday edition, friends! Our regular visitors might already know what we have in store today. After all, we enjoy the same fun and games every Thursday. To begin, how about some rhyming?

We always enjoy participating in the Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge, hosted by Angel Sammy and Teddy. Each week, our hosts give us a photo prompt to guide our poetic adventures. This week's image is this scrumptious one here:

Is your mouth-watering now? Yeah, same here.

For some reason, even when seeing that colorfully cold dessert, my mind remained stuck in its winter mindset. Even more strangely, I recently heard someone use the term "winter warmth", a phrase I find quite ironic, and I decided to try to let that contradicting concept guide me when writing a rhyme to match that frozen food above. I'm not the biggest fan of my poem for this week, as it ended far more boring and bland that I had hoped. But, here it is nonetheless.

Winter Warmth

There once were two sisters named Tabby and Cat.

But, the moral of this story is not as simple as that.

You see, Tabby was a bright and lively sort of soul,

Whereas Cat preferred to live a life far more grey and dull.

It was on one cold, windy, winter day,
When Cat hissed that there was nowhere warm to stay.
She and her sister sat in their house,
In which sometimes also resided a sneaky little mouse.

Tabby jumped out of her chair, excited despite the snow.
Her happy voice trilled as she said, "I know somewhere warm we can go!"
"Where?" Cat asked from where she sat hunched up in her chair.
Her mood was just as ruffled as her hair.

"Follow me," was the only reply Tabby had to offer.
Cat sighed, thinking that answer was a bother.
Tabby darted to the door and donned her scarf,
While Cat declared that the thought of the cold was going to make her barf.

Refusing to let Tabby's good mood rub off on her,
Cat asked, "How is going outside going to help? Brrr!"
"I'll show you," Tabby promised as she swung open the door.
The frigid breeze nearly knocked Cat to the floor.

Scarf blowing in the arctic wind,
Cat was certain this sort of weather must surely be a sin.
"I demand to know where we're going," she snapped.
"I'd rather be cold at home, and I forgot my hat."

"Our destination is somewhere really quite grand,"
Tabby practically sang as she hopped and pranced.
Her sister's behavior made Cat feel quick sick.
To Cat, Tabby's good mood made as much sense as arithmetic.

Finally, after what seemed like hours of walking in Antarctica,
Tabby stopped dead in her tracks in that freezing cold tundra.
She pointed ahead, clapped, and did cry,
"See? There's our destination! I see it with my very own two eyes."

Cat squinted across the snowy hills,
And what she saw downright gave her the chills.
"An ice cream parlor?" she did hiss.
Cat was, quite honestly, more than just miffed.

"Ice cream isn't going to keep us warm!" Cat screamed at her sister.
Tabby, however, said, "Yes, it will, or I'm a mister!"
Tabby grabbed her sister and toward the ice cream shop they were careening,
With Cat more or less kicking and screaming.

Before she knew it, Cat was inside the ice cream parlor,
Thanks to Tabby's boundless cheer and ardor.
From beneath her furrowed brow, Cat looked all around,
Taking in the ice cream parlor's sights and sounds.

On that wall over there was a crackling fire beneath a mantle,
Far brighter and warmer than their home's collection of candles.
All around, patrons sat, ate, and did chitter-chatter.
And there was also that noise known as laughter.

Cat put her hands on her hips,
And was about to utter something unsavory from her lips,
When she noticed that Tabby was already giving the workers a tip.
Tabby stood at the counter, making her order.
She said to Cat, "Soon you'll see why this will make you warmer."

Tabby's bowl of freezing cold dessert was already prepared.
It was a heaping bowl of ice cream and berries that left a pleasant smell in the air.
When her sister would not stop commanding her to do so,
Cat scanned the menu and selected a plain and simple ice cream cone.

Despite the fact that her mouth watered,
Cat believed her sister's sanity had truly, finally faltered.
She barely glanced at her ice cream cone when it arrived,
Instead saying, "Ice cream has never kept anyone cold alive."

Tabby guided Cat through the hustling, bustling room,
Greeting this friend and that with laughs and a smile as they did dash and zoom.
They finally sat at a table, with a group of three that Tabby obviously knew.
They chattered and gabbed and giggled as they did lick and chew.

When Tabby noticed Cat sitting back with a frown,
She told her to brighten up and turn that sad thing upside down.
Then Tabby did look at Cat and informed,
"It's not the food or even the temperature that makes a place warm.
You'll very soon learn that it's those around you, and of course the laughs.
Friends and humor are the key to warmth, and that's a fact!"

***

Just like last week, this week Thimble has continued to be very thankful for her bright and shiny window view from the table.

It's been snowy and frigid cold around here lately, and Thimble, as well as Toby and all the kitties, are grateful that they can watch the world from the warmth and safety of a home. We continue to purr and pray for all of those who do not know a loving home, and we hope that all can soon know the warmth of a home.

As always, we are also beyond thankful for this wonderful blogging community, and for all our friends within it. Thank you all for being our friends!

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Last but not least, we have the fill-in statements 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. Superbowl Sunday _________.

2. _________ bores me.

3. If you have _________, you have everything.

4. My skill set could get me a job at _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Our Tip of the Day:

Today is likely our last tip in our winter safety series. For this last tip, we're going to do an overview of winter weather concerns, and remind you of some of the signs to look out for that might indicate a furbaby is struggling with the winter elements. To begin, when outdoors in the cold winter months, closely observe your kitty or pup and watch for shivering, a hunched up position, restlessness, whining, lifting paws off of the ground, redness of the ears, and other signs that the furbaby is becoming too cold. On extremely cold days, frostbite and hypothermia can happen fast, which is why it is not only important to closely monitor a furbaby who might need to venture outdoors even for a short time, but to also reduce time outdoors as much as possible. Also monitor your kitties and pups indoors, and ensure that they are remaining warm with sufficient heating and bedding.

Coldness, frostbite, and hypothermia are not the only issues that can arise in the winter, though. Injury to the paws, for example, is another potential. Pups and kitties who go outdoors can be affected by the cold ground, and by the snow, ice, and ice melts that might cover the ground in the winter. For this reason, be watchful for paw pads that are dry, cracking, bleeding, or otherwise injured, and monitor for lifting of the paws or altered ambulation.

The winter issues don't end there, though, as many more potential concerns can arise from the harsh cold of winter. For example, dryness of winter air and heated homes can lead to dryness of the coat and skin  When it comes to this, be on the lookout for itching, scratching, dander, and a dull coat. Yet another system of the body that can be affected by the winter months is the respiratory system. Dry, cold air can affect asthma and other such ailments, so be on the alert for coughing and other similar signs.

Winter can be a harsh time of the year, as you all certainly know. It can hard on us, and also of course our furbabies. For this reason, always monitor your furbaby, when outdoors but also when indoors. Over the past couple of weeks, we've discussed some of the potential ways to combat the various issues that might arise due to the harsh winter weather. What it comes down to, though, is that it is important to monitor your furbaby, and if you have any concerns regarding their health and comfort, to never hesitate discussing this with your veterinarian in order to keep your kitty or pup as cozy as possible even on those cold winter days.

Midweek Munchies (#ChewyInfluencer)

Yesterday, the kitties shared their thoughts on some new treats they tested out as part of the Chewy.com Blogger Outreach Program. Now, today, it's pup Astrid's turn to test some goodies out. What did she go for today?

Pup Astrid tried out MerrickⓇ Fresh Kisses™ Double-Brush dental dog treats. The main reason I chose these treats for Astrid to try is that she is a very picky pup, but she has displayed previous fondness for the Merrick brand. She eats their moist food and dry food more consistently than any other brand we've tried for her. So, I figured she simply had to give these treats a try.

These MerrickⓇ Fresh Kisses™ Double-Brush dental dog treats are all-natural, and are infused with coconut and botanical oils to help keep teeth clean and breath fresh. That sounds great to me, but that's not what Astrid cares about when it comes to treats. She's all about that taste. Oh, and the texture. This girl doesn't like this thing called chewing, especially crunchy things, so that's always a test.

These treats aren't necessarily what I would call soft and chewy, but they're also not all that hard and crunchy. So, that was sort of promising. It was also promising that they immediately drew Astrid into the kitchen where I was photographing them. Of course, these treats also drew in another spectator.

Kitten Tonks is the ultimate snoopervisor around here. But, unfortunately for Tonks, that treat wasn't meant for her. Tonks was quickly lured away with her favorite moist food, and Astrid dug in.

In case you can't tell in these crisp, clear, stunning photos, Astrid loved the MerrickⓇ Fresh Kisses™ Double-Brush dental dog treats.

Uh-oh. Do you see that blurry little photobomber on the right-hand side of that photo?

Mmmmm. Doesn't that look absolutely scrumptious? Astrid sure thought so.

As a side note, if you look in the background of our photos, you can often get a glimpse of the endless play things all over the house. See that little pink soccer ball? There are quite literally over two dozen of those things floating around in our house here and there and everywhere. Tonks likes to play fetch with those balls, for hours and hours and hours. Oh, and don't forget that paper bag lying on the kitchen floor. That's also one of Tonks's favorite things in the whole wide world.

But, I digress. Back to the review.

Oh, hello again, Tonks. Despite that little calico's constant role as helicopter kitty in these photos, Tonks never even once tasted pup Astrid's new dental treats. Astrid had every last crumb all to herself. And she even came back begging for more. So, from Astrid, the MerrickⓇ Fresh Kisses™ Double-Brush dental dog treats get a solid four paws up!


(Disclaimer: As members of the Chewy.com Blogger Outreach Program, we received MerrickⓇ Fresh Kisses™ Double-Brush dental dog 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.)


Warm and tasty wishes to all!

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Our Doodle of the Day:

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Our Tip of the Day:

Where we live, temperatures dipped as low as -20°F last night, and that's without taking into account the wind chill. The high for today is -6°F, and again, that is without wind chill. Today's tip is to find ways to exercise and entertain your furbabies indoors when it is cold outside. Walks and other lengthy outings can be a very dangerous thing in frigid temperatures. Frostbite and hypothermia can happen in a matter of a couple short minutes when temperatures reach as low as the ones we just mentioned. So, if your kitty or pup is used to walks, outdoor playtime, and so forth, find ways to improvise indoors on cold winter days.

You can of course play games with your kitty or pup, such as by grabbing a toy and initiating fetch. For some kitties and pups who might not be easy to engage in a game of fetch, sliding treats across the floor can be a good way to get them to move and exercise, with an incentive. Another way to play with your furbaby can be a game of hide-and-seek. Of course, only play such games with furbabies who enjoy them, and who do not become confused or agitated by having to chase or look for you.

What's more, there are also a large variety of interactive toys available on the market that can help keep a kitty or pup entertained and active when walks or time outdoors is not an option. One plain and simple option is an interactive treat dispenser. These popular toys come in many forms, and can be rolled around or otherwise played with all while dispensing treats. The list of interactive toys certainly doesn't end there, though. You know your furbaby best and might be able to guess what kinds of toys they like, so search for interactive toys accordingly. For example, does your kitty like to bat things around? If so, perhaps get them a ball track toy, and roll it a few times for them in order to attract their attention to it. There are also a number of other interactive toys that will toss, roll, wave, fling, flit, and otherwise move items around for your furbaby to chase. Do, of course, be very careful when selecting interactive toys. For example, do not leave your furbaby unattended with any toys that contain dangerous parts and pieces, such as strings. It is important to keep those kitties and pups happy and active even on cold winter days, but only do so with toys that are safe and sound.

Tuesday Taste Test (#ChewyInfluencer)

The kitties recently taste tested some new goodies as part of the Chewy.com Blogger Outreach Program. They tested out some treats that are probably pretty well-known among cat parents. We're talking about Feline GreeniesⓇ Pill PocketsⓇ.

The kitties around here are what you might call picky. At the same time, the majority of them are big fans of poultry goods. So, I thought trying these treats out in the chicken flavor might be promising.

My oldest kitty is Evan, and he will be turning 6 this year. As his momma, that number seems a bit scary. Evan is also hind limb paralyzed, and already takes joint supplements in the form of powder sprinkled onto his food. I can't deny that my boy will very likely end up with early onset arthritis due to his altered method of ambulation, and so prepping him for future medication administration might not be a bad idea. That's why Evan was the resident kitty I primarily wanted to use as my guinea pig for the Feline GreeniesⓇ Pill PocketsⓇ.

Evan was certainly intrigued by the treats. He even gave them a good lick.

Guess what, though? Evan wouldn't eat them. Given that he's typically one of the primary treat fiends in the house, that made me lose some hope for these treats.

Evan wasn't the only one who tested them out, though.

The other mancat in the house, Toby, is another treat fanatic. He also, however, refused to eat the pill pockets.

I also tried these out on the kittens, Tonks and Winky. In general, these two girls are also primary treat eaters around here. That especially goes for Winky.

Though I didn't get a photo of Winky testing out the treats, the above photo of Tonks ended up with same result as a photo of Winky would have. And that is, neither kitten ate the treats. The kitties around here were being especially and unusually critical of the Feline GreeniesⓇ Pill PocketsⓇ.

Little lady Thimble is not a treat eater, which she solidified when she barely gave these treats a passing glance. My girl Eddy is also not a treat eater, but guess what happened when I went out on a limb and offered her one? She ate it! My girl Eddy ate treats for perhaps the first time in her life, and the treats were ones that not even the resident treat fanatics will eat. Honestly, not even pup Astrid would eat these, but Eddy sure did. That sort of blows my mind, but also kind of excites me. I finally have a treat to give Eddy, and one that literally no one else in the house will steal from her. I don't have photographic evidence of Eddy's enjoyment of the treats, because I had put my camera away before deciding to try them out on her on a whim.

Given all of the above, I don't really know how we'd rate the Feline GreeniesⓇ Pill PocketsⓇ. The truth of the matter is that the only furbaby in the house who will eat them is Eddy. But, since she generally loathes treats, that also seems like even the slightest bit of a good sign. Another positive aspect of this is that Eddy is what I might call my wild child. She's the one who draws blood when I often fail in my attempts to put her in any of the carriers I own. She is a momma's girl, but on her terms. She is not always all that keen on being handled, so having pill pockets that she'll eat gives me hope for any future pills she might need to take.


(Disclaimer: As members of the Chewy.com Blogger Outreach Program, we received Feline GreeniesⓇ Pill PocketsⓇ treats in chicken 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 you friends of ours have a tasty Tuesday! We also hope you all stay warm and cozy! The next couple of days are going to remain in the negatives here where we live, with wind chills reaching exceedingly dangerous lows. Our hearts, purrs, and prayers are with all of those who do not know a warm home. We wish safety and comfort for all.

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Our Doodle of the Day:

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Our Tip of the Day:

Our series of winter safety tips has already covered wiping off those paws when they've been in contact with snow, ice, ice melts, and so forth. Today's tip relates to all of that, and is to regularly check your furbaby's cute little toes. It is of course important to always ensure that your furbaby and his or her paws are free or injury, but this is something that is especially important in the winter. The cold and dry air, as well as the cold ground that might be covered in snow, ice, ice melts, and other substrate in the winter, can potentially lead to dry, cracked, bleeding, and overall uncomfortable paw pads. This is why it is important for you to regularly check your pup or kitty's paws in the winter, and of course year round. Be especially vigilant of the condition of paws that frequently go outdoors.

If you do notice your furbaby's paw pads are dry, cracking, or bleeding, or if they are displaying any discomfort when walking, consider options for treating and combating paw pad dryness and discomfort. There are pet paw salves on the market that are intended to combat dryness and to protect paws pads that often go outdoors. In some cases, petroleum jelly might be deemed safe to wipe onto the paw pads before they head outdoors, but this is sometimes a debated option. More importantly, when it comes to the health, safety, and comfort of your furbaby and their paws, it is of course always recommended to discuss the matter with a veterinarian. A veterinarian can check for any damage to the paws, and can also best recommend treatment for or prevention of dryness, cracking, and other injury to the paw pads. So, do be observant of the state of your kitty or pup's paws, and seek veterinary care if you have any concerns.

A Nosy Mancat Monday

Have I mentioned before that I am crazy for my mancat Evan's nose freckles? Because I am. I love those freckles so very much.

Do you love that nose as much as I do? I'm not sure that's even possible. But, Evan and I sure hope that adorable, freckled nose of his brightens your Monday even just a little bit!

Happy Monday, friends!

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Our Doodle of the Day:

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Our Tip of the Day:

We've discussed helping ferals stay warm and cared for in the winter, such as by offering them even makeshift shelters and putting food out for them. We've also mentioned helping your own kitties or pups remain healthy and happy during the cold winter months, such as by minimizing time their outdoors and offering extra warm places for them to sleep inside the home. But, what role can you play when it comes to others companion animals, those who are not ferals, but who are also not your own furbabies? The important thing when it comes to this is to be observant, to be aware of an observed companion animal's situation on a cold winter day, and, if necessary, to be a voice for the voiceless.

If you notice someone's pet cat or dog being kept outdoors for an extended, unsafe length of time on a cold winter day, then get the details of the situation and report it. Also report if an animal being abused or neglected in this way is left outside in the cold without shelter in which to stay warm, or while chained up, and so forth. If you believe you are witnessing a stray animal struggling to survive without a home, in the cold winter months or any time of the year, also report this to someone who can help them. In any such cases, get the address where the animal is located, the number of animals affected, details regarding the conditions in which the animal is living, and even get pictures if possible.

In case you ever do find yourself facing a situation of animal abuse or neglect, try to make sure you are aware of whom to call in order to get help for an animal in need. In some locations, cases of animal abuse or neglect are best reported to certain human organizations. In some places, if you notice animal abuse or neglect, you should call animal control, or law enforcement. What's more, to ensure than an abused or neglected animal is indeed rescued from unsafe conditions, don't just report it, but follow through with any reports you make to ensure that animals suffering abuse or neglect get the help they need.

At this point, we do want to make what we're sure is an obvious clarification. In order to avoid mistakes or misunderstandings, never jump to conclusions without first having the facts, and this of course regards the care of others' furbabies. For example, if you see a dog outside in someone's yard on a cold winter day, don't automatically assume this is a case of abuse or neglect, and don't raise false alarms. In some cases, a dog might of course just be outside on a short bathroom break, perhaps even with their human monitoring them from inside the home. So, before making any reports, always make sure you have observed the situation enough to know the facts and to have formed proper conclusions regarding animal abuse or neglect. If you do ultimately come to the conclusion that an animal is living in unsafe conditions, then do seek help for them.

Facial Photobombs

Our housemate mancat Toby informed me that he wanted to snap some selfies for today's Sunday Selfies blog hop. The problem, though, is that he got photobombed, by himself. That may sound strange, but see for yourself.

Toby posed for a nice, clear, focused shot of his handsome face. But, his whiskers took over the shot. The camera simply decided those whiskered needed all of the focus.

And look there. This time around, Toby's nose photobombed the rest of his face. That darn camera took it upon itself to place all of its attention on that nose of his.

Sorry, Toby, but that's the problem with having such stunning whiskers and such an adorable nose. They'll steal all the thunder. They'll photobomb the rest of your face! I have a feeling that you friends of ours won't mind, though. So, feel free to bask in the glory of Toby's whiskers and nose!

Wishing you all a stupendous Sunday!

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Our Doodle of the Day:

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Our Tip of the Day:

Today's tip is one we've mentioned before, but that we're going to mention again for these cold winter days. Though of course living indoors helps keep our furbabies safe and sound during the winter months, it is still important to remember that extra measures can be taken to keep them warm and cozy. This is especially important for young or old furbabies, those with little to no fur, and any cats or dogs whose health is compromised. You can start by putting out additional soft and cozy blankets and beds for them. To take it one step further, there are heated blankets and beds on the market. Of course, be very careful when using anything heated, taking especial care to ensure that no burns or fires result. To be on the safe side, you can look into beds that allow warmth in a non-electrical way. For example, there are pet beds constructed of material that essentially reflects a kitty or pup's body heat back to them, warming them that way. Lastly, also take into consideration the location of blankets and beds. Place your kitty or pup's blankets and beds somewhere that is elevated off of the floor, and away from drafts, doorways, and windows, to ensure that they can remain as warm as possible.

Caturday Art

It's probably become pretty obvious over time that two of my favorite things of all time to doodle are cats and books. Now, guess what I drew for today. Just guess.

I just can't help myself. Nothing beats kitties and good reads.

Wishing you all a cozy Caturday!

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Our Tip of the Day:

Are you ready for an insanely long tip? Yes? Good. Because that's what we have for you today. Yesterday, we discussed the presence of parasites even in the winter, and the resulting importance of preventatives. During this discussion, we talked about how mice can carry parasites, and so how mice in the home can lead to the risk of parasites in our furbabies. Parasites are not the only way mice can affect our furbabies, though. As we mentioned yesterday, mice can often find ways into homes during the winter months, as they are seeking warm places to stay. As a result, some people move forward with ways of eradicating mice in the home. When it comes to such methods, always consider how they can affect our furbabies. For example, the common wooden snap traps can obviously cause pain and injury. If a curious paw or nose finds the traps, such as if lured by the scent of peanut butter or cheese on the trap, it can snap closed and cause damage to little paws and noses.

As an alternative to the wooden and metal snap traps, there are mouse traps that are considered safer. One option includes plastic snap traps that do not contain metal that can easily break or otherwise harm a cat or dog paw. There are also sticky traps, which do not contain the danger of snapping parts, but these do of course contain adhesives, which can cause risks such as stuck paws or fur, or the dangerous consumption of adhesive material. If you are looking to spare the life of the mouse, you can also consider various live traps, or catch-and-release traps.

No matter what kind of trap you use, if you use them, always put them somewhere that your furbaby cannot reach. This might mean putting traps in cabinets that you ensure your furbaby cannot open. Sometimes traps can also be placed under boxes or containers constructed to allow a mouse access, but to block a furbaby's access to the trap beneath. In other cases, traps could be placed in rooms or areas of the home where your furbaby cannot access, such as rooms with closed doors, attics, crawl spaces, and so forth. This of course goes for the more dangerous traps, but also even the safer ones. This is because no mouse trap poses zero risk, and a curious kitty or pup might try to get a mouse even in a trap. While cats are of course classically known as being mouse hunters, it is still perhaps ideal for them not to regularly play with or consume mice, such as to avoid parasites, choking, and so forth. As a side note, when I worked at a cat clinic, a cat once came in with a mouse head lodged in its throat. This is why you hear me mention to perhaps avoid allowing your cats to catch mice, in order to prevent dangers such as this.

Of course, this lengthy discussion on mice in the home would not be complete without mentioning the danger of rodenticides. Rodenticides can contain incredibly toxic ingredients, such as anticoagulants. This means if a kitty or pup manages to come in contact with or consume the rodenticide itself, or even if they find a mouse who has come in contact with or consumed the rodenticide, serious side effects can occur. For this reason, simply avoid using rodenticides. This is for the safety of your furbaby, and also for the safety of ferals, strays, and wildlife who can also be affected by the serious side effects of rodenticides.

All in all, mice in the home is not an ideal situation, for reasons including health and safety. Mice can carry disease and parasites, and can potentially and dangerously chew on wires and cabling in the walls or other areas of the home. That being said, though, only use mice prevention methods in your home that are guaranteed to be safe for your furbaby. Find and block entry points for mice in your home, garage, and so forth. If need be, only put out traps that are as hidden and safe as possible. You know your home and furbaby best, so proceed accordingly.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Photo Fails

To begin today, I again want to send our most heartfelt purrs, thoughts, and prayers to Ellen of 15andmeowing after the loss of her sweet Tallulah. Thanks to Ellen, Tallulah knew a life of love and happiness. What wonderful memories they surely share. Rest in peace, dear Tallulah.

Ellen is of course my co-host for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, but she is currently taking a few days off of blogging. She still wished for us to continue on the with the Fill-Ins challenge as usual, though. Ellen did come up with the first two fill-ins this week, and I came up with the second two. In case you missed them yesterday, here they are again:


1. I get to _________ every week.

2. So far, 2019 is _________.

3. I will never tire of _________.

4. Can you believe that _________?


And, here's how I filled in this week's fill-ins:

1. I get to scrub litter boxes every week.
(Now, now, don't be jealous. Then again, most of you probably don't need to be jealous, because you most likely get to do this yourself. After all, if the litter boxes don't get scrubbed down, we all suffer.)

2. So far, 2019 is hectic.
(I really wanted to put something inspiring here, but I'm going to be totally honest and admit that I haven't quite found my footing yet in 2019. One of my goals for this New Year is to better schedule in all of the things that are important to me, and all of my goals for the year, in a manageable fashion. Once things calm down just a tad bit in February, I plan to really work on this. That all being said, though, I feel blessed every single day, including all 25 days so far of 2019.)

3. I will never tire of quality time with my furbabies.
(I came to a realization the other day, when participating in one of kitten Tonks's hours long games of fetch. Sadly, my furbabies will not be with me forever. So, even if their demands for attention may not always seem all that convenient, I better cherish them, and I most certainly will cherish them. I will always carve time out for my furbabies, and I will bask in the quality time I have with them, even if it means setting aside other plans. My furry babies are, after all, the center of my world, a fact that I will never regret for even one second.)

4. Can you believe that there are six cats in my house and only one truly meows?
(Kitten Winky is essentially the only cat in the house who can say anything resembling, "Meow." Evan and Eddy make the most noise, but they pretty much only know how to let out ear-piercing screams. Whether they're happy or angry, it's always a scream. Thimble is pretty much mute, except for her constant purrs and occasional chirps, and that strange noise she makes when she's talking to the wall. Kitten Tonks is also more or less a mute, unless she's making mournful wails when playing with her toys. Oh, and as for Toby, the big boy of the house, he seems only capable of letting out tiny whispers and squeaks completely disproportionate to his size. And if you're wondering about pup Astrid, she is like Thimble and Tonks and is pretty much mute. The primary noise she makes is an incredibly strange one that I can't even really describe. It's something like an inquisitive, "Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?", spoken on repeat, and mostly reserved for when she is excited to meet a new cat.)

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.

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Now, who's ready for some bloopers?

Melissa and Mudpie of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows host the Pet Photo Fails! Blog Hop on the last Friday of the month, and there's no one better to share some bloopers here on our end than the blooper queen herself.

Blooper queen Eddy, and all of us here, wish you a fantastic Friday!

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Our Tip of the Day:

Today's winter tip is to, despite the fact that it's winter here in the Northern Hemisphere, still keep in mind parasites and their prevention. If you live somewhere that is warm or temperate even during this time of the year, of course certainly do consider keeping up with those parasite preventatives for your furbabies. The same, though, goes even for those who don't live somewhere consistently warm in the winter. Some winter days are not as cold as others, and parasites such as mosquitoes and fleas can survive and make reappearances when the temperatures rise. Sometimes, some parasites even make their way into our homes and survive winter climates by hanging out in the warm comfort of our heated houses. With this in mind, don't forget that mosquitoes can carry heartworms, and fleas can cause bloodborne diseases, as well as can carry tapeworms, all of which can cause very dangerous side effects. For all such reasons, do think about the benefits of keeping up with parasite prevention for your furbabies all year round.

One more note we want to make regards none other than mice. This time of year, mice might find ways to enter our homes, garages, sheds, and so forth, in search of a warm place to stay. What's more, mice can carry parasites such as fleas, tapeworms, and roundworms. This means, especially if your furbaby gets near or even eats a mouse inside the home, or anywhere else, they are at risk such parasites. This is yet another reason to keep up with parasite prevention for your furbaby, no matter what time of year it is.

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

It's Thursday, and that means we're ready to rhyme. After all, it's time for Angel Sammy and Teddy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.

As always, our hosts offered a spectacular photo prompt to help guide us on our poetic endeavors.

I honestly adore this image. Ever since childhood, I have loved not only animals, but also fantasy and animals in fantasy stories. You know, animals like that adorable little creature in that there image! So, of course, I decided to try and create a poem that had something to do with that magical little creature in a magical forest. I don't think I did this mesmerizing image any sort of justice, because my rhyme ended up rather random and rambling. But, here it is nonetheless.

The Trouble with Trumble

There once was a girl named Ollie,

Which, by the way, is a name no different than Molly or Polly.

Ollie was a girl with a great many friends,

Even if, amongst them, humanity was not a trend.

Indeed, Ollie's friends were all adorned with feathers and fur.

Most of them were known to let out chirps, growls, and purrs.

Each and every one of Ollie's friends was one-of-a-kind,

And many folk wondered if they were mere figments of Ollie's very own mind.

Even the forest in which her friends did reside seemed surreal.

At least, to the townsfolk who knew Ollie that's how it did feel.

The Enchanted Forest was something quite real to Ollie herself,

Right down to the fairies, floating lights, and even that elf.

Ollie set out on hikes through the Enchanted Forest each and every day,

And it was during one such walk that she heard something dismal and grey.

It was the sound of sniffling and tears being shed.

Ollie changed her path and in that direction did head.

What Ollie found was her good friend Trumble.

He was colorful and fuzzy and was what she called a Mumble,
And he was wiping his tears with a stuffed white bunny named Bumble.

Accompanying Trumble was another of Ollie's friends, named Chitchat.

Chitchat looked very much like a typical cat,

Except she was much, much bigger than that.

Ollie oft found Trumble and Chitchat together,

Something which ended up being quite a bit useful for her.

After all, Trumble could chirp and squeak,

But, unlike Chitchat, he could not speak.

When Ollie found Trumble so very aghast,

She turned to his friend Chitchat and did ask,

"What has Trumble so very sad today?"
Chitchat purred, "His tooth fell out as he ran and played."

Indeed, in Tumble's paw he held something pointy and white.
It was his cute little fang, sparkling in the forest's floating lights.
"Oh, Trumble, that's what has you feeling down?"
Ollie gave him a pat and said, "There's no need to frown!"

"Trumble's so upset he won't even stand.
It sounds like you have some sort of plan?"
The question arose from mammoth Chitchat,
Who stretched and began to preen like any ol' cat.

Ollie smiled and nodded and clapped her hands.
She declared, "There are endless possibilities in this magical land!
Now, you both come along and follow me.
I know exactly where we need to be."

With encouragement from Ollie and nudging from Chitchat,
Trumble finally stood and followed Ollie on her path.
"Where are we going?" asked Chitchat the giant cat.
"You'll see!" was Ollie's only answer to that.

After walking past trees and trees and bumblebees,
And after a great many toadstools and fairy rings they did see,
Ollie finally stopped on a little dirt path.
She said, "See? Look at that!"

Ollie pointed at one of dozens upon dozens of trees,
But there was something special about this one, they could all see.
This tree boasted none other than a door and windows,
Out of which golden light did glisten and glow.

"Yes, this is it! This is where we need to be!"
Ollie's voice was filled with great glee.
"What, exactly, is up with that there tree?"
That was the question that Chitchat did plea.

Pointing at the tree aglow with warm light,
Ollie said, "Don't worry, there is nothing here to cause fright.
You see, this is the home of the one and only Tooth Fairy!
She will help Trumble and make him quite merry."

Chitchat cocked her head,
As she stared at the glowing tree house on the path ahead.
She asked, "The tooth fairy lives in the Enchanted Forest?"

"Yes, of course!" Ollie replied. "And her name is Doris."

The story of course does not end there,
But making this tale any longer would be quite unfair.
Suffice it to say that the Tooth Fairy fixed Trumble right up.
She replaced his tooth and gave him hot cocoa in a cup.
Then, with all of them she did visit and sup.
Yes, indeed, that just about sums it up.

Then again, who knows if this tale is even true?
With such stories, the townsfolk never knew what to do.
Was Ollie a girl who truly went on adventures ever so grand?
Or, was she simply a girl with an imagination that oft got out of hand?

***

Who's ready for Thimble and her Thankful Thursday gratitudes? You are? Well, good!

That may look like nothing more than yet another display of my lack of skill in photography lighting, but it actually speaks volumes. For one, Thimble is so incredibly thankful for that sunshine. It's been well below freezing over here in our corner of the world lately, with ice storms and all, so we are grateful for any sun we can get. Also, Thimble is so very grateful for that window. It's one of her favorites from which to snoopervise the neighbors. One of our Christmas trees caused the relocation of that table during the holiday season, and though Thimble loves her some Christmas, she did miss her usual window seat. Now, though, she has it back, with sunshine and all!

As always, today and every day, we are also so very grateful for each and every one of you friends of ours!

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Before I share the statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-In challenge, I want to extend my most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to my co-host Ellen. Her sweet kitty Tallulah will be gaining her angel wings today. Ellen will not be participating in the Friendly Fill-Ins this week, more than understandably, and she will remain in our prayers and thoughts. 

Fly free and high, sweet Tallulah. What a blessed life you lived with your wonderful family, and we know you will be watching over them.

Please visit Ellen at 15andmeowing to leave your condolences, thoughts, prayers, purrs, and hugs.

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Ellen asked that we continue with the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge like usual. If you would like to participate, I will be sharing the statements now, and tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins post and link will be up on my blog at midnight.

1. I get to _________ every week.

2. So far, 2019 is _________.

3. I will never tire of _________.

4. Can you believe that _________?

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Our Tip of the Day:

We've given a variety of tips regarding today's topic, but we're going to compile them and mention them again today. Today's tip is to keep a close eye on your kitty or pup's water bowl and food bowl during the cold winter months. What do we mean by this? To begin, make sure the water bowl remains full and fresh. To keep warm on cold winter days, we of course run the furnace, or turn on heaters or the fireplace. This is of course crucial for helping our furbabies and ourselves remain warm when it's cold, but this can also lead to increased evaporation of water. This is just one reason to regularly check on your furbaby's water bowl, even on, or especially on, cold winter days. In addition, the furnace and other heat sources can lead to dryness, such as of your kitty or pup's coat and skin. This is another reason why it is crucial to ensure they have sufficient fresh water, as they very well may drink more in order to remain moisturized and comfortable in the dry winter air.

The food bowl might also be affected by the cold weather in the winter. This concept more heavily relates to furbabies who live outdoors or who spend time outdoors in the winter, such as ferals, strays, or those who go outdoors to use the restroom or go on walks. Those who spend time in the cold will often eat more in the winter. This is because when the body breaks down consumed food, it produces energy and heat, which can be crucial for helping a furbaby remain warm in the cold. Therefore, if your furbaby spends time outdoors, keep an eye on their food intake. They may require more food in the winter in order to remain warm and comfortable. Of course, if you have any concerns regarding your furbaby's diet, weight, and overall food and water intake, then do discuss this with your veterinarian.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

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Our Doodle of the Day:

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Our Tip of the Day:

Though we're more than a tad bit late in the season to give this tip, we're going to give it nonetheless. Today's tip relates to the furnace, and we want to remind you to have a professional inspect your furnace before use every year, or as needed. An inspection could help detect any issues that might make running the furnace a risk. This in turn of course gives you the chance to have any necessary repairs or replacements made, so that neither your furbaby nor yourself are put in unnecessary danger.

Also relating to the furnace, don't forget to replace the filter regularly. A clean filter not only allows the furnace to run optimally, but also helps eliminate allergens, dust, and other such debris from the air. Ensuring ideal air quality with a clean furnace/air filter is something to especially take into consideration if your furbaby, or yourself, has asthma or other respiratory issues, The furnace plays a crucial role for your furbaby and yourself on cold winter days, so don't forget to give it the care and attention it needs.

Kitten Tuesday

Sometimes, a kitten actually sits still in this house. The other day, my sister caught her kitten, Winky, in a non-blurry state. So, she whipped out her phone and snapped some photos as evidence. Since Winky rarely gets to be seen on this blog because she rarely sits still for the camera, I told my sister to send the photos my way so that I could share them with all of you. So, here's Winky!

Doesn't Winky look so sophisticated? If only she'd pose for the camera more often. When you're a kitten, though, there's just so much to do and so much to see, and photo shoots just get in the way of that. We hope you enjoyed this evidence that Winky can sit still, because who knows when it will happen again.

Wishing you a warm and terrific Tuesday, friends!

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Our Doodle of the Day:

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Our Tip of the Day:

As you all certainly know, cats often seek out heat. Those pups out there sometimes do, too. For this reason, when it's cold this winter, monitor your furbaby around any sort of heat source. This of course goes for fireplaces, which should be sufficiently blocked so that kitties and pups can't directly access it or end up with burns. But, this also goes for various space heaters, radiators, and even floor or wall registers for the furnace. Especially if your cat or dog is known to park themselves incredibly close to, or even on top of, such heat sources, be sure to keep a very close eye on them when heaters are being used, or when the furnace is running. If they are near a heat source, check on them regularly, and feel them to make sure that they, and their fur, are not getting dangerously hot. Depending on the kind of heat produced by various heat sources, burns and other injuries can occur if a kitty or pup sleeps on or near it. If needed, such as if your kitty or pup insists on keeping a heater or furnace register company, consider blocking direct access to them. For example, there are safe, fire-proof covers for furnace registers on the floor or wall. When it comes to space heaters, if needed, place them in areas where your kitty or pup does not have access. In other cases, you might be able to find a way to safely block direct access to heaters and radiators, so that your furbaby can enjoy the heat without the risk of burns. Of course we want our furbabies to stay warm in the winter, but it is also important to ensure that your kitty or pup does not end up with burns or other injuries.