Thursday, October 31, 2019

Happy Halloween!



HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


Though we completely understand that Halloween isn't everyone's thing, around here we really do enjoy it. We're glad that this year it falls on the day of Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop, because we're certainly thankful for this Halloween day. So what if it's snowing outside? At least we can enjoy some Halloween festivities from the warmth of our home.


We're having such a spooktacular Halloween that Thimble couldn't even keep track of her ears.



That up there is a view from one of my front windows. I've had that glowing green jack-o'-lantern for many years, but that glowing orange cat-o'-lantern of purrfection is something my sister just found and gifted to me this year. Truth be told, it's going to become a year round piece of decor in my house. Also, Thimble is indeed in that above picture. Can you see her checking out the cat-o'-lantern?

Now, though enjoying Halloween from the warmth of home is wonderful, there are also some wonderfully spooky sights to see outside of the home. Roughly 20 minutes from my house is a pumpkin farm, and each year they get help from members of the community to carve literally hundreds of jack-o'-lanterns to put on display during the week of Halloween. My mom and I visited this frightfully festive display just last night, and we saw some downright adorable pumpkins.






I like to say that paw pumpkin is Astrid's back right foot. Because, you know, that's the only paw in this house that only has three toes.

Given that we're getting snow on this day of Halloween, I found a couple of the jack-o'-lanterns on display to be quite fitting. See?



And how about a bonus jack-o'-lantern?


Can anyone guess that character and/or the movie he's from? It's one of our favorites during both the Halloween and Christmas seasons, if that's any clue.

Though I more than enjoyed that jack-o'-lantern tour last night, I'll be staying in the warmth of our home tonight. I'll be handing out candy to the little ones, but I can only imagine how cold they'll be. We've been spoiled the past two years with dry and warm Halloweens, but that sure isn't the case this time around. That's why we're not only grateful for this Halloween day, but also for the warmth of our home.


We purr, woof, and pray that everyone, both furry and human, knows safety this Halloween. We also purr, woof, and pray that all those who are homeless could know warmth on snowy days like this Halloween here in our corner of the world. Wishes to all for happiness and safety on this cold Halloween, and every day of the year!



***

Of course, we couldn't forget to share 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. I never read _________.

2. I mainly read _________.

3. The beginning of a new month _________.

4. _________ makes me feel silly.




And now we'll go ahead and say it one more time...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We hope all of you friends of ours have a happy and safe Halloween! Tasty treats and happy haunting to all!


P.S. If you usually visit us on Thursdays and read our Thoroughly Poetic Thursday poems, we posted this week's rhyme yesterday. It indeed has a Halloween sort of theme. If you're interested in reading it, you can find it by clicking right here.



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Halloween Tip of the Day

Our final Halloween tip is to use this spooky holiday as a chance to spend some quality time with your furbaby. Whether you're already staying tucked inside on Halloween night, or whether you wait until after handing out candy, do consider getting cozy and festive with your kitty or pup. For example, you can cozy up with your kitty or pup on the couch and read a spooky story, if that's your kind of thing. Another option is to of course watch a spooky movie or TV show, if that strikes your fancy. Of course, as we mentioned yesterday, do keep in mind your furbaby's sense of hearing and comfort when selecting a scary movie and volume level. For something more calm yet spookily festive, consider sitting down with your furbaby to watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, or a certain famous orange tabby in Garfield's Halloween Adventure. Halloween night is of course also the perfect time to not only enjoy yourself some treats (of course without sharing anything toxic for your furbaby!), but to also give your kitty or pup any festive toys or treats that you got for them.

Halloween may sometimes be considered a night filled with tricks and terrors, but you and your furbaby can instead use it to spend some quality time together in a festive yet safe manner. So, cuddle up on the couch and spend some cozy and frightfully festive time with that furbaby! Happy Halloween!

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

The Pup Presents a Poem


Pup Astrid is still downright annoyed with the ghostly invader haunting our home. She can't even stand to look at him most of the time.


Astrid is at least glad this obnoxious little spooker means Halloween is just around the corner. After all, that means she'll be getting her extra special Halloween cookies in a matter of no time. Since she knows she'll be getting a tasty reward, Astrid actually agreed to share our weekly poem today.

Each week, we participate in Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.


Wait, though. It's not Thursday, is it? No, no it is not. We are indeed sharing our poem one day early. We hope our wonderful host doesn't mind. The reasoning for our schedule change is in large part simply because we'd like to keep our post tomorrow largely focused on the fact that it's Halloween. That's not to say our poem this week isn't a Halloween one, though. We still used this week's photo prompt, seen below, to try to think of something Halloweeny to rhyme up.


It sure took some thinking to sort out a way to work that cute image into a Halloween rhyme. If you'd like to see the insanely long, weird, and wacky result, feel free to read on.


Baby's Breath

Willa and Wanda knew a spell or two,
Though this was not something they just knew out of the blue.
The two gals had been witches their entire nine decades of life,
Which sometimes caused wonder and other times strife.
With the help of their feline familiars Orange and Black,
Willa and Wanda did all sorts of magical this and that.

Back in their heyday, Willa and Wanda had cast spells galore.
People came to them seven days a week and more.
Those days were in the past now, though,
A fact that made for feelings quite morose.
There was a different sentiment amongst the cats Orange and Black,
Who quite enjoyed retirement and the resulting naps.

As for Willa and Wanda, their hair was grey and their skin no longer supple.
Without glasses, they most often even saw double.
It was Willa who one day did say,
"I cannot take this any longer, nay."

"What are you blabbering on about?" Wanda asked.
She had just awoken from a nap and her voice was full of rasp.
"I don't want to be old and grey."
That was the reply Willa had to say.

Orange and Black both let out meows that revealed they were hard of hearing.
Willa said, "Don't argue, you two, just because you find old age endearing.
Wanda shook her head and threw her hands in the air.
She said, "We've tried everything, Willa. Maybe life's just not fair."
Willa waved a finger and let out a huff.
"I won't admit defeat," she said. "Enough is enough."

Willa disappeared for what might have been hours on end.
Wanda didn't know, because she and the cats took a nap for hours numbering ten.
When Willa came back, she held a dusty old book in her hands.
She said, "You won't believe how far I flew and to what lands.
More importantly, you won't believe what I've come to understand."

Willa plopped the big old book down on the table.
Dust and debris plumed off of it so that the ladies' breathing became unstable.
After coughing and spatting and wiping their nose,
Willa and Wanda were able to again feel more composed.
Orange and Black the cats now sneezed and spluttered.
They slapped at the book with paws that flapped and fluttered.

"Where did you find this dirty old thing?"
Wanda was of course doing the questioning.
"Somewhere," was the answer Willa did manage.
"I went near and far, but it might be Danish."

Then Willa took a step forward and opened the tome.
Through the crinkling old pages she did flip and roam.
"Good grief," she said, "where in tarnation is it?
Oh, there it is! Look! I found the spell that's just the right fit."

Willa pointed to the page on which she settled just then.
Wanda read the page's title: The Spell for Youth and the Prevention of Death.
"Haven't we tried all of these before?" Wanda asked.
Willa said, "Not this one, and I think it's up to the task."

"You know," Wanda said, "I really don't mind getting old.
Something wonderful happens to an aging soul."
Willa said, "Wanda, for goodness sake, look at you.
It's All Hallow's Eve, and in the sky hangs a full moon.
This used to be our time to fly and cast spells all about.
Now you're spending this magical day snoring on the couch."

"So, come on," Willa said with a clap. "Let's give it a try."
In response, Orange and Black hissed, spit, and cried.
Wanda said, "Willa, I think we just need to this matter lie."
"Why?" Willa said. "If we don't at least try, we'll die."
Wanda replied, "Life wouldn't be complete without the goodbyes."

Willa waved a dismissive hand in Wanda's direction.
"Suit yourself," Willa said. "but death is not my intention."
Willa scurried off and began rummaging through the kitchen.
"Where's the eye of newt?" she asked. "This brew requires a smidgen."

Wanda sighed, frowned, and shook her head.
Nevertheless, she told Willa, "It's behind the bread."
Then Willa couldn't find the pumpkin seeds or moldy boot.
Before Wanda knew it, she had her arms filled with the recipe's loot.
Orange and Black did their best to prevent all of this.
They ran between Willa and Wanda's legs, but each time they missed.

"What's the final ingredient?" Willa said, her own arms full.
Wanda juggled her pile and waddled to the table.
There is one final, crucial ingredient, on the page could be read.
It concluded, This ingredient is none other than baby's breath.
This ingredient must be properly measured to ensure freedom from death.
Add baby's breath to the brew in pinches that number seven.

Willa grabbed the baby's breath from the nearest cupboard.
Wanda said, "We'll have to use the big cauldron outside for a brew this absurd."
And so outside they went with their ingredients and spell book.
Only one neighbor was around, and they shot the old women a look.
Orange looked at the neighbor and twitched his tail,
While Black offered a growl, a hiss, and a wail.

Into the cauldron the witches threw in a smidgen of eye of newt,
Followed by a sprinkling of pumpkin seeds and dollop of moldy boot.
When it came to the baby's breath, Willa gave it a long look.
She shook her head and waved a disagreeing hand at the book.
Tilting the baby's breath bottle on its side,
She emptied it all into the brew that now boiled green and bright.

"What are you doing?" Wanda practically yelled.
"That wasn't seven pinches like the recipe instructed in that book of spells."
Willa waved it off and let out a grunt.
She said, "We're witches, Wanda,  we can make magic work how we want.
Baby's breath is sure to be the answer to our youthful desires,
So adding extra is sure to make our chances of success higher."

Willa stirred the brew once, twice, three times more,
Until it was a consistency that could be dipped and poured.
Willa pooled some in a ladle and gave it a taste.
Wanda did the same, not wanting her efforts to go to waste.
Orange and Black the cats leaned over the cauldron and sniffed.
Then they each went in for just a tiny lick.

At first not a single one of them noticed a thing.
"Rats!" Willa said. "Is it really not working?"
Then there was a sudden and strange difference in the world.
Willa wondered, Was the cauldron that big and tall before?

Orange and Black each let out a shriek.
A glance at them revealed they were now young little kitties.
Willa and Wanda then looked at each other,
And realized they looked an age still in need of their mother.

Indeed, Willa and Wanda were no longer old and grey.
They were babies who had to crawl on the ground to move and play.
Wanda tried to shout, "Willa, what have you done?"
Instead, it only came out as babbling, "Goo goo, ga ga, yum yum yum."


Happy Wednesday, friends! We'll see you tomorrow on Halloween!



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Halloween Tip of the Day

If you enjoy watching horror films or other similar movies for Halloween, keep your furbaby in mind when you adjust the volume. As you all certainly know, cats and dogs have impeccable hearing. A noise that sounds normal and tolerable to us might for them sound far more loud and uncomfortable. So, take into consideration your kitty or pup's heightened sense of hearing when watching movies, especially those with loud music, screams, and so forth. If you are watching a loud movie this Halloween, or any day of the year, be sure that your kitty or pup has a quiet area of the home, away from the television, where they can retreat should they wish to.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Tonks Tuesday Outtakes

Our reigning blooper queen is Eddy. That being said, there's a certain calico around here who comes in at a close second, and that calico is Tonks. What you're about to see is a series of bloopers that were snapped after I placed our resident ghostly ghoul next to a sleeping Tonks.










Whoa. Did you just see that up there? That's almost a clear shot. It's a Halloween miracle. Now, on with the bloopers.



I hope you didn't come here looking for quality shots of kitties today. You sure got some shots of a kitty, and even a ghost, but scarcely a single one of them was focused or full of quality. Sometimes my furbabies cooperate and give me opportunities to snap clear and sort of quality photos. That hasn't really been happening lately, though, which is why our blog is filled with all sorts of blur and bloopers these days.

Happy Tuesday!



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Halloween Doodle of the Day




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Halloween Tip of the Day

If you think it might be fun and festive for your furbaby to get in the Halloween spirit with a chocolaty treat, consider getting them some goodies made with carob. Carob is a chocolate alternative, and it can give items such as candy and baked goods an appearance and even flavor that is similar to chocolate. What's more, carob does not contain the component found in real chocolate that is toxic to cats and dogs. There are carob pet treats on the market, and even items such as cookies for furbabies are sometimes made with carob. So, if you think your kitty or pup might enjoy some chocolaty treats of their own while you enjoy some candy on Halloween, then consider the safe and festive alternative that is carob.

Monday, October 28, 2019

A Boy Named Talon on Mancat Monday

Roughly a week ago, a post of ours starred a certain kitty named Trapper. After recently mentioning that my parents have 12 cats, some of you friends of ours requested to meet this clowder of kitties. Trapper was the first of the 12 that we introduced in this unofficially official series of posts. Now, today, we're introducing you to Trapper's brother, Talon.


Just like Trapper, Talon is a litter mate of my girl Thimble, as well as of our housemate Toby. We've known these kitties since they were 3 weeks old. We bottle-fed them, and that's actually how Talon got his name. When tiny kitten Talon would see the bottle, he would start grabbing for it and try to pull it to his mouth before anyone else could get a turn. He would never fail to bring out his claws when grabbing for that bottle, and he was known to bloody the hand that fed him. The use of his claws during bottle time earned him the name of Talon.


Now 5 years old, Talon is an active and sweet boy who knows no stranger. Quite literally everyone and everything is his friend. It's a joke in the family that if a robber ever broke into my parents' home, Talon would greet them with open arms, and then show them to whatever they wanted like a proper host.

Though Talon is indeed exceedingly friendly and social with every single soul he meets, I'll admit that he can be a jealous little fella. If you give another cat too much attention, and if he thinks you're thereby ignoring him, Talon will use his namesake claws to drag your hand to him instead. Sometimes he'll also use his teeth to let you know that he needs 110% of your attention. He's also known to slap around whatever kitty you're petting instead of him.

Really, though, Talon is one awesome mancat. He's sugary sweet with a little sass on the side, and that's purrfectly fine with me. He loves everyone and judges no one, and I could learn a lot from him.

Happy Monday, friends!



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Halloween Doodle of the Day


Wouldn't it be frightfully fun to read a haunted tale by the light of a cat-o'-lantern?



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Halloween Tip of the Day

We mentioned yesterday considering getting your kitty or pup a festive new toy as a Halloween treat and distraction, of course as long as said toy is safe for your furbaby to use. Similarly, you can typically find your furbaby some Halloween treats of the edible kind. Some companies come out with specialty holiday treats, for example. In addition, many pet stores will sell cookies, at least those for pups, and oftentimes such cookies will include those designed and decorated for certain holidays, including Halloween.

You don't just have to go for store-bought goodies in order to give your kitty or pup something festive and tasty on days like Halloween, though. There are a great many treat recipes available online, including those festively made with pumpkin or those simply cut into festive shapes. I've even seen people go for simple yet effective holiday treats that merely include cutting a wedge of paté canned food into a festive shape, such as a pumpkin.

Many of the options for festive treats are aimed toward aesthetics that humans rather than furbabies will appreciate, but as long as the ingredients are safe, your kitty or pup can enjoy a tasty Halloween treat just as well. So, check labels or recipe ingredients to ensure any treats you select are safe for your individual furbaby, and then let them chow down on a festive Halloween treat on Halloween night. Of course, if your furbaby has any ailments or you have any concerns about feeding your kitty or pup certain treats, do consult your veterinarian.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Spooky Guest Selfies with Tocks on the Side

Today's selfies are all shades of silly with a bit of spooky thrown in there. What's more, some of the selfies co-stars some tocks. It is, after all, still Tocktober.



Winky sure gave that cat-o'-lantern something to look at. I find it a tad bit rude, though, that not a single furbaby here would give me a tock shot when asked for one back on the official day of Tocktober, but Winky will turn around and flash her tocks for a cat-o'-lantern she just met.

Anyway. That cat-o'-lantern has a couple of other selfies to share, these co-starring yet another friend.



Don't worry. I wasn't letting the furbabies hang around fiery pumpkins. There are battery-operated candles in the cat-o'-lantern and its friend. This is one of those times when I'm actually not a hypocrite and I manage to put one of my own "tips of the day" into practice.

Those silly, spooky shots up there are of course our contribution to the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop, hosted by the Kitties Blue over at The Cat on My Head.


Happy Sunday, friends!



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Halloween Doodle of the Day

I don't usually share flashback doodles on Sundays, as that's usually a Tuesday and Friday sort of thing. That being said, I decided to swap today and Tuesday, sharing a flashback doodle today and a new doodle on Tuesday. The main reason is that it's officially arts and craft fair season, and I spent the majority of this past week prepping some new crafts for this weekend's craft fair. I got a bit behind on the new doodles I'm working on in my sketchbook, therefore. And so, today we have for you a Halloween doodle we originally shared last year. It was the doodle in which I decided that our house panther housemates Toby and Winky would be dressing up for Halloween as a wizard and witch.


For the majority of this upcoming Halloween week, essentially all of our doodles will be brand new, and of course frightfully festive. If I'm being honest, our Halloween doodles might span into November a bit. That same thing happened last year, because I always plan and scribble up far more Halloween doodles than there are days in October. In truth, traditions such as Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) span into November, so we'll say our extended Halloween doodles are in honor of that.



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Halloween Tip of the Day

Do you want to give your furbaby an extra fun treat for Halloween? We're thinking most of you already know that pet stores typically offer festive toy options around the holidays, including Halloween. Nevertheless, we're reminding you to consider looking for the pet store's festive holiday section, or for festive options in the general toy aisle. If necessary and feasible, you can even use such festive new toys to help distract a furbaby who gets anxious or excited by the sounds and overall hustle and bustle of Halloween night festivities, such as trick-or-treaters visiting the house. Of course, if you are handing out candy, festive new toys should be given in a safe area of the home, away from the door. And, yet another caveat is to always check new toys for any potentially dangerous parts and pieces. You know your kitty or pup best, so when picking out new festive toys for them, always keep in mind their tendencies to chew on or eat certain toys. It's fun to be festive, but it's also very important to be safe.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Caturday Art

Shall we begin with the winner of our Halloween giveaway? Up for grabs was, as those of you who entered already know, a cat-o'-lantern pillow this here human's mom (the furbabies' grandma) sewed. The winner will also be receiving a couple of little surprises in the form of some Halloween kitty toys, and a little something I crafted at my art desk. The winner is a certain tortie and her mom, who we know are fellow fans of Halloween. Perhaps that's why the randomizer we used to draw a winner decided to select them. If you guessed that we're hinting that the winners are Mudpie and Melissa over at Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows, you'd be correct! We sure hope you enjoy your frightfully festive goodies, Mudpie and Melissa!

Now, of course we didn't forget about Athena's Caturday Art Blog Hop.


I've always enjoyed myself a fun yet frightful trick-or-treating scene. That's probably why I've already shared a few of them this Halloween season. Nevertheless, I have yet another one to share today. This time around, the doodle stars are a treat-seeking little witch and her kitty familiar.


When I pulled out my sketchbook this time, I wanted to scribble up a trick-or-treating scene that was a little more, I don't know, realistic?  Or perhaps the vibe I was going for might be better described as quaint? I have a tendency to doodle trick-or-treaters trick-or-treating down streets with nothing but haunted and dilapidated houses. That's good and Halloweeny, but did any of you ever walk up to a house that was clearly haunted, ring the bell, and ask for treats? I sure never did. So, I decided to doodle that there little witch and her kitty trick-or-treating in a friendlier neighborhood. Of course, I had to make it a friendly neighborhood properly decorated for Halloween, because obviously.

We hope you're all having a frightfully fantastic weekend!



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Halloween Tip of the Day

Today's tip in our Halloween series is one that we have given before on many different occasions. In case an unexpected escape happens on Halloween, such as if your furbaby gets out of the house when the door is opened for trick-or-treaters, be sure that they have ID on them. A collar tag and microchip with your contact information could potentially help a lost furbaby get back to you more easily and quickly. Of course, don't only make sure that your furbaby is wearing identification, but also make sure said contact info is up-to-date. If your address or phone number changes, do not hesitate to put the correct one on your kitty or pup's collar tag and to update their microchip information. No one ever wants to think about their furbaby getting loose and lost, but accidents can happen, especially on busy nights like Halloween. So, always err on the side of caution and have your furbaby identifiable in case of of an escape.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Friendly Fill-Ins and Photo Fails

It's another Friday edition, and we could not be more happy about that. As always, we'll kick it right off with the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. In case you missed the fill-ins statements yesterday, I'll share them again here. Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.


1. I didn't _________ until I _________.

2. I try to _________.

3. My fear of _________ keeps me from _________.

4. If I were a ghost, I would haunt _________.


My answer to these fill-ins are below in bold.

1. I didn't fully realize my fondness for specially abled furbabies until I experienced my angel Rosie's geriatric years.
(My calico angel Rosie lived to 21 years young. In her advanced years, she developed kidney disease, severe arthritis, pancreatitis, and even lost an eye. I had to give her many medications multiple times a day, including subcutaneous fluids every single day. I loved it. I found that her special requirements offered us precious bonding moments. I believe I can thank my Rosie for preparing me to care for my hind limb paralyzed boy Evan, and for helping me realize that my life would feel incomplete without specially abled furbabies, who certainly share with me as many benefits as I can offer them. Two months after Rosie passed away, I even sought out a specially abled furbaby to adopt, in my special Rosie's honor. That's how Eddy joined the family, with her neurologically induced spinning and tilting.)

2. I try to stay positive.
(Sometimes I succeed, which is of course the ideal scenario. Sometimes, though, I fail miserably. Fill-in #3 below addresses that a tad bit more.)

3. My fear of failure keeps me from diving in headfirst.
(Though I do try to combat and overcome self-doubt, I can't deny that I often have a fear of failure. I at times find myself wondering if I'll ever be able to achieve all of my goals and aspirations in life. This then prevents me from making real progress on said goals and aspirations, because I instead sit around fretting rather than cracking down and diving in. I've been working to improve myself in that regard. Many days I truly am able to muster up some much needed optimism and discipline, but there are still days that are all shades of pessimism and lack of progress. I think we all have those days, though, and those days are like nasty puddles of mud that you simply have to slog through until you reach the other side.)

4. If I were a ghost, I would haunt animal abusers.
(If I was the scary kind of ghost who truly haunted and frightened and shouted "Boo!", I'd want to focus my creepy existence on those who need to be scared a little. You know, like those who prey upon the innocent. If I was a friendly ghost like Casper, though, and if haunting simply meant doing friendly sorts of things, I'd probably just do what I already do every day and hang out with my furbabies and family. A little transparency couldn't stop me from lounging on the couch with my kitties and pup.)


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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The next bit of Friday fun is none other than the Pet Photo Fails! Blog Hop, hosted by Melissa and Mudpie of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows.


Our blooper star is, of course, Eddy. This time around, she went for some frightfully festive Halloween bloopers. I was actually trying to get Eddy to pose with a certain little ghost who floats around and takes up residents on some of the shelves in the house. I even tried to distract Eddy with treats in order to get her to pose with our spooky friend. The result was, of course, a collection of bloopers.


Forget about the Headless Horseman. Headless Eddy is obviously way better.


We actually have even more bloopers from this photo shoot. But, Eddy wants to wait to share some of them next week, when we'll certainly still be in the Halloween mood.

Eddy and all of us here are wishing you a frightfully festive Friday!



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Our Halloween giveaway ends today at 6 pm, Central Time in the US. Up for grabs is a little cat-o'-lantern pillow this here human's mom sewed.


Also in the giveaway are some frightfully festive kitty toys and a little something I'm crafting up at my art desk. Just visit our post from Tuesday and leave a comment on that post to enter to win. To go to that post, just click here. We'll announce the winner tomorrow, we'll contact them, and we'll send out the goods first thing next week.



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Halloween Doodle of the Day: Flashback Friday

Today's flashback doodle of course stars Eddy. More specifically, this doodle is the one in which I drew Eddy wearing her Halloween costume last year. Does anyone remember Eddy's scribbled up costume from last year? Anyone? Yes? No? Here you go:




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Halloween Tip of the Day

We've been giving all sorts of tips related to pet safety during trick-or-treating and other Halloween festivities. And, today, we have yet another tip related to that. Then again, it is almost Halloween, so perhaps it's permitted.

Today's tip is to help your kitty or pup get rid of some extra energy by engaging them in some form of activity before any Halloween festivities begin. This way, your furbaby would have less pent up energy and therefore less anxiety or frustration while they are tucked away somewhere safe while you hand out candy or celebrate this spooky holiday in another way. Helping your kitty or pup use up that extra energy of theirs could involve playing a game such as fetch with them, or directing their attention to interactive toys. If your fubaby is one who needs or likes walks, then you can also drain and prevent pent up energy by taking them for a walk prior to trick-or-treat hours. This would again enable them to release some of their energy before being secured in their safe room while you hand out candy. All in all, pent up energy can lead to issues such as anxiety or frustration in a cat or dog. This is why it might be a good idea to take your kitty or pup for a stroll, or to play with them in the house, prior to locking them up somewhere safe and away from the door on Halloween night.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

Happy Thursday! We'll do like we always do and kick off this post with a bit of a rhyme. Why? Because it's time for Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge!


Our host always courteously helps us along with a photo prompt. This week's image is this one here:


As I've mentioned the past couple of weeks, no matter the prompt, my Halloween-loving mind is determined to make all of my October poems ones relating in some way to Halloween. So, of course that meant I had to get some brainstorming done to sort that out for the image above. The result was yet another weird and wacky rhyme, and that rhyme is right here:


Frank

Francis was a boy of thirteen,
And he greatly wished to belong to the chess scene.
He enjoyed a game that challenged his mind,
And he sought out others of this same kind.

On one cool, crisp October night,
Francis found himself faced with a most exciting sight.
He was enjoying a walk with his cat when he saw a pair of old men.
They were playing a game of chess on a nearby park bench.

Francis made his way over straight away.
He asked the old men, "Might I be able to play?"
"No," the nearest old man said without hesitation.
He waved Francis away with his cane in a manner quite brazen.

Francis stood a few feet back,
Hoping to avoid the cane's painful smack.
"I know how to play, I promise," Francis told the old men. 
The same grumpy one gave him a hefty frown just then.

The other old man offered a shrug and a sigh.
He asked his cranky friend, "Would it be so bad to let the boy try?"
"Yes, it would," the cranky one practically shouted.
"No kids allowed," was what he then said about it.

Matters were only made worse for Francis soon after that,
When his cat Pumpkin jumped from his shoulder to wreak havoc.
The furry friend had caught sight of the chess pieces on the board,
And he quite clearly thought he had scored.
After all, he jumped onto the game like orange lightning,
Batting the pieces all around to the grumpy old man's disliking.

The friendlier of the two let out a laugh,
But the old man with an attitude had something else to say about that.
He waved a finger straight at Francis and did shout,
"We don't allow kids, or cats who run amok and all about!"
The kinder old man smiled and gave Pumpkin the cat a pat,
But then bid Francis farewell with a tip of his hat.

Francis gathered up Pumpkin and made his way home.
He no longer wished to play chess all alone.
He sat down and had himself a long think,
And that's when he remembered his grandpa Frank.

Francis ran down the hall and said to his mom,
"Trick-or-treating is tomorrow at dawn."
His mother nodded and said to her son,
"Yes, I am aware that Halloween is tomorrow, hon.
Did you change your mind and decide you want a costume?"
His mother was smart and had correctly presumed.

With his mother's help, Francis threw together a costume on Halloween.
When he looked in the mirror, he smiled at what he did see.
He grabbed his candy bucket and ran out the door.
The boy and purring Pumpkin earned candy, and more candy and more.

Having partaken in the festivities,
Having filled his bucket with candy on that Halloween,
Francis and his cat soon stood beneath a sky that, other than stars, was dark.
They then made their way to none other than the park.

As Francis approached, he caught sight of the two old men from before.
They were yet again playing an engaging game on their chessboard.
Francis petted Pumpkin but said,
"You stay here for a bit, buddy, while I go ahead.
I don't want that grumpy old man wishing you dead."

When Pumpkin settled himself for a nap in the grass,
Into the park Francis did walk, though not fast.
When he approached the old men and their game,
They both looked up and said, "Hello, good sir! What's your name?"

Francis straightened the collar of his grandpa's shirt.
As he pulled at the sweater and slacks, he did blurt,
"Frank. Frank is my name, old pals."
It would seem his mother had truly helped him look the part back at the house.
She even helped him put on a wig as grey as a mouse.
She also drew wrinkles on his forehead and around his mouth.

Before he knew it, Francis was playing the cranky old man in a game of chess.
He wouldn't let on that he was a kid, for the best.
He wanted proper adversaries to play,
And becoming his grandpa Frank was perhaps the only way.
He at least got to enjoy his candy as he played.
The old men even tasted the candy he pushed their way. 

The game was fierce and the opponent clever.
Francis was adept and knew the game well, however.
He was one move way from telling the grumpy old man, "Checkmate,"
When out of the bushes something dashed and darted their way.
It was Pumpkin, and he yet again landed right in the middle of the chessboard.
The pawns and rooks flew all about, and there was now no way to tell the score.

Francis grabbed his furry friend Pumpkin, who let out not one meow but four.
The grumpy old man pointed to the cat and shouted, "Wait just a minute!"
Then to Francis he said, "Is that you, kid, you sneaky little twit?"
The grumpy old man pulled at the wig Francis wore on his head.
It came off to reveal his dark hair instead.
Francis hoped the old man didn't leave him for dead.

The kinder old man stepped in, though.
He said, "Now you just settle down there, Mo.
I think we just got proof that age doesn't matter.
This boy almost had you beat, Mo, you mad hatter."

Grumpy old Mo scoffed and waved his cane in the air.
"Beginner's luck," he said. "I'm not scared."
"Then let him play again," the other old man said.
Mo mumbled and grumbled but agreed under his breath.

Can you guess what happened after that?
Francis beat old Mo, and he beat him three times as a matter of fact.
By then, Mo frowned but had something to admit.
He told Francis, "Clearly you know the game well enough to win.
Fine. Come back tomorrow night and we'll have a rematch."
Francis could not help but clap and smile at that.

And can you guess what happened after that?
Francis met the old men in the park every night, even with his Pumpkin the cat.
The old men played chess game after chess game with Francis from that day on.
They would play so late their eyes would droop as they yawned.

Truth be told, Francis proved himself the reigning champion.
It seemed he knew chess better than the two old men.
He was finally one day deemed a friend by grumpy old Mo,
Who even then deemed Pumpkin a furry friend rather than a foe. 




***

Now, of course, we're ready for Thimble and her Thankfuls. Thimble is of course always grateful for her forever home. She is especially thankful for some of her favorite rooms in said home.


Thimble is thankful for the little library we have in our house, which is indeed one of her favorite rooms. After all, it's where she can find not only her books, but also one of her favorite windows. That being said, the particular bookshelf you see in that there photo has, unfortunately, been used and abused by the resident human a bit too much. Thimble is not fond of that fact, as she likes everything in her library to be neat and tidy. Honestly, do you see how books are sloppily stacked all over that shelf? Thimble is not impressed. Don't worry, though, Thimble, because that bookshelf is on this here human's list of things to clean and sort. Hopefully Thimble can soon yet again be thankful for organized shelves in her library.



We're also, of course, thankful for friends like all of you!



***

Last but not least, we'll be sharing the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. Ellen of 15andmeowing crafted up the first two, and I came up with the second two.


1. I didn't _________ until I _________.

2. I try to _________.

3. My fear of _________ keeps me from _________.

4. If I were a ghost, I would haunt _________.




We'll see you tomorrow, friends!



***

Here's a quick reminder about our Halloween giveaway, which is open until tomorrow evening. Up for grabs is a little cat-o'-lantern pillow this here human's mom sewed, as well as some frightfully festive kitty toys and a little something I'm crafting up at my art desk. Just visit our post from Tuesday and leave a comment on that post to enter to win. To go to that post, just click here.



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Halloween Tip of the Day

Today's Halloween tip is to know your local area's trick-or-treat details in order to be prepared, whether or not you are handing out candy or otherwise joining in on the festivities. Two of the important things to know are when trick-or-treat hours are, and what indicates whether trick-or-treaters should come to your door. It's important to know these Halloween festivity details so that you can have your pup or kitty home from a walk before traffic increases, for example, or to have your black cats and other furbabies safely inside before people begin filling the streets in search of candy. If you are handing out candy, it's good to know trick-or-treat hours so that you can have your kitty or pup tucked securely away from the door before the first trick-or-treaters arrive. In many areas, a house with its post light on is one where trick-or-treaters can go for some loot. In the event that you're handing out candy, be sure to only have your post light on when you're furbaby is in a safe area of the home, again away from the door. If you are not handing out candy, it's of course still important to know the hours and other details of Halloween festivities in your area. This will ensure that you can have your post light off at the correct hours, in order to avoid knocks at the door or the doorbell ringing and scaring your furbaby needlessly. It's always good to be informed of the details of anything that might affect your furbaby, and that includes Halloween night festivities.