Friendly Fill-Ins and Photo Fails

Who's happy it's Friday? We sure are. This is in part because Friday means it's time for the Friendly Fill-Ins. If you'd like to participate but missed the fill-in 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. My favorite quote is _________.

2. My favorite part of February is _________.

3. A little known fact about me is _________.

4. _________ is the most rewarding experience in the world.


My answers are below in bold.

1. My favorite quote is, "Not all those who wander are lost."
(I have way more than one favorite quote. I collect quotes like I collect cats, because I feel like words can hold a lot of power. Though I have roughly a gazillion favorite quotes, I chose the one I did here in part because it's the creation of one of my favorite authors, J.R.R. Tolkien. I also chose it because I first read it many, many years ago, way back when I was a kid in school, when I was contemplating my future, and it helped me realize that not knowing my destination didn't mean I was lost.)

2. My favorite part of February is pup Astrid's birthday.
(Did you expect me to say Valentine's Day? I'm not a Valentine's Day kind of gal. I do have a pup with a February birthday, though, and that's of course my favorite day of February. This here human's sister also has a February birthday, and I have all of her birthday gifts ready to go, but I'll brutally and honestly admit that I find far more joy in celebrating furbabies' birthdays. And don't worry, because pup Astrid's birthday gifts are also ready to go.)

3. A little known fact about me is that my first childhood pets were birds.
(Just one or two years before my parents adopted my childhood cats, Rosie and Sammy, my family had budgie birds. We first had a beautiful and sociable blue budgie named Pippin. After he passed away, we had two other budgies named Robin and Sweet Pea. They were all very sweet.)

4. Adopting a furry friend is the most rewarding experience in the world.
(Providing a forever home to a cat, dog, or any companion animal is a win-win situation for everyone involved. I think most of you already know this well.)

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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It's the day of the Pet Photo Fails! Blog Hop, hosted by Mudpie and Melissa of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows.

As always, my blooper queen Eddy is ready to share some blurry shots with you all.  So, how about some up close and personal Eddy bloopers?

Eddy and all of us here hope you have a fantastic Friday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback is one that proves that my doodling style and subject matter have in many ways not changed at all over the past year. Around this exact time last year I shared the doodle below, and it looks a lot like some of the doodles I still scribble up today. Perhaps my doodle and I have officially become sticks in the mud.

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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 be 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.

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

Hello and happy Thursday! It's time for Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge, and we're ready to rhyme.

Our host always helps us out by offering a photo prompt. This week's prompt is this fun image here:

I'm always intrigued by photos that give a glimpse into history, and this one certainly does that. That being said, most of you probably know that I do like trying to fit a kitty or other furry character into my poems. This week of course was no different, and so that photo above somehow eventually led me here:

Teacher's Pet

Miss Bumble lived to inspire and teach,

And so she taught children the likes of math, reading, and speech.

Miss Bumble enriched the minds of students in her one-room schoolhouse,

Always wearing a smile and a bright and happy blouse.

Teaching was not Miss Bumble's only compassion.

She was also a cat lady, which showed in her fashion.

She oft wore skirts and shirts adorning all sorts of cat prints.

She even wore cat eye glasses that helped her not squint.

Though Miss Bumble enjoyed when class was in session,

Most of her students deemed lunch and recess their favorite lesson.
The schoolchildren always looked forward to that time,
When the lunch bell would ding, dong, and chime.

On one particular bright and sunny day,
The children ran outside to scream and play.
The usual went on with Hetty, Joan, and Hope,
The three girls hopping and skipping over their jump rope.

The far more exciting events, though, went on elsewhere.
The highlight of recess occurred in the area with all the squares.
As in, a game of hopscotch was set up by Lisa and Sally,
Using chalk as pink as strawberry taffy.

But hopscotch came to a halt in the very first round.
After all, there suddenly came a strange little sound.
There was a squeaky mew and then a meow,
And the source of this revealed itself as a fluffy, striped cat of brown.

The cat emerged from the bushes but a couple yards away.
It strutted, stopped in a hopscotch square, and there it did stay.
"Where'd this cat come from?" little Timmy asked.
Lisa shrugged and said, "I was also wondering exactly that."

Hetty said, "He looks skinny, doesn't he?
I bet you he's really, very quite hungry."
Someone grabbed a tuna sandwich from their lunch pail,
And the cat gobbled the fishy flavor down in quite an inhale.

The cat tolerated being petted and held.
When the cat was offered food it responded especially well.
After some time, the cat again sat in a hopscotch square,
Where it spent the rest of recess with a bath and a wandering stare.

When the bell rang, announcing the resumption of Miss Bumble's class,
Sally said, "We can't just leave the cat sitting there like that."
And so, they called out, "Looky here, Miss Bumble, looky!
There's something here you really need to see!"

The children knew this turn of events would not make Miss Bumble mad.
On that day their teacher even wore a purple dress with a pattern of cats.
Listening to her students' pleas for her to come hither,
Miss Bumble made her way over and saw their new friend, furry and whiskered.

"My goodness, what have we here?" Miss Bumble asked.
She crouched down and slowly extended a hand to the cat.
The feline showed not even an ounce of fear,
But instead rubbed Miss Bumble's hand with its face and ears.

The teacher smiled and let out a happy laugh.
She said, "Oh, what a sweet and lovely little cat!"
She turned to her students and asked a question or two.
The children all chimed in and said, "This little kitty just showed up out of the blue."
"It settled right in that there hopscotch square."
"It looks so skinny under all that hair."
"It ate my tuna sandwich as if it was hungrier than a bear."

Miss Bumble responded, "The poor little thing!
It looks like it's been through a lot, the little darling."
And then, just like that, Miss Bumble scooped the cat up in her arms.
She said, "Let's make sure it never knows any fear or harm."

The cat purred and purred as Miss Bumble carried it into the schoolhouse.
Over her shoulder she called out,
"Come now, children, let's all get inside."
They all obeyed with excitement and delight.

That afternoon, the children could hardly focus on anything but their new furry friend.
Miss Bumble knew how the rest of the lessons would best be spent.
That afternoon, the children learned all about cats.
Miss Bumble was more than happy to accommodate that
A great many feline questions were asked by Jack, Sarah, and Petey,
Miss Bumble taught the children all about the behavior, diet, and care of the feline species.

On that day, the cat became the teacher's pet,
In a really, truly, most literal sense.
Miss Bumble looked for anyone who might have lost this sweet cat,
But no one stepped forward, and so it joined her family just like that.

Miss Bumble oft brought the cat with her to school,
Where its presence often lit the children's spirits like fuel.
On that first day the cat spent in class,
Miss Bumble asked, "Would you children like to help me name our sweet little cat?"

Names upon names were shouted out and suggested
With ideas ranging from Fluffy, to Whiskers, and even to Precious.
It was young Hope who finally shouted, "Hopscotch!"
Miss Bumble clapped and said, "I think we have a winner, do we not?
Hopscotch. I think that name is quite perfect and top-notch."

***

As always, Thimble has some Thankfuls to share on this Thursday.

Thimble is grateful that her toesies are so cute and adorable. She also simply has to admit that she's thankful for what her sharp little claws allow her to do. Of course, she wasn't so glad when those claws of hers were trimmed shortly after this toesies shot was snapped.

As always, we're also so very thankful for this wonderful community and all of you in it!

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Last but not least, how about we share the Friendly Fill-Ins statements for tomorrow? Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.


1. My favorite quote is _________.

2. My favorite part of February is _________.

3. A little known fact about me is _________.

4. _________ is the most rewarding experience in the world.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

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.

Woof Woof Wednesday

Astrid has a favorite spot on the couch. It's the entire couch. That's her favorite spot. The entire couch. Sharing is not her thing.

At the same time, Astrid also proclaims herself to be a mighty fine watch dog.

So, sometimes Astrid snoopervises the neighbors out the window even while resting in her favorite spot that is the entirety of the couch.

I'm surprised Thimble isn't on the pillow in the window in this photo. Thimble almost always has the front row seat when it comes to snoopervising the neighbors. And there was lots of snoopervising going on the other day, because the neighbors were bringing home their newborn baby, who is also their fourth child.

Happy Wednesday!

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Doodle of the Day

Oh look, another weird, wacky, witchy winter doodle.

If you look closely, there actually is a dog in this doodle for Woof Woof Wednesday.

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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.

Some Toesies and a Tail on Tuesday

I asked Tonks to strike a pose or two for today. This time around, though, my little calico informed me that she wasn't interested in having her photo taken. That being said, I did steal a photo of some of her toesies and her tail.

When Tonks realized I was sneaking in some shots of her cute little toesies, though, she put an end to that.

Tonks hopes none of you friends of hers have to put up with a human or camera stealing shots of your toesies. Can you believe this here mom of Tonks was so rude? Sheesh.

We hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is another one from last year's winter series. This series was nothing like the wacky witchy one I've been sharing over the past few days. The wintry series of doodles from last year was more like this:

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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 humane 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 your best to seek help for them.

A Purrfect Fit on Mancat Monday

Evan found himself a box.

It's obviously a purrfect fit.

Wishing you all a marvelous Monday! Find yourself a nice box to snooze in. Evan says it's totally worth it.

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Doodle of the Day

As mentioned yesterday, we're doing a witchy winter series of doodles. I'm more or less looking at some of the witchy doodles I created during the Halloween season and transplanting them to winter settings. Makes perfect sense, huh?

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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.

Selfies Upside Down

The other day we shared a silly little photo of Tonks striking a silly little pose. Guess what? Tonks decided to strike a couple more silly poses for you all.

Tonks hopes you all enjoyed her upside down selfies. She did have to ask this mom of hers for a little help snapping them, since she was, after all, upside down. And Tonks would have faced the camera, but she sort of got all turned around.

Warm wishes!

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Doodle of the Day

I mentioned yesterday that, to go with the spooky winter doodles I've been scribbling up, I decided to create some that star a witch and her kitty familiars. Back in October I shared a Halloween series of doodles starring such a witch and her kitty familiars. So, I decided recreate some of those doodles in a winter setting. It just seemed like the thing to do. Here's the first weird and wacky witchy winter doodle:

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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.

Caturday Art

I am admittedly still in the mood to draw up some sort of spooky winter doodles. These doodles are probably all starting to blend together, but this type of doodling is what's really inspiring me these days. Halloween doodles have always been my favorite to scribble up, followed by Christmas ones, so these slightly spooky doodles with a winter setting are really making me look forward to every drawing session. So, indeed, here's another one.

I've learned that in order to truly look forward to and enjoy my time with my sketchbook, I have to allow myself to doodle what I'm inspired to doodle. In years past I would find myself drawing what I thought was more common or normal or whatever you might call it, but then I'd lose sight of my muse. To keep hold of that muse, I now know that I just need to draw what I feel inspired to draw. For now, that's wacky winter doodles. Can you believe that I even have a couple of winter doodles coming up that star a witch and her cat familiars? I'll admit that probably sounds good and weird, but I'm rather excited about these doodles nonetheless. I hope you all enjoy them in some way, shape, or form.

Warm wishes, friends!

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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 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.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello and happy Friday! It's time for the Friendly Fill-Ins. If you'd like to give them a go but missed the fill-in statements yesterday, I'll share them again below. Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. I am particular about _________.

2. My _________ is _________.

3. _________ is a moment I will never forget.

4. Have you ever heard of _________?


My answers are below in bold.

1. I am particular about the texture of food.
(I try not to be a picky eater, but when it comes to texture, I am admittedly and unfortunately picky. Except for when it comes to spicy dishes, flavor isn't often what drives me away from a food. It's almost always texture. My weird food texture issues are why I can't stand to eat the likes of mushrooms, olives, sauteed onions, Thanksgiving stuffing, and whatever the slimy mess is that's the result of me trying to cook rice.)

2. My priority is my furbabies.
(They are always my priority. I'm certainly not a perfect cat mom or dog mom, but at the end of the day, the health and happiness of my kitties and pup is my main focus. I want them to have the best life possible, because they deserve it.)

3. Meeting my angel Rosie for the first time is a moment I will never forget.
(I was 4 years old when my parents adopted calico Rosie and her tuxedo brother Sammy. My mom and I were the first two to meet them. My dad was at work and my sister, who is one year older than me, was at kindergarten. My mom took me with her when she found out a local veterinary clinic had two kittens needing adopted, as our family was looking to adopt two kittens. My 4-year-old self was too short to see into the topmost cage the kittens were in, but I was wearing a red ribbon in my hair, and Rosie reached through the bars of their cage and grabbed it. I certainly don't remember everything from when I was 4 years old, but I remember that moment. I still have that red ribbon. I keep it in my angel Rosie's keepsake box.)

4. Have you ever heard of the cat who faded away because they could see the bottom of their food bowl?
(A certain black cat named Winky told me the story of a cat like this. Do you think I should believe her?)

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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Your Eddy fix on this Friday comes in the form of photos turned into an animation. Google creates these animations for me sometimes since I store my photos in the Google Drive. Today's animated photos go along with one of the images I shared of Eddy last week, when you saw how she and Evan like to keep me company in bed at night. Because the photos were taken at night, the lighting is completely artificial and atrocious. But, the photos contain cats, so there's that.

As a bit more explanation, Eddy loves Evan. He is the only cat Eddy actually likes. That being said, she also sort of trolls him. For example, Eddy loves to wake Evan up when he's sleeping, such as by poking him or sometimes outright slapping him. In the photos you'll see in the animation below, Eddy was caught reaching out to a snoozing Evan, who remained blissfully unaware of Eddy's attempt to disrupt his sleep.

Do you see what Eddy tried to do there? That was actually a very mild version of what she does to Evan nearly every night. She likes to wait until Evan's snoozing, and then she pokes, slaps, and sometimes even pounces him. Evan is usually pretty good at ignoring her, but if he's in a certain mood he will fight for his right to sleep.

Warm wishes to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Earlier this week I shared some flashback doodles inspired by my angel Rosie. I realized I had one more wintry doodle in the same realm as those other doodles, though this one isn't in that exact same series of doodles. So, here's yet another flashback doodle inspired by my angel Rosie and the friendship she always offered me.

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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.

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

We want to begin this post by honoring Millie of 15andmeowing, who gained his angel wings early this week.

Our purrs, woofs, prayers, and thoughts are with Ellen and her entire family. Millie is the 5th kitty they've said goodbye to over the past year. We pray that the rest of 2020 brings Ellen and her entire family nothing but health and happiness. Please visit Ellen at 15andmeowing to share your condolences and good thoughts.

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It's Thursday, which means we're here to rhyme. It is, after all, the day of Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.

Each week, our host shares a photo prompt to guide our attempts at poetry. This week's image is this daunting one here:

I always try to incorporate animals, most often cats, into my poems. That's perhaps why the image above first brought to my mind Unsinkable Sam. We've mentioned this amazing kitty on our blog a couple times before. In short, Unsinkable Sam was a World War II era tuxedo cat who survived the sinking of three ships before being retired to land. I didn't want to sully Unsinkable Sam's story by trying to retell it in a poem, so I instead decided to let Unsinkable Sam more loosely inspire my poem this week. And so that's where this came from:

Lucky Louie

Once upon a time there was a ship in the night.
It drifted at sea as it waited for daylight.
However, the sun threatened to never peek over the horizon.
Instead, storm clouds rolled in and the sea's waves started rising.

The sea began to lash and bash against the ship.
The sea was relentless as it thrashed and whipped.
The waves gained strength as they rolled and foamed.
Overhead, more and more angry clouds formed and domed.

It became a dire situation requiring all hands on deck.
Someone shouted, "The storm rolled in so fast. What the heck!"
One member of the crew was a man named George,
Who grabbed the ship's railing to keep from being tossed overboard.

Watching the frothing waves rise higher and higher,
George realized the situation was now more than dire.
"I'm going to fetch Louie!" George did shout.
"During the last storm, his luck helped us out."

There was another member of the crew named Peter.
Unlike George, this Peter was far from a believer.
Peter said, "Good grief, George, what good will that do?
You know you're delusional, don't you?
You put far too much faith in that cat.
Besides, how can he be a lucky cat when he's unlucky black?"
George only shook his head and said, "I've never heard words as stupid as that."

George then did what he had said he would do.
He ran into the ship's cabin where slept the crew.
The only one snoozing at this time was none other than Louie,
Who woke up with frazzled whiskers and a grunt somewhat moody.

"We need your help, Louie!" George said as he scooped up the cat.
"You're our lucky charm, and we need good luck, that's a fact!"
Louie the black cat nearly fell back asleep in George's arms.
That all changed, though, when on the deck thunder sounded like an alarm.

Louie looked all about and a yawn burst from his mouth.
He watched as more storm clouds rolled in from the south.
Then a wave splashed onto the ship and got his black fur wet,
Which Louie immediately took that as an unforgivable threat.
He shook it off and looked at the sea with a growl,
And then he looked up at the grumbling sky with a scowl.

There was a roll of thunder and a flash of lightning,
And a then few more waves reached heights beyond frightening.
Then, suddenly, the clouds overhead began to part.
To either side of the sky overhead they did dart.
Then, in a similar way the crashing waves also did part.
Like the clouds overhead, to either side of the ship they did retreat in a dart.

The ship's path was now perfectly clear.
There was no threat of danger and no need to fear.
"Now what did I tell you, Peter?" George said.
He gave Louie a pet and a pat on the head.
Peter turned his head, surely in shame.
Anyone who would deny Louie to be lucky was really quite lame.

George said, "Louie has more than proven himself our lucky cat.
There's clearly nothing unlucky about a fantastic feline of black."
Indeed, this was neither the first nor last time Louie brought luck to the ship.
For this reason and more, he was happily welcomed on every sea trip.
He was the only member of the ship's crew allowed to sleep on duty,
Because he was the one and only Lucky Louie.

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Thimble is of course now ready to share some Thankfuls on this Thursday.

In case you can't tell from that there photo, some of Thimble's favorite things are her beloved window, the warm and cozy sunshine, and belly rubs. She's always grateful to have any or all of those wonderful things. And don't worry, because directly after this photo was taken Thimble got the belly rub she wanted. I'm always happy to oblige that request.

As always, we're also always so very thankful for all of you friends of ours!

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And now we have for you the 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 am particular about _________.

2. My _________ is _________.

3. _________ is a moment I will never forget.

4. Have you ever heard of _________?

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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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.

Woof Woof Wednesday

Today's photo of pup Astrid could very well be considered a blooper. It's blurry, it's overexposed, it's seasonally confused, and all that awesome jazz. But, it's currently the only one I have at my disposal to show you what I want to show you. You see, I realized recently that I don't think I've ever, or at least that I've only rarely, shown you guys Astrid's 3-toed foot. Wanna see it?

As some of you might remember, back in October of 2017, Astrid had to have the outer toe of her back right foot removed due to a cancerous growth. Astrid never seems to notice that she's missing a toe on the foot, and her ambulation didn't change one bit after her toe was removed. This could be because, for some harmless congenital reasons, Astrid's back right leg is slightly shorter than her back left leg. Therefore, her weight goes on the inner part of that foot when Astrid walks, which means losing the outermost toe didn't bother her at all. She hardly used that toe anyway.

For those who might now be wondering, Astrid has been cancer-free since October of 2017. That makes this here mom of hers very, very happy. So many of you purred, woofed, prayed, and sent good thoughts her way back in those worrisome days. Clearly, you all helped her get back to 100%. We thank you for that!

Oh, and do you see the cat-o'-lantern pillow hanging out in that blurry photo of Astrid and her 3-toed foot? Can you believe that cat-o'-lantern is present despite the fact that this photo was snapped on Christmas Day? I've told you I'm quite the fan of Halloween, and that means that certain Halloween decor simply never gets put away at my house. That cat-o'-lantern pillow my mom sewed for me is one piece of decor that will always be out and about in my house all year round.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

This will be the fourth day in a row we've shared a flashback doodle from last winter. This is because I pulled a muscle in my neck and shoulder and had to put aside my sketchbook for a few days. I'm right as rain now, though, and our usual schedule of 5 new doodles and 2 flashback doodles per week should resume tomorrow.

As for today's flashback doodle, it stars pup Astrid and a kitty cup. Remember the flashback doodle we shared last week of Winky enjoying a hot drink from a cat mug? Well, it would seem pup Astrid borrowed that mug to have a warm drink herself.

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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.

Tonks Tuesday

Sometimes you ask your calico to pose for a picture. Sometimes her response is this:

Silly little Tonks hopes you all enjoy her creative pose. I might be biased, but I kind of think Tonks is really, really adorable. She sure has a big personality, which may or may not be evident in the photo above.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

This is another flashback doodle from last year's wintry series inspired by my angel Rosie. Rosie was and always will be my best friend. As I sort of mentioned a couple days ago, I always enjoyed spending my childhood as well as my adulthood winters with Rosie, as well as with my other furbabies. The cold weather outside allowed for reading sessions, cuddle sessions, and other cozy time spent indoors with Rosie and the rest of the furry crew.

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Tip of the Day

The mixture of cold air outside and dry heat inside during the winter months can lead to skin that is dry, itchy, and flaky. For this reason, it could very well be a good idea to keep a humidifier going in your house, to help keep the air and your furbaby's fur and coat as moist and comfortable as possible. Do be sure to keep in mind your kitty or pup's activity level and favorite areas to play or run when placing the humidifier, though, in order to avoid spills and other risks that might come with a humidifier. In a strategic, safe, and secure place, though, a humidifier can help keep the air moist and a cat or dog free of the discomfort of dry skin and coat.

It's also worth it to note that another way to reduce your furbaby's dryness and itchiness in the winter is to minimize or eliminate baths, as well as to dry them off when they come indoors and are wet with snow or rain. Brushing them regularly can also stimulate the natural oils of their skin, which can further help keep their fur and skin from drying out. If you do notice your kitty or pup's skin and coat is dry and itchy during the winter, and especially if you cannot get an easy handle on it, you can certainly discuss the issue and further solutions with your veterinarian.

Mancat Monday

Since Evan got to star in yesterday's selfie, he agreed to let another mancat star in this week's Mancat Monday post. This other mancat is another orange tabby, and he's one we've introduced before. Who remembers Foggy?

Foggy is one of my parents' 12 cats. He is a big boy, and he's as sweet as sugar. When I visit my parents' house, Foggy more often than not greets me and bids me farewell in the front window.

I apologize for the glare in the window in these photos. It was obviously quite sunny when I snapped these shots. That certainly made for a beautiful day, but it also posed quite a challenge when it came to photographing handsome Foggy through a glass window. But, we thought you all would still enjoy seeing this handsome ginger boy. So, here you go.

Foggy and all of us here wish you a happy Monday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

As I mentioned yesterday, the next couple of days will all be flashback doodles. The majority of these flashbacks are in one particular series of wintry doodles I scribbled up last year. These flashback doodles were inspired by my angel Rosie, my sweet calico kitty who kept me company from the time I was 4 until I was 26 years old.

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Tip of the Day

Today's winter tip is one that is probably rather logical, and that you all very likely already know. This tip is to refrain from shaving your kitty or pup in the winter, especially a shave close to the skin. The truth is, it is always best to refrain from cutting your furbaby's fur to the skin. In the winter, one reason their fur is crucial is because it helps insulate heat. Similarly, though, a cat or dog's fur can insulate cool air when it's hot outside, making it equally important in the summer. Of course, in the case of severe mats, thick fur that causes overheating in the summer, or other extenuating circumstances, a shave might be required or beneficial. That being said, though, it is best and safest for your furbaby to never shave their fur down to the skin. That fur serves far more purposes than one, including insulating both warm and cool air, depending on the time of the year.

A Camouflaged Sunday Selfie

Due to his gorgeous orange fur, I sometimes feel like Evan is my easiest furbaby to photograph. When he sits in a window and the sunlight hits him, it's like he just glows. The camera loves his orange fur in such instances. On the other hand, due to his orange fur, sometimes Evan camouflages with his home environment.

Evan's orange fur is a bit paler than some other ginger kitties' coats. His slightly pale orange coat sometimes allows Evan to blend in with the tan walls in our house, somewhat evidenced in his selfie for today. He is also very good at camouflaging with the hardwood floors in the house. I can't count how many times I have nearly tripped over this boy because I didn't realize he was sitting on the hardwood floor at my feet.

Do any other kitties out there like to camouflage with walls or floors? Does it ever keep the humans or that silly camera away? Does it allow you to better ambush unsuspecting victims?

Happy Sunday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I thought I'd note that for the next couple of days you'll only be seeing flashback doodles. Most of these will be doodles in one particular wintry series I scribbled up last year. The reason for this stint of flashback doodles is that early last week I pulled a muscle in my neck and dominant shoulder, and things like looking down and writing or drawing were not all that easy to do. I had to set my sketchbook aside for a number of days, and so no new drawings were created in that time. I'm pretty much back to my normal, mobile self now, though, and so I'll finally get to create the new drawings I have all planned out. I'll be doodling those up in the days that I'm sharing the upcoming flashbacks.

The above rambling aside, below is the first flashback doodle in the series we're re-sharing from last year. This doodle and the others in this series were inspired by my angel Rosie. For those who might not know or might not remember, Rosie was the calico kitty who was in my life from the time I was 4 until I was 26 years old. From my childhood to my adulthood, Rosie was and always will be the unconditional best friend by my side and in my heart and mind.

Though I of course never made Rosie sit on a cold park bench to read with me in the snow, Rosie did indeed keep me company on every single winter break I ever had, from kindergarten through my senior year of college. A lot of reading was done during those breaks, and Rosie of course kept me company as I flipped through the pages. She and I went through so many bookish adventures together.

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Tip of the Day

Today's winter safety tip regards none other than frozen water. If you and your furbaby go out for walks, be careful of frozen ponds, lakes, and so forth. If you live or walk in an area where there is any sort of body of water, be very careful that you are aware of its location. Snow and ice can easily camouflage the frozen surface of water, beneath which danger awaits. To be better safe than sorry, simply avoid walking in areas where you know or think there are ponds, lakes, or any body of water. It is of course also safest to keep your walking pup or kitty on a leash and near to you, so that they cannot stray far and inadvertently find themselves on or in frozen water. A white winter scene can be beautiful, but also holds many dangers. Be aware of these dangers, and plan walks and other activities with your furbaby accordingly.