A Doggie's Day at the Dentist

A certain pup named Astrid is going to that dreaded vet place for a dental cleaning. That's probably why when I asked her to pose for a photo all she could do was hang her head and pout.

Well, at least you get a nice view of this pouty pup's ear, as well as the Christmas bow on her collar (because yes, she is still wearing her Christmas bow). Finding out she'd be spending the day at the vet left this girl simply too upset to look at the camera. Pouting was her only option.

Astrid's dental is just a routine one. Unless dental x-rays prove otherwise, Astrid's teeth simply need a bit of cleaning. She shouldn't need any extractions, at least as far as we know. Nonetheless, she is going under anesthesia and that does make this mom of hers anxious. I'll be a nervous wreck until the vet calls to say that all went well and that Astrid can go home.

Astrid hopes you all have a terrific Tuesday that, unlike her, doesn't involve a day at the vet!

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Doodle of the Day

Today's doodle doesn't appear to fit the season at all, but in a vague way it's actually sort of Christmasy. This is because it's a doodle I created and turned into a refrigerator magnet for my grandma and her husband for Christmas. They've always expressed enjoyment of my doodles, so each Christmas I create a little something just for them. My grandma's husband has a great fondness for cars and has had his own old race car for decades, and he actually still does some racing in. My grandma and her husband also have two Boston terrier dogs and a very friendly and social cat who all travel with them when they go on racing trips. With all that in mind, I scribbled up this doodle for my grandma and her husband for Christmas:

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Tip of the Day

Today's discussion on shelters for outdoor ferals in the winter is to make sure you regularly check said shelters, to ensure that they are in good condition. Such checks should include looking for leaks and making sure that the shelter is dry inside. It is also, of course, important to look for broken or loose parts and pieces. These sorts of checks are especially important after storms or high winds, in order to ensure that no parts of the shelter broke loose or are posing a risk to the cats using the shelter.

In addition to regularly checking outdoor cat shelters for damage, also check to make sure that the shelters are clean and as sanitary as possible. If you are using straw as bedding in the shelter, regularly check it for dirt or excrement, and determine if it needs replaced or replenished. If cloth bedding material is being used, regularly check to make sure that it is dry and clean, and remedy it if it is not. There are many factors that go into maintaining a comfortable and clean shelter for ferals, also of course including food availability. So, if you are caring for outdoor cats, try to regularly check shelters to ensure that all is well and safe for potential inhabitants.