A Sunny Toesies Tuesday Meeting

When two of the furbabies around here found themselves fighting over a sun puddle, they ultimately decided to switch gears and join forces to have a toesies convention.

Not all of Tonks or Evan's toesies agreed to show off their cute little beans, but look at all those toesies nonetheless. Though I don't see it ever happening—at least not without a fair amount of blood, sweat, and tears—I'd love a photo showcasing all of my furbabies' toesies in one place at the same time. Is anyone else absolutely obsessed with cute and furry toesies? I'm thinking quite a few of you probably are.

Happy Tuesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today will be our last day of flashback doodles for a while. After all, April is the month of the A to Z Challenge, and that means lots of new doodles throughout the month. For our final flashback fairy tale doodle, how about the one that stars all seven of the furbabies in our house? Who remembers this princess and her seven something or others?

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Tip of the Day

Today is the last day of National Pet Poison Prevention Month. Since Easter is just around the corner, we're going to give you a summary of what Easter items to keep away from your furbaby, so that they do not end up at the emergency clinic around this springtime holiday.

First, keep those Easter lilies away from your kitties and pups! There are a number of lily types that are toxic to furbabies, Easter lilies being one of the most dangerous. Any part of the Easter lily can be toxic, even the pollen. Lily toxicity can lead to any number of life-threatening side effects, one of them being acute kidney failure. As you surely already know or can guess, it is simply safest to keep any and all lilies out of the home, well out of reach of your kitty or pup.

Other Easter goodies to keep away from your furbaby include chocolate, which is also toxic, as you all certainly already know. Don't forget the danger that other candies can pose as well, such as the sugar-free sort containing toxic xylitol. If you are giving or receiving Easter baskets that contain candies such as these, keep them well hidden away, so that hungry or curious furbabies cannot help themselves to a toxic snack.

It is also worth it to noting the danger of Easter grass. This stringy grass-like material often used as a filler in Easter baskets can be dangerous if ingested by a kitty or pup. It can lead to emergencies such as intestinal blockage, perforation, or laceration. Try not to use any such materials in Easter baskets. If you receive a basket with this dangerous fake grass material, keep it well out of your furbaby's reach and dispose of it safely.

Mancat Monday

Evan hoped he might make some of his friends out there smile by showing off his whiskers. And his eye. And his nose. And those stunning tabby stripes of his.

Evan hopes his handsome face cheered some of you up! Happy Monday to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We're almost finished sharing our flashback fairy tale doodles that we first shared last year. Our penultimate flashback below is probably an obvious one.

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Tip of the Day

Today we have another precautionary safety tip for National Pet Poison Awareness Month. This simple tip is to be aware and cautious of where in your home you put anything that might contain potentially poisonous items. For example, if you keep medications, food, makeup, art supplies, or other similar items in your backpack, purse, briefcase, lunchbox, or other carrying container, be sure to keep this out of reach of your kitty or pup. When you come home after work or school, put your bag in a closed closet, or on a hook or shelf where your furbaby cannot reach. This will help keep them from sneaking into your bag and getting into any dangerous medications, snacks, or other similar items that you might have left in there.

In this same line of thought, always be cautious where you put your groceries when you come home from shopping. We might bring home any number of food items, cleaners, or other products that contain potentially poisonous ingredients. So, do not leave any such grocery bags or products unattended, but instead be sure to put all groceries and other potentially toxic items securely out of reach as quickly as possible. If need be, for safety's sake, you can block your kitty or pup out of the room that contains the groceries, at least while you're tucking them safely away. 

All in all, this is just yet another tip reminding you to always take any and all details into consideration when it comes to your furbaby's health and safety. We may see our purse or a bag of groceries as safe, but for your furbaby it might not be. So, as always, think ahead and take any necessary precautions, no matter how big or how small, to keep that kitty or pup of yours safe and sound.

Flashing Light Selfies

Evan was hoping to snap a calm, soothing, snoozing selfie for today. So, he curled up next to his mom on the couch and prepared himself. The problem, though, is that this here mom of his turned on the television. That annoying box with moving pictures did nothing but flash lights on poor Evan as he tried to snooze and snap selfies. Isn't that rude? Here, see the rudeness for yourself.

Doesn't Evan look so cozy? That was before the TV was turned on. As soon as that annoying box with flashing lights and moving pictures was clicked on, it did nothing for poor Evan's lighting.

See? Do you see those lights flashing all over Evan? He even got an animation of all the flashing lights on his poor face as he tried to snooze.

Isn't that so rude! How can a boy snooze and snap selfies with these sorts of annoyances? Evan wants to know if the rest of you kitties have to put up with such obnoxious human habits as television watching? He hopes you all have naps and photo shoots far less interrupted than his!

Happy Sunday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm still chipping away at my doodles for April's A to Z Challenge. In case you missed our announcement yesterday, our doodles for the alphabetical challenge will be in a series called "A Day at Rosie's Restaurant". As I work at preparing these doodles, we've been sharing primarily flashback doodles through the end of March. These flashbacks are in a series from last year that was inspired by various fairy tales. So, here's another one of those silly little doodles.

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Tip of the Day

We're of course here today with another National Pet Poison Awareness Month tip. It's time to give a reminder of the dirty details of keeping your kitty or pup safe. What we mean is, don't forget to keep your garbage can, recycling bin, dirty dishwasher, compost, and other similar areas safe against curious furbabies. Garbage cans or recycling bins, for example, might contain empty containers for potentially poisonous substances, such as detergents. The garbage can, dishwasher, or even compost might also contain the remnants of food that is toxic to a cat or dog. When it comes to the compost, or perhaps even the garbage can, moldy foods especially might be found within, and moldy food can contain mycotoxins, which are indeed toxic to our furbabies.

All in all, what we're trying to say is to never forget all of the details, no matter how dirty, for ensuring that your kitty or pup is free from any form of poisoning or other injury. Use garbage cans that are securely lidded or pet-proof in another way. You could even hide your garbage can in a cabinet, drawer, or room to which your furbaby cannot gain access. Also ensure that your dirty dishwasher remains securely closed, and that any compost you have is kept somewhere that your furbaby cannot reach. Even if a precaution seems like overkill, it's probably not. After all, when it comes to the health and safety of your furbaby, it is of course best to take no risks.

Rosie's Restaurant

April is just days away. That means the April A to Z Challenge is just days away. As I prepare oodles of doodles for the alphabetical challenge, I've been sharing mostly flashback drawings as of late. Today, though, we of course have a brand new doodle for you. After all, it is the day of Athena's Caturday Art blog hop. What's more, with today's doodle, we're announcing our theme for the A to Z Challenge.

Would you look at that. My calico angel Rosie has her very own restaurant. She's quite the master chef, which is perhaps why we're calling our series of doodles for the A to Z challenge "A Day at Rosie's Restaurant". All throughout April, Rosie will be sharing some of the foods on her restaurant's menu. She's sharing them from A to Z, starting with breakfast, moving on to lunch and then dinner, and ending with dessert. If you'd like to know what all Rosie is serving up, feel free to visit us throughout April.

Happy Caturday!

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Tip of the Day

Today's National Pet Poison Awareness Month tip is an add-on to our tip from yesterday, when we reminded you to keep doors closed and other obstacles in place to keep your furbaby safe from substances and areas with poison. Taking that one step further, if needed, child-proofing products can be your your best friend even for those furry children in your life. For example, do you have a curious kitty or puppy who has found ways to open cabinets and drawers? This can put a furbaby at risk, such as if those cabinets and drawers contain human medications, cleaners, or other toxic items, or even sharp or other dangerous objects. To prevent prying paws from opening cabinets and drawers, you can get child-proof, or pet-proof, locks that make cabinets and drawers difficult or impossible to open without dexterity, or opposable thumbs. There are also child-proof locks to keep main doors securely closed. This can come in handy if you have a kitty or pup who knows how to manipulate certain door handles.

We've mentioned this on here before, but also don't forget the usefulness of baby gates. They also make gates that are more specifically pet-proof, such as tall ones over which dogs and cats cannot easily jump. These can be used to block access to certain areas of the house to ensure your kitty or pup's safety. For example, you can use baby or pet gates to block access to the kitchen, especially if potentially toxic foods are being prepared. These gates can also be used to block off garbage cans, laundry areas, or other areas of the home where potential poisoning might occur.

Just as with a human child, our kitties and pups can get themselves into trouble. Consider all areas of the home where danger might arise, and then do your research on what you can do to best prevent emergencies from dangers such as accidental poisoning. Do your best to always be one step ahead of your kitty or pup, as difficult as that may be.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Photo Fails

We hope you are all having a happy and healthy Friday! Now, are you ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge? In case you missed the fill-in statements yesterday, we'll share them again below. Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. My favorite outdoor activity is _________.

2. One positive aspect of social isolation is _________.

3. It's fortunate that _________.

4. I have _________ memorized.


My answers are below in bold.

1. My favorite outdoor activity is walking.
(I love walking pup Astrid, and I also find great joy in taking true nature walks. I live not too far away from a wooded nature center, and I love going there to just walk for a couple of hours. That being said, I much prefer walks in weather that is neither too hot nor too cold. If I can enjoy a nature walk in the early autumn, when the leaves are all golden but also still on the trees, that's my ideal sort of walk.)

2. One positive aspect of social isolation is the isolation.
(I'm an introverted homebody. Isolation is my kind of thing. I am most focused and productive when I'm all alone. I know some people thrive on human interaction, but I'm not that kind of person. I thrive far more on contact with cats and dogs. That being said, since I work at an essential business, I still go to work every day, so isolation isn't really a thing in my life even during this pandemic.)

3. It's fortunate that all of my furbabies are healthy.
(This is a fortunate thing on any day. It's especially fortunate these days, during this pandemic. Even though our state has a shelter-in-place order, our veterinary office is not closed. They are open, but in order to best practice proper pandemic etiquette and social distancing, they are focusing on only seeing pets in more dire need of veterinary care. They are also one of many veterinary offices doing curbside care, where you park in the parking lot, hand off your furbaby from there, and then wait in your car. Since my furbabies are all fortunately healthy, though, we're not in need of any veterinary care. I'm incredibly grateful for that. I feel so bad for the humans of ailing furbabies during these difficult times.)

4. I have our veterinary clinic's phone number memorized.
(How many of you have your veterinary clinic's number memorized? I'm going to guess that quite a few of you do. I don't know my own doctor's number, but I sure know the veterinarian's number.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.



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Today is extra fun. Why? Because today is the day of the Pet Photo Fails! Blog Hop, hosted by Mudpie and Melissa of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows.

As I've said before, I'm really glad bloopers are a Friday sort of thing. This is because Friday is my girl Eddy's day on our blog. Eddy is also our blooper queen, and so that's a perfect combo.

Ready for Eddy's photo fails? I recently spent a huge chunk of time trying to get photos of Eddy actually looking at me. The photos below are just a tiny fraction of the failed attempts.

If  you ask this tabby girl to look at you and say, "Cheese!", she'll very likely just turn away and laugh instead. I'm pretty sure I heard her snickering as I snapped these bloopers. Such is life with Eddy, and I love it.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today is yet another flashback doodle as I try to prepare lots of new doodles for April's A to Z challenge. We're still sharing flashbacks from last year's series of fairy tale drawings. Given that Eddy loves to lie on top of me as I sleep, I thought the flashback below was perfectly fitting for today.

Do you see that brown splotch on the grey cat's back end? I remember when that happened to this doodle. It was simply a smudge from the brown pen used for the brown tabby. I could've tried to blend it in, but that would've changed the grey cat's color, and I wasn't into that option. So, that there is a grey cat with a dirty bum, I guess.

***

Tip of the Day

In these last couple days of National Pet Poison Awareness Month, we're going to summarize some tips on how to help keep your furbaby safe from potential poisons. First, as obvious as it is, we're here today to remind you to use doors or other obstacles to properly block your kitty or pup's access to potentially dangerous products or areas of the house. For example, if your bathroom, laundry room, or utility closet contain dangerous chemicals, such as detergents, then keep their doors securely closed to bar your furbaby's entrance. Similarly, keep the door to your garage shut, in order to keep your furbaby away from gasoline, antifreeze, and other dangers that might be found in the garage. If you have a shed and your furbaby goes outdoors, keep the shed's door securely closed, especially if it houses fertilizers, pesticides, or other potentially toxic products. And don't forget to consider your garden, where toxic plants might grow, or where dangerous chemicals might be used. In such cases, monitor your furbaby while outdoors, and block your kitty or pup's access to the garden, such as with a secure fence. In short, consider all areas of the house and yard where poisoning or danger might arise, and ensure proper safety against said dangers.

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

Happy Thursday, friends! We're here to do a bit of rhyming. It is, after all, time for Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.

Our host always shares a photo prompt to help us along. This week's prompt is this sweet image here:

Sometimes a certain image will bring to my mind a very particular idea. That didn't happen this time, though, so I just sort of went with the flow on this one. As always, I threw a cat or two in there.

Best Friends

Young Zack did not want to move to the country.

He thought it would be terribly boring and frumpy.

But, alas, his parents discovered their dream home out there,

And so he was forced to move, which he found quite unfair.

Zack tried pleading one last time with his parents.

Leaving their old home would mean living his best friend Terrence!

Though his parents apologized to their son for the inconvenience,

They were still dragging him to the new country home, kicking and screaming.

Zack had to admit the new house was big and sometimes fun,

And the yard was humongous and got tons and tons of sun.

To Zack, though, all was still not well, though.

He didn't have a best friend to play with, no.

Zack wrote his friend Terrence nearly every day,

But that was nowhere near as good as having him around to play.

Zack had no siblings and he missed having a friend around.

Well, he did actually have a very good friend of whom he was proud.

That friend was Happy,

His big ol' orange tabby.

The problem, though, was that Happy was kind of lazy.

He loved to follow Zack around and to watch him playing.

But Happy, well, he wasn't one to really join in.

It's like he thought physical activity was a downright sin.

While Zack enjoyed Happy's company a great deal,

He missed having another little boy around for tag and cartwheels.

"Won't you play just one game of tag with me, Happy?" Zack asked.

Sighing and lying down on the porch was the response of the cat.

After Zack begged just a few more times,

Happy got up and left the boy's sight.

The boy dropped his shoulders and let out a sigh,

Then resorted to sprawling out in the grass and staring at the sky.

Zack did not know how long he was on the ground, bored.

He may have even began to snooze and snore.

Then, though, he heard a strange voice shout, "Hello?"

Zack sat up in the grass and saw another young fellow.

The boy was perhaps his age and had blonde hair of pale yellow.

"Hi," Zack said. "This is my new house."

"I'm Mike," the other boy replied in a near shout.

He then pointed and added, "I live just over there, or thereabouts."

Mike yet again spoke, asking, "Is this your cat?"

He pointed to Happy and then gave him a pat.

"He showed up in my yard and made friends with Kitty Cat.

Oh, by the way, Kitty Cat is my cat."

Zack pieced together the puzzle the boy had spoke.

Happy had gone to Mike's house all alone,

Where he made friends with Kitty Cat,

Who happened to be Mike's friendly cat of black.

Kitty Cat was now weaving between Zack's leg.

For pets and attention the black cat did beg.

"Does your cat need a friend?" Mike asked.

"Because he could be friends with my Kitty Cat."

Zack shrugged and said, "Both Happy and I could use friends.

We just moved here and I'm bored to no end.

Happy doesn't want to play with me,

But he'll play with Kitty Cat, I see."

Happy and Kitty Cat ran after each other in the yard.

Mike said to Zack, "There aren't any other kids around here, near or far.

Why don't we be best friends now?

That would be grand, and how!"

Zack smiled and agreed, quick and blunt.

Mike shouted, "Now that we're friends, want to play scavenger hunt?

I have everything we need at my house.

Come on, I'll show you the route!"

Just like that, Zack had Mike as a friend.

He had Happy to thank for that end.

He gave his furry friend a pat and a pet,
And then for a pet Kitty Cat also did beg.

Mike showed Zack that he lived just down a dusty dirt road.

It didn't look like much, but it thereafter became Zack's favorite place to roam.

Zack, Mike, Happy, and Kitty Cat walked that road day after day.

There was nothing like having best friends with whom to walk, talk, and play.

***

Thimble is now of course here with her Thankfuls.

Thimble is grateful for a warm spot in bed. This girl is a pro at stealing her human's spot in bed, her human's spot on the couch, and you get the idea. Of course, she always gets her way and I always have to find somewhere else to sit.

We are also very thanfkul for our health, the health of our family, and the health of our friends.

***

Last but not least, we have for you 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. My favorite outdoor activity is _________.

2. One positive aspect of social isolation is _________.

3. It's fortunate that _________.

4. I have _________ memorized.

***

Tip of the Day

Yesterday's National Pet Poison Awareness Month tip was about being cautious of the potentially poisonous bites of certain snakes and spiders. In a similar yet also different tip, we are today talking about those critters who contain substances that could be toxic if ingested by our furbabies. For example, there are certain toads that contain substances on their body that can lead to severe toxicity. Two of the most poisonous toads are the Colorado River toad and the Marine toad. A pup or kitty making oral contact with these toads can lead to nearly immediate side effects such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficult breathing, difficulty walking, and potentially death if left untreated.

Other critters that can poison a dog or cat if ingested include a butterfly or caterpillar that has eaten milkweed, which can be incredibly toxic to our furbabies. In addition to this, there are some caterpillars with hairs or other means capable of injecting venomous toxins, which can spell out trouble if a cat or dog puts the caterpillar in their mouth. Monarch caterpillars and a variety of moth caterpillars are some of those known to have the ability to inject toxins when threatened.

Even fireflies can have poisonous effects on a cat or pup if ingested. Though their less-than-ideal taste is likely to keep a pup or kitty away, if ingested, they can cause vomiting and other gastrointestinal distress. For all of these reasons, especially if you are unsure of a critter's potential effects on your furbaby, simply do all that you can to prevent your kitty or pup's contact with or ingestion of bugs and other critters. As we mentioned yesterday, do your best to be aware of the types of critters in the area, and which ones can pose a risk to your pup or kitty. And, if your furbaby does come into contact with or ingest any bug of which you are unsure, do not hesitate to contact a veterinarian.

Woof Woof Wednesday

Pup Astrid decided to change up her look a bit today. So, do you like how she styled her ear?

For the record, I did not pose Astrid's ear for this photo. Her ears are usually perfectly floppy, but on occasion they do a little stand-up comedy. This was one of those times.

Well wishes to all on this Wednesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

As I continue to try to focus on preparing lots of doodles for April's A to Z challenge, we're sharing a series of flashback doodles from last year. These flashback doodles were inspired by fairy tales. So, how about a fairy tale with a big bad wolf?

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Tip of the Day

As part of National Pet Poison Awareness Month, we're now talking about the risk of poisonous bites your kitty or pup might receive from other critters. Depending on where you live, or where you might be visiting with your furbaby, you might find it necessary to be on the lookout for critters such as snakes and spiders whose bites can have toxic effects. When it comes to snakes, some of the dangerous ones include certain coral snakes and rattlesnakes. As for spiders, as most of you certainly know, black widows and brown recluses are among the most dangerous. Bites from such critters can result in any number of dangerous or life-threatening side effects, including cardiovascular shock, respiratory distress, neurological damage, and tissue damage, among others.

When outdoors, especially in areas where snakes, spiders, or other venomous critters are a known possibility, always monitor your furbaby and keep an eye out for danger. As needed, research the wildlife of areas you will be, so that you know what snakes, spiders, and other critters of which to be cautious. Of course, if your kitty or pup is bitten by a spider or snake, especially a known venomous one, do not hesitate to seek veterinary care. In many such cases, counteracting the venom in a timely manner is crucial.

A Tonks and Toby Tuesday

When I came home from work yesterday, I stumbled upon a sight that I don't see often. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen this sight before.

I honestly don't believe I've ever seen Tonks and Toby sitting so close to each other. That's not to say that they don't ever share furniture, but they just aren't necessarily the best of friends. If I'm being honest, Toby picks on Tonks. Perhaps that's why I was even more surprised when Tonks cozied up even closer to Toby.

As with any photo shoot, this cuddle session also had a couple bloopers to offer. The first one came when Toby decided to show off his fangs.

The next blooper is even more blurry, and it's also way more rude.

In case you can't tell, in that second blooper Toby is kicking Tonks in the face. And they say chivalry is dead.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

As we mentioned yesterday, we'll be sharing quite a few flashback doodles over the next week or so. This is simply because over these next few days, I'm using most of my artsy fartsy time to gear up for April's A to Z challenge. I want to have a good chunk of my A to Z doodles done before April hits.

The flashback doodles we're sharing these days are all from one particular series we created pretty much this same exact time last year. It's a series of doodles revolving around various fairy tales. Yesterday's flashback doodle didn't star a beast, but it did star Belle, some cats, and of course a book. Today's stars a redhead, or two.

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Tip of the Day

Today's National Pet Poison Awareness Month tip is about the toxic gas known as carbon monoxide (CO). CO is not only dangerous to us humans, but also incredibly dangerous to our kitties, pups, and other animals. CO most often results from car exhaust, fire/smoke, and when generator systems fail. When a large amount of CO is inhaled, this can lead to cells in the body becoming deprived of oxygen. CO poisoning can thereby result in life-threatening effects on the cardiovascular system, neurological system, and other important systems of the body.

Needless to say, do all that you can to prevent both your furbaby's and your own exposure to CO. Set up CO monitors in your home, and ensure that they are always properly functioning. Of course also ensure that you have functioning fire and smoke alarms. There are all-in-one alarms on the market that detect fire, smoke, and CO. In addition to this, properly maintain any generators that you have, and do not use them if they are in any way malfunctioning. Also, of course, do not let your kitty or pup into a closed, unventilated garage where a car or other motor vehicle is running. CO can be a silent killer, so do all that you can to protect your furbaby, as well as yourself, from it and its deadly effects.

Mancat Monday

Today, on this Mancat Monday, a certain orange boy is lamenting the state of our little home library.

That there bookshelf is the most high-traffic one in the house. That unfortunately means that books, and even random decor and other this and that, is often haphazardly placed on the bookshelf in a rush. This shelf is sometimes tidied up, but it never stays clean and organized for long. This here human really needs to remedy that, because the kitties are not impressed.

Happy Monday to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm going to admit that you'll be seeing a number of flashback doodles over the next week or so. This is because the A to Z challenge is coming up in April, which of course starts next week. As always, my A to Z challenge will be coming in the form of doodles. The only problem is that life in general has gotten a bit crazy and so I've gotten more than a bit behind in prepping all of those A to Z doodles. So, in order to have time to get a better head start on the A to Z challenge, I'm going to mostly share flashback doodles over the next week or so. There will still be a brand new doodle to go with our Thursday poem, and of course for the Caturday Art blog hop, but other than that it'll be all flashback doodles for just a bit.

Luckily, I was perusing the doodles I shared last spring and came across a series of them that I completely forgot about. It's a series of doodles inspired by some relatively famous fairy tales. The first flashback doodle we're sharing from this series not only correlates well with Evan's bookish thoughts today, but is also the one we first shared exactly one year ago today. Does anyone remember this?

***

Tip of the Day

We're nearing the end of National Pet Poison Awareness Month, but we still have a couple more such tips to share with you all. Today's tip is about those pots and pans in your kitchen. Primarily, be cautious when using nonstick pans, such as those with Teflon, as heating these to high temperatures can lead to poisonous fumes for some pets. As many of you likely already know, this is primarily a concern when it comes to pet birds. Still, to be on the safe side, be careful when heating such pots and pans around any pets, especially those that are small. For that matter, also be careful with other similar kitchen items, such as aerosol cooking sprays and self-cleaning ovens, as it is not impossible for fumes from these to also pose dangers. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and simply do not use it.

A Guest Sunday Selfie

Today's selfie stars a guest. Our guest is a kitty, but it's one of my parents' kitties. This kitty asked me to help her snap a selfie while I was at my parents' house the other day. We've introduced this little lady before. She's extremely fluffy, she loves to help with laundry, and her name is Gilly.

Gilly ended up feeling a bit shy when I snapped the shot, so she looked away from the camera. I wish she had shown you all her face, because it's quite adorable. This little calico is quite the daddy's girl, in case you were wondering. She has my dad wrapped around her fuzzy little paw.

Fluffy Gilly's photo is our entry to the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop, hosted by none other than the Kitties Blue over at The Cat on My Head.

Purrs and well wishes to all!

***

Doodle of the Day

Today we're in a springtime sunroom.

We had us some glorious open windows the other day. Not this weekend, though, because we're back to freezing temperatures. Spring will eventually show back up again.

***

Tip of the Day

Today's National Pet Poison Awareness Month tip is yet another one regarding random yet potentially toxic items that might be found in the the home. Today's household item to be aware of is matches. Matches can contain potentially toxic substances, such as potassium nitrate. It is also possible for matches to contain heavy metals or other dangerous components. Ingestion of matches can lead to toxicity for your furbaby, with the effects depending on the quantity ingested. Poisoning from the ingestion of matches can result in symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Consuming items such as matches can also lead to a variety of other problems, such as perforation or obstruction of the bowels. Needless to say, to prevent any such issues, of course keep matches and all dangerous items well out of reach of your kitty or pup.

In this same line of thought, also keep items such as lighters and lighter fluids hidden away. These can also contain components that are potentially toxic to kitties and pups. And what do we always say? It's better to be safe than sorry!

Caturday Art

Hello, friends! I hope you are all staying healthy and safe. The current situation in our world has reminded me of one of my favorite quotes by one of my favorite authors. This quote stems from J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. In the first book of this trilogy, there's a conversation between the hobbit named Frodo and the wizard named Gandalf, and it goes like this:

"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

I believe everything happens for a reason. I know not everyone might believe this, but I do. We will get through this. The nation will get through this. The world will get through this. It always does, in its own way.

The state I live in has officially initiated a shelter-in-place lockdown. I work at a business considered essential, though, albeit essential in a more atypical way. I work at a chemistry lab where we test all sorts of things from all over the world. Just some of the things we test are components for various medical treatments, and we are currently testing a component related to coronavirus diagnostics. My work life has not changed, and this whole social isolation thing is not something I'm truly experiencing. I do stay in on weekends, except when out walking the dog, but that's pretty much how it goes even under normal circumstances. I'm a homebody through and through, so I'm admittedly living in this surreal world where everyone around me is hunkering down and isolating, but I'm still going to work and then doing what I usually do anyway, that being going home and staying inside. In between those two, I believe I'm already used to practicing good hygiene. When you work with potent chemicals on a daily basis, you get used to wearing gloves and washing your hands to the point of cracked skin. For me, very little feels different, though I know most people can't say the same. My heart goes out to those whose health, job, or overall livelihood has been affected.

That's enough rambling on that topic, though. We hear about that enough every other second of the day. So, how about a doodle now? It's another springtime one, and it's yet again set in the weird little home I've been scribbling up in my sketchbook. Today we're in the little home's living room, or parlor.

This is of course our contribution to Athena's Caturday Art Blog Hop.

Well wishes to all!

***

Tip of the Day

One of our previous National Pet Poison Awareness Month tips was on the dangers of medications indeed formulated for our furbabies. We meant to (yet failed to) expand on a particular topic in this regard. That topic is as that of topical preventatives. First and foremost, always ensure that you are giving preventatives specifically formulated for the species at hand. Just one reason for this is that some flea and tick preventatives formulated for dogs are toxic to cats. Many such canine preventatives contain pyrethrin/pyrethroid, to which cats are highly sensitive. Pyrethrin/pyrethroid poisoning can result in excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty walking, or seizures, just to name a few. So, never apply dog preventatives on your kitty.

Also, be careful if your cat lives in a household with a dog who receives preventatives. In such a case, try to look for canine preventatives that do not contain pyrethrin/pyrethroid, or keep the dog and cat separated for a safe amount of time after application. Ask your veterinarian for information on how to keep both your kitty and pup healthy and safe, yet also protected from pests. It's also worth noting that some other forms of flea, tick, or other pest preventatives, such as sprays, may contain pyrethrin/pyrethroid. Always check the label, and only use products that you are certain will not harm your kitties or pups. Again, ask your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns regarding a product's safety.

In addition, know your cat or dog's weight and select preventatives accordingly. Administering a medication intended for a cat or dog larger than yours could have negative effects for the furbaby. Also be aware of their age, as some kittens or puppies, for example, may not yet be of an age deemed safe for the application of some preventatives. What's more, also always take into consideration your furbaby's overall health status. If your cat or dog suffers from any ailments, always discuss with your veterinarian the safety of giving a preventative, or any medication. While we of course want to keep our furry family members safe from fleas, ticks, heartworms, and all sorts of infestations, it is important that we do so safely.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello and happy Friday! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. Are you? In case you missed the fill-in statements yesterday, we'll share them again here. Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. Lately, I have done a lot of _________.

2. My _________ are _________.

3. I can't help but _________.

4. When I meet a stranger, I _________.


My answers are below in bold.

1. Lately, I have done a lot of handwashing.
(My parents did in fact teach childhood me the importance of hygiene and washing my hands, so it's not like I just recently started washing my hands. With this whole pandemic thing, though, I do wash them even more regularly these days. I've admittedly never been much of a germophobe, and so I've never been one to carry around or use hand sanitizer. I'm more likely to stop what I'm doing, seek out a sink with soap and water, and scrub away. May my hands rest in peace.)

2. My hands are so dry.
(See #1 above. No amount of lotion can help my hands these days.)

3. I can't help but love animals.
(I was born an animal lover, and I'm so glad I was. I bet many of you can relate to this.)

4. When I meet a stranger, I attempt to politely retreat.
(This sounds terrible. It's not even that I really assume a stranger has ill intentions. I'm more afraid they'll want to chit chat, and that's a big no thank you from me. No offense to any humans out there. I just much prefer company of the furry sort.)

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.

***

It's time for your Eddy fix! I try to capture photos of active Eddy when she's distracted, such as when she's looking out the window. In today's photo, you'll see how that tactic can backfire, like when she looks up at the last second and gives you nothing but chin.

That sure is a cute chin, though. And can you see Eddy's adorable little snaggletooth?

Happy Friday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is completely random and out of context. It was doodled up as an illustration for a poem I scribbled up last year. But, I saw it while perusing my doodles from last year and it struck my fancy. I am a huge fan of anything relating to the Victorian era, so perhaps that explains a bit.

***

Tip of the Day

Today's National Pet Poison Awareness Month tip is one that relates to our previous tips on pesticides, but is also one upon which we failed to expand. The type of pesticide of which we speak today is none other than mothballs. Mothballs come in a variety of forms, and typically release gas vapors intended to repel or kill moths, or other pests. When it comes to our furbabies, mothballs can cause toxicity via inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. Dogs are perhaps the most likely to ingest mothballs, but cats are more sensitive to their effects. Old-fashioned mothballs are the most dangerous, as they contain naphthalene. More modern mothballs are typically formulated to be less dangerous to kitties, pups, and ourselves, but they can still pose risks. Mothball poisoning can result in vomiting, lethargy, difficulty breathing, or even failure of organs such as the liver or kidneys.

Needless to say, it is likely best to avoid the use of mothballs altogether. There are alternatives to ridding your clothes or areas of the home of moths. Some of these methods may require more laborious cleaning and may indeed be more time-consuming than simply tossing in a mothball, but the health of your furbaby is well worth the effort.

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

Today seems like a good day to rhyme. Perhaps that's because it's Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.

Our host always shares a photo prompt to help us get poetic. This week's prompt is this pretty image here:

I'm admittedly not a big fan of the beach. One reason is probably because I don't get along well with sand. Another reason is because my favorite sort of setting is something more along the lines of a forest. That being said, I find the above image to be lovely and actually quite inviting. I brainstormed what sort of poem to scribble up for it. I enjoy trying to incorporate kitties or other furbabies into my poems, and that thought alone got me thinking and ultimately led to this:

Home Away From Home

Jim and Julie were beyond ready for a getaway.

They knew exactly where they would travel and stay.

Plans were made and bags were packed,

For Jim and Julie as well as their three cats.

 When many people travel they seek someone to care for their feline friends.

As for Jim and Julie, though, they never followed that trend.

Their three cats were named Slim, Sally, and Skip,

And every single one of the three enjoyed a good trip.

There was no cat-sitter to be had for those three.

Rather, they would happily be traveling with Jim and Julie.

With all the plans made and all the bags in hand,

Jim, Julie, and their cats headed off to the land of sand.

Indeed, their getaway was at a beautiful beach,

Which neighbored the bright, blue, and rolling sea.

Jim, Julie, and the three cats would be staying in a quaint little hut,

Complete with a place to eat and a canopy to protect from the sun.

Jim and Julie began their vacation by pouring some drinks.

They took a few sips and then placed them at the cozy table for sitting.

The drinking glasses remained partially full as Jim and Julie unpacked.

They wanted to get that over with so as to fully enjoy the sunset with their cats.

Slim, Sally, and Skip investigated every corner of the hut,

And then they rolled in the sand and dug and dug and dug.

"Don't use our hut as a toilet, Skip!" Julie suddenly shouted.

Skip stopped what he was doing but then immediately began pouting.

The cats then turned their attention to the table,

Where they tested if Jim and Julie's drinking glasses were stable.

They hopped and jumped on the table and then on the chairs.

As they frolicked, Jim and Julie could only shake their heads and stare.

Finally, Jim and Julie finished unpacking their bags.

They sighed in relief and turned to where the table and chairs sat.

It was there that they of course found their three cats,

Who had taken all the seats, right down to the last.

Slim and Skip perched on the two chairs meant for Jim and Julie.

On the table sat their misplaced glasses and Sally soundly snoozing.

"Where are we supposed to sit?" Jim asked.

Julie merely replied, "You don't get to sit anywhere when you have cats."

Just like that, Jim and Julie were sitting in the sand.

Sally, Slim, and Skip remained on the table and chairs in dream land.

While the cats snored, Jim and Julie watched the sunset.

The sun disappeared beneath the sea as it swayed and swept.

As they shifted in their spots in the sand, Jim said,

"We could have easily stayed home instead."

Julie asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Jim replied, "No matter where we are, we get the same treatment from the cats.

This has quite quickly become our home away from home.

Just like every day, we're slaves to cats and never get time alone."

Julie shrugged and said, "Would you have it any other way, though?"

Jim could not help but smile and admit, "I don't believe I would or could, no."

***

And now Thimble's here with her Thankfuls.

Thimble is always grateful for the sun that shines through the windows. She's also always grateful for her adorable face. Just look at that nose, and those eyes, and those whiskers, and those cute little tabby stripes! Thimble knows that all kitties are cute, and she's thankful that she fits right into that category.

We're also thankful for all of you!

***

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

1. Lately, I have done a lot of _________.

2. My _________ are _________.

3. I can't help but _________.

4. When I meet a stranger, I _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

After yesterday's National Pet Poison Awareness Month tip on paint products, we wanted to also give a PSA on the dangers of certain glues. If we're to be honest, the primary danger of glue isn't necessarily poisonous effects. Nevertheless, we still want to warn of the life-threatening hazards of glue. Some glues, such as glues for wood or construction, as well as heavy-duty glues such as Gorilla Glue, can lead to severe side effects. Ingestion of these glues can cause symptoms such as gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, and decreased appetite. What's more, though, is that these types of glues can contain diisocyanates, which can mix with stomach acid and then expand. This can then lead to bowel obstruction. Bowel obstruction is nothing to take lightly, and often requires surgery. Needless to say, if your kitty or pup gets into glue, especially heavy-duty glue that contains diisocyanates, seek veterinary care immediately. Of course, to prevent such emergencies, take no risks and be sure to hide away any and all glues someplace where your furbaby cannot reach.

Woof Woof Wednesday

You all don't get to see pup Astrid smiling nearly enough. I don't find this acceptable, especially considering that Astrid smiles something like 90% of her waking hours. So, here's a canine smile for you all today.

That is yet another photo snapped of Astrid while she was at my parents' house. She was waiting for them to get home. Clearly the thought of seeing them made her very happy.

Astrid and all of us here wish you a day filled with smiles!

***

Doodle of the Day

Ready for another springtime doodle from our current series? I'm still scribbling up various rooms in that wacky little home that's filling up my sketchbook these days. Today we're in the little home's entryway, because why not.

***

Tip of the Day

We've given past tips on the dangers of paint products, but we're going to repeat this for National Pet Poison Awareness Month. Unsurprisingly, paint, varnish, and other similar products can be toxic to our furbabies. Lead paints can of course cause lead poisoning, which can cause a variety of severe symptoms, including those of the gastrointestinal and neurological systems. Lead can also be detrimental to red blood cells, brain function, and other important processes in the body. Oil-based paints can also be dangerous, potentially causing diarrhea as well as having serious effects on the lungs. They may also contain heavy metals and thereby cause symptoms similar to those of lead paint toxicity. Products such as varnish can also have similar negative side effects as paint.

Also keep in mind that paint and paint products can emit dangerous fumes. Especially without proper ventilation, inhalation of the fumes can cause irritation of the lungs or symptoms such as dizziness. To avoid emergencies related to the ingestion or inhalation of paint or other paint products, of course keep these items well out of reach of your furbabies. Try to keep your furbabies safely out of areas that are being painted. Should ingestion or inhalation of paint products occur, do not hesitate to seek veterinary assistance.