Friendly Fill-Ins and Photo Fails

Hello and happy Friday to all! Are you here for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge? If so, we'll share the fill-in statements again as a little reminder. Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. If you want _________, you have to _________.

2. During the month of August, I plan to _________.

3. Others might think it's strange that I _________.

4. _________ seems so far away.

My answers are below in bold.

1. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.

(I find this old adage to be quite true. Of course, sometimes having something done "right" is a very subjective thing. So, if you want something done the way that you think is "right", you have to do it yourself. This is perhaps why, unless I lack the expertise and knowledge, I prefer to do things myself, alone, without external intervention. Perhaps this is part of being an introvert, but I really just like being left to my own devices.)

2. During the month of August, I plan to decorate my house for Halloween.

(You read that right. Weird, huh? Autumn is my favorite season, and Halloween is quite possibly my favorite holiday, though Christmas might be tied with it in first place. Every year, when August rolls around, I cannot wait to speed all the way to September, as that's a traditionally more acceptable month to decorate for autumn and my favorite spooky and macabre holiday. With how the world is spinning out of control this year, though, I've decided I'm just going to live by my own schedule and desires. In addition to that, I recently saw an inspirational comment online that discussed how you really should just do what makes you happy, of course given you're not harming others, because others' thoughts and opinions don't matter in the long run, and true friends won't judge you. I thought that was so true. So, in August, I'm just going to let myself decorate my house for Halloween, maybe even start watching some of my favorite scary movies, and I'll even start getting my sketchbook all ready for Halloween.)

3. Others might think it's strange that I find so much joy in Halloween.

(See #2 above. In short, I just really enjoy creepy, spooky, macabre, and mystical things. And pumpkins. And definitely black cats. Bring on the black cats.)

4. Autumn seems so far away.

(I'm ready for the 90°F days to take a hike. I'm ready to walk my pup in cool, crisp weather. I'm ready to let my kitties enjoy the open windows without us all melting. I'm ready for leaves to turn red and orange and yellow. I'm ready for Halloween, as already evidence in previous answers.)

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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There's even more fun to be had today. Why? Because today is the day of the Pet Photo Fails! Blog Hop, hosted by Mudpie and Melissa of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows.

Who's our resident blooper queen? If you guessed Eddy, you are correct. As is often the case, today's bloopers are brought to you by the fact that Eddy simply has no desire to sit still for the camera.

Yikes.

Have a fantastic Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

This time last year I scribbled up a couple of doodles inspired by the fact that I'm one of those people who enjoys the Harry Potter series. In fact, July 31 is not only author J.K. Rowling's birthday, but also the birthday she gave to her titular character, Harry Potter. Anyway, I read the Harry Potter books as they were being released when I was a kid, and I still enjoy them to this day. I do believe the series has far too few kitty characters, though. Perhaps that's why one of those doodles I scribbled up last year starred Eddy arriving at the magical school known as Hogwarts. And that is the flashback doodle I'm sharing today.

If you're interested in a bit of Harry Potter trivia, along with how it relates to this doodle and my furbabies, read on. If that's not your sort of thing, we won't be offended one bit. 

In the Harry Potter universe, when a young witch or wizard attends the magical school known as Hogwarts, they are sorted into one of four houses. These houses are Gyrffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin, and each house values different personality traits. Gryffindor is the house for those with traits such as courage, bravery, nerve, and chivalry. Ravenclaw is the house of intelligence, learning, wisdom, and wit. The Hufflepuff house values hard work, patience, justice, and loyalty. As for Slytherin, it's the house of ambition, cunning, leadership, and resourcefulness.

Given its colors, the scarf Eddy is wearing in the above doodle indicates that she would be in the Gryffindor house at Hogwarts. That, in truth, is a lie. As mentioned above, Gryffindor is a house for the brave. My girl Eddy, she is not brave. She is the most timid, skittish cat in the house. She does not like strangers, loud noises, other cats, and you get the idea. Eddy is, however, very smart. I would more accurately consider her to be in the Ravenclaw house.

Though anyone who is not a fan of Harry Potter would just think me crazy, which is perfectly fine, I decided to try to determine which house at Hogwarts would best suit all of the furbabies at my house. My sister, another Harry Potter fan, helped me. I'll list the results below. Again, if this is not your thing, feel free to skip ahead.

Astrid - Slytherin

Evan - Slytherin

Thimble -  Hufflepuff

Toby - Hufflepuff

Eddy - Ravenclaw

Tonks - Gryffindor

Winky - Slytherin

There are a lot of cunning Slytherins at my house. In the Harry Potter series, Slytherins are portrayed as somewhat evil. My Slytherin furbabies are not evil, they're just very resourceful, they know what they want, and they will get what they want no matter what it takes.

Well, that was long-winded and weird. To anyone who read all of that, kudos to you.

***

Tip of the Day

In one of my fill-ins, I mentioned how we've been having our fair share of 90°F days. In line with this, today's tip relates to the safety of walking your dog or cat in summer weather. More specifically, we're talking about pavement. Did you know that if the air temperature is between 80°F and 90°F, the pavement on the ground feels more like 130°F to 150°F? As a reference point, an egg could theoretically fry at roughly 130°F, and certainly at 150°F. Needless to say, at such temperatures, damage can be done to paw pads and skin. Therefore, if you're walking your pup or kitty in the summer, opt for early morning or late evening walks. Or, walk in the grass if it's too hot on the ground. One common recommendation is to place your hand on the pavement and count for 7 seconds. If it's too hot for you to comfortably and safely keep your hand on the pavement for 7 seconds, then it is too hot for your furbaby's paws. In such a case, postpone the walk, walk in the grass, or find another safe option that avoids those paws touching that pavement.

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

Happy Thursday! We're ready to rhyme for Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.

As always, our courteous host shared a photo prompt to guide us. This week's prompt is this nostalgic image here:

Truth be told, this photo immediately reminded me of the tire changing scene in A Christmas Story. Who has seen this classic movie and remembers the scene I'm talking about? It's the scene when young Ralphie's family is driving along in their car and the tire goes flat. Ralphie goes out to help his father change the tire, in the process some hardware is dropped, and Ralphie says, "Oh fudge." Except, we find out, he didn't say "fudge". Since that's what immediately came to my mind when I saw the above photo prompt, I decided to go with that concept. I did some brainstorming, of course figured out how I might be able to throw a furbaby or two into the poem, and ended up with this weird and silly rhyme:

Fudge

Ricky was really quite wary of the old neighbor lady.

He found her strange and more than a tad bit shady.

Her house hid amongst shrubs and trees.

From the street, the weird little cottage couldn't even be seen.

One day, Ricky's dad told him he needed his help at the family store.

As he waited for his dad, Ricky moseyed out their home's front door.

The sun had nearly disappeared beneath the horizon,

And soon enough the moon and stars would be shining.

In the front yard sat Ricky's favorite bouncy ball.

He picked it up and tossed it at a tree, nearby and tall.

Much to the boy's shock and dismay,

The ball bounced with great force far and away.

More specifically, the ball bounced over the nearby hedge.

It soared right over as if diving off a ledge.

The problem was that on the other side of those shrubs was a scary place.

It was where lived that strange old neighbor lady who never showed her face.

That was Ricky's favorite bouncy ball, though.

He did not want to say goodbye to it, no.

And so, risking scratches and even a fall,

Ricky started climbing the hedges, which were big and tall.

Branches and leaves slashed and grabbed him.

Ricky vouched to give those shrubs a trim.

Finally, he reached the top of the bush.

Afraid of this neighbor, Ricky made sure to shush.

He jumped from the hedge's top,

And at the bottom of it he did flop.

Groaning in a small bit of pain,

He caught sight of his bouncy ball just the same.

He tiptoed to it and reached to pick it up.

Right then and there, though, he was run over by a pup.

Ricky knew it was a dog by the barking and licking tongue.

Someone said, "My goodness. Are you all right, hun?"

In front of Ricky now stood the old neighbor lady.

Looking at her, the boy had to admit she didn't look all that shady.

She walked with a cane and wore a pink floral dress.

In response to the woman's question, Ricky nodded his yes.

"I'm sorry about my big ol' dog here," the old woman then said.

She added, "He's just a bundle of energy from his tail to his head."

The dog was big with a goofy grin on its giant face.

He was brown, a bit pudgy, and probably wouldn't win a race.

Ricky cleared his throat and said to the woman, "I'm just here getting my ball.

It bounced over the hedge there, even though it's so big and tall."

Just then, Ricky heard his dad calling for him.

Apologizing to the old woman, Ricky rushed to the shrubs in need of a trim.

The dog followed Ricky at a stomping run.

The pup seemed to think this whole ordeal really quite fun.

With the dog at his side, Ricky looked up at hedge.

He really didn't want to climb and again jump over that ledge.

At that moment, something brushed against Ricky's leg.

Looking down, the boy saw a whiskered and very feline head.

The cat was a tabby just as brown as the dog.

With a chirp, the cat jumped onto a tall tree limb as if it were a simple log.

The dog then stood between the boy and the tree.

He was offering Ricky a step up, the boy did finally see.

With the dog's help, the boy joined the cat on the tree limb and could easily get on the hedge.

Then he could use a tree limb in his yard to somewhat gracefully descend.

The boy laughed and thanked the cat and the dog.

The old woman said, "They really are quite helpful, are they not?

If you ever need anything, all you have to do is say their name.

Lending a helping paw is their most favorite game."

"What are their names?" Ricky asked.

"Oh," the old woman said, "Fudge is the name of my trusty cat."

"And the dog's name?" Ricky said.

"Isn't it obvious? His name is Fudge," she said, scratching her head.

Ricky informed the old woman, "But you said that was the cat's name."

"Oh," she said with a shrug, "I guess I named them the same."

With a farewell, Ricky scurried off to the car with his dad.

They made it half a block before the car's tire audibly went flat.

Ricky and his dad tried to retrieve the spare tire, but it wouldn't budge.

Tugging on the tire in frustration, Ricky said, "Fudge."

Nearby, there was a rustling and a sound like a stampede,

And then Fudge the dog and Fudge the cat ran out of the bushes and trees.

Just like that, the cat and dog jumped at the spare tire and released it.

Then the tire change was complete, quick and lickety-split.

"What on earth?" said Ricky's dad.

As for Ricky, he laughed and laughed and laughed.

The boy said, "The old woman said all I had to do was say their name.

Lending a helping paw really is the Fudges' favorite game!"

***

Now it's of course time for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

As always, Thimble is here to share something that makes her feel grateful. Today, Thimble is thankful for her adorable profile, but more specifically her adorable Roman nose.

I always joke that Thimble has a Roman nose, because it's always had that cute little arch to it. She has the shortest, flattest nose of any of my kitties, but it's also the most arched. I love it.

***

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

1. If you want _________, you have to _________.

2. During the month of August, I plan to _________.

3. Others might think it's strange that I _________.

4. _________ seems so far away.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

In today's post, we commented on the shape of Thimble's nose. I jokingly referred to it as a Roman nose, as her nose has always had a bit of an arch to it. In reality, though, an uncharacteristic or exaggerated Roman nose in a cat can actually be a sign of disease. This is especially the case when it comes to upper respiratory tract diseases, such as an upper respiratory infection. Sometimes infection can get through the bone and into the soft tissues of the nose, and all of this in turn could lead to what might look like a Roman nose, or a nose with a lump on the top of it. A tumor or other ailments could also potentially lead to a nose with a lump or other similar deformity. The long and short of this is that it's important to know what your cat's nose and other features look like in a normal state. What's more, if you notice a change in the appearance of your cat's nose or any other features, of course have them seen by a veterinarian.

Woof Woof Wednesday

If you were hoping to see yet another shot of pup Astrid pouting in the window, she's got you covered.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Doodle of the Day

The doodle we shared this past Sunday showed the exterior of a Victorian style house, with some kitty friends to greet you. Today we're sharing the kitchen in that Victorian house. Well, that's what's going on in my imagination, at least.

We also still have this doodled up Victorian house's living room to share. Pup Astrid requested the kitchen be shared today, though, because she loves her some cookies.

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Tip of the Day

We all know that the kitchen can be a dangerous place for cats and dogs. It's a place filled with potentially toxic foods, sharp objects, hot appliances as well as hot food and perhaps boiling water, and any number of other dangers. It's of course in your furbaby's best interest to keep them away from such hazards. But, what about those pets who like to keep you company, or those who have separation anxiety and can't bear to be away from you even if you're simply in the kitchen? Obviously, in order to keep a kitty or pup in the kitchen safe, it's best to keep an eye on them and to keep all dangerous items out of their reach.

How about we take the above one step further, though, and give a simple tip on how to at least try to keep your kitty or pup safe while in the kitchen? If your dog or cat enjoys being in the kitchen with you, consider setting up a safe play or rest area for them. Is there a spare corner in the kitchen? If so, perhaps place a favorite pet bed or blanket in that area, or even a cardboard box for those kitties out there. You can also bring to that designated area a favorite toy or two. Consider what your furbaby enjoys and try to use those items to keep your kitty or pup in a safe area of the kitchen should they wish to join you in there. That being said, avoid offering toys in the kitchen that can be easily thrown or rapidly chased, as this could lead a toy or furbaby straight towards a hot stove, a boiling pot of water, and so on and so forth. So, choose toys or other distractions that are largely kitchen-safe, such as chew bones for dogs or stationary interactive toys for cats. With patience and some positive reinforcement, you can even train some pups of kitties to know that they are to stay in their safe spot while they keep you company in the kitchen. Training them to stay in a safe area of the kitchen, especially when you're using the stove or preparing dangerous foods, can keep them safe and healthy. In more extreme or necessary cases, you can also consider using a baby pen or other contained area for your furbaby when they're in the kitchen while potential dangers are present.

Trouble Tuesday With Tonks

Tonks is an adorable calico. She's also occasionally an ornery little troublemaker.

In that photo there, behind Tonks you can see a couple of display boards hung from a door. Those boards used to be completely covered with various drawings and craft paper scraps. Tonks, however, thought all of that was too cluttered. So, she ripped the vast majority of the art display off of the bottom board especially. Now she uses that lower board as a scratcher. That board will very likely be relocated soon, because it would prefer to not be victim to this calico's claws. I could relocate the chair that Tonks uses to reach the art boards, but she loves that chair and location so much, so I won't do that to her. I'll just remove her victims from out of her reach.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I was going to share another brand new doodle today, especially since Blogger sabotaged my attempts to share a new one on Sunday. But, after straying from my usual doodle schedule for weeks as I rested my hand and wrist thanks to carpal tunnel syndrome, I decided that I'll go ahead and finally get back on track with my usual schedule. That means flashback doodles on Tuesday and Friday and new doodles the other 5 days of the week. So, we'll go ahead and share a flashback today since it's Tuesday.

As a brief prologue, yesterday I shared a brand new doodle that displayed the exterior of a somewhat Victorian style home, of course with a couple of kitties to welcome you. I have also drawn a couple of interior rooms of that Victorian home, which I'll of course be sharing this week. For today's flashback, how about I share another exterior home doodle I scribbled up last year? This is a nighttime scene starring quite a few kitties.

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Did you know?

Did you know that, according to Irish folklore, you can cure a wart by rubbing a calico cat's tail on the unwanted bump? Some versions of this old bit of lore even go as far as to say that this is best done in the month of May. If you ask us, it's best to simply spare the poor calico and stick to modern medicine when it comes to curing warts.

The Opportunistic Orange Boy

Sometimes an orange boy wants to enjoy the sunshine without it glaring in his eyes. So, how is an orange boy to protect his eyes from the sun?

By using his sister as a source of shade, of course! Indeed, Evan sometimes uses his sister Thimble's shadow as shade.

Then, when Evan wants the sun to himself, he annoys Thimble to prompt her to leave. What does he do to annoy her enough to force her departure?

He sniffs her butt, of course. An orange boy's gotta do what an orange boy's gotta do, or so that's what Evan tells me.

Happy Monday to all!

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Doodle of the Day

I can finally share one of the many new drawings I've been slowly but surely working on. As I've mentioned many times, I recently developed carpal tunnel syndrome in my dominant hand and have been giving my hand and wrist a bit of break, only drawing when it hasn't been acting up. I've finally found a good method that allows me to get back to far more regular sessions with my sketchbook, which primarily means doodling while wearing an incredibly helpful wrist brace. Anyway, how about I just get to sharing the first doodle in my newest series? It involves a Victorian style home, of course with a cat or two.

***

Did you know?

Did you know there are sunglasses, or sun-blocking goggles, for dogs and cats? If your dog or cat has a condition that makes their eyes sensitive to the sun, or if they are going to be accompanying you on a sunny trek, you can help spare their eyes by getting them pet-friendly glasses or goggles that block out some of the sun's rays. For example, this might be useful for dogs or cats with cataracts, or for a dog or cat who enjoys sunny beach trips or even trips to blindingly white snowy locations. In such cases, pet-friendly sunglasses or goggles can help their eyes remain comfortable and healthy. Of course, getting a dog or cat used to wearing sun-blocking glasses or goggles could take training and practice, perhaps with some tempting positive reinforcement. Some animals may never take to wearing sun-blocking glasses or goggles, but it might be worth it to try or to at least know this is an option in the event that your kitty or pup's eyes become detrimentally sensitive or exposed to light.

Sleepy Sunday Selfie

As the very title of this post says, today we have for you a sleepy selfie. The star is Thimble.

Thimble and all of us here wish a day full of snoozing!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I actually have a brand new doodle completed and ready to show you, but Blogger has decided I'm not allowed to upload it from my computer. It is letting me share photos already in my Google Drive or Blogger history, though, so for right now I'll share a flashback doodle in the same vein as the new one I want to share. I'll get this Blogger glitch sorted out and this week you'll finally be seeing the series of new doodles I've been working on.

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Did you know?

Cats are often described as nocturnal, or being most active during the night hours. Did you know that in some cases, though, cats are actually more crepuscular? Crepuscular animals are active during dawn and dusk. Some cats display more nocturnal behavior, and some display crepuscular behavior. You might notice that some of your domesticated house cats are more crepuscular, sleeping during the day and night and becoming most active around dawn and around dusk. Crepuscular animals might be most active during dawn and dusk for a variety of reasons, such as because this is when daytime predators are less active, prey is still rather easily visible at dawn and dusk, and because dawn and dusk are cooler times of the day in hot environments. Other animals that might display crepuscular behavior are dogs, such as stray dogs, as well as coyotes, bats, deer, chickens, rabbits, and skunks, just to name a few.

Christmas in July Caturday Art

Merry Christmas in July!

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip relates to the beach, a place to which many like to travel in the summer. More specifically, today's tip is about the safety of furry companions that might travel to the beach with you. Whether you take your dog, cat, or other furry family member to the beach, always keep their safety in mind. The tips we're about to mention can also be considered in the event that you go boating with your furbaby. So, what are a few beach or boating safety to tips to remember? Let's get into them.

First, don't let your dog or cat get overheated in the summer heat while at the beach or on a boat. If you are there for long, make sure you take an umbrella or canopy, or that you have another source of shade in which your furbaby can get a break from the direct sun. Also related to the sun, don't forget that sunscreen. There are are indeed pet-friendly sunscreens on the market, and the beach or a boat are the perfect places to utilize such products. After all, our furbabies can get sunburn and skin cancer just like we can. A dog or cat's nose and ears, and any other exposed skin they might have, should be protected by pet-friendly sunscreen when they are in the direct sun for extended periods of time, such as when visiting the beach or when boating.

Another aspect that needs to be considered when taking a dog or cat to the beach is the water itself. There is of course the danger of drowning should a dog or cat get in the water and be unable to swim to safety. For this reason, do not let your dog or cat stray away from you. In order to ensure this, keeping them on a leash might be the best idea. Another safety option is to of course have your dog or cat wear a flotation device, such as a life vest. There are indeed life vests on the market for dogs and cats, and wearing one could be crucial to their safety should they visit the beach or go on a boating trip with you. Another safety tip relating to the water is to not allow your dog or cat to drink salt water. Though it is indeed water, if it contains salt, it can actually dehydrate an animal or person, and drinking large amounts of salt water can have detrimental effects. So, keep an eye on your kitty or pup, do not let them drink salt water, and provide them with fresh water while at the beach or on a boat.

One last consideration to make is to ensure that, before traveling to the beach, your dog or cat is properly vaccinated and up-to-date on parasite prevention. The sand and water at the beach can contain a variety of bacteria, bugs, and other parasites. So, to protect against certain diseases that might be contracted during a trip to the beach, make sure that your kitty or pup has been properly protected against such diseases or parasites.

If a dog or cat is comfortable with and enjoys visiting the beach or going on boat rides, there are safety measures that can make such adventures less risky. Be sure to take all considerations into mind before visiting the beach or embarking on a boat ride with your kitty or pup. Should you see any concerning symptoms in your dog or cat during or following a beach or boat trip, of course have them seen by a veterinarian.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello and happy Friday! Are you ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge? If you'd like to participate but 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. I had _________ for _________.

2. I _________ surprises.

3. _________ is my idea of fun.

4. If I were a food, I would be _________.

My answers are below in bold, accompanied by their usual and probably unnecessary explanations.

1. I had overnight oats for breakfast, as always.

(I can't stand the texture of cooked oats in the form of traditional oatmeal, but I love oats that have simply been soaked in milk overnight. Every evening, I prepare oats for the next day's breakfast. Every morning, I happily eat said overnight oats. I essentially always eat a giant bowl of chocolate overnight oats, prepared with cocoa and maple syrup, and topped off with a hearty dose of fruit. I love it.)

2. I am not a fan of surprises.

(I'm admittedly not a spontaneous sort of person. That's probably why I don't like surprises, or pranks, or anything of that sort. April Fool's Day is one of my least favorite days of the year. I'm glad that not many people in my adult life partake in April Fool's Day shenanigans, but as a kid my classmates and teachers were always up to prankster nonsense on that day, and I loathed it. Luckily, my family knows I would never want a surprise party for my birthday. Otherwise, my birthday would also be one of my least favorite days of the year.)

3. Relaxing at home with my furbabies is my idea of fun.

(You've all heard this from me before. I'm a homebody and there's nowhere I'd rather be than home with my kitties and pup. My way of relaxing and also having a good time is sitting on the couch with my furbabies while I draw, write, read, watch TV or a movie, and all that jazz. To me, there's honestly nothing more fun than that.)

4. If I were a food, I would be pasta.

(They say you are what you eat, and I love me some pasta, so that's that. Honestly, I'm just a carbohydrate fiend in general. It's my favorite food group, and nearly every day I eat oats, rice, pasta, and a ton of fruit. I once saw a shirt that just simply said "carbivore" on it, and I felt such a connection with that shirt.)

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.

***

Are you ready for your Eddy fix? Yes? Good. Eddy of course has some Christmas in July photos to share. The reality, though, is that Eddy was her usual self during this photo shoot. In other words, she did not wish to sit still or cooperate, so what you get are Christmas in July bloopers. They're blurry, they're terrible quality, and that's Eddy's favorite kind of photo.

Can you see the Christmas tree limbs in that last blurry blooper? I've mentioned before that Eddy pretty much lives in my bedroom, because she can't stand other cats (well, except for her beloved Evan). Eddy loves climbing, her favorite thing to climb being a Christmas tree. So, I keep a Christmas tree up in my room year round for Eddy. So, Eddy's celebrating Christmas in July with Santa Sloth and her Christmas tree.

Have a festive Friday!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback Christmas in July doodle is from 2018. It was inspired by Christmas tree-loving Eddy, and by the summer heat.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip is a simple but random one, and it was inspired by my co-worker's recent story about her dog and a pair of glasses. If you wear glasses, for both your sake and the sake of your furbaby, keep them somewhere safe at all times. A curious paw could smack glasses off of a counter or table and break them or even lose them. A chewer could injure their mouth or end up with a perforated or obstructed bowel if glasses are left unattended and then gnawed on or swallowed. Even a rough play or cuddle session could result in your glasses breaking or your glasses injuring a kitty or pup's eye or other body part if caution is not in place. This could be the case if you're wearing the glasses on your head or you keep them around your neck on a lanyard. Therefore, be careful around your furry friends when wearing glasses on your face or around your neck. Also, of course, be careful of where you place your glasses and how you store them. When not in use, keep your glasses in a secure case that cannot be chewed up, or keep them in a drawer or other secure spot. For those who don't wear regular eyeglasses, you can still keep all these tips in mind when it comes to sunglasses.

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

It's Thursday and we're ready to rhyme. Angel Sammy makes this easy to do with his Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.

Each week, our poetry host shares a photo prompt to guide us. This week's prompt is this cute image here:

I've sort of been dedicating this week to Christmas in July, and that includes sharing flashback doodles that I created in the past couple of years for Christmas in July. Since I like to share illustrations with my poems, I went back to see if I had any flashback Christmas in July doodles that might go with this week's poetry photo prompt. It turns out, one of my Christmas in July doodles from last year involved none other than watermelons. So, I used both the above photo prompt as well as last year's watermelony Christmas in July doodle as inspiration for this week's poem. I'll share the silly poem now, and you'll find the watermelony flashback Christmas in July doodle after the rhyme.

The Christmas in July Non-Winter Wonderland Watermelon Picnic

Miss Mutt was known for her prolific garden.

She even sold the fruit of her labor for quite a bargain.

One fine summer, though, Miss Mutt had more harvest than she could handle.

Her garden had done so well that year that it was, truth be told, almost a scandal.

Miss Mutt grew flowers, fruits, and vegetables of all sorts.

To Miss Mutt, gardening was like a sport.

There was one particular green and pink fruit that went wild that summer.

Miss Mutt was loathe to consider her harvest a bummer.

The problem was that Miss Mutt now had so many watermelons she could yell.

There were simply not enough townsfolk for all of the melons to sell.

"What am I going to do with all this juicy fruit?" Miss Mutt said aloud.

Lucky for her, she was surrounded by an eavesdropping crowd.

"I have an idea," Mrs. Tabby did declare.

"If you know what I should do," said Miss Mutt, "please, do share."

Mrs. Tabby replied, "Let's have a picnic for all the folks around.

We can invite those from the mountains and from all the nearby towns."

Mr. Tabby then himself had a thought.

He said, "It's nearing late July, is it not?

Why not make this a Christmas in July sort of thing?

We can have watermelons galore, festivities, and all sorts of fun and games!"

Miss Mutt chuffed an excited chuff and did a little jig.

She said, "If there is a perfect solution, this is it."

Excited about celebrating Christmas in July,

All the nearby townsfolk cheered and jumped in delight.

"I can do the planning," Mrs. Tabby said.

Mr. Tabby added, "I have festive decorations and games in my shed."

"You better believe I'll bring the watermelon," Miss Mutt said with a nod.

And just like that, the Christmas in July festivities were on.

Before anyone knew it, the date of the picnic was set.

Mr. and Mrs. Tabby had it all planned out without even breaking a sweat.

Invitations were sent out to those living near and far.

The number of folk coming to the picnic was so many it was almost bizarre.

The day of the picnic itself arrived quick than quick.

Mr. Tabby strung lights on trees so that they were festively lit.

Fun and games were ready and waiting to be played.

Miss Mutt, of course, brought enough watermelons for all those in attendance to taste.

Mrs. Tabby sat on a blanket in the grass and enjoyed the summer day.

Mr. Tabby welcomed the crowd arriving and did loudly say,

"If you're looking for festive summer fun, this is it!

Welcome to the Christmas in July Non-Winter Wonderland Watermelon Picnic!"

***

Now, of course, Thimble is here to share a bit of gratitude for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is glad that a variety of Christmasy kitty items stay out at our house year round. One such item is the Christmas tree cat bed.

The cats informed me that they like this festive bed to be on top of the decorative table in our little library room. So, that's where it stays.

You might be able to see our house panther Winky in the background of these photos. Truth be told, Winky is the biggest fan of this Christmas tree cat bed. She spends the most time in it. It's not used as often in the warm summer months, but it's still gets some occasional use.

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

1. I had _________ for _________.

2. I _________ surprises.

3. _________ is my idea of fun.

4. If I were a food, I would be _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

We already shared a festive flashback doodle to go with or poem above. Nonetheless, we're going to go ahead and share another one. After all, 'tis the season. This one is from Christmas in July 2018.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip relates to none other than watermelons. Is this fruit safe for dogs and cats to eat? The pink fruit itself is largely composed of water, so it could be a good treat to help keep a dog or cat hydrated. Watermelon also contains a variety of vitamins and other nutrients, another reason it can make a healthy treat, should a dog or cat enjoy eating it. That being said, it's best to keep the seeds and the green rind away from your kitty or pup. It's possible for the seeds to cause a blockage in a dog or cat's intestinal tract. As for the green rind, it can potentially cause gastrointestinal upset. So, as long as you remove the seeds and rind, the pink flesh of the watermelon is a safe and even healthy treat if fed to your kitty or pup in moderation. 

Woof Woof Wednesday

Pup Astrid agreed to join in on our Christmas in July week shenanigans. Well, she agreed to stare out the window while I posed a festive cat toy next to her. That still counts, though, right?

This Santa sloth kitty kicker toy from Target last year stays out year round at our house. Sometimes he disappears in the depths of the Land Beneath the Couch, but his size helps him be rather easily found and rescued. Thimble is probably the biggest fan of this sloth, but she agreed to let Astrid pose with him for this festive Christmas in July photo.

Are you all feeling festive? Or is the summer heat putting a damper on any feelings of festivity? It sure is tough to get in any semblance of the Christmas spirit when it's 90°F, isn't it? We're melting over here, but we're still trying to feel good and festive for Christmas in July.

Happy Wednesday to all!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's Christmas in July flashback, from 2018, takes us to a festive beach house.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday we mentioned how, in order to keep your house fresh and clean, it's a good idea to regularly wash blankets, pet beds, pillows, and other items your kitty or pup naps on. Today we're going to expand on that tip and remind you to also try to regularly clean your furbaby's toys that might need it. This especially goes for toys made of cloth or other porous material, as these can soak in debris and odors. You can clean some toys in the washer, primarily if you wash them in a pet-friendly manner as well as protect them in a delicates bag or something of the sort. You can also simply hand wash pet toys, though. Dish soap and water are a safe and often effective way of cleaning your kitty or pup's toys, and this can be a way to clean both porous and non-porous toys. So, perhaps take inventory of your kitty or pup's toys, consider which ones are oft-used and well-loved, and try to clean any that are dirty, that perhaps have a bit of an odor, and so on and so forth.

Tonks Tuesday

We're here for another day in our Christmas in July week. Today it's Tonks posing with some festive goods. As we've said before, there are some bits of Christmas decor that stay out year round at our house, so it's not too difficult to find props for the furbabies to get festive.

There you see Tonks nestled on Blanket Mountain between two Christmas pillows. The pillow on the left is the same one Evan posed with yesterday. I don't think I mentioned this yesterday, but I got that pillow on major clearance at Target after Christmas 2 years ago. It's been on my couch since. The pillow on the right is covered with a festive red truck pillow cover my mom made me last Christmas. I love it and it of course decorates my couch all year. 

In case you're curious about Blanket Mountain, on which Tonks is relaxing in the above photo, I'll give a brief history. I washed and dried a load of the furbabies' blankets the other day. I got sidetracked on my way to their storage spot, and so I momentarily placed them on the couch. They did not end up there momentarily, though, because a cat or two immediately found the pile and established it as Blanket Mountain. Maybe one day in the near future I'll get to reclaim the blankets of Blanket Mountain as my own. Maybe.

Happy Tuesday!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Both of our previous flashback Christmas in July doodles took us to the beach. In today's doodle, from 2019, we're inside on a warm and sunny day, trying to decorate for Christmas in July.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip is yet another one that you all certainly know or have figured out for yourself, but we'll mention it anyway. To help your house remain fresh and clean, don't forget to regularly wash blankets and other items that your kitty or pup uses. Blankets, pet beds, pillows, pillow cases, and other such features in the home can accumulate pet hair, dander, and other debris and odors. Our kitties and pups not only contain their own fur and dander, but they also go into litter boxes, walk on the floor, walk outside, and so on and so forth, and so they can indeed have debris on them that might be a bit less than clean. So, consider all the items in the home your cat or dog uses and add those to your list of laundry. This is also why it's good to regularly vacuum carpets, rugs, and even couches and chairs.

Mancat Monday

We're doing a full week of Christmas in July. After all, Saturday is the 25th of July. So, why not make a whole week of it? Since today is Mancat Monday, Evan's here to show off a festive pillow that stays out year round at our house.

Later in the evening, Evan posed with this same pillow on the other end of the couch. The lighting was atrocious, though, just like my photography skills. Despite the horrendous quality, we thought you might like to see a couple of the bloopers. So, here you go.

Speaking of bloopers, Toby had some bloopers from the photo shoot that included his selfie from yesterday. Like Evan's bloopers, Toby's were also from a yawning moment. So, ready for some more mancat bloopers? Yes? Here you go.

Have a magnificent Monday!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's Christmas in July flashback doodle comes from 2018. It stars a festive mancat and an equally festive pink bird.

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Did you know?

How about a small bit of flamingo trivia? Did you know that a flamingo's pink or orange color comes from the food they eat? Flamingos are pink or orange in color due to the beta-carotene in the food they eat, such as shrimp and algae. In fact, if a flamingo kept at a zoo is not fed shrimp or other flamingo food containing carotenoids, the flamingo can turn white.