A Nosy Sunday Selfie

Pup Astrid didn't get to show off her face this past week, because her usual day to post instead contained a review for a cat tree. Astrid did show up in the background of a photo or two in that review, but she informed me that she should get to share a selfie today. So, here's a nosy sort of selfie from pup Astrid.

Happy Sunday, friends!

***

Doodle of the Day

Today's doodle is the late-coming illustration for the poem I shared for Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge this past week. It was a poem inspired by an I Love Lucy prompt, but I threw in some kitties, and it's just a silly little doodle for a silly little rhyme. If you'd like to read the accompanying poem, just click here.

***

Tip of the Day

Today is likely our last tip in our winter safety series. For this last tip, we're going to do an overview of winter weather concerns, and remind you of some of the signs to look out for that might indicate a furbaby is struggling with the winter elements. To begin, when outdoors in the cold winter months, closely observe your kitty or pup and watch for shivering, a hunched up position, restlessness, whining, lifting paws off of the ground, redness of the ears, and other signs that the furbaby is becoming too cold. On extremely cold days, frostbite and hypothermia can happen fast, which is why it is not only important to closely monitor a furbaby who might need to venture outdoors even for a short time, but to also reduce time outdoors as much as possible. Also monitor your kitties and pups indoors, and ensure that they are remaining warm with sufficient heating and bedding.

Coldness, frostbite, and hypothermia are not the only issues that can arise in the winter, though. Injury to the paws, for example, is another potential. Pups and kitties who go outdoors can be affected by the cold ground, and by the snow, ice, and ice melts that might cover the ground in the winter. For this reason, be watchful for paw pads that are dry, cracking, bleeding, or otherwise injured, and monitor for lifting of the paws or altered ambulation.

The winter issues don't end there, though, as many more potential concerns can arise from the harsh cold of winter. For example, dryness of winter air and heated homes can lead to dryness of the coat and skin  When it comes to this, be on the lookout for itching, scratching, dander, and a dull coat. Yet another system of the body that can be affected by the winter months is the respiratory system. Dry, cold air can affect asthma and other such ailments, so be on the alert for coughing and other similar signs.

Winter can be a harsh time of the year, as you all certainly know. It can be hard on us, and also of course our furbabies. For this reason, always monitor your furbaby when outdoors but also when indoors. Over the past couple of weeks we've discussed some of the potential ways to combat the various issues that might arise due to the harsh winter weather. What it comes down to, though, is that it is important to monitor your furbaby, and if you have any concerns regarding their health and comfort, to never hesitate discussing this with your veterinarian in order to keep your kitty or pup as cozy as possible even on those cold winter days.

Caturday Art

We are finally going to start sharing our newest series of doodles. After my grandmother passed away earlier this month, and after work at my full-time job got crazy again, I took to sharing mostly flashback doodles for the past couple of weeks. Art is an outlet for me, though, and I was eager to get back to regularly spending time in my sketchbook. I finally managed that, and now we will be sharing our newest series of doodles with you. It's a wintry series, it was at least slightly inspired by a series of winter doodles I scribbled up back in late 2018 and early 2019, and here is the first one.

Warm wishes to all!

***

Tip of the Day

Today's tip is to find ways to exercise and entertain your furbabies indoors when it is cold outside. Walks and other lengthy outings can be a very dangerous thing in frigid temperatures. Frostbite and hypothermia can happen in a matter of a couple short minutes in low temperatures. So, if your kitty or pup is used to walks, outdoor playtime, and so forth, find ways to improvise indoors on cold winter days.

You can of course play games with your kitty or pup, such as by grabbing a toy and initiating fetch. For some kitties and pups who might not be easy to engage in a game of fetch, sliding treats across the floor can be a good way to get them to move and exercise, with an incentive. Another way to play with your furbaby can be a game of hide-and-seek. Of course, only play such games with furbabies who enjoy them, and who do not become confused or agitated by having to chase or look for you.

What's more, there are also a large variety of interactive toys available on the market that can help keep a kitty or pup entertained and active when walks or time outdoors is not an option. One plain and simple option is an interactive treat dispenser. These popular toys come in many forms, and can be rolled around or otherwise played with all while dispensing treats. The list of interactive toys certainly doesn't end there, though. You know your furbaby best and might be able to guess what kinds of toys they like, so search for interactive toys accordingly. For example, does your kitty like to bat things around? If so, perhaps get them a ball track toy, and roll it a few times for them in order to attract their attention to it. There are also a number of other interactive toys that will toss, roll, wave, fling, flit, and otherwise move items around for your furbaby to chase. Do, of course, be very careful when selecting interactive toys. For example, do not leave your furbaby unattended with any toys that contain dangerous parts and pieces, such as strings. It is important to keep those kitties and pups happy and active even on cold winter days, but only do so with toys that are safe and sound.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Photo Fails

Thank goodness it's Friday, right? One reason we're glad it's Friday is because it's time for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. If you'd like to join in but 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. So far 2021 is _________.

2. A book (or movie or song) title that best describes my life is _________.

3. _________ was a pleasant surprise.

4. I learned that _________ is a recipe for disaster.

My answers are below in bold.

1. So far 2021 is 2020: The Sequel.

(Maybe this is just my perception of 2021 thus far.)

2. A book title that best describes my life is The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
(I've actually never read The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, but I've always liked and related to that title. When I'm out and about at social gatherings, I'm admittedly that person who tries to disappear in the corner. I'm just not a very social person, and at any given moment I'd much rather be home in the company of just myself and my furbabies. If I do partake in a social event, though, I'm honestly more than happy to just keep myself company. Not only am I more comfortable being left to my own devices, but that also allows me to people watch and to simply observe the scene, which I actually enjoy.)

3. Finding sickly Evan abandoned outside the cat clinic where I used to work was a pleasant surprise.

(Going on 8 years ago, I arrived one day at the cat clinic where I used to work only to find a carrier outside the front door. It contained a tiny kitten. He was hissing, he was spitting, his face was covered in green mucus from a nasty URI, his entire body was covered with diarrhea from a nasty case of coccidiosis, and he was hind limb paralyzed and therefore dragging his back legs. Back then I didn't know what to expect from that tiny mess of a kitten, but he turned out to be my sweet momma's boy and I am beyond grateful for that.)

4. I learned that taking Evan to the vet without his diaper bag is a recipe for disaster.

(Evan has a very nervous bladder, and he also has nervous bowels. I have learned to take him to the vet along with what I call his diaper bag, which is essentially a bag filled with spare towels and blankets, paper towels, Evan's pet shampoo, and all that jazz. When I'm in the exam room with him, I've learned to use one of the towels in his diaper bag to cover Evan's rear end, otherwise I will get hit with projectiles from his nervous bladder and bowels. The last time I forgot to take his diaper bag with me was probably 5 years ago. I was dropping him off at the vet before going to work. I took him to an exam room to discuss with a vet tech why he was there, and since I failed to bring his diaper bag with spare towels for protection, before I knew it he had peed all over my front side. I had to go to work like that, covered in Evan's notoriously pungent urine. Luckily my mom was able to go by my house and then bring me a change of clothes rather quickly. Also luckily, I work at a really small and lowkey place and I was able to avoid my co-workers until I had changed my clothes. It's a great memory.)

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.

***

And now it's time for the Pet Photo Fails! Blog Hop, hosted by Mudpie and Melissa of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows!

Our blooper queen Eddy of course has some bloopers to share. They were snapped during one of her recent photo shoots at the window. Ready?

Happy Friday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback is another one from January 2019. I remember being vaguely inspired for this doodle by the fact that Eddy loves to watch out the window, but most especially loves doing so when I'm keeping her company at said window.

***

Tip of the Day

Our series of winter safety tips has already covered wiping off those paws when they've been in contact with snow, ice, ice melts, and so forth. Today's tip relates to all of that, and is to regularly check your furbaby's cute little toes. It is of course important to always ensure that your furbaby and his or her paws are free or injury, but this is something that is especially important in the winter. The cold and dry air, as well as the cold ground that might be covered in snow, ice, ice melts, and other substrate in the winter, can potentially lead to dry, cracked, bleeding, and overall uncomfortable paw pads. This is why it is important for you to regularly check your pup or kitty's paws in the winter, and of course year round. Be especially vigilant of the condition of paws that frequently go outdoors.

If you do notice your furbaby's paw pads are dry, cracking, or bleeding, or if they are displaying any discomfort when walking, consider options for treating and combating paw pad dryness and discomfort. There are pet paw salves on the market that are intended to combat dryness and to protect paws pads that often go outdoors. In some cases, petroleum jelly might be deemed safe to wipe onto the paw pads before they head outdoors, but this is sometimes a debated option. More importantly, when it comes to the health, safety, and comfort of your furbaby and their paws, it is of course always recommended to discuss the matter with a veterinarian. A veterinarian can check for any damage to the paws, and can also best recommend treatment for or prevention of dryness, cracking, and other injury to the paw pads. So, do be observant of the state of your kitty or pup's paws, and seek veterinary care if you have any concerns.

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! Let's start with Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge, shall we?

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

I used to watch I Love Lucy all the time as a kid. The episode in the above image involved Lucy and Ethel working at a candy factory, of course which resulted in some shenanigans. I brainstormed how to turn this prompt into one of my usual weird poems. Long story short, I ended up with this silly rhyme:

Lucy and Ethel

There once was a woman named Viv,
And with her two roommates she did live.
Viv, however, could not financially rely on her roommates.
They never paid any of the bills, no matter the rates.

Viv's roommates went by the names of Lucy and Ethel,
And sometimes it seemed like Viv they did intentionally troll and heckle.
Lucy and Ethel were a loud and active duo,
Regularly knocking things from shelves and running to and fro.

It was on one moonlit night that Viv felt compelled to eat and bake.
She made her way to the kitchen for sugary sweet food's sake.
She hustled and bustled as she grabbed bowls and concocted batter and dough.
All the while, Lucy and Ethel ran through, tripped her, and stepped on her toes.

With a sigh and a shake of her head,
"Can't you two give me some space?" Viv said.
Her roommates ignored her and continued to wreak havoc in the kitchen.
Viv had to finish baking while Lucy and Ethel had a running competition.

By the end of the night, Viv had a table filled with baked goods and candy.
Then, just like that, Lucy and Ethel were stealing it in front of her eyes, for all to see.
Lucy was swiping a cookie from a plate,
And Ethel was grabbing at not just one piece of candy, but eight.

Exasperated, Viv said, "You two are the naughtiest roommates I've ever had.
Tell me, Lucy and Ethel, are all cats this bossy and bad?
You feisty felines steal all my food.
Honestly, that is nothing if not rude.
Not to mention you throw my possessions to the floor,
And you fight and hiss, and so much more."

The cats named Lucy and Ethel glanced at each other.
They did have a tendency to to break stuff and run like thunder.
Lucy and Ethel each slapped a piece of candy to the floor,
And then they slapped the candy towards Viv, and then a bit more.

"Gee, thanks," Viv said.
She sighed and rubbed her head.
Then, she bent down, picked up the candy, and ate it.
She smiled, finding the sugary sweetness quite satiating.

Viv said, "This candy really is quite good, isn't it?
Can I have another piece, do you think?"
Lucy and Ethel tossed her another piece of candy quicker than quick.
Viv ate it up, and then her fingers she even did lick.

Then Viv turned to Lucy and Ethel with a smile.
The cats meowed and purred all the while.
"Lucy and Ethel, you always cheer me up," Viv said, clapping.
"You two are just the best kitties ever," she added, happy and laughing.

I'll be sharing the illustration for this poem on Sunday. I've been working on all the new doodles I want to finally start sharing again, after 2 weeks of craziness and lack of new doodles. I'm excited to finally be working in my sketchbook again, and I'll start sharing my newest doodles on Saturday, with this poem's illustration being on Sunday.

***

Now, let's give some thanks for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble is always here to give thanks on Thursdays. What's this tabby girl grateful for today?

Thimble is grateful for sunshine! She doesn't even care if it washed her out in this photo. We see so little sunshine these days, that when we do see it, Thimble is incredibly thankful for it.

We're also, of course, incredibly grateful for all of you!

***

Now, let's 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. So far 2021 is _________.

2. A book (or movie or song) title that best describes my life is _________.

3. _________ was a pleasant surprise.

4. I learned that _________ is a recipe for disaster.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

Here's a wacky flashback doodle from January 2019, in the same series as the other weird one I shared the other day.

***

Tip of the Day

We've discussed helping ferals stay warm and cared for in the winter, such as by offering them even makeshift shelters and putting food out for them. We've also mentioned helping your own kitties or pups remain healthy and happy during the cold winter months, such as by minimizing time their outdoors and offering extra warm places for them to sleep inside the home. But, what role can you play when it comes to others' companion animals, those who are not ferals, but who are also not your own furbabies? The important thing when it comes to this is to be observant, to be aware of an observed companion animal's situation on a cold winter day, and, if necessary, to be a voice for the voiceless.

If you notice someone's pet cat or dog being kept outdoors for an extended, unsafe length of time on a cold winter day, then get the details of the situation and report it. Also report if an animal being abused or neglected in this way is left outside in the cold without shelter in which to stay warm, or while chained up, and so forth. If you believe you are witnessing a stray animal struggling to survive without a home, in the cold winter months or any time of the year, also report this to someone who can help them. In any such cases, get the address where the animal is located, the number of animals affected, details regarding the conditions in which the animal is living, and even get pictures if possible.

In case you ever do find yourself facing a situation of animal abuse or neglect, try to make sure you are aware of whom to call in order to get help for an animal in need. In some locations, cases of animal abuse or neglect are best reported to certain humane organizations. In some places, if you notice animal abuse or neglect, you should call animal control, or law enforcement. What's more, to ensure that an abused or neglected animal is indeed rescued from unsafe conditions, don't just report it, but follow through with any reports you make to ensure that animals suffering abuse or neglect get the help they need.

At this point, we do want to make what we're sure is an obvious clarification. In order to avoid mistakes or misunderstandings, never jump to conclusions without first having the facts, and this of course regards the care of others' furbabies. For example, if you see a dog outside in someone's yard on a cold winter day, don't automatically assume this is a case of abuse or neglect, and don't raise false alarms. In some cases, a dog might of course just be outside on a short bathroom break, perhaps even with their human monitoring them from inside the home. So, before making any reports, always make sure you have observed the situation enough to know the facts and to have formed proper conclusions regarding animal abuse or neglect. If you do ultimately come to the conclusion that an animal is living in unsafe conditions, then do your best to seek help for them.

Topeakmart Cat Tree Review

The kitties here got to try out a new item recently. In exchange for an honest review, Topeakmart sent me a cat tree of my choice from their online store. I chose a cat tree that is 36" tall and has 3 tiers.  One of the primary features that drew me to this particular tree is that it has a cubby on the ground level. I always strive to look for cat trees that have this type of feature, as that gives my hind limb paralyzed Evan easy access to a portion of the cat tree. I don't often find cat trees with this type of feature, and I was beyond happy to see that Topeakmart indeed offers a cat tree with a cubby on the actual base of the tree.

Now, let's rewind and start from the beginning. Just as with essentially every cat tree you order online, I had to assemble this cat tree. That wasn't an issue, as it comes with all the pieces you need as well as a manual, and was generally just very easy to put together.

The only slight hitch was that the provided hardware was missing 1 out of the 2 screws required to put the tree's ramp on. This isn't a huge deal for me or my kitties, as the felines at my house never touch the ramps on their cat trees. What's more, not having the ramp attached actually allows Evan to more easily enter his floor-level cubby. The ramp is also not essential to the foundation or sturdiness of the cat tree, so it's also not an issue in that way. Nevertheless, I did reach out to Topeakmart and they were more than willing to send me the missing screw.

I could tell this cat tree was going to be a hit before we even had it fully assembled. As I was laying out the cushy bed that goes at the top and as I was putting together the individual cubbies, the cats were already helping themselves.

With lots of helps from lots of cats, the cat tree was assembled in something along the lines of 30 minutes. The feline testers were already present to give it a go, and they all loved it. They loved the cat tree so much they were literally fighting over it.

This cat tree offers 2 cozy cubbies, a soft bed on top, a dangling toy, poles with sisal rope for scratching, and all sorts of climbing and playing abilities in between. It holds weight very well. Toby prefers the bed on the top of the cat tree, which supports all of his 17 lbs just fine. This tree has simultaneously had 5 cats climbing all over it on more than one occasion, those cats having a combined weight of roughly 65 lbs, and it's never tipped over or had any other issues.

This tree is now the favorite cat tree in the house. Cats are constantly curled up in the cubbies, and there's rarely a moment when a cat isn't snoozing in the bed on top. I don't know if I've ever before seen such a soft and cushy bed on a cat tree before, but this one sure is and the cats love it.

All in all, this cat tree quite is a big hit with the kitties. I myself was thrilled to find a cat tree with a ground-level cubby for my hind limb paralyzed Evan, and he certainly loves that cubby. I also found it very easy to assemble, which was an added plus.

The overall dimensions of this 3-tiered cat tree are 19.3" x 18" x 36". It comes in a choice of dark grey, light grey, or beige. If you're interested in this cat tree from Topeakmart, just click here. To learn more about Topeakmart's cat trees on their blog, click here. Their store also offers a variety of other cat trees, as well as playpens for dogs and cages for birds. If you're interested in purchasing from Topeakmart, I was given a 15% discount code to share with you all, and that code is fur15.

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Today's tip is one we've mentioned before, but that we're going to mention again for these cold winter days. Though of course living indoors helps keep our furbabies safe and sound during the winter months, it is still important to remember that extra measures can be taken to keep them warm and cozy. This is especially important for young or old furbabies, those with little to no fur, and any cats or dogs whose health is compromised. You can start by putting out additional soft and cozy blankets and beds for them. To take it one step further, there are heated blankets and beds on the market. Of course, be very careful when using anything heated, taking especial care to ensure that no burns or fires result. To be on the safe side, you can look into beds that allow warmth in a non-electrical way. For example, there are pet beds constructed of material that essentially reflects a kitty or pup's body heat back to them, warming them that way. Lastly, also take into consideration the location of blankets and beds. Place your kitty or pup's blankets and beds somewhere that is elevated off of the floor, and away from drafts, doorways, and windows, to ensure that they can remain as warm as possible.

Tonks Tuesday

Having a house full of furbabies, one with urinary incontinence, I do a lot of laundry. Blankets are especially an oft laundered item at our house. Sometimes I get distracted when going from the washing machines and place the clean laundry on the couch for what I think will be just a short moment. I should know better by now, though, that someone will always steal a clean load of blankets from me if I do that. 

Tonks is the primary blanket thief at our house, and she has no qualms about it.

I sat those clean blankets on the end of the couch for what I thought would be a brief moment after removing them from the dryer. So much for it being a brief moment. These photos were taken two weeks ago and I never regained possession of that green, white, and black fleece blanket. It's still sitting in that same spot, and I even fluff it every day for Tonks. She has trained me well.

Happy Tuesday!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

We really will be getting back to sharing new doodles very soon. I have half a dozen drawings nearly done, and more of them in various stages of completion. Life has just been all shades of crazy lately, but getting back to regular art time is one of my priorities right now. Until we start sharing those new doodles over the next couple of days, how about this weird and wacky winter doodle from January 2019?

***

Tip of the Day

Are you ready for an insanely long tip? Yes? Good. Because that's what we have for you today. Yesterday, we discussed the presence of parasites even in the winter, and the resulting importance of preventatives. During this discussion, we talked about how mice can carry parasites, and so how mice in the home can lead to the risk of parasites in our furbabies. Parasites are not the only way mice can affect our furbabies, though. As we mentioned yesterday, mice can often find ways into homes during the winter months, as they are seeking warm places to stay. As a result, some people move forward with ways of eradicating mice in the home. When it comes to such methods, always consider how they can affect our furbabies. For example, the common wooden snap traps can obviously cause pain and injury. If a curious paw or nose finds the traps, such as if lured by the scent of peanut butter or cheese on the trap, it can snap closed and cause damage to little paws and noses.

As an alternative to the wooden and metal snap traps, there are mouse traps that are considered safer. One option includes plastic snap traps that do not contain metal that can easily break or otherwise harm a cat or dog paw. There are also sticky traps, which do not contain the danger of snapping parts, but these do of course contain adhesives, which can cause risks such as stuck paws or fur, or the dangerous consumption of adhesive material. If you are looking to spare the life of the mouse, you can also consider various live traps, or catch-and-release traps.

No matter what kind of trap you use, if you use them, always put them somewhere that your furbaby cannot reach. This might mean putting traps in cabinets that you ensure your furbaby cannot open. Sometimes traps can also be placed under boxes or containers constructed to allow a mouse access, but to block a furbaby's access to the trap beneath. In other cases, traps could be placed in rooms or areas of the home where your furbaby cannot access, such as rooms with closed doors, attics, crawl spaces, and so forth. This of course goes for the more dangerous traps, but also even the safer ones. This is because no mouse trap poses zero risk, and a curious kitty or pup might try to get a mouse even in a trap. While cats are of course classically known as being mouse hunters, it is still perhaps ideal for them not to regularly play with or consume mice, such as to avoid parasites, choking, and so forth. As a side note, when I worked at a cat clinic, a cat once came in with a mouse head lodged in its throat. This is why you hear me mention to perhaps avoid allowing your cats to catch mice, in order to prevent dangers such as this.

Of course, this lengthy discussion on mice in the home would not be complete without mentioning the danger of rodenticides. Rodenticides can contain incredibly toxic ingredients, such as anticoagulants. This means if a kitty or pup manages to come in contact with or consume the rodenticide itself, or even if they find a mouse who has come in contact with or consumed the rodenticide, serious side effects can occur. For this reason, simply avoid using rodenticides. This is for the safety of your furbaby, and also for the safety of ferals, strays, and wildlife who can also be affected by the serious side effects of rodenticides.

All in all, mice in the home is not an ideal situation, for reasons including health and safety. Mice can carry disease and parasites, and can potentially and dangerously chew on wires and cabling in the walls or other areas of the home. That being said, though, only use mice prevention methods in your home that are guaranteed to be safe for your furbaby. Find and block entry points for mice in your home, garage, and so forth. If need be, only put out traps that are as hidden and safe as possible. You know your home and furbaby best, so proceed accordingly.

Mancat Monday

It's Mancat Monday, and Evan is yet again posing at one of his favorite windows.

Evan hopes you enjoy seeing his handsome face. And his pretty eyes. And his majestic whiskers.

Happy Monday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Today's winter tip is to, despite the fact that it's winter here in the Northern Hemisphere, still keep in mind parasites and their prevention. If you live somewhere that is warm or temperate even during this time of the year, of course certainly do consider keeping up with those parasite preventatives for your furbabies. The same, though, goes even for those who don't live somewhere consistently warm in the winter. Some winter days are not as cold as others, and parasites such as mosquitoes and fleas can survive and make reappearances when the temperatures rise. Sometimes, some parasites even make their way into our homes and survive winter climates by hanging out in the warm comfort of our heated houses. With this in mind, don't forget that mosquitoes can carry heartworms, and fleas can cause bloodborne diseases, as well as can carry tapeworms, all of which can cause dangerous side effects. For all such reasons, do think about the benefits of keeping up with parasite prevention for your furbabies all year round.

One more note we want to make regards none other than mice. This time of year, mice might find ways to enter our homes, garages, sheds, and so forth, in search of a warm place to stay. What's more, mice can carry parasites such as fleas, tapeworms, and roundworms. This means, especially if your furbaby gets near or even eats a mouse inside the home, or anywhere else, they are at risk such parasites. This is yet another reason to keep up with parasite prevention for your furbaby, no matter what time of year it is.

Guest Sunday Selfies

Today we have some selfies from a guest. This guest is one we've shared multiple times before. He owns my parents, he loves to greet me through the front window of my parents' house, he's 22 lbs of cuddle bug, and his name is Foggy.

Do you like what this boy has done to my parents' front curtains? Foggy is all paws and loves to grab the resultingly tattered curtains, but he's adorable so that's totally okay.

Happy Sunday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

I recently shared a cozy library flashback doodle from last year. I then realized I had drawn a very similar one 2 years ago, because sometimes I just like to draw the same thing over and over again. Here's the similar cozy library doodle from 2 years ago.

***

Tip of the Day

We've given a variety of tips regarding today's topic, but we're going to compile them and mention them again today. Today's tip is to keep a close eye on your kitty or pup's water bowl and food bowl during the cold winter months. What do we mean by this? To begin, make sure the water bowl remains full and fresh. To keep warm on cold winter days, we of course run the furnace, or turn on heaters or the fireplace. This is of course crucial for helping our furbabies and ourselves remain warm when it's cold, but this can also lead to increased evaporation of water. This is just one reason to regularly check on your furbaby's water bowl, even on, or especially on, cold winter days. In addition, the furnace and other heat sources can lead to dryness, such as of your kitty or pup's coat and skin. This is another reason why it is crucial to ensure they have sufficient fresh water, as they very well may drink more in order to remain moisturized and comfortable in the dry winter air.

The food bowl might also be affected by the cold weather in the winter. This concept more heavily relates to furbabies who live outdoors or who spend time outdoors in the winter, such as ferals, strays, or those who go outdoors to use the restroom or go on walks. Those who spend time in the cold will often eat more in the winter. This is because when the body breaks down consumed food, it produces energy and heat, which can be crucial for helping a furbaby remain warm in the cold. Therefore, if your furbaby spends time outdoors, keep an eye on their food intake. They may require more food in the winter in order to remain warm and comfortable. Of course, if you have any concerns regarding your furbaby's diet, weight, and overall food and water intake, then do discuss this with your veterinarian.

Squirrely Caturday Art

Today's doodle is the illustration for the poem we shared for Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge. I hadn't finished the doodle in time to share it with the poem on Thursday, so we're sharing it today. The poem involved squirrels, cats, some winter shenanigans, and you can click right here to read it.

Happy Caturday, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

Though we're more than a tad bit late in the season to give this tip, we're going to give it nonetheless. Today's tip relates to the furnace, and we want to remind you to have a professional inspect your furnace before use every year, or as needed. An inspection could help detect any issues that might make running the furnace a risk. This in turn of course gives you the chance to have any necessary repairs or replacements made, so that neither your furbaby nor yourself are put in unnecessary danger.

Also relating to the furnace, don't forget to replace the filter regularly. A clean filter not only allows the furnace to run optimally, but also helps eliminate allergens, dust, and other such debris from the air. Ensuring ideal air quality with a clean furnace and air filter is something to especially take into consideration if your furbaby, or yourself, has asthma or other respiratory issues. The furnace plays a crucial role for your furbaby and yourself on cold winter days, so don't forget to give it the care and attention it needs.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello and happy Friday! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us. We'll share the fill-in statements below, in case you missed them yesterday. My co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.


1. _________ is a mystery I would love to know the answer to.

2. _________ is the farthest I have ever been from home.

3. I've lost count of how many times _________.

4. _________ reminds me of _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. Where missing socks go is a mystery I would love to know the answer to.

(I have so many single socks missing their partners. I read somewhere that sometimes washers, or maybe even dryers, can have areas where items like socks can end up sucked in and out of sight. I don't know how true this is, but I'm not writing it off as impossible. Just the other day I put a bunch of paired up dirty socks in the wash, and one of the pairs came out of the dryer as just one single sock all by its lonesome self. Where is its partner? I don't know, but I sure wish I did. My family sometimes jokes that there are sock gremlins, and I'm also not writing that off as a possibility.)

2. The East Coast is the farthest I have ever been from home.

(I live in Central Illinois. I've been over to the East Coast, which occurred in the form of an eighth grade field trip to Washington, D.C. The farthest I've been to the west of my home state of Illinois is Missouri, which is indeed a neighbor to Illinois. I'm fine with this. I'm not much of a traveler, at all. As I've said before, I'm a major homebody. Leaving my home and my furbabies just isn't something I enjoy.)

3. I've lost count of how many times I've thought of something different to put for this answer.
(I've been trying to think of just the right answer to put for this, but instead I just keep coming up with a plethora of random ones. Thanks to my furry family, I've thought of relating my answer to how many piles of cat vomit I've stepped in or cleaned up. I've thought of putting something about the number of loads of laundry my furbabies have created for me. I've even thought of putting how many times I've watched my favorite movies or read my favorite books. I couldn't narrow it down, so you get the pathetic answer above.)

4. Eddy reminds me of Rosie.

(Some of you may remember my calico angel Rosie. She was the kitty who was in my life from the time I was 4 years old until I was 26. Rosie was an independent girl who knew what she wanted, when she wanted it, and how she wanted it. It used to be that Thimble reminded me a bit of Rosie, but these days Eddy reminds me more of her. Like Rosie, Eddy knows what she wants, and she'll let you know when and how she wants those things. And she'll let you know that loudly. Eddy often wants cuddles, but she wants them on her terms. Sometimes she likes belly rubs, and other times that tummy is majorly off limits and you only touch it at your own risk. If she wants something while you're sleeping, she'll step on your sleeping head and trample you until you wake up and get the hint. All of these are things that Eddy does, and they're also things that Rosie did.)

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.

***

Your Eddy fix for today is yet another shot that was snapped while Eddy was looking out the open window. It was cold outside, but if I wanted some non-blurry shots of Eddy I had to open the window to distract her. You gotta do what you gotta do.

I love the color of Eddy's eyes. They remind me of an aquamarine gemstone. I might be biased, but I'm okay with that.

Happy Friday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

This is another old flashback doodle, scribbled up all the way back in 2018. It was a silly winter doodle I drew in association with the fact that I currently work in a chemistry lab. I handle test tubes and chemicals and all that jazz on a daily basis, so I decided to make all that feel more wintry in this old doodle. I'm now hankering to scribble up a recreation of this doodle. Anyway. Here it is.

***

Tip of the Day

As you all certainly know, cats often seek out heat. Those pups out there sometimes do, too. For this reason, when it's cold this winter, monitor your furbaby around any sort of heat source. This of course goes for fireplaces, which should be sufficiently blocked so that kitties and pups can't directly access it or end up with burns. But, this also goes for various space heaters, radiators, and even floor or wall registers for the furnace. Especially if your cat or dog is known to park themselves incredibly close to, or even on top of, such heat sources, be sure to keep a very close eye on them when heaters are being used, or when the furnace is running. If they are near a heat source, check on them regularly, and feel them to make sure that they, and their fur, are not getting dangerously hot. Depending on the kind of heat produced by various heat sources, burns and other injuries can occur if a kitty or pup sleeps on or near it. If needed, such as if your kitty or pup insists on keeping a heater or furnace register company, consider blocking direct access to them. For example, there are safe, fire-proof covers for furnace registers on the floor or wall. When it comes to space heaters, if needed, place them in areas where your kitty or pup does not have access. In other cases, you might be able to find a way to safely block direct access to heaters and radiators, so that your furbaby can enjoy the heat without the risk of burns. Of course we want our furbabies to stay warm in the winter, but it is also important to ensure that your kitty or pup does not end up with burns or other injuries.

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

Happy Thursday! Wait, it's Thursday? That means it's time for Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.

Each week, our host shares a photo prompt to guide us on our poetic journey. This week's prompt is this adorable one here:

I didn't have much of a plan going into this poem. All I knew was that I wanted to include some squirrels, cats, and a winter setting. The result of all that was this silly rhyme:

The New Neighbors

Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel were quite happy with their home.
Inside an oak tree, it was a peaceful, cozy, and humble abode.
It was their favorite place to be,
Their little home inside that tree.

The Squirrels had a little one they were raising in their home.
And the trouble began when, one day, they put their little one down to doze.
On that day, Baby Squirrel was immediately awoken from his nap.
It happened when, outside, there was a sound much like a laugh.

When the laughter and giggling and downright noise continued,
Mr. Squirrel peeked outside to see what he might find and what he could do.
What he discovered was a furry and whiskered and laughing thing.
In the snow it was giggling and swirling and dancing.

"Um, excuse me?" Mr. Squirrel said.
The furry and laughing thing turned its head.
Then it shouted, "Oh, hello! It's nice to meet you!"
It wore a hat over pointed ears, and mittens and a scarf of blue.
It was building a snow creature that looked just like it, too.

The loud and laughing thing smiled and waved.
It seemed like nothing but joy was on its furry orange face.
"My name is Tabby," it said.
It added, "My parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cat, are at our house just up ahead.
We just moved in to our new homestead."

Mr. Squirrel tried not to grimace too visibly.
Instead, he asked, "Will you always be out here playing and laughing?"
"How could I not?" still laughing Tabby replied.
The furry fellow added, "It's just so fun playing here outside!"
When Tabby the new neighbor showed no signs of stopping his games,
Mr. Squirrel ducked back into his tree of a home, calling Mrs. Squirrel's name.

Mr. Squirrel explained to Mrs. Squirrel the new neighbor situation,
After which she looked outside for herself to see Tabby's laughing demonstration.
Mrs. Squirrel sighed and said, "At least the new neighbor called Tabby is happy.
Though, it would be nice if he wasn't out there so loudly playing and laughing."

That's when Mr. and Mrs. Cat appeared, saying, "Hello, neighbors! We have gifts of food."
In truth, food always helped to improve Mr. Squirrel's mood.
Mrs. Cat said, "I apologize if our son Tabby is loud.
He's a bit rambunctious, though of him we are proud."

The Cat family handed over their gifts of food, one being a walnut cake.
Taking a bite, Mr. Squirrel thought he'd never tasted anything that delicious as of late.
He ate it while watching Tabby still laughing and playing in the snow,
And now he really didn't mind the really quite loud show.

The Squirrels and Cats became great friends after that.
The Squirrels were often happily visited by Mr. and Mrs. Cat.
Sometimes their gatherings, and Tabby's laughing playtime, ran quite late.
Mr. Squirrel no longer minded, especially when Mr. and Mrs. Cat brought that walnut cake.

This is usually where I share the illustration I like to doodle up for my poem. The illustration for this poem is close to being finished, but I just didn't quite get the last touches put on it. After a couple weeks of craziness in both my personal and work life, I'll soon finally get back to regularly sharing new drawings. The illustration for today's poem will be shared either tomorrow or this weekend, and after that other new drawings will finally be ready to share as well. Today's doodle will be another flashback at the end of this post.

***

It's not just about rhyming today, but also giving thanks. This is easy thanks to Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble is always here on Thursdays to give thanks, and today is no different. What is is tabby girl thankful for today?

Thimble is grateful for her adorable nose! And her gorgeous eyes! And her stunning whiskers! What's more, Thimble and all of us here are beyond grateful for friends like all of you.

***

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

1. _________ is a mystery I would love to know the answer to.

2. _________ is the farthest I have ever been from home.

3. I've lost count of how many times _________.

4. _________ reminds me of _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

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

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

Woof Woof Wednesday

Pup Astrid is going to tattle and tell you all that this here human still has Christmas decor up in the house. What's more, Astrid is still touting her Christmas ribbon around town.

Can you believe that? Astrid wonders if she'll be wearing her Christmas ribbon until Easter. Astrid is glad that she's pretty darn cute, even if her ribbon is out of season.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

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

Toesies Tuesday With Tonks

It's Tuesday, and Tonks wants to make sure no one forgets how cute her toesies are.

Happy Toesies Tuesday to all!

 

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

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