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.