Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello and happy Friday! Let's get right on with the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, shall we? As always, feel free to join in on the fun! My co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. I am overdue to _________.

2. I am so sick of _________.

3. _________ is a strange snack I like to eat.

4. _________ is one of the most random things I own.

My answers are below in bold.

1. I am overdue to give my kitties flea prevention.

(I somewhat recently gave a tip on our blog about keeping up on flea prevention, especially in the summer when fleas can run rampant. And yet here I am letting my kitties get past due. I actually need to order more preventatives, because last time I gave it to them I used it all, and now I need to restock. Pup Astrid has had hers recently, but not the kitties. Not that the kitties are complaining, because they hate it, but fleas are no joke, so I really need to get on this.)

2. I am so sick of the disheartening stories the news has to offer.

(What has happened to humanity and our world that the news is filled with so much hatred of so many forms? I can't even stand to watch or read the news anymore.)

3. Peanut butter and applesauce is a strange snack I like to eat.

(Mixing peanut butter and applesauce is surprisingly good, at least to me. I don't eat this very often, mostly because my intestines deem peanut butter an enemy, but I still indulge in it occasionally. My mom eats applesauce mixed with cottage cheese, sometimes topping all of that with cinnamon, but I cannot bring myself to venture into that realm.)

4. A World War II artillery mortar canister is one of the most random things I own.

(This random item was left behind in my garage by the previous owner of my home, who told me that they didn't know what it was and that they didn't want it. So, I've kept it tucked safely away since then. To be honest, I intend on finding a safe place to display it. My great-grandfather was a veteran of WWII, in which he drove a tank, and so I find items like the mortar canister from my garage to be quite intriguing. I had to do a bit of research to fully know what it was that I had found in my garage when I first moved in, but luckily it was inscribed with Nr 091.2, and typing that into an online search quickly helped me find some answers on it. I'll share a photo of it below, alongside a calico cat for size comparison, or for whatever reason she wanted to pose with the WWII artillery mortar canister.)

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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Are you ready for your Eddy fix? We're sure you are, so here it is.

Have a fantastic Friday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's summer safety tip is to beware the bugs. A variety of bugs begin to make appearances this time of year. That being said, many of those bugs bring with them their own sorts of danger. For example, some spiders, as we've mentioned before, have bites that are toxic. Bees, wasps, and other similar bugs can sting, and this can prove incredibly dangerous for furbabies with severe allergies to these stings. There are also of course mosquitoes, who can harbor those nasty, dangerous heart worms.

That all being said, keep in mind that many bug sprays can also be toxic to furbabies. Spraying in your yard, or near or inside your home, can be dangerous for this reason. If your furbaby licks or comes into contact with certain pesticides, they could become sick and have serious side effects.

There are ways, though, for you to help keep your furbaby safe from insects. For example, keep any water in your yard fresh and clean, as stagnant water attracts mosquitoes as a place for them to lay eggs. To ward off buzzing bees, try to keep plants that attract them away from areas where your furbaby frequents. When you are somewhere unfamiliar, perhaps steer clear of gardens, not only to keep your furbaby safe from toxic plants, but also from bees that might be hanging around the area. Though not always easy, keeping buggers such as spiders out of your home might be easier if you keep doorways and the like regularly cleaned. Ridding doorways of cobwebs, for example, can lead to less arachnid inhabitants.

It is also worth noting that there are some pet-safe insect repellents on the market. Some products can keep bugs away in a more natural manner, such as by using certain scents to which insects are averse. This being said, though, even some of these more natural products can pose risks for furbabies, such as if they contain dangerous essential oils or other potentially toxic ingredients. For this reason, always read product labels, do your research, and discuss any concerns with your veterinarian. What's more, should your furbaby become sick due to an insect bite or sting, or due to ingestion of a pesticide, seek veterinary care immediately.