Tonks Tuesday

It's Tonks Tuesday, so here's a Tonks for you!

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Tomorrow will start a new series of somewhat spooky, sometimes autumnal doodles. I know it's not really autumn yet, but it will be September, and that's close enough for me. Tomorrow is actually the birthday of my angels Rosie and Sammy, so tomorrow's doodle will be a sort of spooky autumnal birthday one. Because that makes sense. For today, though, how about this weird summer doodle starring Toby in a wannabe Halloween shirt? Because that also totally makes sense.

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Tip of the Day

I work in a chemistry lab with lots of random chemicals. If you want a fun tidbit of an example, I work with chloroform on nearly a daily basis. It makes for a great solvent, and sometimes I forget that's not a normal sort of thing. And that got me thinking about sharing a tip like today's. Always keep in mind that some job locations, as well as travel or other locations, could potentially bring you in contact with substances that might be dangerous to your furbaby. For example, if you work at a veterinary clinic or volunteer at an animal shelter, you can easily come in contact with various pathogens that could transfer to your furbaby, even on your clothes. The same might be said if you work at particular types of scientific laboratories, plant nurseries, or any other job or location that might land potentially dangerous materials on your clothes or possessions. For such reasons, try to always be cognizant of where you have been and what you have touched while away from home. If need be, change clothes prior to going home to your furbaby, or steer clear of your furbaby until you have cleaned up upon arriving at home. Of course, certainly not every job or location will cause you to be a potential threat to your furbaby's health, but it never hurts to think about where you've been and what you've touched before giving your furbaby a snuggle when you arrive at home.

Mancat Monday

Not all of the kitties at my house are afraid of the vacuum. In fact, there are three cats in the house who don't even hide from it. One of them is Evan, and here he is lying on the part of the floor that I'm trying to vacuum.

Thanks for being such a great helper, Evan!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

We've been having lots of rain lately, so we thought we'd give a random little tip somewhat related to that topic. Especially during rainy or snowy times of the year, don't forget to leave a towel by the door for furbabies who go outdoors. Wiping off wet paws helps to ensure that your furbaby's paws are dry and warm after coming in from the wet outdoors, which can help keep them stay comfortable but also healthy. Wiping wet paws also helps to remove any debris such as plant material or gravel, which can prevent your furbaby from ingesting such materials if they choose to lick their feet clean. Of course, it also helps keep those paws from tracking water, mud, or other bits of debris throughout the house. In addition to wiping those paws off, also keep in mind what you might be tracking in on your feet. If it's raining or snowing, if you've walked through dirt or other debris, or if anything else might be on your shoes, make sure that you aren't dragging in anything unsavory for your furbaby. Either wipe your shoes off really well, or simply take them off before entering the home.

Sunday Selfie

Tonks is here today to share a selfie with you all. How did she do?

Woops. She cut off one of her ears. Oh well. Tonks is still pretty darn adorable, isn't she?

Happy Sunday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Would anyone like to take a little stroll through a fairy garden?

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Tip of the Day

How about a perfectly random tip today? Don't forget that treats and exercise can go hand in hand. Especially for food-oriented kitties or pups, or those in need of shedding some pounds, try making treat time play time, a time for exercise. For example, does your kitty or pup like to chase things or play fetch? Try tossing or sliding their treats along the floor, so that they can have fun catching them before eating them. You can also incorporate toys in this, such as by having a fun game of chase with your kitty's wand toy that ends with them earning some treats. And of course there are also those famous treat-dispensing toys, which can give kitties and pups both physical as well as mental exercise. It is indeed possible for your kitty or pup to enjoy some occasional treats and be healthy at the same time.

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

We're sure most of you already know that today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, initiated by Deborah Barnes of Zee & Zoey in 2015. We hope you all don't mind if we share the same Rainbow Bridge post that we shared over the last couple of years, but these words all still ring true.

On days like today, I do my best to not dwell on the sadness of having lost furry, feathered, and other friends who have gained their angel wings. Rather, I try to focus on the wonderful memories all of my angels have gifted me throughout the years. I am lucky to have shared my entire life with furry friends, feathered friends, and even friends of the aquatic sort. Needless to say, the memories are many.

Today, I remember my dear angel Rosie, who was my beautiful calico companion for 21 years.

I most certainly also remember Rosie's angel brother, that being the handsome and sweet tuxedo Sammy. I remember my angelic childhood pups, Banjo and Shellie, who would play with me and entertain me for hours on end. I remember my childhood feathered friends, Pippin, Robin, and Sweetpea. And of course I also remember my aquatic angels, such as Lieutenant Legs and Oscar.

Though I sometimes cannot help but feel sadness that some of my dearest friends have made the journey to the Rainbow Bridge, I will forever be grateful for the unconditional love and memories they gifted me. I will forever remember them. I will forever love them.

We are thinking of all of you who are remembering your sweet angels today and every day. Purrs, woofs, and prayers to you all.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip, in honor of Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, will offer some ideas on how you might be able to memorialize your Rainbow Bridge angels. Everyone has their own way of grieving and their own thoughts on memorials. Below are just some ideas that some may wish to use, while others may opt for other memorial options.

To begin, you can simply yet effectively memorialize your angel by displaying photos of them. You can even set up a little memorial corner or other area in your home, specifically for maintaining a memorial for your Rainbow Bridge angel. Whether or not you display it in a specific memorial area, you can also display your angel's clay paw, if you have one. You can also select a special urn for their remains, if you opted to keep their cremated remains.

Another option is to have customized portraits or other artwork painted or otherwise created for your Rainbow Bridge angel. You can have such artwork created based on your favorite photo of your angel, for example. Another option is to have custom jewelry created, using your Rainbow Bridge angel's image or name. Whether you wear such jewelry or put it on display, it can make for a lovely, unique memorial item.

If you can and want to, you can also create your own art or craft in honor of your angel. Whether this be a drawing, collage, or anything in between, this can help you feel closer to your angel. Or, you can write something in honor of your Rainbow Bridge angel. You can write a letter to them, write a poem for them, or simply write down any and all memories that you share with them. This is yet another way that you can honor and feel close to your angel, and you can choose to display or store away your personalized memorial items.

If you have a yard or garden where this is possible, you can also plant a tree or flower in honor of your Rainbow Bridge angel. You can also place a memorial stone or statue for them in your yard or garden, or even inside your home. In the case where you can and do bury your furbaby in your yard, you can also select grave markers, including customized ones, to mark their resting place in a special way.

Yet another potential way to memorialize your Rainbow Bridge angel is to make some sort of donation in their honor to a shelter or rescue, such as the one from which they were adopted. Donations can be monetary, or in the form of food, toys, or even your time. Other donations you can make include those to the cause for a cure, such as in the case that your angel passed away from or suffered from a particular disease.

The options for memorializing Rainbow Bridge angels are endless. Everyone grieves and honors lost loved ones in their own way, and that is more than fine. If you wish to memorialize your angel, simply think of what ways might feel best to you, and then pursue those options.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Photo Fails

We've made it to Friday. Thank goodness. Now, how about we get right to the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, shall we? Want to join in? Please do! 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 plan to _________ these last few days of August.

2. I am a _________.

3. _________ is proving difficult these days.

4. Have I ever told you about the time that I _________?

My answers are below in bold.

1. I plan to finish putting up my indoor Halloween and autumn decor these last few days of August.
(Yes, I did say finish putting it up. Because I've been decorating for Halloween and autumn since the beginning of August. I haven't put my outdoor Halloween decor up yet, though, because that would probably confuse the neighbors.)

2. I am a crazy cat lady.

(I know some people feel offended by this term, but I'm not one of those people. I just embrace it. It's not like it's not true.)

3. Finding pet food is proving difficult these days.
(It seems like shortages are on the rise again. I'm having trouble finding the kitties' preferred dry food and the pup's favorite canned food. I'm going to be eaten alive.)

4. Have I ever told you about the time that I helped a snapping turtle find its way back to its aquatic home?
(It's really not as heroic or dramatic as it sounds, but I did help a lost snapping turtle. It happened earlier this summer, when I was driving to work and saw a rather large snapping turtle who had wandered away from the nearby creek. He was in the road, on a rather busy bridge. I gather he weighed nearly 25 lbs and he was quite unhappy with my attempts to assist him. I'm sure some of you already know this, but snapping turtles not only can swivel their head quite far, but they can also leave some nasty scars if they get snappy with you. So, I just grabbed the handy blanket I always keep in my car and used it to carry the turtle in a way safe for both of us. I returned him to the creek and that was that. It was an easy and simple thing, but it honestly made my day.)

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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And now it's time for the Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop, hosted by none other than Melissa and Mudpie of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows.

As always, our resident blooper queen Eddy is all ready for this event. Today, you get to see my attempt to get a photo of Eddy's gorgeous eyes, except she decided to move and turn into a blur instead.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

How about one last sort of summery flashback doodle?

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Tip of the Day

Today is our last tip relating to those feline vet visits. This tip actually far more of a general one, though. Today's tip is to remember your veterinarians, vet techs, and all of the staff at your vet clinic on special occasions. Whether it be Christmas, Veterinarian Appreciation Day (June 18th), Veterinary Technician Week (the third week of October), or another similar day, do consider sending some appreciation to those at your veterinary clinic. You can send a simple card, some flowers, a basket of goodies, or anything that demonstrates your appreciation for all they've done for your furbaby and yourself. Sometimes, being a veterinarian or veterinary staff member is a thankless job, or one that is forgotten in the shuffle. So, if you appreciate what your veterinary clinic has done for any and all of your furbabies, then do consider being one of those grateful customers who expresses their appreciation.

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

(Woops. I either forgot to schedule this post, or Blogger just outright ignored my request to publish it. I'm guessing it was human error on this very human's end. Either way, here's our post, late but here nonetheless.)

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! We're ready to rhyme, thanks to Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.

As always, our host shared a photo prompt to help guide our poetic endeavors. This week's prompt is this tasty one here:

After I drooled over all of those goodies, I got to thinking on a poem to go with it. Yet again, I ended up with a weird and kooky one. I'm still in a spooky sort of mindset, what with autumn and Halloween being just around the corner. So, that's the direction my wacky poem went. If you're up for something strange to read, here you go.

Terror Town

When Ginger moved to town,
She wasn't sure whether to smile or frown.
After all, the place was nothing if not eccentric.
It was called Terror Town and had a rather strange aesthetic.

On her first day in in that strange place,
Ginger talked to a woman with a green and warty face.
Is she a witch? Is this for real? Ginger asked quietly inside her own head.
"Nice to meet you," to the woman Ginger oh so politely said.

The green woman who may have been a witch was her new neighbor.
At least she had seemed nice and not all that wicked to Ginger.
When Ginger walked downtown that evening in search of the store,
She met some more interesting town folk, and then plenty more.

A ghost floated down the street whistling a tune,
While a werewolf sat on a park bench howling at the newly risen moon.
The owner of the shop she finally found was none other than a mummy,
And was that worker stocking the shelves the actual Easter Bunny?

Ginger knew that she herself was perhaps not all that normal,
But she also certainly wasn't, well, you know, paranormal.
Maybe her ears were a little pointy and her hair bright red and striped,
But she certainly wasn't—what was that over there?—a sprite? 

You're probably wondering what brought Ginger to this Terror Town,
And the reason made her really quite proud.
You see, Ginger had gotten a job there as a teacher.
Except, she hadn't known her students would be, well, creatures.

Taking in all the new and freaky sights and sounds,
Ginger started to feel a tad bit overwhelmed by Terror Town.
There was only thing Ginger wanted in that strange and confusing time.
There was only thing that could make her feel better and happy and fine,
And that was something sweet and chocolate and divine.

Still new and honestly lost in this strange place,
Ginger turned to the nearest face.
It happened to be that of a troll.
Sighing, she asked, "Where's the nearest bakery, do you know?"

The troll went on and on about the best bakeries in town.
The fact that there were so many certainly did not make Ginger frown.
Nonetheless, she was looking for a quick and easy solution,
And she headed toward the nearest one the troll mentioned in all of the confusion.

The bakery Ginger chose was, mercifully, just around the corner.
Even so, she all but cringed at the sign in front of her.
Creepy Cupcakes is what that bakery's weird little sign said.
She hadn't asked the bakery's name, Ginger realized with a shake of her head.

No matter, Ginger thought to herself.
I'll take any baked good this place has on its shelves.
Well, she thought that before she got inside,
Before all the sights in the bakery met her eyes.

Looking up and down the counter that held the cupcakes, 
Ginger sighed and thought, Seriously, what is up with this place?
One of the cupcakes had an actual face,
And that face was complete with beady eyes and fangs.
Ginger thought she herself might be eaten by that very cupcake.

Another cupcake boasted an entire graveyard on top.
Out of its frosting for grass tombstones did pop.
And then there was the witchy cupcake beside that,
It's icing carved into a pointy little hat.

When someone appeared on the other side of the counter,
Covered in flour and cocoa and baking powder,
Ginger said, "Do you have even just one plain cupcake?
One without anything creepy like a face or fangs?"

The person she asked was something along the lines of a vampire.
That realization didn't really make Ginger feel all that inspired.
Even so, the vampire smiled a fanged smile and did say,
"One non-terrifying cupcake coming your way."

And, indeed, in front of Ginger was soon a plain and simple chocolate cupcake,
Which was the most normal sight Ginger had seen all day.
Even better, the cupcake was really quite delicious,
Enough so that, suddenly, Terror Town seemed far less malicious.

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Thursday would not be complete without Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

As always, Thimble is here today to give some thanks. She's not only grateful for being downright adorable, but both Thimble and I are also both thankful that her senior bloodwork came back looking perfect.

Oh, and feel free to boop that nose.

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

 

1. I plan to _________ these last few days of August.

2. I am a _________.

3. _________ is proving difficult these days.

4. Have I ever told you about the time that I _________?

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Tip of the Day

We're on our final tips in our series about kitty vet visits. Today's tip doesn't directly relate to the physical act of taking your cat to the vet, but it still can play a part in those vet visits. What we're talking about are a variety of ways that might help you pay vet bills. We have a number of thoughts on this topic, and so this will be a long one.

So, let's start with pet insurance. As most of you likely already know, you can indeed get insurance for your furbabies. Just as with humans, there are a variety of companies and policies to choose from, and so pet insurance can certainly involve some research in order to determine the best coverage for your furbaby. In the end, though, this research and the resulting coverage you select can potentially save you money. For example, depending on the policy you choose, you could possibly save a large sum of money in the event of an unexpected pet emergency that is at least partially covered by your pet's insurance.

All of the above being said, when it comes to pet insurance, do try to think ahead. If you are interested in starting your furbaby on a policy, perhaps do so when they're still young and healthy. One reason for this is that some companies and policies make it difficult, or even impossible, to acquire coverage for an animal who is already geriatric or sick. So, early on, consider the benefits you might obtain from pet insurance, do your research, and then do what is best for you and your furbaby.

Besides pet insurance, another option is CareCredit. CareCredit is a credit card that can be used to pay medical bills, such as vet bills. Just like pet insurance, this one will likely require some research to ensure it is a good fit. For example, not all vet clinics accept CareCredit as a means of payment. Therefore, you would want to find out if your preferred vet accepts CareCredit before applying for it.

In addition to all of the above, if needed, some vet clinics also allow for payment plans. Some vets are especially willing to do this for clients in good standing, and who have proven trustworthy and who have shown a willingness and ability to pay for funds in a timely manner. If you have large furry family, if you are faced with a pet emergency, or if there are other such circumstances, perhaps consider discussing with your veterinarian the possibility of making payments to cover your furbaby's bills. If you do so, of course also ensure that you understand all of the terms, and that you are able to make payments on time and in agreement with the payment plan.

One last idea we're sharing today is to simply do your best to have some sort of "pet emergency fund" in which you save money over time. Such a fund can come in handy especially if you do not have pet insurance or CareCredit, and if you don't use a payment plan at your vet clinic. Accidents and emergencies can indeed happen, and they can happen when you least expect it. What's more, resulting vet bills can potentially start racking up. So, if and when possible, try to determine ways to save even just a little money each week or month in order to contribute to a "pet emergency fund", so that you won't be left scrambling to find funds for your furbaby. Ways to save a little extra for such a fund might mean cutting back on eating out, cutting back on the number of coffees you buy, cutting back on your clothes spending, or cutting back on other luxuries. Rest assured, though, that passing on a special luxury or two is well worth it for your furbaby's health and happiness.

Furbabies make wonderful companions, but they are also, admittedly, not free. They require care, just like humans do, and that care does come with a cost. Therefore, always include your furbabies in your budget or other financial plans. This might require some research, but our furbabies are always worth it.

Woof Woof Wednesday

Sometimes, pup Astrid's mom here shoves the camera in her face and it's just so annoying. And Astrid's face shows it.

Oh, and don't mind that wet nose of Astrid's. It's allergy season, and Astrid's allergies are a real doozy, and that just about sums it up.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

How about another summery flashback doodle before we fully head into more autumnal and spooky doodles?

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Tip of the Day

We have just a couple more tips in our series on taking your felines to the vet. Today's tip is a simple one, and that is to check the status of your furbaby's medications before taking your kitty to the vet. Not all cats are on medications, of course, but if yours is, then check to see how much of the medications you have left, and also check expiration dates. In addition, consider if you have any newly developed questions regarding any of the meds prior to taking your cat to the vet. This way, when you're at the vet, you can take care of refills, dosage adjustments, and any other related necessities. Also don't forget about prescription diets, monthly preventatives, and any other products you purchase from your vet clinic. Knowing what and how much you need to purchase from the vet before you arrive can save you and your cat on time while at the vet's office, and can also save you a later trip to the vet.

Nosy Tonks Tuesday

Today, Tonks is here to get a little nosy.

It seems like it's always this little girl's goal to wipe her cute and wet little nose on the camera. In fact, can you see the nose mark she left on the camera in the next photo?

See that little wet spot the camera picked up from this calico's nose? Tonks was very proud of her job well done.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Though this week will include a couple of new doodles that are more on the spooky side, we decided that this week's flashback doodles will be some of the final summery ones we shared last year. It is, after all, still August.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip relating to taking your cat to the vet is in regard to nonrecognition aggression. In relation to vet visits, nonrecognition aggression is typically when one cat goes to the vet, and when he or she returns home, one of the other resident cats does not recognize them. This is typically because the returning cat smells unfamiliar, with odors from the vet. Though it can be a disconcerting and scary thing to witness, nonrecognition aggression is not terribly uncommon. What's more, there are ways to potentially prevent it, and to help your cats recover from it.

One way to combat nonrecognition aggression is to take your cats to the vet together. This way, neither of them will come back home smelling differently than the other. This method is easiest if both cats travel well and can safely visit the vet together. So, if nonrecognition is a concern in your home and it's a viable option, do consider taking your cats to the vet together to prevent future aggression between them.

There are other options to help prevent nonrecognition aggression. One is to use a synthetic pheromone spray, or a diffuser, to help keep all cats as calm as possible. Yet another option is to gently wipe down the cat returning home from the vet, in order to remove as much of the vet clinic smells as possible. Similarly, when a cat returns home from the vet, you can also wipe them with one of their usual blankets from home, to help transfer their usual scents back to them. Of course these are not fail-safe methods, but they can potentially help prevent nonrecognition aggression between cats.

All of the above being said, sometimes nonrecognition aggression might occur despite your attempts to prevent it. If it does occur, first and foremost, separate the cats who are involved, in order to keep them both safe. Then, reintroduction might be similar to how you introduce two unfamiliar or new cats to each other. Slowly and safely allowing them to sniff, see, and then interact with each other might take some time, but your kitties can indeed return to one big happy family with time and patience.

Mancat Monday

It's Mancat Monday, so of course here's a handsome Evan for you to enjoy.

We hope your week is off to a great start, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Can you believe we're still blabbing on about taking your kitty to the vet? Indeed, we still have a few more tips to offer in this series. Some of our very recent tips have been about ways to safely get an anxious or aggressive cat to the vet. These tips included leaving the carrier out at all times, putting treats and toys in it, using Feliway spray in the carrier, administering sedatives to your cat if needed and prescribed by your vet, and using a towel or thick gloves to load a potentially aggressive cat into a carrier. Sometimes, though, even with all such measures being taken, a certain cat might still be difficult or unsafe to easily take to the vet. This might be the case for semi-feral or otherwise aggressive cats. In addition, some cats become so anxious that it's potentially unsafe for them to make the trip to the vet, such as if it causes them to excessively open-mouth breath or have other other respiratory distress.

If any of the above descriptors match your cat and taking them to the vet is extremely difficult or unsafe, then consider discussing with your veterinarian the possibility of scheduling an at-home vet visit. Some veterinary clinics do offer visits in your own home, especially if that reduces any dangers related to taking your cat to the veterinary clinic itself. In some areas, there are even veterinarians who specifically practice as mobile vets. So, if your cat becomes exceedingly distressed or dangerous when it comes time to get in a carrier or travel to the vet clinic, consider the option of having a veterinarian come directly to your home.

Sunday Selfie

Tonks thought you all might enjoy seeing her cute little profile in a selfie today.

Tonks and all of us here wish you a happy Sunday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today we have the last flashback doodle inspired by Poe and his kitty Catterina. Who knows which story of his this one is based on?

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Tip of the Day

We hope you're not getting bored with our tips on feline vet visits, because we still have some more for you. Today's tip is to, if needed, take precautions for the safety of both yourself and your kitty, namely when it comes time to load a kitty up. We're primarily referring to how to safely get an anxious or aggressive kitty into a carrier. We've already given tips on using methods such as leaving the carrier out, putting treats or toys in it, using Feliway, and even using sedating medications if needed. That all being said, for some cats, some or all of the aforementioned methods simply won't work. Even sedatives can be overridden if a cat becomes agitated enough. In such cases, it is important to take precautions to keep you and your cat safe when it comes time to get said kitty in a carrier.

When getting an anxious or aggressive cat into a carrier, a simple towel or blanket could potentially be your best friend. Wrapping your cat in a towel, and putting them in the carrier when they are thus confined, can potentially keep those claws and teeth in check. At the same time, make sure that you have the sufficiently sized carrier placed in a way that loading the cat is as easy as possible. This may mean using a top-loading carrier, or placing a front-loading carrier on its back side so that the door faces up. If a towel or blanket is not enough protection, then you can also look into using thick gloves specifically designed to keep kitty teeth and claws from penetrating, thereby keeping your hands and arms safe.

Some cats are simply less willing to visit the vet and are overall less amenable than others. Differences in personality are part of what make kitties so unique, after all. That being said, if your cat is one who is anxious, aggressive, or otherwise difficult to handle, always take precautions to keep everyone involved safe when vet appointments roll around. When in doubt, of course discuss with your veterinarian the best options for handling your cat.

Caturday Art with a Rhyme

Today's post is a combo of a late Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge and an appropriately timed Caturday Art Blog Hop.

As I mentioned on Thursday, I failed to complete my poem for Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge in time to share it on its intended day. It's all done now, though, and so we're going to share it and its illustration on this day of Caturday Art.

To preface the poem, let's of course share the photo prompt that our poetic host shared.

This image makes me so happy. Not only is it just really, really cute, but it also reminds me of my own childhood. I used to build forts with my childhood kitties and pups, and we'd read and play in there. I also like how that adorable image has some fun and fantastical yet also spooky vibes. I've been working on some spooky doodles lately, as that's simply what I'm in the mood for, and so this cute and spooky image got me really excited.

Now, before we share our actual poem, and before I get to rambling too much more, how about we just go ahead and share our illustration for our poem? After all, it is the day of Athena's Caturday Art Blog Hop.

And now if you'd like to see how our poem goes along with the above photo and doodle, feel free to read on.

How about a Scary One?

Poppy had what you might call a vivid imagination,
And that means a lot more than you might be thinking.
Little Poppy not only just loved to read,
But what she read came to life, you see.

Poppy would sit beside the starlit window of her room every night,
With her two kitties and a pup keeping her company nearby.
They would read by nothing but the light of the night sky and a lantern,
Shadows playing on the walls like little phantom dancers.

That was how they spent their nights, the furry little friends and their child,
Who would sit and read and let the imagination run wild.
When Poppy read of fairies who fluttered their wings high in the sky,
Outside the window those fairies appeared, flitting in the starlit night.
And when she read of a dragon who slept on the moon,
Then the view outside the window magically morphed into that, too.

It was on one moonlit summer night that to her furry friends Poppy said,
"Rather than a tale of fairies, how about a scary one instead?
After all, the season of spooks and thrills is just up ahead."

To that, all of her furry friends nodded their furry little heads.

And so Poppy began reading a tale of a haunted house,
Her furry felines and canine sitting and listening, as quiet as a mouse.
The story itself was really quite spookily fun and fine,
But then came along Poppy's vividly imaginative mind.

Outside the window on that moonlit night,
None other than a haunted house came into sight.
The thing is, no house usually stood there,
And this one looked haunted, and seemingly out of thin air.

From the dim, dark house that now stood outside,
Ghostly and ghastly wails began to arise.
Then, one by one, the house's windows glowed with light,
The whole place flickering to life right in front of their wide eyes.

When the door to this vividly imagined haunted house opened,
And a ghostly voice inside it seemed to have spoken,
Poppy slammed the book and its haunted house shut just like that.
"Shall we return to our fairy tales?" she said to her dog and cats.

Happy Caturday, friends!

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Tip of the Day

We still have some tips all about taking that kitty to the vet. Today's tip is to, if needed, discuss with your veterinarian medications that might help calm a cat who becomes especially anxious, or even aggressive, when it comes time to visit the vet. Some cats simply become reactive when they see a carrier, when they get into a car, when they visit a veterinary office, or when they meet strangers. If you have tried the usual tricks—which of course include leaving the carrier out at all times, using Feliway, using treats to coax and distract, and so forth—yet your kitty still becomes anxious or difficult to handle, then there are some potential sedating medications that could be given when it comes time to visit the vet. Your veterinarian would be able to determine if or which sedatives might work best for your particular kitty, given said kitty's behavior as well as health. So, be upfront and honest with your veterinarian regarding the ease and safety of getting your cat in a carrier and to the vet, and then the two of you can discuss potential options.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello and happy Friday, friends! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins, and if you'd like to join us, please do! 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 never thought I would _________ until _________.

2. _________ is the _________ to _________.

3. I'm happy to announce that _________.

4. _________ is like a second home to me.

My answers are below in bold. This week they're all about the furbabies.

1. I never thought I would have 4 cats until, one day, I did.

(I always knew I'd have cats, but I thought I'd have just 1 or 2 cats at a time throughout my life. It was in 2013 that the first kitten just sort of found its way to me, that being Evan. And it just kept happening. I now have 4 kitties, and I love it. I can't imagine having just 1 kitty now, and in the future I wouldn't even be opposed to having more than 4, though likely nowhere near my parents' clowder of 12. Then again, as they say, never say never.)

2. A furry friend is the way to my heart.

(Give me a kitty, pup, or anything else furry and cute and I'll be happy. In that vein of thought, I'm infinitely more likely to talk to a stranger, especially of my own accord, if they have a cat or a dog. Furry friends are my favorite icebreaker and topic of conversation.)

3. I'm happy to announce that both Thimble and Tonks got an A+ from the vet yesterday.

(Thimble and Tonks both went to the vet yesterday. The vet was happy with how they both looked, and they were both well-behaved little ladies. Thimble is a young little senior now, so her blood was drawn for a senior panel. We'll know the results of that in a couple of days, and hopefully all will be well. But, at least for right now, both Thimble and Tonks passed their exams with flying colors.)

4. Our veterinary clinic is like a second home to me.

(I'm obviously not being all that serious here, but I am at the vet all the time these days. especially with Evan and his frequent sanitary shaves and UTI checks. I don't mind too much, though. As it stands, we're not having to go regularly for any major health concerns, so that makes the visits far less stressful. Besides, I want my furbabies to be healthy, and our veterinary clinic is full of nice people, so it's not a terrible place to be. The kitties would probably have a different answer, but so be it.)

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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How about an Eddy fix? Yeah? Well, here's the cute little girl for you.

Does Eddy's expression look a bit shocked to you? It's probably because she noticed how dirty that window and its sill are. Yikes. Eddy's probably wondering how this human missed this blatantly disgusting window when cleaning the house the other day. Ew.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

This flashback from last year's series of doodles starring Poe and his cat Catterina is based on potentially my favorite of his short stories, that being "The Fall of the House of Usher".

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip in our series on taking your cat to the vet is to be prepared. This may seem strange or vague, but being prepared prior to loading your kitty up in the carrier and taking him or her to the vet can help everyone avoid extra and unneeded stress and anxiety. Being prepared even involves the moments when you're getting ready to head to the vet. For example, before you get your cat into the carrier, have everything ready to go so that your kitty doesn't have to wait in the carrier longer than necessary. Have anything loaded up that you might need at the vet, such as treats, toys, or even goodies such as your cat's fecal sample. Also think of what might need prepped in the car, such as if it's hot outside and the car needs pre-cooled, if it's cold outside and the car needs pre-warmed, or even if you need to prepare a safe seat in the car for your kitty's carrier.

Of course, being prepared doesn't just end with what needs done prior to arriving at the vet. For example, if you have questions to ask or notes to share with the veterinarian, have those written down or otherwise ready to be addressed prior to arriving. This can ensure that the appointment does not last longer than necessary, which is especially important for anxious cats who grow increasingly nervous the longer they're at the vet. So, for the sake of your cat and to reduce any anxiety they might feel during a vet visit, do your best to be fully prepare prior to arriving at the vet for your kitty's appointment.

Thankful Thimble Thursday

Hello, friends! I'm sorry for yet another late post. And I'm sorry that I'm yet again postponing our poem for Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge. My poem is so close to being done, but I just couldn't manage to fully finish it yesterday or this morning. We will for sure be sharing it on Saturday, as well as its illustration, which I did actually manage to finish.

We sort of have vet appointments coming out of our ears over here right now, and with those sprinkled on top of my full-time job, I have admittedly fallen behind. All the kitties are doing well, they're just all coming due for their annual exams and vaccinations and bloodwork and all that jazz all at the same time. That's okay. Once all the kitties are all taken care of, we'll get back on track.

We of course still do want to participate in Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop today.

As always, Thimble is here to give thanks. Today, though, Thimble is a admittedly a bit annoyed. Her annual exam is this afternoon. She's considered a senior now at 7 years old, so she'll be having bloodwork done, her urine checked, and all that jazz. We also need to make sure she doesn't need another dental, as she's prone to resorptive lesions in her mouth. All that said, Thimble does have something to be grateful for today. And that is her ability to flash her furrowed brows and adorable little glare at her mom, the veterinarian, and anyone else she deems too handsy and rude.

I'm sure myself and all the folks at the veterinary clinic will be seeing that face a lot this afternoon. That's okay. It's adorable, so I'll happily look at it. I will add that, despite that look on Thimble's face, she doesn't have an aggressive bone in her body. She has never bit, scratched, or done anything more than make pitiful little sounds at the vet's office. Well, she's also pooped herself before, but we'll try not to embarrass her by focusing on that.

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Now, let's share the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-ins challenge. My co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. I never thought I would _________ until _________.

2. _________ is the _________ to _________.

3. I'm happy to announce that _________.

4. _________ is like a second home to me.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Oh look. Another doodle starring Poe and his kitty Catterina, with another feline friend.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip in our series on taking your cat to the vet is yet another plain and simple one, and that is to be and act calm. As you all certainly know, our furbabies can feed off of our own emotions. That's why, if you are anxious, your cat's anxiety could be heightened. So, as best as possible, remain calm and collected both before and during your cat's vet visit. Even speaking calmly and soothingly to your cat could help to make them indeed feel calm and soothed during their excursion to the vet. You can praise your cat for good behavior, of course remaining calm and quiet when doing so, as that can also help them feel more calm. The long and short of this tip is to try your best to keep any anxiety you have in check, and to remain calm for your cat's sake.

Woof Woof Wednesday

Today, pup Astrid is blurry and bloopery. Apparently it's hard to sit still when you're smiling. But, Astrid wanted to show you all how sometimes her throne by the window is usurped by a cat.

Thimble won the window view yet again. Isn't that sad for pup Astrid? It's not like she could go to any of the other windows in the house, obviously.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

How about another flashback doodle with Poe and his kitty Catterina?

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Tip of the Day

We're still in the midst of our series of tips on taking that kitty of yours to the vet. Today's tip on this topic is a plain and simple one, and that is to take with you to the vet your kitty's favorite toy(s) or treats. This might not work for all cats, but in some cases, toys or treats can make for great distractions or positive reinforcement during your cat's exam or vaccinations. That being said, though, do try to choose wisely when it comes to what you take as a distraction. For example, does your cat get hyperactive or even aggressive when under the influence of catnip? If so, try to avoid toys laced with catnip, and avoid taking anything else that might cause a problem rather than assist during the vet visit. So, all in all, consider whether a simple toy or some treats might help your cat make it through a vet visit. If so, pack those so that they can go along.

Toesies Tonks Tuesday

To help you through this Tuesday, Tonks thought you might enjoy a view of her jelly bean toesies.

There. Don't those toesies make everything better?

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Last year, in late summer, we did a series of spooky doodles inspired by Edgar Allan Poe. Does anyone remember this??

It's said that Poe had a tortoiseshell cat named Catterina, so of course we included her in these doodles.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip for taking your cat to the vet is to consider using a pheromone spray, such as Feliway. A synthetic pheromone such as this can potentially have a calming effect for your cat. One idea is to spray the pheromone into your cat's carrier, or onto a blanket placed in your cat's carrier. This could possibly help make the experience of getting into the carrier more calm for your cat, as well as potentially make the car ride and time at the vet a calmer experience. Also consider taking the pheromone spray with you to the vet, where you can spray it in the air in the exam room, or again spray it on a blanket or toy you might have brought along to the vet for your cat. Of course, a pheromone spray might not work the same for every cat, but it definitely wouldn't hurt to try it in case it might help your kitty feel calm and soothed.

Messy Mancat Monday

Sorry for the late post, friends. I've actually been doing pretty good lately about writing and scheduling posts early, but this weekend was a bit, well, chaotic. And full of cleaning and laundry. My poor boy Evan is having a major urinary incontinence flareup, which indeed does happen to him often. He's hind limb paralyzed and is admittedly a messy boy, so it's nothing new. Right now he's urinating on himself every time he sleeps, and since he's quite literally violently opposed to wearing a diaper, he just gets to sleep on special blankets and kitty beds that are just for him, and that get washed more times than you can imagine.

We're still experimenting with different types of blankets, some plastic liners, and all that sort of jazz. Of course, Evan's favorite places to lay are still those that are the hardest to clean. Like that bulky bed he's in there above. Oh well. If he's happy, then I'm happy.

Evan wants to send out an SOS now. He just learned that he's going back to the vet yet again on Wednesday. He regularly gets sanitary shaves there, since he won't let me shave him myself. Evan's gone from getting sanitary shaves every 6 weeks, to every 4 weeks, and now to pretty much every 2 weeks, because he needs it. And this Wednesday I'm going to ask them to shave him plenty extra. Nearly the entirety of his back legs will hopefully be shaved, because even though I try to clean him multiple times a day, it's getting nearly impossible to keep him clean and dry. If you were curious, Evan hates being bathed. A lot. And he lets me know that he hates it. So, to help us both maintain our sanity, bald his back end will be.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Freaky Flashback Doodle of the Day

As a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe, reading, writing, and of course cats, this here was one of my favorite doodles to scribble up in 2019.

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Tip of the Day

We're in the midst of doing a series of tips on getting your cat to the vet, which is sometimes far easier said than done. Today's tip on this topic is to do your research and to know about the clinic of choice prior to arriving there. For example, look up or call ahead and find out if the clinic you're considering is cat-only, cat-friendly, or provides a cat-only lobby. Finding a clinic that is in some way cat-friendly can make for an easier, calmer trip to the vet for your kitty. Before arriving, you can even find out which door to enter at a cat-friendly clinic to ensure that you are in the cat-only lobby, so that your kitty can feel as safe and comfortable as possible right from the start.

In addition, if or when possible, especially for skittish cats, you can try to find out a clinic's quietest, least busy time of the day, or day of the week. This way, if it's feasible and necessary, you can potentially schedule to take an especially scared cat when the clinic is as quiet as possible. Though certainly not all clinics do this, some clinics will have a day, or even partial day, when they will see only feline patients. If this is the case at your clinic of choice, try to schedule appointments for your kitty on this likely quieter, calmer day. It never hurts to be prepared, so for the sake of your kitty, find out important or helpful details of a clinic prior to your kitty's appointment. This can help things go more smoothly, and can help a cat feel as safe and calm as possible.

A Smoldering Sunday Selfie

Evan is here today to share a selfie with you all. Be prepared, because it's a devastatingly handsome one. Just look at this smoldering glare.

It's enough to make you swoon, isn't it? Happy Sunday, friends!

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Freaky Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is another spooky summer one from 2019. I'm sharing this particular one for two reasons. One, I'm recreating it and will be sharing the new version soon. Second, today is mowing day at my house, so it seemed fitting enough.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip on taking that kitty of yours to the vet is, if safe and feasible, to get your cat used to car rides. This is something that might work best if started at a young age, but can also potentially be done with older cats who are not too stressed by the experience. You can simply try taking your kitten or cat out on short car rides. Of course, make sure that these short practice rides end in a non-vet location, so that your kitty can learn that car rides don't have to be associated with going to a place where they get poked and prodded. If your cat is willing to and can safely eat while traveling, use treats as positive reinforcement during short practice rides in the car. Toys and other positive items can also be used, when possible.

Just as with anything, car rides can take some getting used to for our kitties. Of course, not all cats will be calm during car rides, sometimes not even with practice. This is why it is important to always monitor your cat while they are on a car ride. If it is not safe to take your cat on even leisurely, practice car rides, such as if you see rapid or open-mouth breathing from them, then do not attempt unneeded car rides. You can discuss options with your veterinarian for making car rides easier for your kitty, and at least one of our tips in the near future will also touch on the topic of helping your kitty feel calmer in the car.