Happy Munday?

There are some technical difficulties going on over here in our corner of the world, which is nothing new and which my technologically challenged self is trying to sort out. With that said, we're going to have this late Sunday post count as both our Sunday and Monday post. Does that mean this is our Munday post? Yeah? Well then, let's just get right on to some selfies from a handsome mancat for this Munday post.

Does that count as a blooper? What about these next two?

Bloopers or not, Evan hopes you all enjoyed seeing him!

We're sending you all warm wishes!

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Doodle of the Day

Can you believe we have yet another red truck doodle to share?

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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'll be doing yet another stint of bookish doodles very soon, but for now here's another snowy scene.

Warm wishes to all!

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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.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Photo Fails

I used to assume that all the times my supposedly scheduled posts didn't publish was because I forgot to hit the publish button, or that I did something else wrong. I'm far from tech savvy, so it's not an unlikely option. But, now I'm starting to think Blogger is just trying to sabotage me. Multiple times this week I was certain I had my post all squared away the night before, and yet the next morning I find it sitting in limbo. That said, here is today's post, which I've only just now rescued from the lost and found section of the internet.

Hello, friends! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. Are you? 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 get my _________ from _________.

2. It's a good thing _________.

3. _________ required me to muster a lot of courage.

4. My younger self would be proud to know that I now _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. I get my kitties' and pup's food from our small, local pet store.
(Not only does our local pet store have really good options and variety in stock, but I simply just really like supporting small, local businesses. This pet store also has donation bins and regular donation drives for our local animal rescues, and I can definitely get behind that. That's not to say I never use Chewy and such, but I go small and local as often as I can.)

2. It's a good thing I'm not squeamish.
(My kitties have gotten really good at hiding their vomit in the patterns of the very few rugs in our house. It's like a game at this point. This pro camouflaging method of theirs has led me to stepping in a number of puke piles recently, sometimes when barefoot. And, due to Evan's hind limb paralysis and other kitties' various reasons, I also occasionally step in landmines of other sorts. I'm certainly not saying I enjoy these experiences, but I'm still glad I'm not squeamish, because these incidents are not pretty sights.)

3. Giving a speech at my high school graduation required me to muster a lot of courage.
(I was required to give a speech at my high school graduation because I was the valedictorian. Don't be too impressed. I went to a small high school and my graduating class only had something like 58 kids, so it wasn't much of a feat. Public speaking is bordering on being a phobia for me, so I was not thrilled to learn I had to give a speech at graduation. Much to my dismay, I wasn't allowed to forego giving a speech, so I had to suck it up and do it. I've never had to give a speech to that many people before or since then, and I like to fly under the radar as much as I can, so that experience always sticks out as one that really took me out of my comfort zone.)

4. My younger self would be proud to know that I now am a cat mom and dog mom.
(As a child, one of my main goals in life was to have the means to take care of my own animals. Ready for me to go on a tangent? At my grade school, we had a very basic home economics course, in which we had mock jobs as part of mock lives and all that jazz. We didn't get to pick our mock jobs, and I was given the career of a mail carrier. That's fine, but it certainly didn't pay much in my mock life. I especially realized this when we had to start choosing what we personally wanted to spend our mock money on. I remember choosing a mock tiny apartment and opting for mock public transport over having mock car payments just so that I could have a mock cat and dog. I think that young version of me would be happy to know that I am now owned by 4 very real cats and a giant dog.)

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 more than ready to share a photo shoot outtake.

Can you tell what's going on there? Can you see the snow out there past Eddy's blurry nose? She hopes you can, because she's really excited to watch the fluffy white stuff fall to the ground.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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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.

Thursday Something or Other

Hello, friends! I've been fighting some stubborn migraines this week, which means very little screen time. Because of that, we're doing a really quick post today, though I hope to be back up and running soon. So, for today, here's a Thimble.

And here's a silly little doodle.

And I didn't forget about tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, so now we'll share those fill-in statements. My co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing crafted up the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. I get my _________ from _________.

2. It's a good thing _________.

3. _________ required me to muster a lot of courage.

4. My younger self would be proud to know that I now _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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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.

Woof Woof Wednesday

We finally got a bit more snow. We also finally took down our outdoor Christmas decor.

Astrid loves the snow. She also doesn't mind that it's all of -1°F outside right now. I often have to drag her inside on cold winter days so that she doesn't freezer her little toes off.

Warm wishes to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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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.

Tonks Tuesday

If you're curious what look I get when I tell Tonks that I need to fold and put away the Blanket Mountain she's sleeping on, it's this:

Don't worry. Tonks got her way and I had to wait roughly an eternity  to put the blankets away.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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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.

Mancat Monday

Evan's here to wish you all a happy Monday!

He hopes that adorable nose of his makes the start of this week even just a bit brighter for you.

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I enjoy the festive red truck imagery so much that at my house, a number of my pieces of red truck decor stay out all year round. That's probably why I even scribbled up a doodle like this.

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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.

No Snow Sunday Selfie

Thimble snapped a selfie while she sat at the window waiting for the snow to start falling.

For a week now the meteorologists have been telling us to expect snow this weekend, but it's starting to look like that might not happen now. The kitties are upset because they quite enjoy watching snow fall from the windows, and this here human kind of does too.

Warm wishes to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

How about another weird witchy winter flashback doodle from a couple years ago?

 

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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.

Caturday Art

We're expecting snow this weekend, so how about this scene for today?

Warm wishes!

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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.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello and happy Friday, friends! Shall we have some fun with the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge? Let's do just that. Feel free to join in! My co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. _________ is music to my ears.

2. My favorite kind of soup is _________.

3. If I were going to migrate or hibernate for the winter, I would go to _________.

4. I would _________ if I _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. A cat's purr is music to my ears.

(Need I say more?)

2. My favorite kind of soup is potato soup.

(Specifically, my dad's potato soup recipe. It involves chunks of potatoes, ham, and even this delicious dumpling sort of component.)

3. If I were going to migrate or hibernate for the winter, I would go to my living room couch.

(Exciting, huh? Honestly, though, I'd choose to hibernate in my house. I'd curl up all winter with some good books and and some kitties and a pup. That sounds like the perfect way to live all year round, actually, so maybe I'd just hibernate 12 months out of  the year.)

4. I would run some sort of animal rescue if I had the resources.

(One of my goals in life is to do more animal rescue, especially when I can take proper time away from my full-time job and find and use the proper resources to save cats, dogs, and other animals in need. I'd love to run some sort of animal rescue, yes, but I'd also settle for volunteering more with those that already exist. Honestly, I really just want to do more for animals in need.) 

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?

That there is a flashback from a couple of years ago. We don't have snow on the ground right now, but we are expecting some on Sunday. Eddy loves watching it snow through the window, so she hopes to snap some more shots like this this weekend.

Have a fantastic day, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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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.

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! Let's get right on to rhyming, shall we? It's an easy thing to do, thanks to Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.

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

When I saw that image, the phrase happily ever after came to my mind. After all, that there couple looks quite happy. Though perhaps I'm wrong, I'm betting they've lived a long and eventful life together. That got me thinking even more, though. It got me thinking about what happily ever after really means, and it reminded me of a time when a certain member of my extended family asked me quite a question.

Now, let me preface that more by saying that I'm a 32-year-old woman, and I am not married, nor do I have children. What's more, I don't wish for either of those things. As I grew older, I realized those things are not any of the ingredients in my recipe for a happy and fulfilling life. That's certainly not true for a lot of other people, but for me, it is. So, back to the story. The family member I mentioned earlier asked me a couple of years ago, "Do you have a boyfriend yet?" Having been asked that question roughly a thousand times infinity in my life as a single female, I easily answered with my usual, "No." So then I got the strangely bristled questions, "Why not? What's the deal?" That's what I was asked, verbatim, as a single woman of roughly 30. After years and years of fielding these kinds of questions, they no longer phase me, and so I just told this family member, "There is no deal. I've chosen to live the independent life that I want, and so here I am." After a brief discussion on each individual person's version of happy, that was the end of the conversation, and that family member has never asked me that question again.

I'm pretty sure that was some level of oversharing, but that's honestly the line of thought the above photo prompt took me on. All of that rambling and oversharing leads me to say that I decided to write a poem on the concept of happily ever after. It's not a great poem, that's for sure, but I hope it in some way makes sense given all the random thoughts I just spewed out here.

Happily Ever After

What does happily ever after look like to you?
Is it a picket fence surrounding a house of sky blue?
Is it you and your significant other eating a dinner for two?
Or does it involve a happy and laughing child or two?

Or perhaps your happily ever after stars you as a hero?
Perhaps you've saved lives numbering far from zero?
Are you a doctor in your happily ever after?
Or fighting fires, or giving guidance as a pastor?

Everyone can write their own happily ever after.
It can be serious, or it can be silly and filled with laughter.
Your happily ever after doesn't have to match that of anyone else.
Your happily ever after can be just for you, yourself.

Want me to expand on this tale just a little?
After all, to rambling I've already made a full committal.
So, sit back for just a tad bit longer.
I'll try to take this tale at a sprint rather than a saunter.

There once was a girl who wished for a simple life,
Something tranquil and without drama or strife.
The older and older and older she grew,
The more about her desired future she knew.

One day, that girl found herself all grown up.
She lived in a humble home with her clowder of cats and a pup.
Books and memories lined the home's shelves and walls,
And the girl would read and look at them with a smile far from small.

Do you know how this story ends?
The girl was surrounded by books and furry friends.
As a child, that very dream had filled her with joy and laughter,
And now she had found those ingredients for her happily ever after.

Good grief, was that sappy or what?
Hopefully the point is clear, though, with no ifs, ands, or buts.
Suffice it to say that happy looks a little different on everyone.
And now, for the time being, this tale is done.

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Now we're ready to give thanks as part of Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble is course here to express her gratitude.

Obviously, for good reason, Thimble is thankful for her big eyes and how gorgeous they are on her adorable face. This here human agrees.

We're also thankful for all of you. Thank you for being our friends!

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Last but certainly not least, we have for you the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My wonderful co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. _________ is music to my ears.

2. My favorite kind of soup is _________.

3. If I were going to migrate or hibernate for the winter, I would go to _________.

4. I would _________ if I _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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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.

A Snoozy Woof Woof Wednesday

Pup Astrid wanted to share one of her classic pouty-pup-in-the-window shots today, but then she got really tired, and then she sort of fell asleep.

Wishing you all lots of snoozes today!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We're not done with our bookish series of doodles yet, but we're also going to intersperse both fresh and flashback doodles of this more distinctly wintry sort, because 'tis the season.

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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.

Ornery Tonks Tuesday

I found another flashback photo starring Tonks that I just had to share. Actually, it's a series of flashbacks.

Doesn't she look cute? But, is she really as innocent as she looks?

Google even created a gif of Tonks pestering her brother. How kind of it.

Tonks wishes you all a terrific Tuesday! And Evan hopes you all have far less obnoxious siblings than he does.

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Especially if you live in an area prone to snow, ice, wind, and other wintry goodness, do be sure to think ahead and plan for any related emergencies. For example, should a blizzard be expected to blow through and potentially leave you snowed in, ensure that, prior to the winter storm, you stock up on your furbaby's food, medications, and other necessities. Another potential winter weather emergency includes power outages. One thing to help combat that is of a course a generator. If you have a generator, do be sure to have it checked as needed, to ensure its functionality and safety. Not everyone can or does have a generator, though, and in this case make sure you take other precautions to prep for potential power outages in the winter. Again, of course, make sure you are stocked up on your kitty or pup's food, medications, and so forth. Also have blankets at the ready. If you have a fireplace, have it regularly checked, cleaned, and rendered safe for use. A fireplace can of course be perfect source of heat in the event of a power outage, but it should be checked for safety, and should of course also be set up so that no furbabies can reach or be injured by the fire. Also, if there are safe places to put them well out of the reach of furbabies, candles being lit throughout the house could also potentially lend a tad bit of heat as well as light.

In some cases, especially in the event of lengthy power outages, it may be necessary to find a warm place to stay away from your powerless, cold home. If this is the case, ensure that you again have food, medications, and all necessities properly prepared for your kitty or pup. Then, of course, it is crucial to find somewhere that is pet-friendly for your furbaby to stay. This could be a hotel that is pet-friendly, or a family or friend's home where your furbaby is allowed, and that is also a pet-safe home. If necessary, such as if you cannot find a hotel or home that is pet-friendly for the duration of your home's power outage, you could also look into a pet boarding facility that you trust, and that of course has power and heat. During the winter months, snow, ice, and wind can wreak all sorts of havoc, so do be sure to consider how this could affect your furbaby, and have plans in the event of potential winter emergencies.

Mancat Monday

It's Monday?

Evan's not a fan of Mondays much more than most humans are. He doesn't like when his mom here heads off to work, so Mondays are a real drag for him as well.

Even so, have a magnificent Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Our bookish doodle today is another weird and witchy one.

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Tip of the Day

Today's winter tip is one that you often hear in the summer, but that also goes for the winter months, and that is to never leave your pup or kitty alone in the car. Just like the inside of a car can get fatally hot in the summer months, the inside of a car can get far too cold in the winter for a furbaby to remain inside. Should you need to run errands where your furbaby is not allowed, leave them home where it is warm. Another option, should your furbaby for some reason need to be along when you run errands, is to bring someone along who can sit with them in the warm car.

In this same line of thought, if your furbaby is in need of a car ride, prepare the car for this. Should a vet visit be in store in the winter months, for example, warm the car before taking your furbaby outside for a ride. As we all know, a cold car is an uncomfortable place to be. So, try to ensure that your furbaby does not have to feel this discomfort.

Speedy Sunday Selfie

Hello and hi! We knew we'd be having a busy weekend, but we didn't realize it would be so busy we wouldn't have a post ready for today. So, we're just dropping in to say we'll be back to regular programming tomorrow.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

Weird, Wordless, and Witchy Caturday Art

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, we discussed wiping off furry feet and human shoes after going outdoors in the winter, in order to reduce exposure to products such as salt, or ice melt. There is another good reason to wipe off those furry feet after going outdoors, and that is to remove snow and ice from the paws and the toes they contain. When a dog or cat goes outdoors into the snow, their paw pads, the fur on their feet, and the areas between their toes can all collect snow and ice. This can of course be cold and uncomfortable, so when they come in from outdoors, be sure to wipe off their feet so that they can remain dry and warm. Especially if your furbaby is short or if the snow is deep, also wipe off their belly and anywhere on their body that might have collected cold snow. Also thoroughly wipe off your own feet when you come inside, or remove your shoes, in order to keep the floors dry and warm for your furbaby's paws.

In line with the above thoughts, if your pup or kitty goes on walks, consider taking a dry towel with you when there is snow on the ground. Snow and ice can clump up and get stuck between your furbaby's toes, and those with especially furry feet can attract extra snow and ice on their feet. So, if your furbaby is outdoors for an extended period of time, do consider taking a dry towel with you and removing snow and ice from on and between their toes throughout the walk. This will allow them to remain as dry and comfortable as possible when outdoors in the snow.

Friendly Fill-Ins

We'll be back on track with posting after this weekend, but for now, here's our late post for today. We're of course starting with the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us! My co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.

1. When I run out of _________, I use _________ as a substitute.

2. I don't understand why _________.

3. _________ is the best time to _________.

4. It seems like I'm the only one who _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. When I run out of canned cat food, I use baked chicken as a substitute.

(It is of course always my goal to never run out of the cats' beloved canned food. But, though now it's gotten easier to find again, there for awhile, my kitties' favorite canned food became incredibly difficult to get my hands. I'd go to the store, I'd order online, and it would be nowhere. The few days here and there when we were waiting for the canned food to become available or to show up, I'd feed the kitties plain baked chicken in a little bit of natural chicken broth. Sometimes there was also tuna involved. That kept them decently happy, but they apparently still prefer their beloved canned food.)

2. I don't understand why cancel culture exists.

(I'm going to try to keep this short, as I know this can be a divisive topic. Let me start by saying that, sure, if someone says or does something legitimately harmful, let's not play along with that, because that is indeed dangerous. But, if someone simply doesn't have the same opinion as you, just keep scrolling. Everyone has different backgrounds, different experiences, different personalities, different ways of thinking, different preferences, different values, and all that jazz. Sometimes, that's why someone has a different opinion than you. And differing opinions is no reason at all to ostracize someone from entire chunks of society. We're better than that.)

3. Now is the best time to go for it.

(There's this really short and simple quote I recently stumbled upon, and it goes, "If not now, then when?" I think this perfectly sums up why, if you have a goal or dream, you might as well go for it now in one way or another.)

4. It seems like I'm the only one who likes gummy bears on ice cream.

(We have a local ice cream and frozen yogurt shop that puts gummy bears out as a topping choice, so clearly they know it's a great idea. There are always lots of gummy bears still remaining in that little topping bowl, so I always take my fair share. Sure, gummy bears turn nearly rock solid on cold ice cream, but they taste delicious. They're even better with chocolate drizzled on top, and with a few cherries to go with them.)

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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Who's ready for a dose of Eddy?

If you look closely, you can see that adorable snaggletooth!

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday's winter tip was to avoid using typical salt, or ice melt, for the sake of the health of your furbaby and their paws. One thing we failed to mention, and that is therefore today's tip, is to take precautions in the event that neighbors' or others' use of salt might affect your kitty or pup. In the event that your furbaby goes on winter walks in areas where salt is used, wipe their paws off when you get home in order to remove as much of the salt or other chemicals as possible. Even if your furbaby does not go outdoors, there is still a chance they can be exposed to salt or other potentially dangerous chemicals, such as by way of your shoes. To help prevent injury or illness due to exposure to or ingestion of salt in this manner, remove your shoes when you get home, or at the very least thoroughly wipe them off. In addition to this, vacuum regularly in order to keep salt and other debris from entering your home, or from trailing through your house. Ice melts can pose health risks to kitties and pups, so avoid their use, but also realize and prevent against the dangers they can pose if they are used by others and out of your control.