A Birthday Bash and Halfway to Halloween

First and foremost...

Happy Birthday, my sweet and incredibly sassy Eddy!

Eddy is 7 years old today, technically a senior kitty now. Luckily, she doesn't act her age. This girl literally climbs walls and doesn't believe in sleeping through the night. I've admittedly never had a kitty as skittish and semi-feral as Eddy, but she's my momma's girl and I love her so much. I'm so blessed to be your mom, Eddy, and I hope your birthday is purrfect!

Feel free to grab a party hat and a piece of fish, friends. Well, if Eddy lets you, that is. She's not great at sharing. Good luck!

Oh, and here's birthday girl Eddy then and now, because I simply have to remind you all how cute she is.

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Now, today's Caturday Art will hopefully be the last flashback one for quite awhile. But, as I continue to work on finishing our now way late final letters for this year's April A to Z Challenge, I'm again sharing a flashback doodle indeed. We've been sharing flashbacks from last year's "Halfway to Halloween" A to Z Challenge. Given that today is the last day of April, making it perhaps the official halfway mark to Halloween, how about this weird little doodle for today?

That's a totally normal thing to see in April. I promise.

Happy Caturday, friends!

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Tip of the Day

 

Are you ready for another spring safety tip for your furbabies? As certain insects and buggers start to make an appearance this time of year, be cautious of those that could be harmful. For example, just as with humans, bee stings can lead to allergic reactions in cats and dogs. These reactions can include mild swelling at the site of the sting, or a full anaphylactic reaction, such as with difficulty breathing. For this reason, always try to keep your furbaby away from bees and other similarly dangerous critters. Keep your furbaby out of gardens where bees and other such critters might frequent, and don't leave your kitty or pup unattended in an area known for its bees and so forth.

We'll also now remind you of some other critters that we not too long ago mentioned in another tip. So, don't forget that some caterpillars and butterflies, such as those that consume milkweed, can be toxic for furbabies to ingest. There are also dangerous spiders of which to be cautious, of course including the brown recluse and black widow. There are even some toads and frogs that can be poisonous for our furbabies to ingest.

All in all, this time of year, some incredible critters start to make appearances. However, some of these critters can lead to serious effects in our furbabies. This means we must always be cautious with our furbabies around any critters that we know are dangeorus, and even those with which we are not familiar. And, of course, should your furbaby come into contact with a dangerous insect or other critter, do not hesitate to seek veterinary assistance. What's more, discuss with your veterinarian what you can do to help prevent serious allergic reactions or other emergencies, which can include having diphenhydramine (Benadryl) on hand, and knowing how much to give.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Photo Fails

Hello and happy Friday, 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. In May, I may _________.

2. Ten years ago, I was _________.

3. I hope for a future in which _________.

4. I would probably last _________ days in solitary confinement.

My answers are below in bold.

1. In May, I may finally finish some of the personal projects I've started.

(I've mentioned more than a few times recently how my full-time job ended up being far, far busier than I expected in April. Because I ended up staying at work late most days, and because my mental bandwidth was usually shot by the time I got home, a lot of my personal endeavors, including my passions of art, writing, and even blogging, fell by the wayside. But, come May, I'm reworking my work schedule and personal schedule, and in this way I plan on finishing abandoned projects in those arenas, among others. Sometimes a new month is just a really nice way to start over.)

2. Ten years ago, I was working at a cat clinic.

(I worked as a veterinary assistant essentially right out of college, and it was so rewarding knowing that I was helping sick kitties feel better, and helping healthy kitties stay that way. That said, I left that job for a variety of reasons, one being that after a couple years of assisting in countless euthanasias, and other difficult moments, it got to be a lot. I'm not generally a very emotional person, but I am when it comes to animals, so it really started to wear me down.)

3. I hope for a future in which every companion animal has a home.

(I wish I could guarantee this future would come true.)

4. I would probably last lots of days in solitary confinement.

(That is, if I could have my kitties and pup with me. If weren't allowed to have my furbabies with me, then I probably wouldn't even last a day. I can go days and days without human interaction, and I have before, but I can't go without my furbabies.)

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.

Our resident blooper queen Eddy of course has some outtakes to share. These are from a photo shoot from which we haven't even shared the "good" photos yet. So, why not first share this photo shoot through bloopers? So, today, blooper queen Eddy is here to demonstrate the subtle art of turning away from the camera at the last minute.

Eddy hopes you all enjoyed seeing, well, not her face.

***

As I finish the final alphabetical doodles for this year's now belated April A to Z Challenge, here's yet another doodle from last year's equally weird and wacky "Halfway to Halloween" A to Z Challenge.

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Tip of the Day

If springtime for you means a few more road trips here and there, make sure that you take precautions to protect any furbabies who are accompanying you. For example, cats are safest if kept in a secure carrier, as are small dogs. There are also means of and products for belting in a carrier, to add another level of safety for your small furbaby accompanying you in the car. As for larger dogs, make sure they are leashed in the car, as well as belted in. Again, there are methods and products for doing this that can ensure they are as safe as possible in case of an emergency.

There are of course other safety precautions to make when it comes to going on car rides with your furbaby. For example, watch those windows, such as by ensuring that no escapes can happen through an open window. Also, as we're sure you all know, make sure that you do not leave a pup or kitty in the car in the heat, or even in the cold, for that matter. All in all, if you plan on taking some trips on the road this spring, and if your furbaby is accompanying you, be sure to consider and plan for their safety.

Thankful Thimble Thursday

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! Shall we get right to Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop?

Today, Thimble is grateful that she is able to at least look out a closed window, since this here mom of hers won't open it for her.

In my defense, Thimble is my kitty who loves to have random allergic reactions to all sorts of random things. The worst of it happens when spring arrives, and especially after I've mowed. Even though I try not to drag mowing shoes and all that jazz through the house, after I mowed this weekend, Thimble still ended up itching, scratching, and going bald in patches on her legs and head. So, off to the vet we went for Thimble to receive a steroid injection, which she's gotten before upon having a flare like this. Now Thimble is far less itchy and scratchy, but this here human still won't open the window. My reasoning is because I'm trying not to expose Thimble to more allergens than necessary, but Thimble thinks I'm just being rude.

***

Now we're here to 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. In May, I may _________.

2. Ten years ago, I was _________.

3. I hope for a future in which _________.

4. I would probably last _________ days in solitary confinement.

***

Just a quick note that we'll finally get back to Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge next week. I've missed creating those weekly poems.

***

As I've repeated and repeated like a broken record, since I fell way behind on the A to Z Challenge during this crazy month of April, we're sharing flashback doodles while I finish this year's final letters of the alphabet. The flashbacks we're sharing are from last year's "Halfway to Halloween" A to Z Challenge. These old doodles are just as weird as this year's doodles, so why not.

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Tip of the Day

As we move out of winter weather, time outdoors with your furbaby may very well increase. For example, you might walk your dog, or even your kitty, more often or farther. Or, time out in the yard might simply increase. That's why this is the perfect time of year to remind you all to take precautions to keep your outdoor furbabies safe. When venturing away from home, keep your furbabies on leashes, or otherwise keep them safely at your side. When it comes to safety in your own yard, ensure that leads and fences are secure and resistant to escape attempts. In addition, ensure that your outdoor kitty or pup is donning identification, such as by means of a tag on a collar and an updated microchip. All of these precautions are important for ensuring that your furbaby remains safe and sound with you, or that they can find their way back to you should the unthinkable happen and they become separated from you. A lost furbaby is certainly a nightmarish situation for all, so do all that you can to prevent it.

Woof Woof Wednesday

Pup Astrid is here today to stick her tongue out at Mother Nature.

Mother Nature has been teasing us. We had some warm, sunny days last week. Now it's back to freezing temperatures outside. What gives, Mother Nature?

If I'm being honest, Astrid probably stuck her tongue at Mother Nature more for my benefit than hers. While I'm not a fan of hot, sweltering summer days, I'm admittedly ready for some less freezing and more moderate days. Astrid actually loves cold weather. She'll sit outside in a blizzard for hours if you'll let her, but once it gets over 60°F, she'll happily keep her outside time minimal and opt for the air conditioned indoors.

As cliché of a question as it is, what's the weather like in your corner of the world? Is it ping-ponging back and forth like ours? Is it warm? Is it cold?

***

As I've mentioned multiple times over the past couple of days, because of reasons like that silly ol' full-time job, I've clearly fallen far behind on the April A to Z Challenge. So, I'm now working on finishing up my drawings for the last letters of the alphabet so that I can share them all in one fell swoop. That'll take the final stretch of our A to Z doodles well into the first part of May, but so be it. As I work on those, we're sharing some flashback doodles from last year's April A to Z Challenge. These weird doodles are the same level of kooky as the stories I'm illustrating for this year's alphabetic challenge, so it seems fitting enough. That said, does anyone remember this zombie dog from last year?

Has anyone seen the movie Frankenweenie? This zombie dog was heavily inspired by that.

***

Tip of the Day 

As Spring really gets underway, don't forget that our furbabies can have allergies just like we can. Just as with us, pollen, grass, and other airborne allergies can lead to itching, scratching, sneezing, and a number of other similar symptoms in our kitties and pups. If you notice any such symptoms in your furbaby, discuss this with your veterinarian. There are antihistamines and other treatments that can potentially help alleviate allergies for our furbabies.

In addition to veterinary and medicinal care, there are other considerations to make when it comes to helping a kitty or pup cope with seasonal allergies. For example, though we all love window whiffies, keep in mind that open windows can potentially exacerbate allergies, as the allergens then have easy access into the home. So, closed windows are often best for keeping the allergens down within the home. For furbabies who go outdoors, when they come inside, you can wipe off their paws and even wipe down their body to help remove allergens. Regularly cleaning floors, curtains, bedding, clothing, and so forth, can help keep a handle on allergens that might find their way into the home. Regularly changing the filter in your heating and cooling system is another important factor. In addition to this, an air purifier can also help.

As always, we of course want what's best for our furbabies. Allergies can lead to discomfort, so of course helping your furbaby cope with them is crucial. If you think or know that your furbaby has seasonal allergies, or any allergies at all, discuss this with your veterinarian and do all that you can to minimize their effects.

Tonks Tuesday

It's Tonks Tuesday, so you better believe calico Tonks is here to grace you with her presence.

I want to say how cute this photo is, but in it Tonks is staring at wasps that have decided our back door is their favorite place, so there's that.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

***

As I mentioned yesterday, come May I'll be reclaiming my personal time and schedule that allows me to blog in a timely manner, finish on time all the doodles I'm excited to scribble up, write more of the stories that I'm trying to illustrate for the April A to Z Challenge for which I'm now way behind, and all that jazz. I knew this month would be busy, but my full-time job ended up blowing up with extra work this month. So, while I get through this insanely crazy month of April, I'm sharing flashback doodles form last year's A to Z Challenge. After all, at least tangentially, these past doodles often somewhat relate to this year's alphabetical doodles and the stories they illustrate. I know it will no longer be April in less than a week, but I'm still going to be finishing up and beginning to share the last doodles for the April A to Z Challenge in the next few days.

That there kitty, as well as a cat-o'-lantern much like that one, will indeed be starring in some of the upcoming new A to Z doodles. Because why not.

***

Tip of the Day

Our Spring safety tip today involves those beloved window whiffies. As you all certainly know, before opening those windows, make sure that they have screens and that those screens are properly safe and secure. Check those window screens before allowing your kitty or pup access. If any weak spots or issues are noted, do not allow your furbaby access until the window is safe against escape by said furbaby.

Also keep in mind that it is possible for a window screen to seem secure, but for a furbaby to lean or push against it and thereby knock it loose. It's also possible for little claws to make weak spots in screens. For this reason, never leave your furbaby unattended with open windows. This way, no accidental falls or escapes from the window can occur. We're a broken record, so we'll again repeat that it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Flashback Mancat Monday

Sorry for yet another late post, friends! I know it might not seem like it, but I'm actually actively working toward getting onto a new schedule for myself that will let me get back on track with my main joys in life, which include blogging, writing, reading, drawing, and spending extra cuddle time with my kitties and pup. It's usually my full-time job and the craziness there that knocks my personal passions and schedule off track, which is majorly what has been happening lately, and I will admit that I'm not okay with that. I don't want to live to work, especially when most of my hobbies and passions exist outside of my workplace. I don't mean to complain, so I hope this isn't coming off as that. All that said, I just need to get through this wild month of April, and then come May, I'm making changes both at my workplace and in my personal life that will help get my true passions back on track.

All that rambling aside, Evan wanted to share a couple of flashback photos today.

Those photos are from perhaps 2 years ago. That was before Evan started getting regularly groomed on his paralyzed hind end for sanitary reasons, since he does have urinary incontinence. Evan wanted to share these fully furred flashbacks because this weekend he had a little photo shoot that shows off his shaved back end quite well. He'll be sharing those photos soon, and so he wanted you to see these before shots first.

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As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I'm trying to survive a slightly insane month of April at my workplace. I thought I was going to work on more of my already way behind April A to Z Challenge doodles this weekend, but since it was nice outside, I instead spent the majority of the weekend working in my yard. So, for at least the first part of this week, while I try to get more of this year's final A to Z doodles finished up around my work hours, we're going to be sharing flashback doodles from last year's April A to Z Challenge. A lot of last year's A to Z doodles could actually at least tangentially relate to the weird stories for which I'm creating concept art for this year's A to Z Challenge. Does that make sense? Either way, here you go...

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Tip of the Day

Today's Spring safety tip is another one we've very recently mentioned, but that we'll repeat again. It is to always be aware and cautious of the potential dangers of various fertilizers, pesticides, and other such chemicals that are often used this time of the year. If you plan to use any such products, do your research and try to avoid using potentially toxic variations. No matter what kind you use, though, to be safe, keep any such products stashed safely away from your furbaby's reach.

But, this tip also goes beyond what you might be using in your own personal environment. For pups or kitties who go outdoors, you should take into consideration that unfamiliar yards, parks, and other such areas may use products that could have toxic effects if walked through, ingested, and so forth. When out and about with your furbaby, or even just yourself, try to avoid areas where you know or think any unsafe chemicals are used. When you arrive back at home after a walk or other excursion, wipe off paws and shoes, so that you can do your best to remove any traces of fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals. There is no such thing as being too careful when it comes to the health and safety of our furbabies, so do all that you can to keep your furbaby protected from potentially dangerous chemicals this time of year, and all year round.

Sunny Sunday Selfie

Evan is very happy to share his selfie today. Why? Because it shows off the giant sunray he found!

Evan hopes you all have a sunny day!

***

Tomorrow I'll get back to playing catch-up on my way-behind status in the April A to Z Challenge. Today, though, I have a flashback doodle starring a kitty character from the stories I'm writing and for which I'm creating concept art for the A to Z Challenge. This kitty's letter is coming up very soon, so there will be a new doodle of her in a couple of days.

Does that kitty look familiar? I'm drawn her many, many, many times, even way before I started scribbling up these stories.

***

Tip of the Day

We're here with another spring pet safety tip today. This one is another repeat tip, but it's also one that we think it's worth saying again. And that is, to please keep up with those preventatives! Yes, we've mentioned this tip multiple times recently, but's important. As the weather warms and the grass grows green, pests such as fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks will be out and about in full force. We very recently gave a series of tips on buggers such as these, what parasites they can harbor, and what diseases they can pass on to our furbabies. Tapeworms, heartworms, and Lyme disease, for example, can result if your furbaby falls victim to such pests. This can of course affect their health and happiness, and nobody wants that.

So, in short, please do keep up with preventatives for your kitties and pups. Discuss the best options with your veterinarian. And, of course, only give your furbaby a preventative that is formulated for their species, as well as their age and weight. Proper prevention indeed plays a part in keeping our furbabies as healthy as possible.

Caturday Art with the Letter O

Happy Caturday, friends! I've said a few times now that I've indeed fallen behind in the April A to Z Challenge, but that's okay. I'm still having fun with it, just at a slower pace.

As I've also repeated a few times like the broken record that I am, for this year's April A to Z Challenge, since I love to write and am working on a series of books, I'm sharing A to Z doodles relating to my stories. Much like my usual doodles and poems I share, the stories I write are weird, wacky, and star lots of animals. Today I have for you the letter O, for which I did share a flashback doodle a couple days ago. So, what does O stand for?

O is for Olive

Olive is that there bookish young lady, and she's quite obviously accompanied by some furry friends, of which she has many. That pup, in particular, will have his own doodle in a couple of letters, as will the furry orange fella and the little tortie back there. You'll just have to wait for the letters S, T, and X to really meet them, in case you were curious. 

Have a wonderful day, friends!

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Tip of the Day

 

We're moving on to another series of tips now, and that is a series of tips on pet safety in the Spring. We've probably shared most of these in some way before, but it's timely to share them again nonetheless. So, today's springtime tip is to always be aware and cautious of the plants you have both in your garden and in your house. Some of the springtime plants that can be highly toxic to our furbabies include certain lilies, daffodils, and tulips. The list most certainly does not end there, though.

All of the above is why, before you bring any plants anywhere near your kitty or pup, always do your research and understand any potential toxicity. One good resource for finding out the potential toxicity of plant types is by perusing the ASPCA's extensive information on plants, which you can find by clicking here. In short, to keep your furbaby safe this Spring, of course be aware of any and all plants with which they come in contact. And, of course, if you have any concern that your furbaby may have gained access to a toxic plant, seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello and happy Friday, friends! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. Are you? We'd love for you to join us! My co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. A book or movie I recently read or saw that I recommend is _________.

2. I prefer to shop _________.

3. I have a lot of trust in _________.

4. I have very little trust in _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. A book or movie I recently read or saw that I recommend is...anything you think you'd enjoy.

(This is a copout of an answer, I know. I'd love to recommend everyone a book to read, but I've been in a horror book kick for many months now, and I can't imagine many of you would really enjoy that. Honestly, I read a book called Camp Slaughter, and it's exactly what it sounds like. As for movies, I've also been watching lots of horror movies, and true crime documentaries about terrible people who did terrible things. Even though I myself have been enjoying them, because I guess something is wrong with my brain, I can't in good conscience recommend anyone read or watch something that intense or aggressive unless it truly sounds interesting to you.)

2. I prefer to shop from the comfort of my home.

(As I've mentioned many times before, I'm a homebody, and I just generally don't enjoy shopping. So, online shopping is a godsend.)

3. I have a lot of trust in my kitties and pup.

(They love unconditionally, so who better to trust?)

4. I have very little trust in those who don't like animals.

(If you have it in you to dislike innocent animals that don't do a thing to bother you, then I can't find it in me to really trust you. I don't know if that's harsh or not, but it's the truth.)

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? Yes? Good, because we've got it for you.

Sorry Eddy didn't look at the camera. Sunshine and squirrels take precedence.

***

As I mentioned yesterday, I have indeed fallen behind on the A to Z Challenge, and things at work continue to be crazy busy. So, for today I'm sharing a flashback bit of concept art I doodled up in the past of the character that would be for today's belated letter P.

You'll get to see this young lady and her kitty's new doodle this weekend.

Have a fantastic day, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

We have one more tip in our Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month series. This tip is another way you can help contribute toward the prevention of animal cruelty and neglect, and that is by assisting in the mission and work of shelters, rescues, and humane organizations. The more resources these organizations have, the more animals they can rescue from cruelty, neglect, and other similar situations. To do this, you can volunteer your time, make monetary donations, or donate goods that aid humane organizations in rescuing and caring for animals in their program. You can also help by spreading the word about the work they do and the animals they are rescuing or adopting out.

Of course, do your research to ensure that a particular organization is indeed humane and that their mission matches your beliefs. The Humane Society of the United States, the ASPCA, Best Friends Animal Society, and various local shelters and rescues are examples of those that you can potentially volunteer with or donate to in order to help prevent animal cruelty and promote the adoption of homeless animals. Any little bit that you can offer to such organizations can help them rescue more animals, including those subjected to cruelty and neglect. Any little bit truly counts, and any little bit can help keep kitties and pups safe and ready for their forever homes!

Thankful Thimble Thursday

Hello and happy Thursday! Today, we're going to start with Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble is of course here to share her weekly gratitude. Can you tell what she's thankful for? 

Sunshine! After days of rain, we're finally getting some sunshine. And you know what? It's going to be 80°F this weekend. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that, but I don't have much of a choice now, do I? Either way, the kitties and pup are loving the sun puddles!

***

Now, how about those 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. A book or movie I recently read or saw that I recommend is _________.

2. I prefer to shop _________.

3. I have a lot of trust in _________.

4. I have very little trust in _________.

***

The end of this week is going to be extra crazy at my workplace. I've already been staying late most days this week, and I anticipate the same for today and tomorrow. That said, today on our blog we're supposed to sharing the letter O for the A to Z Challenge. We're already behind, and since I haven't been getting home with much time or energy left for art, I'm going to let myself share related flashback doodles today and tomorrow. The letters O and P are actually the first initials of the two main human characters of my stories for which I'm scribbling up doodles for the A to Z Challenge. I already have quite a few bits of concept art for these characters, and so today and tomorrow I'll share a couple of those flashback doodles. Then, this weekend, I'll share these two characters' new A to Z doodles. Thankfully, my weekend should be calm, and so I'll get to spend some time catching back up on this alphabetical challenge. 

All that rambling aside, here's a flashback for the letter O. I guess for the fun of it I'll wait to divulge this young lady's name until her new doodle is shared on Saturday. Any guesses? Suffice it to say, though, she has lots of furry friends.

***

P.S. I haven't forgotten about Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge. I think I've simply resigned myself to the fact that, this year, I'm struggling to juggle even the April A to Z Challenge, and so I'll return to sharing weekly poems with Sammy's challenge in May. I also certainly plan to be far more ahead of the game by next year, especially for this extra busy month of April.

***

Tip of the Day

In case you forgot, April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. And, in case you forgot, we're doing a short series of tips on this topic. Today, we have a simple tip on how you can help prevent cruelty and neglect of animals. And that is, simply, to adopt your furbabies from shelters or rescues. Though there are indeed reputable and responsible breeders out there, there are also, unfortunately, a vast number of backyard breeders and puppy and kitty mills where animals are inhumanely treated as nothing but tools for the sake of human profit. By purchasing from such breeders or from pet shops, you are supporting the cruel treatment of the animals used by these breeders. So, please always consider adopting from shelters and rescues!

Also, as we're certain you already know, please also have your kitties and pups spayed or neutered. In addition, if you are able to do, consider assisting with trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs, which help reduce overpopulation both in the wild and in the shelter system. Strays, ferals, and even intact house pets can contribute to a large number of kittens and puppies being born in the wild. Sadly, these outdoor animals can make accessible and easy targets for cruel treatment from humans who wish them harm. We have all heard the terrible stories of animal cruelty inflicted on innocent creatures living outdoors. So, for more reasons than one, please also spay and neuter your pets, and consider assisting in TNR programs.

Woof Woof Wednesday with the Letter N

As I've mentioned, I'm a tad bit behind where I'm supposed to be in the April A to Z Challenge. Even so, I'm going to continue on and have fun with it.

Shall I repeat myself for the gazillionth time? Yes? In that case, for this year's April A to Z Challenge, since I love to write and am working on a series of books, I'm sharing A to Z doodles relating to my stories. Much like my usual doodles and weekly poems, the stories I write are weird, wacky, and star lots of animals. Today I have for you the letter N. And what does N stand for?

N is for Nazgul

Does anyone know what the term Nazgul is actually from? Any other Tolkien fans out there? I acquired from my dad a love for the fantasy genre, and that of course includes J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Nazguls are also known as Ringwraiths, or Black Riders, in Tolkien's world known as Middle-earth. In short, they're servants to the Dark Lord Sauron. I'm sure this makes tons of sense, right? Anyway. As strange as it might sound, that there black kitty's name is Nazgul. You can call her Naz for short, if that's easier. Oh, and sorry she's hissing. She's simply a tad bit, well, cantankerous. She isn't evil like her namesake, but she also isn't much friendlier. And that's totally fine.

***

It's now time for the Woof Woof Wednesday part of this post. Unfortunately, though, pup Astrid fell asleep before her photo shoot could even begin, and so what you get from her today is this:

We've shared lots of kitty toesies on our blog, so how about a closer shot of some pup toesies?

Happy Wednesday, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

Yesterday's tip for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month offered suggestions for reporting animal cruelty that you might witness. To further that, did you know that some areas have cruelty prevention programs or task forces? These are often part of the local animal control, humane society, or other similar organization. Therefore, if you wish to further assist in the prevention of animal cruelty in your area, do your research and see if your area offers a program such as this and inquire as to how to join. If your area does not offer such a program, there are still ways you can help when it comes to preventing cruelty. Over the next couple of days we'll be going into detail about some the ways you can help prevent animal cruelty, so stay tuned.

Tonks Tuesday

You better believe Tonks is here for Tonks Tuesday. She even posed for you guys. See?

My apologies if that photo is rather dark. Tonks is not happy with her photographer's lack of skill. Sorry, Tonks.

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I've accepted the fact that, at least given the current busy nature of my full-time job and overall life, I might fall a bit more behind on the April A to Z Challenge. Next year I plan on having all of my doodles for this challenge done way more in advance, but for this year, I'm working with what I have. All that to say, though it's so close to being done, today's doodle for the letter N is not complete. I can easily finish it tonight, since I'll actually be leaving work early today, and so we'll post it tomorrow. That doodle for the letter N will star a cat with a name inspired by a certain fantasy fandom. It's a little fandom that has a tad bit to do with this doodle I scribbled up a couple years ago.

That was actually a doodle I scribbled up for my dad for Father's Day something like 3 years ago. It was in honor of one of the first books I remember my dad reading to my sister and myself as kids. Can anyone guess or remember what book I'm referring to?

All that rambling aside, we'll have the letter N for you tomorrow. If I have a chance to finish up enough of the future drawings to double some up so that we finish the A to Z Challenge in the month of April, I'll do so. Otherwise, I might wrap it up in the first week of May. Such is life, and hopefully you guys are at least mildly entertained by the alphabetical doodles I'm sharing.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Tip of the Day

As part of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, we are continuing our series of tips regarding this topic. Yesterday we mentioned some of the unfortunate forms of cruelty and neglect, and mentioned the importance of recognizing animal cruelty when you witness it. Today, we are giving some brief tips on what to do if you do witness animal cruelty.

First and foremost, if you witness animal cruelty, report it as soon as possible. You can report it to the police, including calling 911 if you believe it is an emergency at hand. You can also call your local animal control, humane society, or other organization that can offer help in the face of animal cruelty. If your local area does not offer help for animal cruelty, then call the Humane Society of the United States or other similar organization to see what can possibly be done.

What's more, if you do have animal cruelty to report, make sure that you have all the details and any evidence possible. Knowing the location, date, time, and of course the nature of the witnessed cruelty can be important for expediting the report and actions taken by police or other organizations. Try to tell them what types of animals and how many are involved, as well as details on any perpetrators you've seen. If possible, use that cell phone of yours to grab photos or video of any cruelty you are witnessing. Evidence in this form can really help to expedite the resolution of the issue.

When it comes to reporting animal cruelty, be persistent. Animals do not have the voice with which to speak up for themselves, so we must do it for them. If you are witnessing cruelty, be persistent in contacting those who can help, and follow up to ensure that there is resolution. Give the police, animal control, the humane society, or whoever is helping your contact information, so that they can contact you if needed. All in all, we must be the voice for the voiceless, so if you witness any form of animal cruelty or neglect, do all that you can to safely seek aid for the victim(s).

Mancat Monday with the Letter M

Hello and happy Monday, friends! I'm a tad bit behind where I'm supposed to be in the April A to Z Challenge, but that's okay. I'm just going to continue on and have fun with it regardless.

Shall I repeat myself for the gazillionth time? Yes? In that case, for this year's April A to Z Challenge, since I love to write and am working on a series of books, I'm sharing A to Z doodles relating to my stories. Much like my usual doodles and weekly poems, the stories I write are weird, wacky, and star lots of animals. Today I have for you the letter M. And what does M stand for?

M is for Mary

That there young lady is Mary. I ended up drawing the main stars of this doodle way smaller than I originally intended, so I already plan on redoing at least parts of this one in the future. That said, in case you can't tell, Mary's furry friend there is a three-legged dog. Because specially abled furbabies are awesome, among other reasons. And can you see the gnomes outside her family's home? On that first step there's also a feline statue that may or may not be attempting to eat a gnome. That's inspired by the fact that I myself have a statue exactly like that.

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Now, on this Mancat Monday, Evan has just a little announcement to make.

He would like everyone to know that spring has finally, truly sprung in our corner of the world, and that makes this boy very excited. He's enjoying lots of naps in the window, and those window whiffies make him oh so happy. Also, the dandelions have suddenly taken over the yard, and the grass is quite tall now. It looks like mowing season is upon us. That honestly excites Evan, because he loves to sit at the door or window and watch this mom of his mow the yard.

Have a wonderful day, friends!

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Tip of the Day

 

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. For this reason, we're going to have a bit of a series of tips on how to recognize potential cases of cruelty, as well as what we can do to help. Today, we're going to start by giving a simple overview of what cruelty can look like. First, of course physical abuse toward an animal is cruelty. Neglect is another form of cruelty, and can include situations such as when an animal is left outdoors in extreme or unlivable conditions with no shelter, food, or water. In a similar line of thought is hoarding, which can include too large of an animal population for the space provided, extremely unsanitary conditions, and lack of nutritional, medical, and other basic care for the animals. Another example of neglect and cruelty to animals is abandoning an animal, such as in a vacated home or outdoors. Other examples of cruelty to animals include leaving an animal alone in a hot, or even cold, car, as well as any form of dog fighting.

There are, sadly, a great many examples of animal cruelty and neglect. Since animals can't speak for themselves, it is of course important that we all be aware of what cruelty is, and what forms it can take. Our vigilance and diligence may be the only way for some innocent, helpless animals out there to receive the help and care they need. So, do make sure that you are aware of the sad yet true facts of animal cruelty and neglect. This way, you can know it when you see it, and can thereby seek help for the afflicted animal or animals. Tomorrow, we will discuss some of the ways we can address situations of cruelty and neglect that we might witness.

Happy Easter!

If you celebrate the holiday, we hope you have a very happy and blessed Easter! If you do not celebrate it, have a wonderful Sunday! Either way, we do hope you enjoyed Toby's Easter selfies, which were admittedly taken last year.

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For reasons I've mentioned over the last couple of days, I'm a couple letters behind on the April A to Z Challenge. Though there's usually a small hiatus from the A to Z Challenge on Sundays, I'm sharing an alphabetical doodle today anyway.

As I've mentioned a few times plus one, for this year's April A to Z Challenge, since I love to write and am working on a series of books, I'm sharing A to Z doodles relating to my stories. Much like my usual doodles and weekly poems, the stories I write are weird, wacky, and star lots of animals. That leads us to today's letter, which is L. Honestly, what I have to share for the letter L is a bit timely for this Easter Sunday, at least to my brain.

L is for Lazarus

If you know a little about Easter, and if you know the story behind Lazarus, then maybe you'll get why I quite like how this backlogged doodle now falls on Easter. That said, the orange tabby there is Lazarus. He is named that for a reason. Let's just say that while most cats have nine lives, Lazarus has, well, lots more. Oh, and Lazarus is a library cat, as was briefly mentioned in our recent doodle for the letter I.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip is an Easter-inspired one, and it is to always think twice before ever giving anyone an animal as a gift. This could include giving a bunny to a child for Easter, as well as giving a puppy as a Christmas gift, or a kitty as a birthday gift. Caring for any animal will of course take time, effort, knowledge, and preparation. What's more, some animals, such as rabbits, have special dietary or other needs. This is why taking on an animal as a pet should be done with forethought and preparation by the pet's new owner. Giving a child a rabbit for Easter, therefore, could lead to a rabbit ending up in a situation with lack of proper care, and an overwhelmed child or parents. The same goes for giving any animal as a gift, especially if the recipient has not made the proper preparations or does not have the resources to care for a pet. So, never forget that giving an animal a proper home with proper care is something that should always be discussed, researched, and for which the owner should sufficiently be prepared. We have no doubt that all of you reading this already know this.

The above being said, it's worth noting that if a responsible pet owner expresses a desire to receive a pet as a gift, that is a bit of a different story. Someone whom you know well, who is already a proven kind and caring pet owner, and who wants another animal, is someone who could more reasonably receive an animal as a gift. We bet there are plenty of wonderful pet owners out there who have received a best friend in this manner. The important thing is to think such a decision through wisely, and to consider whether an animal will for certain receive the proper care it needs and deserves from a potential recipient.

Regular Programming Will Resume Tomorrow

Hello, friends. I'm supposed to be sharing some backlogged April A to Z Challenge doodles today, especially since I was supposed to spend my day off yesterday having fun getting caught up on the art I want to scribble up and scan and upload. Instead, I'm here to tell you that we're just going to resume normal programming tomorrow, because I ate some food on Thursday night that did not like me one bit. I'm feeling a bit better today, but we'll just leave this post at this and let you know that we'll be back tomorrow. I'm not sure how many doodles I'll fully finish today, so we might just be a couple days behind on the April A to Z Challenge until I finally catch back up. All that to say, we'll be back tomorrow for an Easter celebration and at least one A to Z doodle.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

A Birthday Bash and Friendly Fill-Ins

There's only one way to properly start this post...

Happy 9th birthday to my sweet Evan, the best momma's boy ever!

Evan, you are so special in so many ways, and I love you to pieces. Thank you for being my momma's boy!

Grab some cake, friends, and join Evan in celebrating his birthday!

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Now, how about those Friendly Fill-Ins? We'd love for you to join in on this fun challenge! 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 hope the Easter Bunny brings me _________.

2. My favorite part of the Easter (or Passover) meal is _________.

3. I'm most looking forward to _________ this weekend.

4. For me, this time of year _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. I hope the Easter Bunny brings me cat food.
(Honestly. I don't need anything for myself. The pet stores hardly have any of what my kitties like, though, so can you hook us up with the goods, Easter Bunny?)

2. My favorite part of the Easter meal is dessert.

(For Easter, I always make a pudding dessert that's intended to look, well, Easter-y. It's really fun to concoct, if not terribly messy. I believe I've shared a photo of it from a previous year, so I'll share that photo again now for reference.

In truth, I don't usually eat any of this dessert because I don't do well with gluten and dairy, both of which are are included. But, I enjoy making it nonetheless. It makes me feel festive.)

3. I'm most looking forward to extra time off this weekend.

(It's just a three-day weekend I'm talking about here, but I'll take it. I can spend more time with my furbabies and family, and I can do more art. And I can sit on the couch longer. My favorite.)

4. For me, this time of year is a tad bit nostalgic.

(My birthday and Easter always roll around this time of year, and for reasons, that always reminds me of my childhood. I remember seeing my grandparents a lot this time of year when I was a kid, both because of my birthday and Easter. There would always be lots of cake and egg hunts, and my mom or grandma would often sew my sister and I new Easter dresses. I've always hated wearing dresses. I genuinely don't mind that this time of year is a lot quieter and far less active now that I'm an adult, but the memories are nice nonetheless.)

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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It's time for your Eddy fix. In honor of Evan's birthday, especially given that Evan is the only other cat in the entire world that Eddy actually likes, Eddy wanted to share two flashbacks with her birthday brother.

Do you like the blankets strewn all over the place in that one? Eddy loves a good fort, so sometimes my room is just a mess of blankets in which she plays and snoozes.

How about one more?

That one there brings back another set of memories. Do you see that bald patch there on Evan's side? That was back when he started neurotically licking himself bald, which prompted his vet to prescribe him amitriptyline. He's been on that medication for something like 3 years now, and with its help he no longer licks himself bald.

All that rambling to say, Eddy can't wait to have her own personal birthday party with you, Evan! She'll happily chase you and jump on you and generally pester you like she so loves to do. Thank you for being her patient big brother who only rarely slaps her around in return.

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I now realize as I'm about to publish this post that I didn't include our already backlogged installment for the April A to Z Challenge. Given how busy and long this post already is, we're just going to share two letters for tomorrow's Caturday Art post, and one on Sunday, and then we'll be all caught up starting Monday. 

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Tip of the Day

For today's tip, of course in Evan's honor, we'd just like to remind you all that special needs animals—or specially abled, a term that I find far more accurate—can still live happy, healthy lives in which they thrive. Specially abled animals can include those of all wonderful types, such as those with physically special attributes, like Evan. In addition, special abled animals can include those with known medical diseases or anomalies, such as diabetes, kidney disease, disorders of the thyroid, deafness, blindness, and cerebellar hypoplasia, just to name a few.

That all being said, if you are ever thinking of adopting, fostering, or even sponsoring an animal, don't forget those who are specially abled. Many of these animals are passed over at shelters, or even, sadly, euthanized. They are often deemed "imperfect" or "unadoptable", when the exact opposite is the truth. These animals may be different, yes, and they are indeed special. That being said, they also have so much much life, love, and lessons to offer.

Of course, though, we also have to note that when it comes to adopting a specially abled animal, always do your research, take all factors into consideration, and decide whether it is wise or possible for you to bring home a specially abled furbaby. Especially depending on their condition, these special furbabies can often of course live happy, healthy, long lives. But, again depending on their condition, their care may take additional effort, resources, and financing.

So, all in all, don't forgot those specially abled furbabies out there. They have so much to offer, and they can teach us all so much.