Sunday, July 31, 2022

Sleepy Sunday Weirdness

Hello, friends! We were missing in action yesterday, and today we have just a very quick post. We've had an unexpectedly busy weekend. Nothing bad, just very busy. We'll be back to usual programming tomorrow. Until then, here's a selfie from a sleepy Evan.


If you look closely, behind Evan you can see the Halloween socks I'm wearing. Because I'm that desperate for autumn.

And to go along with that weirdness, here's the last flashback doodle in that wacky Harry Potter-inspired series I scribbled up a couple years ago.


We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

Friday, July 29, 2022

Friendly Fill-Ins and Photo Fails

Hello, friends! It's time for 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. I would rather hear nails on a chalkboard than _________.

2. The best part of _________ is _________.

3. I wouldn't mind if _________ disappeared.

4. If I could create one rule that everyone in the world had to follow, it would be _________.


My answers are below in bold.

1. I would rather hear nails on a chalkboard than give a speech in public.
(Public speaking is just a great big no thanks from me.)

2. The best part of waking up is a purring kitty in your face.
(This fill-in just kept bringing into my mind that Folgers coffee commercial jingle. You know, the one that goes, "The best part of waking up, is Folgers in your cup." I don't drink coffee, so I just decided to think of something else I enjoy upon waking up.)

3. I wouldn't mind if pup Astrid's hip pain disappeared.
(I mentioned after Astrid's recent annual exam that her occasional limping and favoring of her back right leg is due to an abnormality in her hip joint that is now causing the bones to come into painful contact. Thankfully, her new pain meds seem to work really well for her. When on them, she doesn't seem to have any issues with her hip. Even so, I wish she didn't have to deal with it at all.)

4. If I could create one rule that everyone in the world had to follow, it would be that no animal can be abused, neglected, abandoned, or harmed in any way.
(I know there are rules and laws surrounding this already, but I would love for there to be such rules and laws that are actually obeyed, and that are stricter, and with stricter punishments.)


Now it's your turn!
To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!
You can also click on the badge below to add your link.


You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,
or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.



***

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


Our resident blooper queen Eddy of course has some outtakes to share. This time around, the photo shoot in question didn't start off too bad.


Then, though, Eddy went on the move, as per usual.



Fully visible in her photos or not, Eddy sure is downright adorable. That's simply a fact, if you ask me, her totally unbiased mom.

Eddy and all of us here wish you a fantastic Friday!



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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I've been starting on a series of sort of spooky doodles, because this summer's heat waves have me craving autumn and Halloween. Then I found this flashback doodle that I'd almost forgotten about, starring a girl and her feline friend in a rather haunted watermelon patch.




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Tip of the Day

Believe it or not, we still have a couple tips left in our litter box series. Today's tip is to consider regularly replacing litter boxes as they grow old and overused. Some cat care professionals recommend brand new litter boxes on a yearly basis. At the very least, do take note of how old your cat's litter box is and what shape it's in, and replace it as needed.

There are a couple of considerations to make when deciding whether or when to replace a litter box. First, keep in mind that plastic litter boxes can become adorned with scrapes and scratches from cat claws, and those scratches on plastic litter boxes can ultimately harbor a variety of microbes. This can, of course, ultimately lead to potentially unsanitary conditions within the litter box. In addition to that, ammonia and other components of excrement can potentially leach into the plastic of litter boxes over time. This can make lingering odors, such as that of urine, more or less permanent, which could very well be unpleasant to those sharp noises of our kitties. The aforementioned are just two reasons why regularly replacing old litter boxes may indeed be a good idea. As we've said before, maintaining a fresh, clean litter box can be crucial to sharing your home with a happy, healthy feline.

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Thankful Thimble Thursday

We have just a quick post today, friends. This week's posts have been leaving a lot to be desired, but we should be back to normal next week. Two people are out on vacation at my full-time job this week. That might not sound like a lot, but my workplace has a grand total of nine employees, so missing even two people turns us into even more of a skeleton crew than we already are.

All that rambling aside, we'll share our poem and its illustration for Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge soon. For now, let's get to Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.


As always, Thimble is here to share her gratitude. Want to see what she's grateful for today?


Thimble is thankful that she gets so many visits from her boyfriend the friendly neighbor cat. He comes over for snacks quite often, and all the kitties enjoy visiting with him through the door.



***

Now, let's share 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. I would rather hear nails on a chalkboard than _________.

2. The best part of _________ is _________.

3. I wouldn't mind if _________ disappeared.

4. If I could create one rule that everyone in the world had to follow, it would be _________.




We'll see you tomorrow, friends!



***
Flashback Doodle of the Day

I was going through old doodles and found this flashback that I had completely forgotten about. I'm pretty sure it was an illustration for a poem a couple years back.




***
Tip of the Day

Can you believe we're still talking about that litter box? Today's tip in our litter box series is to take your own health and safety into consideration when scooping that box. For example, do you have asthma? Or, does dust from the litter box bother you in any way? If so, wear a mask when scooping, or at least be sure to blow your nose as soon as you are finished scooping the litter. Another safety precaution is to wear disposable gloves when scooping the litter box. Extra safety precautions are especially something to take into consideration if you are pregnant or in any way at risk for toxoplasmosis. Another reason to wear gloves when scooping the litter box is if your cat has giardia or any other parasites that can be passed on to you or the other furbabies in your life. Especially if you don't wear gloves when scooping the litter, then of course thoroughly wash your hands after you've finished with the chore. It is of course important to make sure that the litter box is a safe and sanitary place for our kitties, but it's also important to ensure it's the same for ourselves. After all, our kitties depend on us to remain healthy and able to care for them!

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Adventures with Astrid

We mentioned last week that Astrid's going to be doing a series of posts about the adventures she goes on during her walks. She'll mostly be sharing what she finds at her favorite local park. Today, she wanted you all to see what it looks like when we first arrive at the park.


That sidewalk leads to just one of the ways you can enter the park. It also leads to a bridge, which can take you to or from the park.


If you look closely, Astrid is sniffing another dog's urine on that bridge. Lovely, right?

This last photo is misleading, because that's not even the same bridge as the one from the previous photo. Our neighborhood has a number of these bridges to allow pedestrians to travel over the local creek. Even if it's not the same bridge, I asked Astrid to stop so that I could take a photo of her on it, and she ended up looking back at me with this adorably impatient face.

Happy Wednesday, friends!


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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is a weird one, in part because it's yet another one from the Harry Potter-inspired series I scribbled up a couple years ago. In this one, Astrid took on the role of a certain character with a magical pink umbrella. Because why not.




***
Tip of the Day

We're in the midst of a series of tips all about litter boxes. We'll be continuing that series tomorrow, while today we have a tip inspired by our canine friends. If you ask our humble opinion, having kitties and a pup in the same home can be a wonderful thing. It's even better when they all get along. Sometimes, though, the biggest trick is getting a pup to leave the kitty food alone. There are some methods to try, though, if you find yourself in such a situation.

First, you can try placing the cat food somewhere the dog cannot reach, but of course where the cat can reach it. You can try a counter, cat tree, or shelf, for example, as a cat can often climb to these heights, while a dog typically remains land-bound. Another option is to get some form of sturdy box, setting it upside down on the floor, cutting a hole in it through which a cat can fit but not a dog, and feeding your cat within. There's even a chance that some pieces of furniture would allow for this form of feeding. Of course, this technique primarily works for larger dogs, as small dogs might still be able to access cat food with this method.

A more fail-safe way to feed a cat without a dog's intervention is by feeding them in separate rooms. You can keep the cat's food in a room where the dog does not have access, even if just during feeding time. You can also keep the cat's food in a room that is permanently closed off to the dog, but where the kitty can visit by way of something such as a kitty door. One more similar option is to feed the kitty in a separate room where the door is left ajar, but is kept that way with some sort of door attachment. There are such products available on the market, that allow for a door to remain stuck ajar, so that a cat can pass through, but not a larger dog. You can even rig your own sort of setup, such as by using certain types of brackets, just as long as the setup is still safe for the furbabies. Again, though, these last couple of options will work best if the dog is larger and therefore cannot squeeze through to reach the cat food.

It is more than possible to have both cats and dogs living under the same roof. Once you get past the introductions and everyone is one big happy family, sometimes the main issue then becomes keeping the dogs out of the cat food. This is an important thing to do, though, as eating food not intended for their species can potentially result in gastrointestinal distress. So, if you have both cats and dogs, and food thieves run rampant, simply think on what type of feeding method would work best for you, your furbabies, and your overall home setup. It may take some trial and error, but it is doable.

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Tonks and the Towels: The Sequel

Hello, friends! Sorry for the very, very late post. It's been a couple of busy days at work, and I just now realized well into today that I never scheduled today's post. So, here it is!

We've shown you all in at least one past post how Tonks loves burrowing in towels. More specifically, she loves doing so with Evan's toilet towels. For reasons such as his hind limb paralysis, Evan is towel trained, in case you needed a bit of explanation there. That said, the towels are always clean when Tonks burrows in them, I promise. She loves to stop me when I'm trying to fold them and put them away, so that can instead make a fort out of them. A little like this: 


I don't know about you all, but I can't get enough of that cute little face peeking out of there. I'm totally not biased, either.

Happy Tuesday, friends!



***
Flashback Doodle of the Day

The scanner saga continues. I mentioned yesterday how I'd be belatedly sharing our new Christmas in July doodle today, since my neglected scanner was doing updates and so I couldn't scan and share it yesterday. Well, the scanner finished its updates, but for some reason it's now just generally opposed to scanning things at all. Myself not being tech savvy in any way, I'm going to recruit my far more tech savvy sister's help so that I can finally start sharing the many doodles I have completed. In the meantime, since I recently shared a flashback Harry Potter-esque doodle starring a kitty, here's yet another one starring even more kitties.


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Tip of the Day

We're still making our way through our tips on litter boxes. Today's tip is a quick and simple one, and it's to use the times you scoop and clean the litter box wisely. In other words, use your litter scooping time to be observant of your kitty's urine and feces. Are there any changes to the urine or stool volume or frequency? Is it a different color? Is there blood or mucus in it? Is the stool especially hard, or especially soft or runny? What about the odor? Excrement never smells particularly nice, but is there any new change in its smell? Try to always be observant of these types of things when you're scooping your cat's litter box. After all, some diseases will have symptoms that show up in the litter box, and so it is indeed important to make sure you are regularly checking to make sure all is well in that box. Of course, if you do notice anything concerning while scooping the litter box, do not hesitate to make a call to your veterinarian.

Monday, July 25, 2022

Merry Christmas in July!

Merry Christmas in July! Evan is here to wish you all a festive, sunny sort of day.


To add to the fun, Even thought he'd show you some festive bloopers as well.



Now, this is the part where we're supposed to share our new Christmas in July doodle. The problem is that this here human failed to scan any of her completed doodles for so long that, when the scanner was hooked up to do its thing with our new festive July doodle, it instead opted to start doing updates and still hasn't finished. So, we're going to extend our Christmas in July celebration into tomorrow, which is when we'll share the new doodle, since hopefully the neglected scanner should be done doing its updates by tonight. For today, we're going to share a string of old Christmas in July doodles. These are from 4 or 5 years ago and are therefore of my older style of drawing. Even so, we hope you enjoy.





Have a festive summer day, friends!


***
Tip of the Day

Today's tip in our litter box series is all about cleaning that litter box. A clean litter box is very important for keeping your cat healthy and happy. Cats are very clean and particular creatures, and so a dirty box might drive them away from using it. That is why an unclean litter box is one of the primary reasons why some cats begin urinating or defecating outside of the box.

So, as you all certainly know, be sure to scoop the litter box, or boxes, regularly. Scooping once a day is recommended, but more often, if possible, is of course even better. Twice or three times a day helps keep the litter box odors at a minimum, and of course helps your kitty stay healthy, happy, and with somewhere clean to use the restroom. You may also need to alter the number of times per day you scoop based on the bathroom habits of your particular cat, or cats. Some cats only go once a day, and so once a day scooping would likely suffice. For cats who go more frequently, though, more frequent scooping is of course a better option.

Cleaning a litter box doesn't just stop at scooping it, though. Doing a full clean of the box, which involves disposing of the old, dirty litter and scrubbing the box down, is also recommended on a regular basis. The frequency of a full litter box clean might vary, depending on your particular cat's bathroom habits, and even depending on which professional you might ask about this topic. If possible, try doing a full clean of the litter box once a week, to keep the box squeaky clean and your kitty healthy and happy. If that's not possible, perhaps at least try for once a month. After disposing of the old litter in the box, you can scrub it down with a safe cleaner. This might be warm water with dish soap, vinegar and water, baking soda and water, or another pet-friendly cleaner that you are certain will not leave behind any harsh or hazardous chemicals. Once the litter box is dried, you can add fresh litter, and even a bit of baking soda or other pet-safe deodorizer.

Litter box cleaning may not be a desirable chore, but it's a crucial one. To prevent your kitty from avoiding the litter box, or from simply having to suffer the discomfort of using a smelly bathroom, be sure to keep the box nice and clean. So, do at least daily scooping, and roughly weekly scrubbing, and your kitty will likely be very happy with you.

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Christmas Eve in July: Selfies with Santa Sloth

I guess you could call today Christmas Eve in July. Perhaps? Either way, today's selfies star a festive guest. You might have seen him before on our blog, but the truth is that this guest is a bit used and abused at our house. Therefore, these selfies are flashbacks to before this poor fellow was thrown around, slobbered on, and even puked on.


Santa Sloth sure does look bright and clean there. Those were the days.


Eddy's selfies with Santa Sloth are, of course, blurry. After all, no matter the season or holiday, this girl is our blooper queen.


Astrid and Eddy hope you enjoyed getting festive with them and Santa Sloth!

Happy Sunday, friends! And Merry Christmas Eve in July, if to that sounds to you like something fun to celebrate!


Tomorrow we'll have our last Christmas in July post, for the big day itself. We'll see you then!




***
Tip of the Day

We're still in the midst of our series of tips on the topic of litter boxes. Today's tip in this realm of things is one that we might not always think on too much, and that's the litter scoop. You'd think a scoop is a scoop, but sometimes one scoop simply might work better than another. Depending on the type of litter you use, your particular furbaby's litter box habits, and other such factors, be sure to select a litter scoop that removes as much of the piles of urine, feces, and affected litter as possible. If too much of these bits of debris are left behind when you scoop, that can lead to lingering smells and less sanitary conditions. This could in turn mean that the litter box will need to be cleaned more frequently than might be expected. For the above reasons, when selecting a litter scoop, consider factors such as the number and spacing of the grates on the scoop.

In addition, you also might want to consider the material out of which the scoop is made. If there's a chance your litter scoop might get bunged up, for example, perhaps go for a metal scoop. This is because plastic scoops are far more likely to end up with scratches on their surface, and such scratches could harbor microbes, especially when used in an environment such as that of a litter box. So, don't forget to give even that scoop a bit of extra consideration and attention. Every little detail could potentially affect our kitties and their health and happiness, and that even includes the litter scoop, which helps keep that litter box as clean and sanitary as possible.

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Kooky Kitty Caturday Art

I saw a comment online the other day about how today, July 23, marks 100 days until Halloween. As someone who loves Halloween and all things autumn, this excited me very much. I'm sure you're all wondering what is wrong with me, but that's a loaded question I don't have time to answer. So, I'll instead share a campfire scene with ghost stories gone wrong.


That was just a small, quick, rather sloppy doodle I scribbled up in my notebook a couple weeks ago. But, it seems apt enough for today.

Happy Caturday, friends!




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Tip of the Day

Today's (overly lengthy) tip in our litter box series is about selecting the type of litter. There are many, many kinds of litter out there. There's clay litter, corn litter, wheat litter, pine litter, litter made out of recycled paper,  and even litter crystals, just to name a few. There are even choices such as scented versus non-scented litter, litter for single-cat versus multicat homes, and clumping versus non-clumping litter. The options for litter seem to be endless, which can make the task of choosing one a tad bit of daunting.

So, let's go over some of the factors that will help you select a litter. To begin, first and foremost, let's go ahead and repeat ourselves like the broken record that we are—ultimately, your kitty will have the final say on what type of litter you buy. Cats can be very picky, particular creatures. Some have texture preferences, some have scent preferences, and some have any number of other preferences. If your cat doesn't like the litter you choose, they might avoid the litter box, which is in large part why they ultimately get to choose their litter.

The above being said, what are some of the main factors that might go into choosing the right litter for your kitty? Consider, of course, the type of material out of which a litter is made. For example, clay litter is often one of the dustiest, which may not be ideal for a cat or person with asthma. Also consider whether your cat has any other sensitivities or allergies. To give you an example, I once tried my angel cat Rosie on pine litter. Little did I know, pine was not a substrate Rosie's body tolerated well, and she ended up with hot spots that required steroid and antibiotic treatment. So, especially if you are trying a new type of litter, always keep an eye on your kitty to make sure they do not have an adverse reaction, and also that they do not start avoiding the litter box.

There are plenty of other random yet important factors to take into consideration when choosing litter, though. Do you have multiple cats? If so, perhaps look for a litter that is formulated for multicat homes. Does your kitty leave quite the stinkers in the litter box, and so you've chosen a scented litter? If this is the case and your cat uses the litter with no issues, then that's great. But, do keep in mind that cats' noses are far better than ours, and some cats might not like fragrance in their litter. Your cat might very well let you know if they do not like scented litter by avoiding the box, in which case you'll get the hint.

We're not done with this discourse quite yet. As we touched upon earlier, some cats have texture preferences. Since litter touches their paws, such texture preferences can of course play a large role in what type of litter your cat might use. For example, some cats prefer fine litter, and will not touch litter that is more coarse. I will also add here that I have some family members with cats who do not like litter at all, and so they use pee pads in litter boxes, which works great for those particular cats. Then again, my own Evan, in large part due to his hind limb paralysis, is towel trained rather than litter trained. So, litter texture can be a significant consideration for some cats, and in such cases there may indeed be some trial and error required. In such cases, just be patient, and you and your cat will find a litter, or even a litter alternative, that suits everyone involved.

Friday, July 22, 2022

Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello and happy Friday, friends! We're ready for 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. I think _________ is a waste of money.

2. Lately, I spend a lot of time _________.

3. _________ is the craziest thing on my bucket list.

4. _________ is a holiday I'd like to create or see more celebrated.


My answers are below in bold. They're all about the furbabies today.

1. I think the paper bag cat toy I saw online the other day is a waste of money.
(There isn't much that's related to my furbabies that I consider a waste of money. They're easily the part of my life I splurge on the most. I love buying them cute little toys for special occasions, even if they don't always play with them all. That said, I saw an actual paper bag listed online as a cat toy the other day. It may have been on Chewy, but I'm not positive. I think it was catnip infused, but I have grocery store paper bags and catnip already coming out my ears here at home. I bet those are two things a lot of us cat lovers already have readily available at home. So, I guess there is one cat toy on the market that I won't buy. And it's a paper bag.)

2. Lately, I spend a lot of time at the vet.
(Not only are most of my furbabies due for their annual exams in the summer, but, as I've mentioned before, Evan goes to our vet's groomer for a sanitary shave every 2 weeks. This is because of his rather significant urinary incontinence, and because he won't let me shave him myself. Evan just went in for a shave yesterday, so he is one especially dapper boy today.)

3. Having what might be a true crazy cat lady house is the craziest thing on my bucket list.
(I've never sat down and really written a bucket list. Even so, I think I can admit it really wouldn't be all that wild of a list. It would include my basic goals and dreams, but even with that said, I'm not one of those who wants anything all that adventurous in life. I just want to be happy, and surrounded by my furbabies. That said, this answer relates to the fact that some day, I would love to live in a home more heavily built around the needs of my animals. My current home does its best with that, but I'll admit that I envision for myself a home with far more accommodations and accessibility for animals, including special needs animals. It would include a catio, I know that for sure, and a ton of other features for my kitties and pups that I haven't even fully thought through yet. I'd also love to have a bit of extra space specifically to be able to offer emergency foster space for animal rescues, as this is something that, at least in my area, I see requested often by rescues groups. I feel like I'm just rambling now, so I'll stop.)

4. National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day is a holiday I'd like to see more celebrated.
(I know this day, April 30, is recognized by some, like animal lovers and those in animal welfare. But, I think anything related to getting shelter animals adopted should be infinitely more popular than it is.)


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.



***

Are you ready for your Eddy fix? Good, because we've got one for you. The only unfortunate thing is that Eddy simply couldn't look at the camera, because we have new neighbors behind us that Eddy simply has to snoopervise 24/7. At least even the side of her face is downright adorable.


Happy Friday, friends!



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Flashback Doodle of the Day

If you were hoping for another Christmas in July flashback doodle, you're in luck.




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Tip of the Day

We're continuing on with our litter box tips today by discussing location. When deciding where to put litter boxes in your home, there are a variety of considerations to make. For example, you cat likely won't want to do their business in a high traffic area, where there are many distractions and little to no privacy. At the same time, though, many cats will also likely not want to be hidden away in a small, enclosed area, such as a small closet. Placing a litter box in a small, enclosed area such as a small closet will likely trap the smell, which some cats are averse to. What's more, using the litter box is one way in which cats often instinctively believe they are making a territorial display, and so hiding away the litter box, where no one can see them do their business, might lead to out-of-box behavior for territorial reasons.

All of the above being said, consider where in your home might work best for a box to be both away from heavy traffic, yet close enough to the goings-on for your kitty to still feel included. Dedicated litter box rooms, corners of bedrooms or living rooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or even large closets with their doors kept open, can all make for good litter box areas. It really depends on how your home is set up, and where your kitty might feel most comfortable. Just as we've mentioned before, though, it also might simply come down to your cat's preference. Perhaps your cat enjoys using the restroom right in front of you, or perhaps your cat actually prefers to go in a closed closet. In the end, if your cat displays a preference for litter box placement, try your best to stick with that.

We'll also now mention that, when selecting litter box location, also take into consideration how many cats you have. In homes with many cats, it is often ideal to spread litter boxes throughout the house, as best as possible. This is especially the case if there is any bullying amongst your cats. If all of the boxes are in one room, a bullied or timid cat might prefer to steer clear of using the restroom with other cats nearby, and therefore might begin out-of-box behavior elsewhere in the house. They even might simply hold their urine, which can lead to a variety of medical issues. So, especially in multicat homes, do consider the number of and comfort of all cats when deciding how few and far between to place the litter boxes. Then again, this consideration also might be important for even a single cat who is geriatric or has issues with mobility. For such a kitty, having multiple litter box options, in areas of the house where they most often hang out, can help them more easily urinate and defecate when and where needed.

There sure are a lot of considerations to make when it comes to that litter box. You of course have to choose a type of box, as well as how many. Once you have that settled, it's all about deciding where to place the litter boxes in your home. Fear not, though, as you and your kitty, or kitties, will figure it out. If nothing else, trial and error will often lead your kitty to letting you know what he or she prefers.

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! Let's get right to Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge, shall we?


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

This is one of those times when I'm going to have trouble explaining how I got from that image to my resulting poem. Let's see if I can't make this succinct. Probably not, but I'll try.

As I've mentioned before, I'm a huge fan of reading, most especially the fantasy genre. I'm of an age that resulted in me growing up in the middle of the Harry Potter craze, and truth be told, I was part of that craze. I eagerly awaited each new book's release, and I truly enjoyed them, and I still do. That said, there's one issue big I have with those books—an issue of the feline sort—and that's what I address in this poem.

Oh, and I should probably actually explain how I got from that image above to my poem. In the Harry Potter series, kids attend a school to become proper witches and wizards. They get to that school by way of a sort of magical train. So, I saw railroad tracks, and that was that.

If you'd like to read my weird and wacky poem, here you go.

A Tale of Missing Cats

This is just a quick little rhyme to say,
That I wanted to attend a school for witches back in the day.
I read about it in some books once a upon a time.
Getting to this magical school took nothing but a magical train ride.

But, you see, even as a child I had one main qualm regarding those books.
In them, to find a cat you had really closely look and look.
Can you imagine reading a witchy story,
Only for it to barely touch on the feline glory?

It's not that there weren't any creatures at all of the feline kind,
And it's not that I minded the owls and other critters inside.
In this book about witchy children, the confusion was that,
They were allowed to bring to school with them an owl, a toad, or...a cat!

If you were allowed to bring a cat with you to school,
Are you telling me that you wouldn't take full advantage of that rule?
It's not that I didn't think all the owls in the book were cool,
But how did the magical children rarely choose a cat to bring with them to school?

If had the option of learning alongside my cat,
You better believe that would be an easy decision, just like that.
And, well, that is the weird tale of my childhood self reading a book about magical children,
And wishing all the wishes that to a magical school both myself and my cat would be sent.


Truth be told, that's a flashback doodle from a couple of years ago. I of course scribbled it up as a result of my longtime appreciation of the Harry Potter series. I actually scribbled up a brand new, somewhat similar doodle for this poem, but, as I mentioned yesterday, I have yet to scan a number of new doodles I've finished. Once I scan all of those in the next day or two, I'll start sharing them, including the new silly doodle for this poem.



***

Now, how about Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop? That sounds like a plan to me.


Thimble is of course here to share some gratitude.


This little tabby is thankful for window views.


Thimble sure does love being able to supervise the neighbors.


But, goodness, it sure is a tiring job. Before she goes off to nap, Thimble wants to wish you all a wonderful day!


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


1. I think _________ is a waste of money.

2. Lately, I spend a lot of time _________.

3. _________ is the craziest thing on my bucket list.

4. _________ is a holiday I'd like to create or see more celebrated.




We'll see you tomorrow, friends!



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Tip of the Day

As we mentioned yesterday, we're doing a series of tips dedicated to none other than the litter box. Yesterday, we talked about choosing a type of litter box. Today, we're going to talk about the number of litter boxes you might need.

We're going to begin this discussion with a bit of an equation:

(# of cats) + 1 = (# of litter boxes)

That up there is the general rule for how many litter boxes a home should have, for the comfort of the kitties living there. Since we're a broken record, we'll say it again: the number of litter boxes should equal the number of cats, plus one. This general rule helps ensure that all of the cats in a home have plenty of options, something that is especially important in a multicat home. Finding a clean litter box, and not being bullied out of it, is more easily done when there is a sufficient number of boxes. As for single cat homes, the equation above still typically applies. Why? One reasons is that some cats don't like to urinate and defecate in the same box. Another reason is that, again, it gives them more options for a clean box, and can thereby reduce potential out-of-box behaviors.

Now that we have that little equation out of the way, we'll also mention that it's possible that not all of the litter boxes in a home should be or will be the same type. For example, do you have one cat who likes covered boxes, and another cat who prefers uncovered boxes? If so, then you should probably have litter boxes of both of those types. This ensures that each cat has a choice that suits their preferences. So, it's not only important to ensure that there are enough litter boxes, but that the boxes suit the needs of all cats present in the home.

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Adventures with Astrid

Over the past couple months, I've been taking random photos while walking pup Astrid. I mostly take these when we're going through one of her favorite parks near our house. So, I thought we'd start sharing these photos so that you can see some of the little adventures pup Astrid goes on.

Today's photo comes from an adventure that occurred at the end of spring. Back then, one of the trees in Astrid's favorite park had some beautiful blooms on it. I know next to nothing about plant life, which means that, sadly, I don't have the foggiest idea what kind of tree this is. (If you know what kind of tree it is, please enlighten me. I'd much appreciate it.) Even so, the tree was beautiful and so I asked the pup to pose in front of it for me.



Astrid hopes you all have get to have your own fun adventures today!



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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Not only have I been sharing flashback Christmas in July doodles and working on a new festive doodle for this year, but I've also been working on doodles inspired by another holiday. I've mentioned many times before how I myself am a fan of Halloween. In truth, I'm fond of anything with a sort of spooky, gothic vibe, and you get the idea. As I eagerly await autumn and the macabre holiday it brings with it, I'll be sharing some new doodles in that vein very soon, and they'll be a little something like this flashback doodle.




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Tip of the Day

We've given tips here and there on cats and their litter boxes. The litter box plays such a crucial role in not only your cat's daily life, but also their health and happiness. That's why we've decided to do an entire, comprehensive series of tips on that box of litter.

The first tip in this series is all about selecting the type of litter box. You wouldn't think a litter box could come in all that many varieties, but the litter box aisle at the pet store begs to differ. Litter boxes come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and configurations. That means there are a lot of considerations to make when selecting that litter box.

So, let's start with size. Is your cat of the larger variety? Especially in the case of a large cat, it is important to make sure the litter box is big enough. Out-of-box behavior, even if in the form of accidental misses, can occur if the box is too small for the cat. Sometimes, you'll even need to make sure to get a box that is not only large enough but that also has tall enough sides. Some cats are more prone to raising their rear end when urinating, for example, which would mean that a box with tall sides is a far more ideal option.

The above being said, also take into consideration if your cat is small. If you have a petite cat or a kitten, you might at least have to start with a small box. Being able to climb over the edge of the box in order to get inside is of course important. A kitten might very well outgrow their first litter box, but when they're small, they of course need to be able to comfortably climb into the litter box. In truth, though, no matter the size of your cat, stick to whatever size of box they seem to prefer and do well with. Some cats might be large, but also might prefer and do just fine with a small box. Take any such preferences your cat has into consideration.

There are also different shapes of cat litter boxes. There are rectangles, squares, circles, ovals, and even some triangular ones that can fit into corners. When selecting the shape of the litter box, you can base your decision on concepts such as how the shape might affect your furbaby's ability to get comfortable when in the box, or how the shape might affect the way it fits in your home. Then again, as mentioned above, your cat might reveal a preference for litter box shape, and if so, go with that.

Next up is an oft debated litter box detail. And that is, do you get a covered box? Or, do you get an uncovered box? Let's go right ahead and touch upon the fact that, ultimately, the cat gets to pick. Some cats prefer a box that is covered, such as for the sake of privacy. Other cats do not like covered boxes. That being said, covered boxes can harbor smells far more easily than uncovered boxes. Imagine walking into a portable toilet, one in which all of the smells just sit and fester. No one enjoys using a portable toilet, and that might be how some cats feel about a covered litter box. Again, though, the truth of the matter is that the cat should get to pick what kind of toilet they use. If your cat will not enter or use a covered box, but will willingly urinate or defecate in an uncovered box, then an uncovered box it is. If your cat urinates or defecates outside of an uncovered box, but will willingly go into a covered box and use it, then no matter what your thoughts on this topic are, your cat just gave you their answer.

So, when it comes to selecting the type of litter box your cat will use, of course take into consideration their size, whether the box will harbor smells, and other such details. That being said, though, just like us, our cats often have preferences and opinions on various matters. The litter box might very well be one of these matters. That's why, when it comes to any of the details of the litter box, if your cat shows a preference, take note of that and run with it.

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Bothered Tonks Tuesday

It's Tonks Tuesday, and this time around we have for you a bothered little calico.


Tonks was minding her own business, enjoying the sun on her cat tree, when this obnoxious human that is her mother showed up with that darn camera. Despite the calico telling this pawparazzi to go away, it did not. Hence, we have bothered Tonks on this Tuesday.

Tonks hopes you all have far more peace and quiet than her today!


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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I promise I actually have been scribbling up some new doodles to share. I just need to scan them, but since I haven't done that yet, here's yet another festive flashback for Christmas in July.




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Tip of the Day

Do you want or need to monitor your furbaby, even when you aren't with them? Items such as baby monitors don't have to be used for only children of the human sort. Baby monitors, security cameras, and similar products can be used for our furbabies as well. Depending on what type of monitoring you need, you can look into monitoring devices that allow you to hear, see, or locate your furbaby. For example, there are monitors and cameras that you can place in your home that allow you to view your furbaby and what they're up to, even if you're away from home, such as by using the internet, apps, or other similar means. There are even devices on the market that can be attached to your furbaby's collar and that take video of what they've been up to. Another method of keeping track of your furbaby includes more or less putting some form of tracking device on them. For example, there are GPS or other similar devices that can go on your furbaby's collar. This is something that might come most in handy if you have a dog or cat who goes outdoors.

All in all, if you want or need to keep an especially close watch on your pup or kitty, such as when you're away from home, there are ways to do this. You might wish to keep an eye on a new puppy or kitten, a sick or geriatric furbaby, a cat or dog with separation anxiety, or something else along those lines. In such cases, determine whether monitoring, such as when you're away from home, might be beneficial, and then research the best types of monitoring systems for your particular situation.

Monday, July 18, 2022

Mancat Monday

Hello, friends! We apologize for our absence yesterday and for now yet another late post today. Life has really been happening all over the place these days.

Now, shall we move right on to a handsome mancat on this Mancat Monday?


Evan is enjoying a wonderful sun puddle, and he hopes you all get to enjoy a nap in the sun today as well!

Happy Monday!



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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I've been working on this year's Christmas in July art. I have to admit, it's really difficult to get in the mood to scribble up a festive doodle when it's over 90°F outside. And that sentiment alone reminded me of one of the Christmas in July doodles I scribbled up many, many years ago. So, here's an ancient doodle that both does and doesn't look like the current art I share. This oldie fits the current sweltering season we're in, though, so here you go.


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Tip of the Day

As you probably know, it's not always that easy to get still and calm photos of the kitties and pups in our lives. That said, there are some ways to at least attempt to get your furbaby to sit still for a photo shoot or to get them to look at the camera. You can try the technique of getting on their level, such as sitting on the floor with the camera if that is where your kitty or pup is playing or spending time. It may take lots of patience and sitting and waiting for a moment to snap a shot, but it is often doable. You can also situate yourself where your kitty or pup is sleeping, as a sleeping furbaby is a still furbaby.

Then again, you can also try distraction techniques. As you can probably guess, and as you have likely tried on an occasion or two, you can grab one of your kitty or pup's favorite treats or toys and hold that up or sit it on top of your camera. If this grabs your furbaby's attention, then you might very well have a split-second chance to snap a shot while they are gazing at the goods. If you're really eager to get a photo or two of your furbaby and you're having trouble getting them to cooperate while also manning the camera, you can also try to recruit a second pair of hands, such as to hold the furbaby or to help better distract them. 

Sometimes, photographing our furbabies is simply not the easiest task. But, we all love having photographs of our furbabies to forever hold those memories. So, sometimes you simply have to find the photo shoot technique that works best for your furbaby. Whether it be waiting to photograph them while they're sleeping or grabbing their attention with treats, find what works best and have the camera at the ready.