Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello, friends. I am very, very sorry for this late post, especially given that it's Friendly Fill-Ins day. It's been a couple of wild days around here, and now it's going to be a couple of wild months. See our fill-in #2 for why.

That said, it is indeed time for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. We'd love for you to join us! My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. _________ should come with _________.

2. And just like that _________.

3. I get funny looks from others when I _________.

4. I once tried to _________, and I failed.

My answers are below in bold.

1. People should come with instructions.

(I'm admittedly not a people person, and I'm awkward as all get out in public, so I would benefit if there was a readily available manual on how to exist around other people. Some people require more instructions than others, especially when you need to be rid of them. Perhaps there are manuals for how to turn people into cats in order to make them more tolerable? Is that too much to ask?)

2. And just like that pup Astrid's next couple of months got really interesting.
(We've mentioned over the past couple of days how poor pup Astrid very recently had a leg injury that was diagnosed as a torn CCL, which is like a human tearing their ACL. We had a surgical consult yesterday, and her surgery is now scheduled for October 11. Astrid isn't getting her usual walks right now because she's hopping on three legs and that's just not great for her. It also puts her at an even greater risk of tearing her other back leg's CCL, and that's a great big no thank you. Even better—and please note my sarcasm there—Astrid's surgery recovery will entail strict crate rest for 6 weeks. We'll be giving more details on this as hyperactive Astrid lives the crate rest nightmare. SOS.)

3. I get funny looks from others when I talk nonstop about my cats.
(None of you cat blogging friends of ours think twice of my kitty obsession, but I don't often meet people like you all in real life. When people learn about my multiple cats, one of the few topics on which I can and will talk endlessly, most people look at me like I'm nuts. Especially when they find out one is hind limb paralyzed and all that jazz. People don't know what they're missing out on.)

4. I once tried to be good with technology, and I failed.

(I used to put it effort to learn better skills with technology, but it was a futile endeavor. It's a running joke in my family that I'm terrible with technology. I'm usually not even actively trying to be good or bad or anything in particular with it, but even so technology just fails around me for whatever reason. In my childhood home, my bedroom was the place where TVs, radios, DVD players, computers, and pretty much every device went to die. As recent as yesterday, my sister informed me that one of her special Amazon music devices that I don't understand only ever stops working when I'm near it. It's to a point where, if any technological device breaks, the first question anyone in my family asks is, "Did Lorianne touch it?" And I can't even blame them.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

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It's time for your Eddy fix. Today, you get to see Eddy begging for some window whiffies.

Don't worry, she got her way. I opened the window for her to sniff the great outdoors. I know my place.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

This flashback doodle is a pretty darn old one starring our housemates Toby and Winky. It's another one that I hope to recreate this autumn.

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Tip of the Day

Today's National Disaster Preparedness Month tip is to, in the event of a disaster such as a hurricane, do your absolute best to consider the care and safety of animals who may not be your typical indoor companions. For example, do you help care for feral cats, even an entire feral colony? If so, please don't forget them in potential disaster preparedness plans.

Obviously, evacuating feral furbabies may not be anywhere nearly as easy as relocating your tame, indoor kitties or pups. However, do still do all that you can to ensure that you include ferals or strays under your care in the event of an emergency. Especially if there is a known threat of a disaster, try to find a way to access traps or other means of capturing and transporting ferals. And, of course, do your research ahead of time regarding safe areas that would be willing to take in ferals or strays in the event of an emergency. There may indeed be organizations willing to help with this feat. Therefore, also do your research in this regard and reach out to various animal rescue organizations to determine if they can offer assistance.

Another consideration to make are animals such as horses and livestock. As best as absolutely possible, try to always think ahead, even before a disaster is even on the immediate horizon, and make sure that you have access to trailers and other necessities for relocating large animals. And, again, do your research ahead of time regarding where you might be able to safely relocate animals such as horses or livestock.

Trying to orchestrate the relocation of numerous animals in the event of a disaster can indeed be very daunting. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, time or resources are short. In the end, though, you have to simply do the absolute best that you can. The best way to indeed do the absolute best you can is to always think ahead, be prepared, and have a plan. Make sure that you take the time to research safe options for all creatures under your care, and then, accordingly, make plans that could be implemented in the event of a disaster or other emergency.