Adventures with Astrid: Snow, Sniffs, and a Slowpoke Human

On today's edition of Adventures with Astrid, this pup wanted to show you all how Mother Nature tried to be a tad bit festive during one of our walks recently.

Astrid apologizes that she didn't pose in the snow flurries for you all, but there was another dog barking in the house behind that fence, and that absolutely could not be ignored.

When another dog is near, of course anything and everything has to be sniffed. Not pictured is Astrid making sure she left this area smelling like her.

Pup Astrid is usually pretty patient when this here human stops to take photos, but ultimately she will itch to keep going on her beloved walk.

Honestly, when is this human going to stop snapping those shots and keep walking already? 

Hello? Earth to human. Astrid really hopes none of you furry friends of ours have to deal with a slowpoke human like she does.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

***

Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Our final tip for the month of Thanksgiving, and a tip that can relate to all holidays, is to know your veterinary clinic's holiday hours. What's more, since most general veterinary clinics are closed on holidays, make yourself aware of the nearest emergency vet clinic that is open on holidays. Your usual veterinary clinic will likely have a recommendation for an emergency clinic for the hours and days they are closed. Just in case there is an emergency on a holiday, such as if your kitty or pup sneaks some food that is less than good for them, simply do a little research into nearby emergency clinics, know their hours and location, and have a plan in the event that a medical emergency might happen over a holiday.

Tonks Tuesday: Oh Christmas Tree

It's Tonks Tuesday, and today you get to see what the calico does within a minute of the Christmas tree going up. Pretty much every single one of these photos is in the form of a blooper, because Tonks moves fast when she's excited, but they're pretty darn cute anyway.

I'm sure there will be plenty more photos of Tonks in the Christmas tree. Maybe I'll even get some non-blooper shots. Maybe.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

***

Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

We're continuing our discussion on Thanksgiving food through to the end of November. For today, keep in mind that food safety around pets isn't just related to food preparation and eating. Safety precautions should continue even after you've finished your meal. What are we getting at? We're reminding you to be aware of dishes in the sink and food scraps or wrappers in the trash. Illness and emergencies can result if your furbaby licks off of plates in the sink that contain remnants of dangerous foods, or if they find their way into the trashcan where scraps or bones reside. So, be aware and take precautions to keep your pup or kitty safe from dangerous foods even after the feast is over. Immediately rinse or wash plates and keep the sink clear of dangerous food debris. Also take out the trash if it contains dangerous food items, or keep it securely hidden away from your furbaby.

Mancat Monday

Hello, friends! I'm going to apologize again for absent and late posts these past couple of days. There was a work emergency over the weekend, and a work emergency this morning. I work as a laboratory technician in a chemistry lab, and the recent emergencies all involve broken machines required for the day-to-day life of the lab. Anyway. I don't want to complain, as I'm very grateful to have an income, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't about to pull my hair out when it comes to my full-time job. That's enough of that, though.

All that said, I'm trying to prep posts to make December on our blog all shades of festive with consistent posts. That's in no small part why this post is late, because I've been focusing on posts that you won't even see for at least a few days. Well, that and work stuff.

Anyway, here's an Evan supervising me as I put lights on one of our Christmas trees.

That's not the only shot Evan has to share today, though. He also wants to show you one of his favorite things about artificial Christmas trees, and that's what great chew toys and toothbrushes they are. 

Don't worry, come December, you'll be seeing Evan in far more festive photos that don't involve rogue light strands or tree branch eating. Probably.

Happy Monday!

***

Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Part of the December posts I'm prepping are new Christmas doodles. For today, though, I have this flashback doodle that pretty much depicts what it's like to put up our Christmas trees with some of the kitties at my house. It's all shades of wild and crazy, and I love it.

***

Tip of the Day

Since we have enough Thanksgiving tips to last through the end of the month, we're continuing them. And do you know what holiday food we haven't yet mentioned? Cranberries! This here human loves cranberries, but are they safe for our kitties and pups? In moderation, plain cranberries can be given as a small treat to a dog or cat who enjoys them. That being said, it is best to steer clear of cranberry sauces and juices, as those contain excess amounts of sugar and other potential additives that might not be the best for your furbaby. Also be careful with special cranberry dishes, in case they contain not only excess sugar but potentially also toxic ingredients such as alcohol. As always, when in doubt, simply don't offer it to your furbaby.

Since we're on the topic of fruits, we'll go ahead and run through a couple of other fruity treat options for your kitty or pup. If fed in moderation, berries such as blueberries and strawberries are healthy for cats and dogs, as are bananas. Apples are also generally a healthy treat option, but only if you are careful to refrain from feeding your furbaby the seeds. That being said, keep in mind that when fruits like apples are made into pies, added ingredients such as sugar are not so healthy for your furbaby. Of course, also remember that fruits like grapes and raisins are toxic to cats and dogs, so never feed those. Even cherries can be dangerous, especially if consumed in large quantities, as cyanide poisoning can result due to the contents of the stem, pit, and even leaves. So, to be safe, don't feed your furbaby cherries, cherry pie, and most certainly not chocolate-covered cherries this holiday season. Ultimately, if you are not certain that a particular fruit or other food is safe for your furbaby, simply don't feed it as a treat.

Festive Flashback Caturday Art

After spending all of yesterday decking the halls at our house, today is a catchup day. In addition to doing the ever so festive task of mowing up the leaves in my yard, I'll also be working on the many Christmas doodles I hope to share this season. In the meantime, here's a festive flashback doodle starring all the furbabies.

That is actually the image of one of our Christmas cards from years ago. Since one of the Christmas doodles I'm working on is this year's card, this seemed fitting.

Happy Caturday!

***

Tip of the Day

Surely I'm not the only one who always feasts on the classic green bean casserole for the holidays? If green bean casserole is on your Thanksgiving table, keep in mind what all ingredients are used to make it before you let your furbaby try some. A lot of green bean casseroles involve potentially dangerous ingredients, especially after you add the classic mushroom soup and onions on top. The onions themselves are of course a hazard, as are added sodium and other ingredients that sneak their way in there. For this reason, it is likely best to hold off on sharing green bean casserole with your kitty or pup. That being said, though, if you have plain green beans to serve, those can make a great and nutritious treat for that furbaby in your life!

Friendly Fill-Ins

We hope all of our friends in the US had a happy Thanksgiving with lots of food! We're stuffed, and now we're also ready 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. I would like a _________ of my own.

2. On Black Friday, I _________.

3. For me, the holiday season begins _________.

4. If I won a large sum of money, _________ would be the first thing I bought.

My answers are below in bold.

1. I would like a veterinary degree of my own.

(Sometimes I wish I'd earned and maintained a degree in veterinary medicine. I honestly don't know that I have it in me to be a veterinarian as my career, especially when it involves stressful surgeries and saddening euthanasias, but I'd love to be able to better diagnose my kitties and pup on my own, as well as treat them and obtain medications more easily. I'd also use the knowledge to better help stray and feral cats, and kitties and pups of my family members.)

2. On Black Friday, I stay in the safety of my home and decorate for Christmas.

(I'm not saying I don't take advantage of any Black Friday deals, but I only do so online. I don't like going out to shop on a calm and quiet day, so the thought of going head on into the Battle of Black Friday is a great big no thank you. More importantly, since I was a kid, it's been a tradition to put up the Christmas trees and deck the halls on Black Friday. By the end of Thanksgiving day, I'm usually stuffed and ready for it to end just so that I can get on with Christmas.)

3. For me, the holiday season begins the second I've finished Thanksgiving dinner.

(This is if we're talking specifically about the Christmas season. I try to give Thanksgiving its just due, but I'm always eager to move right on to Christmas. That said, if we're talking about the overall holiday season of the last couple months of the year, then for me it pretty much starts on September 1, when I just go ahead and let myself move full force into Halloween, another favorite holiday of mine.)

4. If I won a large sum of money, full amenities and medical care for the local strays and ferals would be the first thing I bought.

(I feel like my area has more and more stray and feral cats every day. We do indeed have some rescue groups in the area that help when they can, but they are kept very busy and can't always get to everything. We also don't have many veterinarians in the area who offer easy, affordable care for the many strays and ferals. I myself would love to do more, so if I had the full resources to get all the roaming kitties fully taken care of, homed when possible, and properly sheltered outdoors when homing is not possible, I would love that. Doing far more for strays and ferals is honestly a life goal of mine.)

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, she got distracted and started a blurry bath during a photo shoot next to her personal, year round Christmas tree. 

Today, and pretty much every day, I have to reattach some of the trees branches since Eddy loves to use and abuse her poor tree. Now that we've really approached the Christmas season, I'll also be making this tree look more festive today. I don't know why I try, because anything I put on this tree ends up catapulted to the ground by Eddy, but 'tis the season.

Happy Friday, friends!

***

Flashback Festive Doodle of the Day

This flashback doodle seemed apt enough for today. 

***

Tip of the Day

We've been discussing the safety of our furbabies when it comes to common Thanksgiving foods. Though Thanksgiving has now come and gone, we're still moving on with this topic until the end of the month. At least around here we're still munching on the leftovers anyway. Now, this topic would feel incomplete without a mention of none other than stuffing. Is this Thanksgiving staple safe for your furbaby? More than likely, it is best that you simply avoid feeding any of that stuffing to your kitty or pup. Why? Because many stuffing dishes include ingredients such as onion, garlic, salt, butter (which could especially be a problem for furbabies with lactose intolerance), and other components that could have uncomfortable or dangerous side effects. If the stuffing is plain, without any potentially dangerous ingredients, then a small taste might be fine for your furbaby. But, more than likely, that Thanksgiving stuffing will contain some ingredients that are best avoided in your cat or dog's diet.

Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

That is, admittedly, not the Thanksgiving doodle you're supposed to be sharing. However, this here human got home from work yesterday and went straight to baking pies, and she forgot to finish today's post. I forgot to even scan this year's Thanksgiving doodle, and so you'll be seeing it in the next couple of days. But, this one is actually one of my past favorites. It's a 2018 doodke, and it stars my angel Rosie, a guest of a turkey, and in the background a giant Santa float from a certain Thanksgiving day parade.

Again, to our friends in the USA, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

To our friends in the rest of the world, HAPPY THURSDAY!

Wishing you all many blessings and lots of festive fun this time of the year!

On this day of thanks, and on every day of the year, we truly have so much for which to be grateful. We are grateful for our family, those still with us and those who watch over us. We are also grateful for our health, for the roof over our heads, and for the food on our table. We are grateful for this beautiful, festive season.

We are also beyond thankful for this wonderful community of friends. Without all of you, we would be lost. Thank you for helping give us so much for which to be thankful, friends! Wishing you all many blessings, today and every day!

I'm also going to mention here that I'm grateful that my orange boy Evan's bloodwork and other tests all came back normal. Despite some new issues potentially related to his hind limb paralysis, his vet gave him a clean bill of health overall. I truly am beyond grateful for that.

***

We didn't forget about tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. We'll share the fill-in statements below. Ellen of 15andmeowing crafted up the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. I would like a _________ of my own.

2. On Black Friday, I _________.

3. For me, the holiday season begins _________.

4. If I won a large sum of money, _________ would be the first thing I bought.

***

Tip of the Day

Many Thanksgiving dinners include bread, rolls, biscuits, or other doughy goods. That being said, be cautious and aware when baking bread around dogs and cats. If a pup or kitty consumes unbaked bread dough, especially that which contains yeast, serious side effects could result. For example, unbaked break dough can expand inside the warm intestinal tract, which can in turn result in life-threatening bloat, twisted stomach, and other potential issues. Yeast in unbaked bread dough not only can result in bloat, though. It can also ferment. Such fermentation produces alcohols, which can then be absorbed into a cat or dog's bloodstream and result in alcohol poisoning. Needless to say, unbaked bread dough can be very dangerous, or even deadly, if consumed by a cat or dog. So, never leave unbaked bread dough unattended. Keep your kitty or pup out of the kitchen, or do whatever else you must to keep your kitty or pup from giving that dough and other dangerous Thanksgiving feast foods a taste test.

Autumnal Adventures with Astrid

Astrid loves walks in the autumn. Not only does she love the weather, but she also loves all the piles of leaves we come upon as we journey the neighborhood.

Don't misunderstand, though. Astrid doesn't like playing in or even walking through the leaves. She'll actually try to walk around or hop over any leaves that are in her path. What Astrid does enjoy is, well, peeing on piles of leaves. I've told her that's rude, but she wholeheartedly disagrees. I actually tried to catch a photo for evidence, but she decided to have a shy bladder this time around.

I also wanted to express how grateful I am to see Astrid using her back right leg. That might sound like a weird thing to say, but after she tore her CCL, awaited surgery to repair it, and then finally had the surgery, weeks passed without her using that leg. It's now been 6 weeks since she had that surgery, though, and she's doing great. She's not so happy to still be disallowed running, jumping, playing, and all that jazz, but she is allowed her walks, and that she loves very much.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm going to be honest, I had a bunch of autumnal and Thanksgiving doodles in the works that I never did end up finishing or sharing. That said, I actually transformed some of them into Christmas doodles, since that's really all I've been wanting to scribble up. So, we'll be sharing a brand new Thanksgiving doodle tomorrow, of course with Christmas elements, and then after that we're moving right into all things Christmas. Now that I've rambled all that, here's a flashback doodle starring the furbabies and pumpkin pies.

***

Tip of the Day

A discussion on Thanksgiving dinner foods would not be complete without noodles, would it? At least, in my family Thanksgiving isn't complete without noodles. If noodles are part of your holiday meal, it could likely be considered safe to feed your furbaby a small amount of plain noodles. Noodles can be a good source of energy in the form of carbohydrates, but of course they are best enjoyed in moderation for your furbaby. That being said, as always, also do consider any ingredients added to the noodles. As we've indicated in many previous tips, refrain from feeding your pup or kitty noodles that include garlic or onion, for example, or that include any fatty or other sauces that might lead to gastrointestinal upset, pancreatitis, or other issues. So, if your furbaby fancies a taste of pasta, as long as it's plain, they can enjoy that little taste.

Cantankerous Tonks Tuesday

Tonks knows I'm getting her Tonks Tuesday post up late yet again, and so she's looking a bit cantankerous today.

That's fair, Tonks. I deserve that glare.

This may have been a quick post, but we're still wishing you a happy Tuesday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Continuing on with our Thanksgiving feast tips, yet another common holiday dish is white potatoes, such as mashed potatoes. When it comes to feeding your furbaby white potatoes, those that are cooked and plain can be a reasonable treat in moderation. When additional ingredients are added, though, then you have to start being extra cautious about offering potatoes as a treat. For example, butter or sour cream might cause gastrointestinal distress, especially for cats and dogs who are lactose intolerant. In addition, as we've said before, added ingredients such as garlic, onion, or excess salt can potentially be dangerous if consumed by a kitty or pup. So, you can let your furbaby try out those mashed potatoes, but first make be sure to take into account how they're prepared.

In addition to white potatoes, Thanksgiving is also often a popular time for sweet potato dishes. If plain and simple, sweet potatoes can make for a great treat for a kitty or pup. They are a great source of fiber and vitamin A, as well as vitamin C, potassium, and a variety of other beneficial nutrients. Plain steamed, baked, or mashed sweet potatoes would be a great treat to allow your kitty or pup during that Thanksgiving dinner. That all being said, though, do be cautious of dishes such as sweet potato casserole. These altered versions of sweet potato often contain added sugar, sugary marshmallows, and other potential seasonings or ingredients that could be unhealthy or lead to gastrointestinal side effects. So, sweet potatoes are a great treat to offer that furbaby in your life, but do be sure it's of the plain and healthy variety. Just as with white mashed potatoes, make sure you know how sweet potatoes are prepared prior to letting your furbaby have a taste.

Mancat Monday: Dreaded Vet Day

After a weekend of crashing computers and dying appliances, we are here. I truly, truly hope that is the last missed weekend on our blog. Weekend posts are some of my favorite, and the past few weekends have just been duds here on our end.

Now, though, it's Monday, and that means Mancat Monday. So, are you ready for you some Evan?

This sleepy boy is going to the vet for his annual exam and senior bloodwork today.

I'll probably have to wake him up from a nap just to shove him in that dreaded carrier and cart him off. Sorry, Evan. I promise it's for your own good.

I always get nervous before my furbabies' annual exams and bloodwork, as I always fear what could but hopefully won't be found. Evan has been having slightly increased vomiting lately, especially after he drinks. He only vomits something like once every one to two weeks, but given that he vomited all of two or three times in his entire first 8 years of life, the fact that he does so on somewhat of a schedule now does concern me. He also started having bowel issues earlier this year, which I believe I mentioned way back when. He was seen for it back when it all started happening and underwent all sorts of tests, but nothing abnormal was found. He's still occasionally having these issues, though, so I'll be continuing the discussion with our vet on Evan's intestinal issues.

All of the above said, I do have to remember that Evan is my hind limb paralyzed boy. Things have never been what you call normal with him. He used to never have urinary incontinence, but he developed that a couple of years ago, very likely as a lingering result of his hind limb paralysis. As he gets older, there are things that might just start arising because of the things that make him so special. I can handle that, as long as it's something he and I can deal with together. I'll stop the nervous rambling now.

Happy Monday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Our series of tips relating to Thanksgiving food safety of course must include a little discussion on turkey. Is it safe to feed your kitty or pup some Thanksgiving turkey? Turkey bits fed in moderation can be a safe and delicious treat, but only as long as excess fat and bones are removed. Fat can lead to pancreatitis, among other potential issues. Bones are a choking hazard, and of course can also lead to perforation or obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. Also keep in mind whether any additional ingredients, seasonings, or other additives were used when cooking the turkey. For example, onion, garlic, or excess salt on the turkey could potentially lead to gastrointestinal upset or other dangers. So, you don't have to skip giving your furbaby a taste of that Thanksgiving turkey, but do be sure you offer treats only in moderation, and that you take precautions for the health and safety of your furbaby.

In addition to that Thanksgiving turkey, another food you might find on the Thanksgiving table is ham. Is this safe to feed your furbaby, though? Ham, like turkey potentially can be, is often high in fat. Ham is also often processed or treated, and can possibly contain high amounts of salt. These factors can lead to any number of issues, such as gastrointestinal distress or pancreatitis, if consumed in excess by your kitty or pup. And, just as we've said of other Thanksgiving foods, also be aware of other potentially concerning ingredients added to ham, such as onion and garlic. While very small amounts might not have an effect for some furbabies, do be aware of the potential side effects that fatty, processed, treated, or seasoned ham can cause.

It's also worth noting to be aware of the contents and preparation of chicken, beef, and all meats served at your Thanksgiving dinner. These can all potentially contain problematic fat, or additives such as onion, garlic, salt, and so forth. To prevent pancreatitis, gastrointestinal distress, or other issues, either refrain from giving your furbaby a taste at all, or give treats only in moderation and only when you are certain that the food contains no potentially dangerous components.

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 amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. On holidays, I usually have a second serving of _________.

2. I am thankful for _________, _________, and _________.

3. I would like to invite _________ over for a feast.

4. _________ was a blessing in disguise.

My answers are below in bold.

1. On holidays, I usually have a second serving of dessert.
(Yes, thank you, I will have another piece of pie.)

2. I am thankful for my human family, my furry family, and this blogging community.

(I'm not a very social person, so all those I just mentioned mean the world to me. My family, furbabies, and all of you truly are what I could call my best friends.)

3. I would like to invite all of the stray and feral cats over for a feast.

(In addition to our neighbor kitty who regularly visits, especially lately there seem to be a lot of strays and ferals in our neighborhood. None of them let me get anywhere near them, but I've been putting food out for them multiple times a day. I also have a heat lamp and a heat bed set up in a covered shelter, and I will be getting a couple more small shelters for my yard for the winter. I'd like to eventually get these kitties trapped and taken care of, but for now I at least want to do what little I can for them. And I really wish I could convince them all to come over for a giant feast, and to stay longer than a couple of minutes.)

4. Evan's groomer recently uncovering a sore on his leg was a blessing in disguise.

(During one of urinary incontinent Evan's recent sanitary shaves, the groomer noticed a sore tucked inside his back leg. She told me about it, and since his groomer is associated with our actual vet clinic, they hopped him right over there to have it looked at. He often has an increase in his urinary incontinence and starts developing more sores, despite being bathed at home, when he has a UTI. UTIs are common in hind limb paralyzed, incontinent cats like Evan. Evan had been acting like his usual self at home, and I'm ashamed to admit I hadn't noticed his new sore, not even while bathing the rather uncooperative boy at home. Given Evan's history, the vet checked him and his urine over and discovered he yet again had a UTI. He got his antibiotic shot and was as good as gold after that, thanks to his groomer.)

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? Do you mind if she's bright, shiny, and majorly overexposed? You don't mind? Good. Here you go.

Do you see Eddy's little snaggletooth? I love it so much. I also love her gorgeous aquamarine eyes, which this photo does no justice.

Happy Friday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Today's tip in our Thanksgiving series is about none other than pie. As we've said on many occasions over time, plain pumpkin contains fiber and other nutrients that can have benefits for our furbabies and their health. That being said, though, not all components of Thanksgiving pies are as equally beneficial. For example, another popular Thanksgiving dessert is pecan pie, but do be cautious with this around your furbabies. Pecans are not particularly safe to feed your pup or kitty. One reason is simply that pecans can cause an upset gastrointestinal tract, and could also lead to bowel obstruction. Also take into consideration any other pies you make and what ingredients they contain. For example, chocolate pies or those containing raisins are of course dangerous to cats and dogs. What's more, when it comes to any kind of pie, whether it be pumpkin, pecan, or another, added sugars and other potential added ingredients can be less than ideal for our kitties and pups to consume. So, when you're making or eating those Thanksgiving pies, keep dangerous ingredients and the final products well out of your furbaby's reach.

Thankful Thimble Thursday

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! After a wild and crazy week, we're ready for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

This here human is grateful that the major audit at my work place is finally done as of yesterday. I'm thankful life both at work and outside of work can now get back to some level of normal, which of course also means getting back on track with the blogging we enjoy so much.

Now, of course, Thimble is here to share her own gratitude. Today, Thimble is thankful that she still can find sun puddles even though it's cold and snowing outside.

Thimble is also grateful that she's so cute. I mean, just look at that face.

***

And now we have for you the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My wonderful co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. On holidays, I usually have a second serving of _________.

2. I am thankful for _________, _________, and _________.

3. I would like to invite _________ over for a feast.

4. _________ was a blessing in disguise.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

With things settling down at work after weeks and months of even more craziness than usual, over the next couple of days I'll finally be finishing up at least a couple of the autumnal doodles that got put on the back burner. Then, after that, it'll be all things Christmas. Which is perhaps why I'm sharing a seasonally confused flashback doodle today.

***

Tip of the Day

From now through the end of November, we're going to give some tips on food safety. This is in no small part because next Thursday is Thanksgiving here in the US, and that's a time when we humans tend to indulge in all sorts of tasty foods. That being said, though, some of those foods are not ideal or safe for our kitties or pups to eat. We have indeed already shared all of these tips at some point in the past, but this seems like the perfect season to festively repeat them.

Let's start with the obvious foods that most of you likely already know to be dangerous. For example, foods in the Allium species, such as onion and garlic, can be dangerous to cats and dogs. Be careful to keep those out of reach when cooking with them, and of course keep out of your furbaby's reach any foods that contain them. What are some of the other obvious ones? Grapes and raisins, such as if you have a fruit dish set out or if you've made a dessert with raisins, should be kept away from your kitty or pup. And don't forget the toxicity that chocolate and alcohol can pose to cats and dogs. Many tasty foods find their way to the table for Thanksgiving, but some of them are dangerous to our kitties and pups. Always be aware of that, and plan your menu, food placement, and general kitchen safety protocols accordingly.

Adventures with Astrid: The Patio Edition

Today's post is a different sort of Adventure with Astrid, because it's not an adventure away from home. It's a photo from a few weeks ago, soon after Astrid had her surgery to fix her torn CCL. Especially back before she was allowed to go for walks, we set up a cage for Astrid on our back patio. After all, Astrid loves this time of year and being outside, yet for 10 weeks she's not allowed to do any running, jumping, playing, or anything else that isn't being sequestered on a leash or hanging out in her cage. All that said, here's Astrid having a staredown with the neighbor dog from her patio cage one sunny morning.

Astrid regularly asks to go out to her outdoor cage. She seems to understand that, currently, that's her only option for hanging out outside for longer than just a basic bathroom break or walk. So, she happily hangs out in her patio cage. Well, except these past few days when it's quite literally been freezing outside. And snowing.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Our last tip for Pet Diabetes Awareness Month is to schedule regular checkups with your veterinarian. Even if a furbaby's diabetes has been under control for a prolonged period of time, or even in a potential case of diabetic remission, it is still wise to schedule regular vet visits. Regardless of how long a cat or dog has been living with diabetes, regular bloodwork and urinalyses are very important for monitoring their overall health and status. Bloodwork in the form of frucotsamine checks can help reveal if blood sugar has indeed been staying steady over a longer period of time, as a fructosamine test can indicate the average blood glucose level over the span of 2 or 3 weeks. This is beneficial as it gives a broader view of diabetes regulation, far more so than just a single-moment blood glucose check. In addition, regular urinalyses can help check for glucose or ketones in the urine, or for signs of UTI, which are sometimes common in diabetic cats and dogs. As always, it is better to be safe than sorry, so never forget the importance of regular vet visits.

Cozy Tonks Tuesday

Hello, friends! Sorry for yet another late post! Today and tomorrow my work place has a major audit going on. We've been preparing for it for weeks, probably more like months, with lots of extra hours put in. I even ended up working during my intended week off last week. I'll be beyond glad when the next two days are over, as life both at work and outside of work can then get back to some semblance of normal.

That said, here's a Tonks for you on this Tonks Tuesday.

Tonks is all bundled up because it's gotten good and cold these past few days. It's even snowing today. Our furnace is running, but that doesn't mean we're not going to cuddle up with some cozy blankets.

Warm wishes to all!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

With the craziness of the audit we're having at work, I haven't managed to put the final touches on any of the many works in progress I have going on in my sketchbook. I'll finally be able to focus on that more in the next couple of days. For now, though, here's an autumnal bookish doodle, since a couple of our upcoming new doodles will be in this same vein.

I'm not going to lie, as much as I love autumn and all it brings with it, I've been itching to start drawing and sharing some Christmas doodles. I'll of course first finish at least a couple of my autumnal works in progress and share those over the next week or so, but Christmas doodles are coming very, very soon. I've already started working on the festive doodle for our Christmas card for this year, but that won't be shared here on our blog until Christmas Day. I am determined to actually get back into a routine of sharing new doodles far more regularly this Christmas season.

***

Tip of the Day

It's still Pet Diabetes Awareness Month, and so we have another tip today for those who might know a diabetic kitty or pup. We recently mentioned the importance of diet for a diabetic furbaby, and today we're mentioning how exercise is also significant for keeping diabetes regulated. Just as with humans, a proper activity level can help to keep diabetes under control, this especially being the case for a diabetic kitty or pup who is overweight and in need of losing weight. That being said, though, exercise and activity level also can affect blood glucose levels. For this reason, talk to your veterinarian regarding a healthy level of exercise for your diabetic furbaby, and how to best monitor their activity level, weight, and diabetic status.

Mancat Monday Pumpkin Pals

After yet another unintentional weekend hiatus, we're back. Last night, I even finally spent some time prepping more blog posts so that we hopefully don't keep lacking or stalling posts. I'm trying to be a less horrible blogger. It may not look like it, but I'm trying.

All that said, it's Mancat Monday, and today mancat Evan is feeling a tad bit autumnally festive.

Orange boy Evan seems to feel a lot of camaraderie with the equally orange pumpkins from my parents' little backyard pumpkin patch. Evan quite enjoys spending time with his new orange pals.

Do you see anything abnormal on the porch outside the door there? You know, like that pile of cat food? That's for the friendly neighbor kitty, as well as some far more skittish neighborhood kitties who often stop by but never let me visit with them. I'll just keep feeding them in hopes that they'll let me befriend them. My life goal is, after all, to be friends with all the cats.

Happy Monday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Today's Pet Diabetes Awareness Month tip is to make sure that you have your diabetic furbaby on a diet suited to them and their health. Many veterinarians will put a diabetic cat or dog on a high protein, high fiber, low fat diet. It is important to balance nutrients in a way to keep blood glucose as normal as possible, and also to help the diabetic furbaby maintain a healthy weight. Of course, when it comes to feeding a diabetic furbaby, do discuss this with your veterinarian. They can help point you to healthy food options, whether they be prescription diets or not. The veterinarian may also calculate the calories your diabetic furbaby will need in a day to stay healthy and fit, so that their diabetes can better remain under control. And, as always, be sure to let your veterinarian know of any concerns you have regarding your furbaby's diabetes and diet.

In line with what you feed a diabetic kitty or pup, also keep in mind how things like food intake can affect blood glucose levels. If your furbaby has a decreased appetite and is not eating, administering insulin can potentially lead to hypoglycemia. This is because an animal gets glucose from their food. If your furbaby is not eating and is therefore not taking in food as a source of glucose, then administering insulin, which lowers blood glucose, can lead to even lower levels of glucose. So, be sure to discuss all such factors with your veterinarian, and be sure to hold off on administering insulin if your furbaby is not eating so that hypoglycemia does not result. At the same time, also be aware of other factors that could potentially affect a diabetic cat or dog's blood glucose levels, such as vomiting and diarrhea, or even dental or other issues. Again, discuss any such concerns with your veterinarian as needed.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello and happy Friday, friends! It's time for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and 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. A veteran I would like to thank today is _________.

2. I can't go a day without _________.

3. _________ is my most frequented _________.

4. This time of year, _________ is _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. A veteran I would like to thank today is my paternal great-grandpa, as well as my maternal grandpa.

(My great-grandpa served in World War II. He was present at Normandy, and throughout the war he drove a tank. My grandpa was in the Korean War, and if I'm remembering and understanding correctly, he was in charge of climbing communications poles. Or something along those lines. I remember stories about how it understandably worried my grandma that his role often elevated him into the view of enemy soldiers. I'd like to thank both my great-grandpa and my grandpa, though they have passed. I'd also like to thank all of those who have served, past and present. Without them we wouldn't know freedom the way we do today.)

2. I can't go a day without my furbabies.
(This is why I don't enjoy vacations. I'm more of a staycation kind of person. I neither like traveling nor being away from my kitties and pup.)

3. Chewy is my most frequented online vendor these days.
(I do a lot of online shopping, but these days it seems like I'm on Chewy's site making purchases all the time. I think this is currently because a bunch of my fubabies' food and other goods keeps going out of stock, and so I stalk Chewy waiting for it to go back in stock when we need more. It seems like I've constantly got orders going with them lately. Hopefully my shopping with them can become more controlled again when, or if, the supply chain situation improves.)

4. This time of year, my to-do list is daunting.

(I always look forward to the last quarter of the year and the holidays it provides. But, all of those happenings also means the to-do list can get a bit scary at times. I know I'm not the only one with this issue. That said, I always try to make sure I enjoy the holidays for what they are meant to be rather than get bogged down by to-do lists and such. It's not always easy, but I try.)

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 Friday Eddy fix? It's a cute one, as always, so prepare yourself.

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

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

We're still in the midst of our National Pet Diabetes Awareness Month tips. On this topic, yesterday we discussed observing your furbaby and knowing visible signs of illness. In addition to this, if your furbaby has been diagnosed with diabetes, consider monitoring their blood glucose at home. This is of course not always an option, depending on the furbaby and the situation. But, if it is possible, do discuss this with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can help you learn how to safely check your kitty or pup’s glucose at home, which can be done simply by using a vein in your kitty or pup's ear and the same type of glucometer a human would use. If nothing else, it is of course advisable to take a diabetic furbaby to the vet for regular glucose and/or fructosamine checks, as well as frequent urinalyses, especially in the early stages of their diabetes treatment.