Happy Tuesday, friends! Today, Tonks is doing a bit of show-and-tell. She wants you all to see an old toy that she recently resurfaced from her toy box.
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Tonks Tuesday: Show-and-Tell
Monday, March 27, 2023
Mancat Monday with Exhibitionist Evan
Hello and happy Monday, friends! Given that it is of course Mancat Monday, we have for you handsome Evan. Today, he's being a tad bit of an exhibitionist in the sunny front door.
For anyone who'd like a little update on Evan following the news of his most recent UTI, he's doing well overall. His urine was sent out for a culture, which turned out to be a good thing, since the bacteria he's fighting was found to be resistant to the antibiotic injection he received. So, now he's getting different oral antibiotics twice a day. He lets me shoot that nasty stuff in his mouth like a champ, but he sure hates the taste. Thankfully, I believe I'm already seeing improvement, as Evan is no longer urinating with the same insane frequency or volume as he was even just last week. He'll be getting the antibiotics until his recheck urinalysis on April 10.
Though we're sort of nearing the end of the post, I'll now apologize for yet again being absent this weekend. Ever the rambler, I have a bit of an explanation. In between typical household chores and a bit of a migraine flareup this weekend, I worked on some of my creative endeavors. One of those involved my writing projects that I'm trying very hard to prioritize more in my life. Another one of the creative tasks I was working on this weekend was of course my drawings, specifically for the annual April A to Z Challenge. Last year I failed to complete the A to Z Challenge, and I refuse to do the same this year.
One of the reasons I've been sharing mostly flashback doodles and not many new doodles lately is because even some of the new doodles I've had completed for a couple of weeks can actually be used for my A to Z Challenge. The theme I'll be going with this year is something along the lines of "these are a few of my favorite things", and since I tend to draw things I like, I realized recently that some of the drawings I've been working on can easily fit into our April A to Z lineup. So, they're being held for that.
All that rambling aside, we're wishing you all a magnificent Monday!
Friday, March 24, 2023
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. My favorite character from a film, TV, or book is _________.
(To be honest, Eeyore from the Winnie the Pooh franchise is probably not my all-time favorite character. I don't even know if I have one of those. But I have always loved Eeyore, all the way from when I was a very young child. After all, he embodies what I do often root for or find endearing in a character, and that is the lovable grump, or the underdog.)
Needless to say, do all that you can to prevent both your furbaby's and your own exposure to CO. Set up CO monitors in your home, and ensure that they are always properly functioning. Of course also ensure that you have functioning fire and smoke alarms. There are all-in-one alarms on the market that detect fire, smoke, and CO. In addition to this, properly maintain any generators that you have, and do not use them if they are in any way malfunctioning. Also, of course, do not let your kitty or pup into a closed, unventilated garage where a car or other motor vehicle is running. CO can be a silent killer, so do all that you can to protect your furbaby, as well as yourself, from it and its deadly effects.
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Thankful Thimble Thursday
Hello and happy Thursday, friends! Thimble is of course ready for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.
We're nearing the end of National Pet Poison Awareness Month, but we still have a couple more such tips to share with you all. Today's tip is about those pots and pans in your kitchen. Primarily, be cautious when using nonstick pans, such as those with Teflon, as heating these to high temperatures can lead to poisonous fumes for some pets. As many of you likely already know, this is primarily a concern when it comes to pet birds. Still, to be on the safe side, be careful when heating such pots and pans around any pets, especially those that are small. For that matter, also be careful with other similar kitchen items, such as aerosol cooking sprays and self-cleaning ovens, as it is not impossible for fumes from these to also pose dangers. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and simply do not use it.
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Unseasonal Adventures with Astrid
It's nearing the end of March, so why not a snowy walk or two?
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Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Tonks Tuesday with an Orange Boy Cameo
Hello and happy Tuesday, friends! Today, Tonks is enjoying some sunshine with her best brother, Evan.
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Also, be careful if your cat lives in a household with a dog who receives preventatives. In such a case, try to look for canine preventatives that do not contain pyrethrin/pyrethroid, or keep the dog and cat separated for a safe amount of time after application. Ask your veterinarian for information on how to keep both your kitty and pup healthy and safe, yet also protected from pests. It's also worth noting that some other forms of flea, tick, or other pest preventatives, such as sprays, may contain pyrethrin/pyrethroid. Always check the label, and only use products that you are certain will not harm your kitties or pups. Again, ask your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns regarding a product's safety.
In addition, know your cat or dog's weight and select preventatives accordingly. Administering a medication intended for a cat or dog larger than yours could have negative effects for the furbaby. Also be aware of their age, as some kittens or puppies, for example, may not yet be of an age deemed safe for the application of some preventatives. What's more, also always take into consideration your furbaby's overall health status. If your cat or dog suffers from any ailments, always discuss with your veterinarian the safety of giving a preventative, or any medication. While we of course want to keep our furry family members safe from fleas, ticks, heartworms, and all sorts of infestations, it is important that we do so safely.
Monday, March 20, 2023
Mancat Monday at the Dreaded Vet
Sorry for yet another weekend absence, friends! When that happens, it usually just means that I spent my days off of work trying to catch up on home or creative projects. And that was indeed the case this weekend. My attempts at finding a better work-life balance are a constant work-in-progress, but hopefully one day I'll get there.
That said, it's Mancat Monday. And you know what? Poor mancat Evan is spending the day at the vet.
We've given past tips on the dangers of paint products, but we're going to repeat this for National Pet Poison Awareness Month. Unsurprisingly, paint, varnish, and other similar products can be toxic to our furbabies. Lead paints can of course cause lead poisoning, which can cause a variety of severe symptoms, including those of the gastrointestinal and neurological systems. Lead can also be detrimental to red blood cells, brain function, and other important processes in the body. Oil-based paints can also be dangerous, potentially causing diarrhea as well as having serious effects on the lungs. They may also contain heavy metals and thereby cause symptoms similar to those of lead paint toxicity. Products such as varnish can also have similar negative side effects as paint.
Also keep in mind that paint and paint products can emit dangerous fumes. Especially without proper ventilation, inhalation of the fumes can cause irritation of the lungs or symptoms such as dizziness. To avoid emergencies related to the ingestion or inhalation of paint or other paint products, of course keep these items well out of reach of your furbabies. Try to keep your furbabies safely out of areas that are being painted. Should ingestion or inhalation of paint products occur, do not hesitate to seek veterinary assistance.
Friday, March 17, 2023
Friendly Fill-Ins...and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
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. If one doesn't _________ then one doesn't deserve _________.
(I think this one sort of speaks for itself.)
(I've always had a lot of personal goals related to my art and writing. While I haven't fully achieved those goals yet, I won't give up on them.)
(I'm not a very social or talkative person. That is, unless you ask me about my cats, or my dog.)
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Thankful Thimble Thursday in Bed
Hello and happy Thursday, friends! Are you ready for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop? Because we sure are.
Yesterday's National Pet Poison Awareness Month tip was about coins, namely the potential for them to cause zinc toxicity. Today's tip is another one about potentially dangerous metals, this one being iron. Iron can of course be found in various multivitamins, or simply iron supplements. That's not the only potential source of iron, though, as it can also be found in items such as fertilizers, hand warmers, and oxygen absorbers (such as those often found in packets of food such as beef jerky).
Ingestion of toxic amounts of iron can result in a variety of symptoms. For example, iron poisoning may cause vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool, lethargy, and even negative effects on organs such as the heart or liver. Needless to say, be aware of what items in your household might contain iron, or any potentially dangerous substance. And, of course, keep all such items well out of reach of your furbaby. Never leave your vitamins or other medications, or any questionable items, sitting around for a curious furbaby to find. If your furbaby does get into such items and ingests them, though, then do of course seek veterinary assistance.
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Woof Woof Wednesday in the Window
Astrid loves to gaze out her beloved window at home. That said, she also loves to gaze out the window when she visits her grandma and grandpa (this here human's mom and dad).
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Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Happy Pi(e) Day!
That was actually the apple pie I made for last year's Pi(e) Day. This year's pie turned out far less aesthetically pleasing, so we're recycling this photo.
Tonks was going to say farewell for the day, but she ended up snoozing away after her Pi(e) Day snack.
Wishing you all lots of pie today!
Flashback Doodle of the Day
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Monday, March 13, 2023
Napping Through Mancat Monday
It's Mancat Monday. The Monday part of that is the roughest. That's why Evan has decided he's just going to extend his weekend and have a long snooze today. He thought he'd at least say hello to you all first, though, or at least sort of.
Still continuing on with our National Pet Poison Awareness Month, we are today reminding you to keep any questionable kitchen products well out of reach of your furbabies. Just as laundry detergents can be dangerous, so can those used in the kitchen. Dishwasher detergent or tablets, for example, can often have corrosive or other dangerous side effects. Other potentially toxic kitchen products include degreasers, oven cleaners, and drain cleaners. These products can also potentially have corrosive effects, among other adverse reactions. If your furbaby ingests any such products, they might display gastrointestinal distress, oral ulcers, lethargy, or other symptoms. As always, if you think your kitty or pup might have ingested a toxic kitchen product, seek veterinary assistance.
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Not So Caturday Art
Our contribution for this week's Caturday Art Blog Hop, of course hosted by the one and only Athena, is far from normal. It doesn't even star a cat. I know, that's pretty much a crime. But, this was actually the doodle I scribbled up for my sister's birthday last month. It relates to the fact that she loves sloths, and that she's a fan of Harry Potter. That's about as well as I can explain the weird little doodle below.
We promise next week's Caturday Art doodle will star a kitty, or two or three. For this week, though, have a slothful Caturday!
Friday, March 10, 2023
Friendly Fill-Ins
Hello and happy Friday, friends! We're here and 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. Be sure to _________ because _________.
Today's tip for National Pet Poison Awareness Month is probably an obvious one. If applicable to you, we want to remind you to keep all substances such as cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, and anything nicotine-related away from your kitties and pups. Nicotine can be highly toxic to dogs and cats, especially depending on how much they consume. It can cause a variety of serious side effects, ranging from vomiting to cardiac and neurological disturbances. Keep any and all nicotine products away from your furbabies, and observe them in unfamiliar places to ensure that they do not ingest stray cigarette butts. If you know or think that your kitty or pup might have ingested any form of nicotine, do not hesitate to seek veterinary assistance.
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Another Thankful Thimble Thursday in the Sun
Hello and happy Thursday, friends! We're of course ready for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.
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Yesterday, as part of National Pet Poison Awareness Month, we discussed the danger of human medications if ingested by our kitties or pups. It's not just human medications that are potentially dangerous, though. Even veterinary medications designed for pets could lead to toxicity in certain circumstances. This of course can occur if a particular furbaby gets into a furry housemate's medication that he or she do not need. In addition, even a medication prescribed to a particular cat or dog can cause them issues, such as if taken in larger quantities than instructed. This could perhaps occur due to human error in administering, but also if the animal finds their medication stash and helps themselves. Some veterinary medications are formulated to smell and taste enticing to our furbabies, making them all the more desired by said furbabies. If your furbaby likes the taste of one of their medications, or even one of their housemate's medication, then they may try to sneak quantities out of the safe range, which could indeed lead to detrimental effects. So, of course, hide those medications away!
Don't only take into consideration oral medications, though. Even transdermal medications can result in toxicity, such as if your furbaby finds and in some way exposes themselves to large quantities of it. The short story is, just as you must keep your own medication hidden away from your kitties and pup, you should also keep all veterinary medication hidden away so as to prevent any and all such emergencies.
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Another Wintry Walk on Woof Woof Wednesday
Though it's been 50°F and 60°F this week, this past Friday we had us some snow. That was when the wind took out our power for most of the weekend. That said, though it's March and nearing spring, Astrid continues to have wintry adventures to share with you all.
Flashback Doodle of the Day