Arid Adventures with Astrid

We've officially found ourselves in a tad bit of a drought over here in our corner of the world. It slowly started about 3 weeks ago, when we last had rain, and right around when today's photos were taken.

The grass was still a vibrant enough green here in these photos, but it's gotten duller and dryer by the day since then. Of course, the 90°F temperatures aren't helping.

The creek there is also much dryer now than in these photos from earlier this month, which makes me feel for the wildlife that depends on and enjoys the natural water source.

There's a small chance we'll get a tad bit of rain this week, but our meteorologists are now saying we shouldn't get our hopes up. We'll take anything we can get, Mother Nature. We've certainly not reached critical drought levels, as other places have, but it's a common topic among locals as well as on the news. As I mentioned above, I mostly worry about the wildlife when it's hot and dry outside. That is just one reason why for years now we offer as fresh of water as possible in a bird bath in our yard, as well as with a little fountain my dad helped me build.

How's the weather for you friends of ours? We hope you've getting sunshine, but that it's not too hot and not too dry.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I've been going through old doodles trying to find some that I would like to recreate, and this is one of them that I would like to draw again in one way or another. Just an Eeyore pup and kitty Tigger friend, because why not.

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Tip of the Day

Our food talk continues today with a little something known as fiber. Fiber is a very important nutrient that, for one, aids in digestion for not only us humans but also kitties and pups. In terms of digestion, fiber can play more than one role. Depending on the circumstances and the particular type of fiber consumed, it can assist with both constipation and diarrhea. That's not all, though, as fiber can also play a beneficial role in weight loss. Fiber can make food more bulky, and in turn can help a kitty or pup feel full, which can then lead to less gorging and therefore aid in weight loss. Still, though, fiber's roles in a cat or dog's health does not end there. Studies have also indicated that high fiber diets can benefit those with diabetes, such as by helping to control blood sugar. For all of these reasons and more, be sure to educate yourself on your furbaby's fiber intake and overall health and diet, and of course discuss options with your veterinarian.

Flashback Tonks Tuesday

It was around this time in 2018 that Tonks came to live with me. My grandma had been taking care of Tonks and her litter mates after a feral cat in her neighborhood gave birth to them. After this litter my grandma was able to trap the feral kitty and get her spayed, and soon after Tonks became my very own little calico. Given that and the fact that yesterday was Memorial Day, how about a kitten flashback of patriotic Tonks?

Isn't she just the cutest? The answer is yes, she is the cutest. And no, I'm totally not biased.

Tonks and all of us here wish you a terrific Tuesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

 

I stumbled upon an old series of tips we gave years ago relating to food and our fubabies. As if we haven't talked about food more than enough times on this blog before, let's do it again. 

Over the next couple of days, we'll give some tips specifically regarding pet food ingredients. As you all surely know, the ingredients that go into a furbaby's food and therefore into their body all play an important role. Let's start today with protein, which is of course a significant part of any diet. Just as with us, our cats and dogs need protein, which can be broken down into amino acids, which can in turn be used to build up new muscles and other tissues. This is why high protein is especially important in a kitten or puppy's diet, as it ensures that they can form the tissues they need to grow into healthy adults.

There are also some other special considerations to make when it comes to protein. For example, furbabies suffering from pancreatitis or diabetes often benefit from high protein diets. On the other hand, a cat with renal disease requires a low protein diet for the health of their kidneys. So, while protein is indeed an important part of any diet, do be sure to do your homework and certainly discuss with your veterinarian what ingredients you should consider for your furbaby's diet in order to keep them healthy.

Memorial Day Remembrance

In the United States, today is Memorial Day. On this day, we remember those who have lost their lives while serving in the armed forces. Today, we thank and honor all those who have died for our freedom.

To all those who have fought to keep us safe and free, thank you for your bravery, service, and sacrifice.

To our friends in the US as well as those outside of the US, we wish you a safe, happy, and healthy Monday!

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Did you know?

Today, we're sharing the same little tidbit we shared on Memorial Day last year. We've all certainly heard of and respect the many amazing canine war heroes. Did you know, though, that cats, dolphins, and sea lions, among others, have also played roles in war? Cats have been sought out to serve as mousers and ratters, for example, keeping bases and ships sanitary and safe from rodents. Dolphins have served roles such as detecting underwater mines. The sea lion is another underwater animal who has been trained to serve in the armed forces, such as to detect enemy divers, and even to attach tracking devices to these enemy divers. Animals are heroes in more ways than one, and that includes a great many of them earning the title of war hero.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Photo Fails

Hello, 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. This weekend, I plan to _________.

2. _________ never disappoints.

3. I once saw _________.

4.You'll never hear me say _________.

My answers are below in bold. This week I even managed to keep my rambling to a minimum. You probably shouldn't get used to that, though.

1. This weekend, I plan to work first and play just a tad bit later.

(By work I mean mowing and doing a couple other bits of yard work on Saturday, and by play I mean staying home with my kitties and pup and enjoying the rest of the three-day weekend with downtime and furry cuddles.)

2. My furry family never disappoints.

(My kitties and pup are the epitome of unconditional love, and I am eternally grateful for that.)

3. I once saw Eddy climb a wall, literally.

(Eddy is by far my most skittish and slightly wild cat. The short story here is that my dad was once helping me do a quick, harmless renovation in my room, Eddy's favorite place to be. Eddy got so scared when her hiding spot was bumped that she flew out, scaled the wall pretty much all the way to the ceiling, and then raced around the room until I got her grabbed and tucked away in the quiet of the bathroom for her to settle back down.)

4.You'll never hear me say that I don't want animals in my life.

(One of my greatest joys in life is sharing it with cats and dogs, and other little critter friends at certain points in my life, and that will never change.)

Now it's your turn!

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

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

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

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

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

You better believe our resident blooper queen Eddy has some outtakes to share. The first one is admittedly pretty tame, with Eddy simply looking the wrong way at the last minute.

Next up is the real blooper, in which Eddy was photobombed by her very own tongue.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's summer tip is a bit of a fun one, but also one relating to food and hydration. What on earth are we talking about? Popsicles! It is possible to make popsicles for your pup or even your kitty. You can mix water with a bit of peanut butter, tuna, berries, or other safe food, and then freeze the mixture in an ice tray or popsicle tray. Once they're frozen, you can let your pup or kitty lick them. You can also place these frozen treats directly in your furbaby's water bowl, perhaps to entice them to drink a bit more (just be sure to remove any food remnants from the popsicle out of the water bowl, so that no spoilage occurs). These frozen goodies can make a great treat on a hot summer day, as they can also help a dog or cat stay cool and hydrated. That being said, do ensure that your pup or kitty does not choke on small pieces of the treat, that chewers don't injure any teeth chomping on the ice, and also that your floors don't end up with melted puddles of left behind treats.

Thankful Thimble Thursday

It's Thursday, which means a certain tabby girl here is jumping right to Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble hopes none of you are getting tired of her sunny sort of gratitude, but she's repeating it again today.

That is a great ray of sunshine, but it sure blocked you from seeing Thimble's full beauty and adorableness. She made sure to remedy that, so here you go.

Thimble is wishing you all a day as sunny as hers! 

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Now, let's share 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. This weekend, I plan to _________.

2. _________ never disappoints.

3. I once saw _________.

4.You'll never hear me say _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

It's a weird and wacky sort of day, so here's a weird and wacky sort of doodle.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, we talked about the safety of our furbabies around various insects and related pesticides. Today, we have another insect topic, but these buggers are more of a nuisance than a danger. What are we talking about? Ants! If you have a feeding station outdoors, either for your own furbabies or for strays and ferals, there is a chance that you've seen some ants helping themselves to the grub. However, you can attempt to keep ants out of the food with the aid of chalk. Using chalk, you can draw a box or circle around the food bowls, as that will often prevent ants from entering that area. Similar techniques could perhaps even be attempted indoors, should the ants make their way inside. You can even use colored tape or something else similar to form an ant barrier around your furbaby's food dishes.

That all being said, remember that pesticides can, in many cases, be dangerous to our furbabies. This includes pesticides aimed towards ants. If you have ants in or out of your house, be cautious when using any form of ant bait or pesticide. Either find safe alternatives, or keep any and all ant traps well out of reach of the furbabies. It is of course always best to err on the side of caution, and to never use any products that could potentially harm your furbaby should they find it.

Adventures with Astrid...and Some Feathered Friends

This time of the year, Astrid's adventures often involve us coming across some feathered friends.

Do you see those geese there? Our neighborhood has lots of them, probably because we have a number of parks with lots of grass as well as a creek that runs every which way in our area. There are also a couple of ponds and lakes here and there, including just down the street from where these photos were taken.

I always try to avoid the geese as much as possible on walks so as not to disturb them, but with the lake nearby on this street, the geese are usually pretty much everywhere. Pup Astrid and I had crossed the street to give those geese there some space, but then we came upon more geese on the other side as well. So, we finally had to just ask the slightly less angry geese to please let us pass and we'd be out of their hair feathers in no time.

Sorry, geese. We didn't mean to disturb you, but given the honks and hisses we got, we apparently did so anyway. 

If anyone was curious, Astrid is actually very good with wildlife. She does not bark, lunge, or in any way try to bother the geese. More often than not, geese kind of scare her and she prefers to give them as much space as possible. As a puppy, Astrid had to be trained to not try to chase squirrels and rabbits, but now she remains calm and collected even when she sees those furry friends. She still has a noticeable interest in rabbits, for one reason or another, but she's learned to watch them without trying to go after them. She also has far more interest in ducks than geese, but again, she's good at bird watching rather than bothering them. The short story is that Astrid is a very good girl.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's summer safety tip is to beware the bugs. A variety of bugs begin to make appearances this time of year. That being said, many of those bugs bring with them their own sorts of danger. For example, some spiders, as we've mentioned before, have bites that are toxic. Bees, wasps, and other similar bugs can sting, and this can prove incredibly dangerous for furbabies with severe allergies to these stings. There are also of course mosquitoes, who can harbor those nasty, dangerous heart worms.

That all being said, keep in mind that many bug sprays can also be toxic to furbabies. Spraying in your yard, or near or inside your home, can be dangerous for this reason. If your furbaby licks or comes into contact with certain pesticides, they could become sick and have serious side effects.

There are ways, though, for you to help keep your furbaby safe from insects. For example, keep any water in your yard fresh and clean, as stagnant water attracts mosquitoes as a place for them to lay eggs. To ward off buzzing bees, try to keep plants that attract them away from areas where your furbaby frequents. When you are somewhere unfamiliar, perhaps steer clear of gardens, not only to keep your furbaby safe from toxic plants, but also from bees that might be hanging around the area. Though not always easy, keeping buggers such as spiders out of your home might be easier if you keep doorways and the like regularly cleaned. Ridding doorways of cobwebs, for example, can lead to less arachnid inhabitants.

It is also worth noting that there are some pet-safe insect repellents on the market. Some products can keep bugs away in a more natural manner, such as by using certain scents to which insects are averse. This being said, though, even some of these more natural products can pose risks for furbabies, such as if they contain dangerous essential oils or other potentially toxic ingredients. For this reason, always read product labels, and discuss any concerns with your veterinarian. What's more, should your furbaby become sick due to an insect bite or sting, or due to ingestion of a pesticide, seek veterinary care immediately.

Tonks Tuesday

On this Tonks Tuesday, the calico herself is enjoying some major sunshine from her beloved blanket on her beloved chair. 

Are you friends of ours enjoying any sun puddles today? Tonks and all of us here sure hope you are!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

You'll probably see this tip from us at least once more this summer, but today we're already mentioning fireworks. These booming celebrations often make appearances during the summer months, such as for Memorial Day and certainly Independence Day. Needless to say, always be cautious with your furbaby around fireworks. First, close proximity to fireworks can lead to burns or other injuries. In addition to this, the sound and sight of nearby fireworks could cause a fear reaction, which could potentially lead to an escaped or lost furbaby.

Speaking of fear of fireworks, it is of course best to keep your furbaby tucked safely indoors when fireworks are being used anywhere nearby outdoors. Even inside, though, it is possible for the sounds and sights of fireworks to frighten a pup or kitty. You can make some attempts to minimize the sight and sound of fireworks, such as by closing windows, closing blinds, playing music, turning on the TV, and distracting your furbaby with some playtime. Some dogs and cats are also calmed by wearing a ThunderShirtⓇ, or even a makeshift one created using a blanket, towel, or a piece of clothing. If your furbaby is still scared, sometimes it is simply best to allow them to hide. In this case, ensure they have somewhere to be and feel safe, such as a safe room or cubby in which to nestle while the fireworks are booming.

Since it is always better to be safe than sorry, in case a fearful furbaby does somehow escape, ensure that they are properly identifiable. For example, make sure they are wearing a tag with your contact information on it. In addition, this is also when up-to-date microchips can be crucial.

Mancat Monday

Hello, friends! It's Mancat Monday, so of course mancat Evan is here to kick off your week with a look at his adorable face.

Excuse Evan if he failed to look at the camera. There's just so much to snoopervise outside, all the way from wildlife to neighbors. He's a busy boy.

Wishing you a wonderful day!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's summer safety tip is about your furbaby's care in the event that you are traveling this summer. We'll begin with if your furbaby is staying behind while you travel, in which case it is important to plan well in advance for their care. If your furbaby would do best being boarded, then be sure to schedule this well ahead of time, to ensure that they can stay at a veterinary or other boarding facility that you trust.

Another option is of course having your furbaby stay home and having a trusted pet-sitter come in to care for them, or to your cat or dog them stay with someone you trust. No matter what route you take for your furbaby's care while you are away from them, be sure that whoever is looking after them has all of the resources and information they might need. Make sure that your furbaby's food is stocked up, as well as their medications, litter, and anything else of importance. Ensure that their caregiver knows the details of their care, including what, when, and how much they are fed, as well as any medication administration instructions they might need. Don't forget other resources a pet-sitter might need, such as any pertinent details of your furbaby's medical history, as well as the contact information for their veterinarian.

Then there are the times that our furbabies travel with us on vacation, and it is also important to plan accordingly in this case as well. To begin, make sure that you pack all that your cat or dog might need. This would include food, treats, water, medications, leash, carrier, and anything that is significant for their daily care. It is of course also important to plan in advance for pet-friendly lodging at your travel destination. Are you staying at a hotel? If so, is that hotel pet-friendly? Or, are you staying with family or friends? If so, do they have a pet-friendly home? Are there other animals at this home, and if so, will it be safe for the animals to interact? Be sure that any such details are ironed out well in advance.

With all of the above planned out, there is then the actual act of traveling with your furbaby. If you are traveling by plane with a pup or kitty, this will of course require you to learn of the airline's requirements, and that you do so with plenty of time to spare. A veterinary visit and a certificate of health may be required by some airlines. Regardless of whether a certificate of health is required, it is important to discuss with a veterinarian whether your furbaby is safe for travel by plane, especially if they are sick, geriatric, or if they do not travel well. If it is by car that you are traveling, ensure that your cat or dog has a cage or seatbelt for safe restraint during travels. Make sure that your furbaby has a chance to eat, drink, and bathroom during long trips. At the same time, make sure that they are safe from escape anytime you stop and open any car doors.

Summer is a time for travels for some people, and perhaps even their furbabies. Whether you leave your furbaby home or take them with you, always plan well in advance. Always keep in mind your furbaby's health and happiness, and discuss any concerns with a veterinarian.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello, 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. _________ always gives me a headache.

2. Ten years ago, I was _________.

3. _________ is the reason I haven't yet _________.

4. I prefer _________, but I also don't mind _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. Garlic always gives me a headache.

(I realize I answered this fill-in quite literally. Migraines run in my family, and my dad, my sister, and myself all get them on occasion. My migraine triggers used to mainly be things like bright lights, mostly in the form of staring at a computer screen for too long. The older I get, though, the more foods have started triggering my migraines, and garlic is the main culprit. That's okay, though, because garlic was never something that I ate all that often anyway.)

2. Ten years ago, I was getting to know kitten Evan.

(Ten Mays ago, I met Evan as a 6-week-old kitten with hind limp paralysis. Now he's my 10-year-old sweet momma's boy, and I love him so much.)

3. Lack of time and energy is the reason I haven't yet finished some of my creative projects.

(I have writing and other art projects, some of which I've mentioned here on our blog before, that just never seem to get fully finished. They especially get neglected when my full-time job gets crazy. I'm in a constant battle to master the art of work-life balance, so that my personal endeavors that mean a lot to me don't get put on the back burner, and one of these days I will succeed.)

4. I prefer chocolate desserts, but I also don't mind vanilla or fruity baked goods.

(Except for certain pies, my dad and sometimes my sister are the kind of people who only want desserts of the chocolate sort. While I also love chocolate and will always happily eat such a dessert, I'm more like my mom and will pretty much eat any flavor or type of dessert. I'll be more than glad to take an extra brownie or chocolate chip cookie off of your hands, but I'll also happily take those lemon squares or that blueberry cobbler if you've got it. I have no idea why this is the answer I went with, but there you go.)

Now it's your turn!

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

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

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

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

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Are you ready for your Eddy fix? Well, don't expect to see this girl's face or anything crazy like that, because she's busy watching birds in the trees. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's summer safety tip is a bit of a grooming reminder. While it is of course more than okay to regularly trim nails, brush, or even lightly trim your cat's or dog's coat, keep in mind that shaving them in the summer can have negative effects. Just as our cats and dogs need their coat to stay warm in the winter, they also need it to remain cool in the summer. This is because cat and dog coats not only insulate warmth in the winter, but that furry coat also insulates cool air in the summer.

That's not all, though. Remember our discussion on sunburn yesterday? Well, shaving our furry cats and dogs can cause their skin to be more exposed to the sun, which of course can result in sunburn during these hot, sunny months. Sunburn, as we said yesterday, can lead to painful skin issues as well as potential skin cancer, and no one wants that.

At this point, we'll go ahead and mention that, in some cases, some semblance of shaving in the summer might be necessary for the comfort or health of your kitty or pup. Cats and dogs with extremely thick coats might need their fur thinned out in some way in order to stay comfortable in the heat of summer. In addition, some furbabies also need certain types of shaves for medical reasons, such as if they are unable to groom and need mats removed or prevented. My own Evan gets regular sanitary shaves all year round due to his hind limb paralysis and urinary incontinence, so that's just one more specific example. All in all, cats and dogs should only be shaved in significant ways in necessary cases. And, of course, if you have questions on this topic of grooming and skin care in the summer, or any time of the year, do discuss it with your veterinarian.

Thankful Thimble Thursday with Evan

Hello, friends! We're sorry for yet another late post. The past 18 hours have been rough for Evan, and for this here human mom of his. He has had issues with occasional constipation as well as occasional diarrhea for almost two years now. No tests have found anything out of the norm to explain his intestinal issues, so his vet and I think it could very well be associated with his hind limb paralysis and its related issues. I know that might sound odd, but Evan has been struggling with all sorts of spasms on his back end for awhile now, which very well could have contributed to his urethral obstruction back in December as well as his occasional issues with defecation.

All that to say, Evan started having probably his most severe case of constipation yesterday afternoon. None of our usual tactics worked, and the poor boy was struggling so hard that he was crying and grunting while trying to remove that stool from his little body. While I debated whether an emergency vet visit was required, I did what Evan doesn't usually need and gave him an evening dose of his gabapentin and prazosin. Within 30 minutes of that, he finally pushed out a sizable bowel movement. Strangely, that was then followed by hours of diarrhea, which finally stopped early this morning. The finale was a sponge bath that Evan did not appreciate, but he is now a happy, sparkling clean boy.

With that, it's time for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble, like myself, is grateful that her beloved orange brother is feeling much better now.

It was sweet how concerned the others kitties were for Evan last night. Especially Thimble and Tonks kept checking on him, but he was incredibly uncomfortable and irritable, understandably, and so they gave him space while watching over him. Now that Evan is feeling all better, though, he'll let Thimble curl up next to him like you see above.

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

1. _________ always gives me a headache.

2. Ten years ago, I was _________.

3. _________ is the reason I haven't yet _________.

4. I prefer _________, but I also don't mind _________.

We'll see you tomorrow friends

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Evan's issues last night were a bit nightmarish, so this flashback doodle seemed apt enough.

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Tip of the Day

 

Today's summer safety tip is all about sunburn. Just like us humans, our furbabies can get sunburned. This can happen during time outdoors, or even by sunbathing in windows or doors. And, just as with humans, sunburn can result in skin cancer in our cats and dogs. This is why it is incredibly important to be aware of this and to take precautions.

Keep in mind that cats and dogs with little to no fur are of course more susceptible to sunburn. In addition to this, those with light fur and skin, such as those that are white or orange coats, are also more susceptible. That doesn't mean furbabies of other colors are not at risk, though. In addition, the areas of the body most likely to get sunburn are the ears, nose, and belly, as in most furbabies these areas have less hair coverage. Again, though, this doesn't mean sunburn or skin cancer cannot occur elsewhere on the body.

What are the signs of sunburn in your furbaby? They are very similar to those in humans. A cat or dog with sunburn will typically develop pink or red skin, which is often inflamed as well. The sunburn is often painful, and the affected skin can also become dry and flaky. Hair loss can also occur around the sunburned area. These are all signs to be aware of, but they are also things that you want to try to prevent from happening in the first place.

So, what can you do to protect your furbabies from sunburn and potential resulting skin cancer? You can of course minimize their time in direct sunlight, whether that be while outside or while sunbathing in a window or door. You can opt for outdoor activities when the sun is not at its peak, as well as opting for shade when outdoors. When it comes to indoor furbabies, you can close doors and curtains to help protect against sunburn during the sun's prime time of the day. In addition to this, there are certain window types and window covers that can help block UV light. These could certainly be useful for frequented windows and doors, but this also of course may not guarantee full protection against sunburn or resulting skin cancer.

Finally, another option for sun protection is, of course, sunscreen. This is especially important for furbabies who frequently go outdoors in the summer sun, or even for those who frequently sunbathe indoors. There is pet-safe sunscreen available on the market. Many sunscreens designed for humans can contain ingredients that are potentially toxic to cats and dogs, so it is indeed important that you look for products formulated especially for your kitty or pup. What's more, as we always say, if you have any questions at all regarding sunburn and skin cancer in your kitty or pup, be sure to discuss this with your veterinarian.

Adventures with Astrid: Stop and Smell the...Dandelions?

In today's edition of Adventures with Astrid, this pup is here to remind you to stop and smell the flowers. Or, you know, the dandelions.

Astrid also says that this grass is pretty good to gnaw on. Yum.

Even if the flowers are so-called weeds like dandelions, Astrid and I think they still offer a pretty sight amongst the green grass. What's more, dandelions can offer pollen for bees to snack on, especially before other summertime plants are in full bloom.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

As a follow-up to yesterday's tip on how to keep your furbaby cool if they are outdoors in the heat, we're here today to specifically talk about those walks you and your furbaby might take this summer. Especially on those days with extreme heat, it is safest to either limit or cut out walks, or to take them only when the day is at its coolest. For example, a very early morning walk or a late evening walk would be far safer than a walk in the middle of the day, when the sun is at its highest and hottest. If a walk or bathroom break outdoors is necessary for your pup or kitty on a hot day, do consider taking a water bottle along to help keep your furbaby hydrated and cool.

It's not just the heat of the air that you have to consider with regard to summer walks, though. Pavement can reach literally burning hot temperatures in the summer sun. While us humans typically wear shoes to protect our feet, paw pads are exposed and can indeed be burned during exposure to hot pavement. If touching the pavement with your own hand leads you to conclude that it's burning hot, then indeed take that into consideration. This is one reason why it is incredibly important to plan walks and outdoor adventures accordingly during the summer months. If your pup or kitty does need to go outdoors in the extreme heat, and especially if the pavement feels hot to you, then try to avoid the pavement and instead head straight for the grass. Or, for those furbabies who will tolerate it, protective booties can be placed on the feet to keep them safe against the hot pavement.

In the summer, just as always, it's always better to be safe than sorry. That might mean skipping a walk on a scorcher or a day, or changing your walking schedule so that your furbaby is outdoors only when it is cooler. Always do what is best for your furbaby's health and safety.

Tonks Tuesday: Laundry Day

On this Tonks Tuesday, none other than calico Tonks would like to remind everyone just how much she enjoys burrowing in towels that are fresh out of the dryer. No mind if they're the towels that are used in towel-trained Evan's toilet.

Tonks is indeed the kitty in the house who chases this here human down for anything warm that's just come out of the dryer. She usually gets her way, of course, and so Tonks is very often the reason why folding laundry tends to be put on hold around here.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle from a couple years ago is brought to you by the fact that I'm in both a weird and hungry mood.

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Tip of the Day

Today's summer safety tip is all about how to keep your furbaby cool if they are outdoors in the heat. To begin, as we mentioned yesterday, sometimes the great outdoors is a very dangerous place to be for a pup or dog in the extreme heat of summer. For this reason, please do try to limit time spent outdoors in the heat.

However, if your pup or kitty has to be outdoors for any reason, be sure that they are provided with everything to help them stay as cool as possible. For example, be sure that a sufficient amount of cool, fresh, clean water is available for them to drink. Also ensure that they have somewhere in the shade to stay. A potentially stifling outdoor enclosure, such as a shed, will often be no cooler than the sun. But, shade from trees or a building can enable a furbaby to get out of the sun and stay as cool as possible. For those furbabies who enjoy and take advantage of water, you can also put out a children's pool, with cool, clean water. This way, a pup or even a kitty who likes water can have another way to cool off.

As we said previously, please do all that you can to keep your pup or kitty out of the heat of summer. If a trip outdoors is necessary for any reason, though, then it is important to know how to keep your furbaby cool and safe, such as by means of water and shade. Summertime is just another example of how you must think and plan ahead for the sake of your furbaby's health and happiness.

Belated Mother's Day Wishes on Mancat Monday

Evan discovered this his human of a mom failed to post on our blog this weekend, so he now wants to wish all mothers out there a belated Happy Mother's Day! Whether you are a mom to children of the human sort or the furry, feathered, or scaled sort, you make the world a better place.

This human does apologize for not posting this weekend, especially on Mother's Day. I spent a good chunk of the weekend with none other than my mom, and I just wasn't online during any of that time. As another strange excuse, today is the last free yard waste pickup in our town, so I also spent a chunk of this weekend outside clearing the last of the sticks and other debris from my yard. It was very hot and I was very sweaty, but the job is done.

Evan and all of us here wish you all a magnificent Monday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Given the sweltering weather we've been having theses days, we're doing a series of tips all about summer safety for our furbabies. Previously, we discussed how to recognize the signs of overheating in cats and dogs. Today, we're here to remind you that, to avoid potentially fatal heat stroke in your furbaby, never leave them alone in a car. In the heat of summer, the inside of a car can reach temperatures well above 100°F within a matter of minutes. Even with the windows open, the inside of a car can still become not only stifling, but also incredibly dangerous.

Also keep in mind that the car is not the only location that can pose the risk of overheating. Garages, sheds, and of course even the great outdoors can be dangerous places on hot summer days. In short, as you all certainly know, never leave your furbaby in a car or anywhere that can easily overheat on summer days. Just like us, kitties and pups can indeed suffer from heat stroke if left in overheated conditions, and this can be fatal.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello, 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've got a yen for _________.

2. I would gladly trade _________ for _________.

3. It seems like only yesterday that _________.

4. If you offered me _________, I would _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. I've got a yen for chocolate.

(Always.)

2. I would gladly trade these hot and humid summer days for cool and crisp autumn days.

(I don't want to wish any time away. But, if we could just bypass this summer weather, I'd be totally fine with that.)

3. It seems like only yesterday that my cats were kittens.

(Every spring and summer I get nostalgic about my kitties' kittenhoods. After all, they all have birthdays in April and May. I also met and brought all of them home in May, except Eddy, whom I adopted in July. So many kitten memories.)

4. If you offered me a large sum of money for any of my furbabies, I would tell you to take a hike.

(My kitties and pup aren't going anywhere. I was shocked when I once saw a poll asking people if they would hand their pets over for something like a million dollars, and well over half the results said yes. I could never and would never.)

Now it's your turn!

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

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

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

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

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Are you ready for your Eddy fix? More so, are you ready to be blinded?

Whether you were blinded by Eddy's gloriousness or by the sun, we wish you a fantastic Friday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

 

Very recently, we shared a series of tips all about pet safety in the season of spring. We were going to wait a while before we got into the details of summer safety, but given the summer-like days we've been having, we thought we'd go ahead and offer some of these important tips now.

In many areas, summer can mean extreme heat. For this reason, it is important to know the signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke in your cat or dog. Signs of overheating in our furbabies can include excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate and respiration rate, excessive drooling, weakness, or even vomiting and diarrhea. If your furbaby begins to show any of these signs, especially if they have been in the heat, do not hesitate to seek veterinary assistance. Tomorrow, we'll start diving a little deeper into how to keep your kitties and pups safe from overheating and other summer concerns.

Thankful Thimble Thursday

Hello, friends! Thimble is here and ready for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is grateful that she's of course the best helper ever when her human of a mom is working on some drawings.

No better helper has ever existed.

And certainly no cuter helpers will ever be known.

What would this human do without Thimble's help?

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Now, let's share 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've got a yen for _________.

2. I would gladly trade _________ for _________.

3. It seems like only yesterday that _________.

4. If you offered me _________, I would _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

The final tip in our wildlife series involves some additional things you can do to help keep the wildlife safe in their environment. First, as you all surely already know, please refrain from littering. Do not toss trash willy-nilly, but instead place it in a secure trash bin, or a recycling bin if relevant. This includes any and all items, as any variety of things can lead to dangers for wildlife. For example, the handles of paper or plastic bags can get stuck around the necks of wildlife critters, or any variety of items could be swallowed and lead to a choking hazard. And that's just naming two potential examples. These are just two of many, many reasons why littering is not ideal.

As for those bags with handles we mentioned above, even if you're putting them in a secure trash or recycling bin, please cut those handles with a scissors before tossing them out. This can ensure that no wildlife gets stuck or is otherwise endangered by a rogue bag. The same goes for the plastic rings that hold together pop cans, or any and every piece of trash or recycling that poses any similar risk to wildlife.

In addition, before tossing them in a bin, do your best to rinse out cans and other food or drink containers. For one, this can perhaps help reduce the likelihood of wildlife eating food that is potentially unhealthy for them. Also, rinsing food containers can also perhaps reduce the likelihood of wildlife sniffing out leftover debris and therefore breaking into and going through trash and recycling bins, something that we surely all wish to avoid.

We share this land with a great many critters. For this reason, among others, it is important that we keep this land safe for all of its inhabitants. So, please refrain from littering or otherwise contributing to situations that can be dangerous to wildlife.