Mancat Monday: A Rude Awakening

It's Mancat Monday, and mancat Evan is catching some shuteye in the sun.

Well, he was catching some shut eye, right up until this human mom of his woke him up.

Poor Evan. What a rude awakening, huh?

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I have one more flashback doodle that was inspired by the Harry Potter series. This one involves a flying car, and some kitties, of course.

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Tip of the Day

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

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

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

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

Not So Caturday Art

As the title suggests, our contribution to Athena's Caturday Art Blog Hop is actually not catty at all. It does star another kind of animal, though.

That was actually the doodle I scribbled up for my mom's Mother's Day card way back in May. I just hadn't shared it yet. My mom is a big fan of koala bears, in no small part because her focal object while she was in labor with both my sister and myself was a koala teddy bear.

Even though it doesn't star any kitties, we hope you still enjoyed this little doodle. Happy Caturday, friends!

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Tip of the Day

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

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

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

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

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

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 wonderful 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 describe my home as _________.

2. I would never give _________ to _________.

3. I share my secrets with _________.

4. Did I ever tell you _________?

My answers are below in bold.

1. I would describe my home as ruled by cats.

(Even pup Astrid wouldn't deny this. Cat toys, cat scratchers, cat beds, cat trees, bossy yet adorable cats, and just all things cat are strewn all over the house.)

2. I would never give flowers to someone with cats.

(Even if I've looked up a flower and it's been deemed non-toxic to animals, I would still not give it to someone I know has cats, or perhaps any pets. My cats focus their sights on and chew on any greenery they see, and so I always just assume this could be how others' cats react as well. So, no one with cats gets any form of plant life from me. Well, unless it's catnip or cat grass. In that case, I'm game.)

3. I share my secrets with my kitties and pup.

(I have a little sign up on one of my bookshelves that simply says, "No one keeps a secret better than my cat." Truer words were never spoken.)

4. Did I ever tell you that our aquatic frog is still with us?

(Years ago, as in over 5 years ago, I shared this photo:

That's a frog that has been in my family since I was roughly 10 years old. For anyone curious, I am now 34 years old. This frog was young yet already full grown when we got it, which means she is now roughly 24 to 25 years old. This frog has lived longer than even my dear calico angel Rosie, who made it to 21 years of age. I believe the frog might be blind, or at least partially so, but she still loves her food and swimming around her tank, so good for the old aquatic lady.)

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 is more than ready to share a good and blurry outtake.

Eddy and all of us here are wishing you a happy Friday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We're sorry for anyone who's not a fan of or just doesn't know a thing about Harry Potter. But, as a longtime fan of it myself, I have yet another flashback doodle inspired by the series.

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Tip of the Day

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

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

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

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

Thankful Thimble Thursday

It's Thursday, and Thimble has a bright and shiny thankful to share for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

As has been the case a lot lately, Thimble is grateful for her sunshine. She loves basking in it, perhaps in part because she knows it makes her look extra stunning.

In truth, right now we aren't keeping any windows or doors open for whiffies or direct sunlight. After all, it's nearing 100°F outside these days, and I really don't want all of us in the house to melt. When it cools down, though, Thimble can enjoy sitting in the sun at the screen door again.

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

1. I would describe my home as _________.

2. I would never give _________ to _________.

3. I share my secrets with _________.

4. Did I ever tell you _________?

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Yesterday I shared a flashback doodle related to the fact that I've been a fan of the Harry Potter series since it first came out when I was a child. I have another such flashback doodle today, and I'm even planning on creating a new doodle in this genre this weekend. But, for now, here's a doodle of my kitties heading to the wizarding school known as none other than Hogwarts.

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Tip of the Day

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

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

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

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

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

Woof Woof Wednesday Heat Wave

Hello and happy Wednesday, friends! Your dose of Astrid today comes from her favorite window view, in the great air conditioned indoors. After all, we're in a tad bit of a heat wave. It's over 90°F this week, with a high of 100°F on Friday, and so for Astrid's safety her walks are shorter and only at the cooler times of the day. And so, she's spending lots of time gazing out her beloved window.

As soon as this heat lets up, Astrid will get to enjoy her longer walks on her favorite paths. Honestly, I think Astrid is just as ready for autumn as I am, because this summer heat is really putting a damper on those walks. Luckily, she doesn't usually try to beg for longer walks right now, because this pup has never had much tolerance for summer heat.

Stay cool, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I've mentioned many times here on our blog about how I grew up when the Harry Potter books were coming out, and I read and adored them. And I still do, as fantasy has always been a favorite genre of mine. That said, the end of July has always been a fun time for Harry Potter fans, because it's the birthday of the author as well as the titular character. That's why this time of year I always find myself going back to the Harry Potter books and movies, which always inspires me to scribble up some fan art. While I work on this year's doodle, how about this flashback starring pup Astrid as a certain Harry Potter character named Hagrid?

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Tip of the Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Merry Christmas in July!

Merry Christmas in July, friends! Tonks is celebrating by keeping the Christmas tree cat beds company. After all, they're out year round, so it's an easy thing to do.

Do you see the other holiday represented in these photos?

Christmas is in fact not the only holiday for which certain decorations are kept out all year at our house.

Tonks and all of us here hope you have a very merry Christmas in July!

That said, though I do have a new Christmas in July doodle started, I failed to finish it. I've been helping my parents with one of their sick kitties, who has an appointment today for some issues he's having. In addition, I was really just simply having trouble finding the inspiration to scribble up this year's Christmas in July doodle. I'm not a big fan of summer, and it's been 90°F and climbing lately, and that has really made me feel not so festive.

All that said, I do have many more flashback Christmas in July doodles to share today. First up is one from just a couple years ago. I remember realizing it ended up far less festive than I intended, but here it is nonetheless.

Next up are a few beachy Christmas in July doodles from many, many years ago. My drawing style has changed a tad bit since these were scribbled up, and in upcoming years I want to recreate these. Even so, here are the oldies.

Last up is one possibly even older than the ones above. It's one that I've been meaning to recreate for a very long time, but I just never get around to it in July. I remember scribbling this one up the July after my tabby girl Eddy's first Christmas, because during her first Christmas I learned that she is obsessed with Christmas trees and climbing them. All that rambling aside, here's the old Eddy-inspired Christmas in July doodle.

Yet again...Merry Christmas in July!

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Tip of the Day

If you ask our humble opinion, having kitties and a pup in the same home can be a wonderful thing. It's even better when they all get along. Sometimes, though, the biggest trick is getting a pup to leave the kitty food alone. There are some methods to try, though, if you find yourself in such a situation. We've mentioned these before, but we'll mention them again now.

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

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

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

Mancat Monday: Spa Day Déjà Vu

It's Mancat Monday, and mancat Evan is at the spa again today. As in, he's at the vet's groomer getting his usual sanitary shave. He'll look a little like this when he's done.

I always tell Evan he has the cutest little baboon butt when he's freshly shaved. He doesn't seem to mind, given how he parades around showing off his new hairdo when he gets home. Of course, he's not a big fan of the whole going in the carrier thing, and he more often than not urinates and/or defecates on his groomer, but when he gets home he is the proudest, most handsome little guy.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Christmas in July Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

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

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

Christmas in July Caturday Art

The Christmas in July festivities continue.

Any summer Santa sightings yet?

Happy Caturday, friends!

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Tip of the Day

There are a number of potential ways to get your furbaby to sit still for a photo shoot or to get them to look at the camera. You can try the technique of getting on their level, such as sitting on the floor with the camera if that is where your kitty or pup is playing or spending time. It may take lots of patience and sitting and waiting for a moment to snap a shot, but it is often doable. You can also situate yourself where your kitty or pup is sleeping, as a sleeping furbaby is a still furbaby.

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

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

Friendly Fill-Ins and a Santa Search

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. _________ taught me that _________.

2. I wish I could remember _________.

3. I could be convinced _________ only if _________.

4. I had to delay _________ because _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. Evan taught me that specially abled animals are amazing companions that I always want in my life.

(I've said this before, but one of my biggest heroes is my hind limb paralyzed orange tabby boy Evan, who also has a plethora of other special traits, especially as he ages. He doesn't care one bit that he's a bit different, though, and it certainly doesn't stop him from doing what he wants and getting what he wants. He is amazing. Life with Evan has also made me realize that I will always want specially abled animals in my life, and I can see myself adopting such companions down the line.)

2. I wish I could remember more of my angels Rosie and Sammy's kittenhood.

(I have a lot of memories from Rosie and Sammy's kittenhood, but I was only 4 years old when my parents adopted them for my sister and myself. I remember playing with them and other wonderful memories, but they're the only cats from my life whose full kittenhood has gaps in my memory, since I was only 4 years old. I only got to share my life with Sammy until I was 9, but I will always treasure the memories I have with him. Rosie was a huge part of my life until I was 26 years old, so my memories with her are many and throughout my childhood to adulthood.)

3. I could be convinced to go on an extended vacation only if I could bring all my furbabies with me.
(I've mentioned here many times how I'm a homebody. I really do just like being home and don't enjoy the whole travel thing. In addition, I just really don't like leaving my kitties or pup, especially not with Evan's medical issues and medication requirements. If there was some easy, stress-free way I could get all my kitties and pup safely and securely packed up with me, I would potentially consider a week-long vacation or so. But, given that my furbabies would hate that, save for perhaps pup Astrid, and given that it just sounds downright stressful, I'll opt out.)

4. I had to delay a couple of drawings I really want to work on because one of my markers ran out of ink.

(I have a lot of art markers, but there are about a dozen or so colors of my favorite brand of marker that I use far more than others. I'm usually really good about staying stocked up on those particular colors, but apparently one of them fell through the cracks. It's one of my green colors that I use for large areas like grass and other greenery, so now I'm waiting on its replacement to arrive so I can finish the aforementioned doodles.)

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? Yet again, this tabby girl was a tad bit busy looking out the window on of our cooler days. She's quite distracted, because she keeps hearing about Christmas in July, but she hasn't seen any signs of Santa Paws flying through the sky in his sleigh.

Eddy is curious if any of her kitty friends out there keep hearing about this Christmas in July? And how is your Santa search going?

Happy Friday!

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Flashback Christmas in July Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday's tip mentioned using your old clothes to make a bed for your furbaby. Today's tip is another random way you could perhaps use your old clothes for your furbaby. Don't expect any rocket science, because we're simply talking about using your old clothes to make your furbaby some, well, clothes. Of course, this will only apply to furbabies who tolerate or enjoy wearing clothes, or those who might need them due to issues such as impaired thermoregulation. So, a simple and cheap way to put your furbaby in clothes is to select one of your old shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, or other similar item that will fit your furbaby. You can cut the clothing item's arms off, and trim up any other areas so that it better fits your furbaby. This will, of course, largely depend on your furbaby's size. For example, a large dog could wear larger revamped shirts, whereas a small dog or cat could potentially use shirts in a child's size. Even old baby onesies could be used for small animals.

It might even be worth it to note that, in some instances, using your old clothes, or even typical pet clothing, could possibly help protect healing sores. For example, clothes could potentially be used to block a furbaby's access to a healing surgical incision or other lesion on their abdomen, sides, or back. This being said, always discuss any such treatments with your veterinarian. Some wounds should not be covered up because they need air to properly heal. So, never cover lesions with any sort of pet clothing, bandage, or wrapping without first discussing this with your veterinarian.

All in all, before you toss out your old clothes, take into consideration if there is any use your furbaby might get out of them. After all, as we've mentioned, your old clothes could be used as blankets or sleeping spots for your furbaby, they could be used to make a pet bed, pieces of them could be used to make toys, or, as mentioned today, they could be used to create clothes for your furbaby. Just as with a number of everyday items, our old clothes could potentially be used in any number of ways for the benefit of our furbabies. After all, kitties and pups often find comfort in the scent of their people, and so they surely wouldn't mind using your clothes once you're done with them.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Sun Puddles and Space Stations

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! Thimble is excited and wants to get right to Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

One of Thimble's thankfuls is yet again sunshine, specifically in the form of sun puddles. But, this week she also paired those sunrays with one of her favorite track ball toys, which is barely visible here since Thimble wouldn't share her beloved sun puddle with it. 

That toy is actually the Jackson Galaxy space station track ball and scratcher toy. We won it way back in 2017 from the amazing crew over at The Cat on My Head, and the kitties here still love it and regularly play with it to this day.

Talk about multitasking. Sunbathing and playing? What a busy girl Thimble is.

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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 fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.

1. _________ taught me that _________.

2. I wish I could remember _________.

3. I could be convinced _________ only if _________.

4. I had to delay _________ because _________.

We'll see you next week, friends!

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Flashback Christmas in July Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Many of us have furbabies who enjoy a cozy bed, and who also enjoy making a bed out of their human's clothes. That's why today's pet parenting hack of a tip is to use your old clothes to make a pet bed for your kitty or pup. You can take on old shirt, for example, and stuff it with a pillow or other type of filling. You can sew it shut, or even just safely and securely tie it shut. Not only will the soft filling make this a cozy bed, but it will also smell like you, something that many furbabies enjoy. Not to mention this could save you the cost of a brand new bed from the pet store. There are a great many options for creating pet beds in this manner, using shirts, pants, robes, and so forth. The options are endless, and you can even find ideas and techniques online for creating a variety of such pet beds.

Adventures with Astrid

I'm still doing a pretty poor job as a blogger these days. I just now thought to make sure I published today's post, and you know what? I didn't. So, here's a late post with the pup.

These photos were from last summer, when this gorgeous tree bloomed in the park near our house. I haven't seen this tree bloom yet this year, and I hope it still does at some point before summer ends. It was beautiful, and I've been checking on its status regularly, which is why I decided to share it again.

If that tree does end up blooming again, Astrid will do another show-and-tell with it.

I also think I failed to tell you all that Astrid got a good report from the vet at her annual last week. The vet said she looks really good, and no new lumps or bumps were found. Overall her labs also looked great. She does have a history of slightly elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the vet is almost certain Astrid's is high because of slight joint and bone abnormalities. After all, her back right leg has some atrophy and other minor lingering issues as a result of her torn CCL last year. To combat that, we'll be starting her on a join supplement. Overall, though, 10-year-old Astrid got an A+. Well, except for the fact that she's just a tad bit on the chunky side.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Christmas in July Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's pet parenting tip relates to the dreaded vacuum cleaner, but at the same time, it doesn't. Especially if you have a furbaby who is fearful of the vacuum, you can do them a favor by using other methods to clean carpets and rugs, when possible. For example, did you know that a squeegee can be used to remove pet hair from carpets and rugs? That's right, it can! That being said, there are also actual rug brushes on the market, which can similarly be used to remove hair from carpets and rugs. So, especially if you have a furbaby who is fearful when you vacuum, you can use these alternative, far quieter methods when possible. Though the vacuum cleaner may not always be avoidable, when it is, such methods as the aforementioned ones can help remove hair from carpets and rugs while causing far less fearful reactions from your kitties or pups.

Rest in Peace, Neighbor Kitty

I had this post all ready before I got a sad text message from my neighbor last night. In these photos, my calico girl Tonks was nestled in a cube of the cat tree, but then she saw the neighbor kitty outside the window and so had to crane her neck to watch him.

This neighbor kitty was indoor-outdoor and visited us often, sometimes daily, coming over for treats, pettings, and all the attention. His name was Tickey, and my neighbor texted me that last night they said goodbye to him. He had been struggling with an illness that his vet could not quite pinpoint, and so they were starting to think he had cancer hidden somewhere. My neighbor had warned me a month or two ago that they might have to say goodbye to him soon, and that she'd try to let me know ahead of time if the time came so that we could say goodbye to him, as she knew that he spent a lot of time in my yard keeping us company. Unfortunately, when my neighbor and her husband got home from work last night, they found their kitty really struggling, and so they rushed him to the vet, where he was set free from his suffering.

I recently shared the below photo, which was already a flashback taken a year or two ago. Even so, there's the neighbor kitty Tickey having a snack on our front porch, completely oblivious to Thimble's flirting.

I'm grateful that sweet neighbor kitty Tickey visited me yesterday morning, and though I wish I'd spent more time with him before I went to work, I did give him his usual dose of treats, pettings, and cooing. My sister currently lives me with and also spent a lot of time with this kitty, and he also visited her before she headed off to work yesterday a bit after I did. We're both very grateful that we got to see him yesterday, even if, in hindsight, the visits were much shorter than we would have liked.

I've actually known kitty Tickey longer than I've known any of my own furbabies, as he was somewhere around 15 years old and has been an indoor-outdoor kitty who patrolled the neighborhood since his youth. He was like the neighborhood mascot, and like so many others, I'm really going to miss him. For many, many years, I've been so used to him running over to see me at all times of the day and sometimes even the night.

Rest in peace and fly high, Tickey. The neighborhood just won't be the same without you, but we'll meet again someday. My thoughts and prayers are also with my neighbor, as in the past couple of years she has lost her dog and now also her kitty.

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Flashback Christmas in July Doodle of the Day

We shared a flashback Christmas in July doodle yesterday, and we'll be doing the same for most of this week. Today's is from a few years ago, and I honestly had completely forgotten about this one.

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Tip of the Day

Today's pet parenting tip is one that relates to that dreaded vet's office. As you all certainly know, it is recommended that your furbaby be seen by a veterinarian at least once a year. But, if you're anything like me, all throughout the year you find yourself questioning this or that about your furbaby. Of course, if you notice any abnormalities that are a concern or that are in need of immediate attention, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian. Otherwise, sometimes we find ourselves with questions that we know are not emergencies and that are not truly in need of immediate attention, but that do pique our interest. That's why today's tip is to, if needed, keep a little notebook or note sheet handy, such as on a counter or on the refrigerator, where you can write down questions to ask your veterinarian at your furbaby's next exam. Whether it be a general question about food, exercise, grooming, behavior, or anything else, write it down when you think of it. That way, you can take your notes with you to your furbaby's next exam and sort out any questions you have in one fell swoop.

Mancat Monday: Flashback Christmas in July

Happy Monday, friends! It's Mancat Monday, and today mancat Evan wanted to share a flashback. So, here's to a past July, when he helped this here mom of his scribble up a Christmas in July doodle.

Can you see that doodle there that Evan helped me scribble up? Here, we'll give you a better view of it.

I hope to work on a new Christmas in July doodle over the next couple of days. If I'm being honest, I as much as I love drawing traditional Christmas doodles, I'm not a big fan of summer and so Christmas in July doodles are not ones that come as easily for me. Even so, I've mentioned recently how I've found a renewed inspiration to draw, after a few months of the opposite of that. I'm working on a new series of doodles right now that revolve around my own little furbabies, and on top of those I have nearly a dozen other doodles done and ready to share. I was supposed to have scanned and uploaded all those last week, but between my scanner's usual hot mess self mixed with my own hot mess self, that's now not happening until this week.

Anyway, yet more rambling aside, you better believe Evan is still my main art assistant. He's always at my side, keeping me company. The other main artsy helper is Thimble, who may or may not be a pen thief and pen chewer and therefore maybe not so helpful. But she's cute, so she gets away with it.

Have a magnificent Monday, friends!

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Tip of the Day

We've all seen those chew toys for pups. Puppies, and even grown dogs, often love to chew, and so chew toys can allow them to gnaw on a designated item rather than one that is not ideal or one that is dangerous. But, did you know that there are chew toys for cats as well? Like dogs, some cats love to chew. Chewing is sometimes more common in kittens, but some adult cats are chewers, too. If this is the case with your cat, perhaps look into getting them some feline-friendly chew toys. This could potentially save them from chewing on items that they should not, which could be beneficial to your goods, and also of course to your kitty's health.

Of course, whether a chew toy is for your kitty or pup, it is important to take into consideration the material out of which a chew toy is made, as well as whether it will withstand a particular furbaby's level of chewing. Some toy brands will label whether a chew toy is suitable for powerful chewers, for example. Even so, you know your furbaby best, and so you must decide whether a toy will be able to survive their chewing habits, and therefore whether it might be a hazard. There are a great many pet toys available these days, you simply have to consider a toy's benefits and safety for your furbabies.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello and welcome! It's the day of the Friendly Fill-Ins, and we would 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 have a spare _________.

2. _________ is the day I _________.

3. I need to invent _________ so that _________.

4. _________ really made me rethink _________.

My answers are below in bold.

 

1. I have a spare carton of chocolate milk at all times.
(My favorite treat of a beverage is chocolate milk, and it's very rare that I run out of it. I almost always have a spare carton in the back of the fridge because I never go a day without my beloved chocolate milk. Though, it's not really milk, since I'm lactose intolerant and therefore drink almond "milk" instead. The Silk brand has a dark chocolate almond version, though, and to me it tastes even better than actual chocolate milk.)

2. Saturday is the day I do the most house cleaning.

(I usually kick off my weekend with a Saturday morning session of vacuuming all the floors. I also do the most intensive mopping on Saturdays, as well as counter cleaning, bathroom cleaning, and all that jazz. I do some minimal cleaning on some weekdays before or after work, so that my Saturdays aren't just endless cleaning, but Saturday is for sure the main cleaning day. It's not my favorite thing, but it's also surprisingly not my least favorite thing.)

3. I need to invent a truly flavorless gabapentin for cats so that Evan doesn't have to froth so much.

(I don't know what it is about gabapentin, or if it's just my orange boy's personal taste buds, but no matter what kind of gabapentin I give Evan, the boy can't stand it. Whether it's supposedly flavorless types, or types supposedly flavored with tasty things, he hates them all. This is the only drug, aside from some antibiotics, that causes Evan to froth and drool everywhere. I always wait beside him with a rag after administering it to wipe away all the drool so that he doesn't have to sit there with bubbles coming out of his mouth. It's quite a sight.)

4. The last few years really made me rethink a lot of things.

(I've had some personal life events affect me, as I'm sure everyone has, but world events also really make a person think and reconsider certain things in life.)

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 Eddy? We had a cool day recently, meaning that we had a day that was only 80°F instead of 90°F, and so Eddy got a few minutes of window whiffies. Sorry she couldn't look at the camera for this shot, but she was very busy snoopervising the back yard.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's doodle is a flashback from many years ago. It's one that I've been meaning to recreate for some time now, and I think that time has nearly come. So, before I get started on the new version, here's the original.

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Tip of the Day

Do you have furbabies, including strays and ferals, who spend time outdoors and who therefore have water and food bowls outside? Sometimes the wind can wreak havoc on said bowls, especially if they are lightweight. One cheap way to combat this is to get a couple of same-sized buckets, such as ice cream buckets. You can put a couple inches of sand or rock at the bottom of one of the buckets, and then place the other identical bucket within the one weighed down by the sand. Then, the bucket on top can be filled with water, or even food. Since it will be snugly nestled within the weighted bucket, this will help it stay put in the wind. Of course, do make sure that any water or food placed in such buckets are not difficult to reach. For example, large buckets would work fine for offering food and water to large dogs, but likely not so well for smaller cats. So, simply consider the size of the animal in question, and try to rig a feeding and drinking station that suits them. For cats, you can try the above method, just with smaller containers. Then again, you can also simply look on the market for heavy, sturdy bowls that could combat the wind. No matter what method you use, take even the wind into consideration when feeding furbabies outdoors, and think outside the box to find a safe way to combat it as needed.