Thankful Thimble Thursday: TV Time

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

This week, the little tabby girl is grateful for TV time. After all, it means a warm lap to sit on. When Thimble's in the mood for lap time, that is.

Thimble and this here human mom of hers are also thankful that, like Tonks, Thimble got a good report from the vet. Thimble went for her annual exam at the same time as Tonks on Monday, and just yesterday her senior lab results came back looking good. Thimble's thyroid values have been trending upward for a couple of years. They're still in the normal range, and she's gained weight instead of lost weight, which means she's not currently facing hyperthyroidism. Since her value keeps inching up, though, we're being watchful for any symptoms that might arise. For now, though, Thimble is doing great, which brings me so much relief.

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Now, let's share tomorrow's 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. A non-monetary prize I would like to win is _________.

2. If I won tickets to _________, I would give them away.

3. I think that those who _________ should _________.

4. When it comes to telling stories, I _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Doodle of the Day

Today's doodle is a new one. Well, it's new as in you haven't seen it before, but not so new as in I scribbled it up back in June. It was the drawing I used for my dad's Father's Day card, and it's based on a show our family has been watching lately, which seems apt for the photos Thimble shared above. Anyway, the show I'm referencing is called Trailer Park Boys, and it's all shades of chaos that my family happens to find funny. More so, one of the characters loves cats, and so lots of kitty characters make appearances. One of the kitties is a specially abled cat with a unique foot, as you can hopefully tell in this here doodle.

The kitties watching the TV are two of my parents' cats. On the left is tuxie Talon, who happens to be my girl Thimble's litter mate of a brother. On the right is Kipper, a dilute orange tabby of a color that none of my art markers matched perfectly, but that there is the best I could find. Both of these kitties find it so fun to sit in front of the TV at my parents' house, so obviously they made it into the drawing.

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Tip of the Day

Today is our last tip relating to those feline vet visits. This tip actually far more of a general one, though. Today's tip is to remember your veterinarians, vet techs, and all of the staff at your vet clinic on special occasions. Whether it be Christmas, Veterinarian Appreciation Day (June 18th), Veterinary Technician Week (the third week of October), or another similar day, do consider sending some appreciation to those at your veterinary clinic. You can send a simple card, some flowers, a basket of goodies, or anything that demonstrates your appreciation for all they've done for your furbaby and yourself. Sometimes, being a veterinarian or veterinary staff member is a thankless job, or one that is forgotten in the shuffle. So, if you appreciate what your veterinary clinic has done for any and all of your furbabies, then do consider being one of those grateful customers who expresses their appreciation.

Woof Woof Wednesday with an Evan Cameo

Today, Astrid decided to share a photo of herself happily rolling belly up on the floor, something she does often.

That's when things took a turn, though. Since Monday's post focused on Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, Evan didn't get to grace you all with his presence on Mancat Monday. So, he decided to join Astrid in her photo shoot so that he could co-star in her Wednesday post.

Astrid hopes none of you are invaded like she was today. Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

It's time for another spooky summer doodle. So, here you go.

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Our Tip of the Day:

We're on our final tips in our series about kitty vet visits. Today's tip doesn't directly relate to the physical act of taking your cat to the vet, but it still can play a part in those vet visits. What we're talking about are a variety of ways that might help you pay vet bills. We have a number of thoughts on this topic, and so this will be a long one.

So, let's start with pet insurance. As most of you likely already know, you can indeed get insurance for your furbabies. Just as with humans, there are a variety of companies and policies to choose from, and so pet insurance can certainly involve some research in order to determine the best coverage for your furbaby. In the end, though, this research and the resulting coverage you select can potentially save you money. For example, depending on the policy you choose, you could possibly save a large sum of money in the event of an unexpected pet emergency that is at least partially covered by your pet's insurance.

All of the above being said, when it comes to pet insurance, do try to think ahead. If you are interested in starting your furbaby on a policy, perhaps do so when they're still young and healthy. One reason for this is that some companies and policies make it difficult, or even impossible, to acquire coverage for an animal who is already geriatric or sick. So, early on, consider the benefits you might obtain from pet insurance, do your research, and then do what is best for you and your furbaby.

Besides pet insurance, another option is CareCredit. CareCredit is a credit card that can be used to pay medical bills, such as vet bills. Just like pet insurance, this one will likely require some research to ensure it is a good fit. For example, not all vet clinics accept CareCredit as a means of payment. Therefore, you would want to find out if your preferred vet accepts CareCredit before applying for it.

In addition to all of the above, if needed, some vet clinics also allow for payment plans. Some vets are especially willing to do this for clients in good standing, and who have proven trustworthy and who have shown a willingness and ability to pay for funds in a timely manner. If you have large furry family, if you are faced with a pet emergency, or if there are other such circumstances, perhaps consider discussing with your veterinarian the possibility of making payments to cover your furbaby's bills. If you do so, of course also ensure that you understand all of the terms, and that you are able to make payments on time and in agreement with the payment plan.

One last idea we're sharing today is to simply do your best to have some sort of "pet emergency fund" in which you save money over time. Such a fund can come in handy especially if you do not have pet insurance or CareCredit, and if you don't use a payment plan at your vet clinic. Accidents and emergencies can indeed happen, and they can happen when you least expect it. What's more, resulting vet bills can potentially start racking up. So, if and when possible, try to determine ways to save even just a little money each week or month in order to contribute to a "pet emergency fund", so that you won't be left scrambling to find funds for your furbaby. Ways to save a little extra for such a fund might mean cutting back on eating out, cutting back on the number of coffees you buy, cutting back on your clothes spending, or cutting back on other luxuries. Rest assured, though, that passing on a special luxury or two is well worth it for your furbaby's health and happiness.

Furbabies make wonderful companions, but they are also, admittedly, not free. They require care, just like humans do, and that care does come with a cost. Therefore, always include your furbabies in your budget or other financing plans. This might require some research and money-saving measures, but our furbabies are always worth it.

Tonks Tuesday: The Horror Story

Friends, Tonks would like to share her horror story from yesterday.

You see, Tonks went to the vet for her annual exam yesterday afternoon. Isn't that terrible? Isn't it? Tonks says it definitely was. The horror!

Tonks was stabbed by a needle while there. She gave the vet one little hiss, but she's so cute and just curled up after that the vet simply laughed and then and oohed and awwed over her.

Tonks would like you all to know that she totally didn't poop in her carrier on the way home. She also definitely didn't pee in it. If you saw this here human mom of hers cleaning the carrier after we got home, it was totally for a different reason.

Tonks hopes you all have a Tuesday far better than her day yesterday!

As a side note from this human, aside from some tartar and gingivitis that we'll be going after with some pet toothpaste, Tonks got an A+ from the vet. Tonks was panicking just a bit too much to be able to hear that news and give that report herself.

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Last week I shared a spooky summer doodle inspired by a piece of Halloween decor I saw in stores last summer. Today, we have another doodle of that exact same type. This piece of decor was supposed to look like a wraith, and when I saw that it looked like a big blanket in spooky form, I simply had to scribble up a kitty sleeping on it.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip relating to taking your cat to the vet is in regard to nonrecognition aggression. In relation to vet visits, nonrecognition aggression is typically when one cat goes to the vet, and when he or she returns home, one of the other resident cats does not recognize them. This is typically because the returning cat smells unfamiliar, with odors from the vet. Though it can be a disconcerting and scary thing to witness, nonrecognition is not terribly uncommon. What's more, there are ways to potentially prevent it, and to help your cats recover from it.

One way to combat nonrecognition aggression is to take your cats to the vet together. This way, neither of them will come back home smelling differently than the other. This method is easiest if both cats travel well and can safely visit the vet together. So, if nonrecognition is a concern in your home and it's a viable option, do consider taking your cats to the vet together to prevent future aggression between them.

There are other options to help prevent nonrecognition aggression. One is to use a synthetic pheromone spray, or a diffuser, to help keep all cats as calm as possible. Yet another option is to gently wipe down the cat returning home from the vet, in order to remove as much of the vet clinic smells as possible. Similarly, when a cat returns home from the vet, you can also wipe them with one of their usual blankets from home, to help transfer their usual scents back to them. Of course these are not fail-safe methods, but they can potentially help prevent nonrecognition aggression between cats.

All of the above being said, sometimes nonrecognition aggression might occur despite your attempts to prevent it. If it does occur, first and foremost, separate the cats who are involved, in order to keep them both safe. Then, reintroduction might be similar to how you introduce two unfamiliar or new cats to each other. Slowly and safely allowing them to sniff, see, and then interact with each other might take some time, but your kitties can indeed return to one big happy family with time and patience.

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

We're sure most of you already know that today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, initiated by Deborah Barnes of Zee & Zoey in 2015. We hope you all don't mind if we share the same Rainbow Bridge post that we shared over the last couple of years, but these words all still ring true.

Today, I remember my dear angel Rosie, who was my beautiful calico companion and confidant for 21 years.

I most certainly also remember Rosie's angel brother, that being the handsome, sweet, and patient Sammy.

And I remember my angelic childhood pups, Banjo and Shellie, who would keep me company and entertain me for hours on end.

I can't fail to mention that I also remember my childhood feathered friends, Pippin, Robin, and Sweetpea. And of course I also remember my aquatic angels, such as Lieutenant Legs and Oscar.

Though I sometimes cannot help but feel sadness that some of my dearest friends have made the journey to the Rainbow Bridge, I will forever be grateful for the unconditional love and memories they gifted me. I will forever remember them. I will forever love them.

Now I'm going to share a flashback doodle that tangentially relates to this day of angels. This upcoming week, particularly Friday, is the birthday of my angels Rosie and Sammy. While I'll be sharing a new birthday doodle for them on the big day itself, this here flashback is a doodle I scribbled up for Rosie and Sammy's heavenly birthday something like 5 or 6 years ago. Even though they may not be with me in person, I will never forget them.

Wishing you all a day of peace as you remember your angels.

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Our Tip of the Day:

Today, we're taking a bit of a break from our feline vet visit tips in order to share a tip for Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. Today's tip will offer some ideas on how you might be able to memorialize your Rainbow Bridge angels. Everyone has their own way of grieving and their own thoughts on memorials. Below are just some ideas that some may wish to use, while others may opt for other memorial options.

To begin, you can simply yet effectively memorialize your angel by displaying photos of them. You can even set up a little memorial corner or other area in your home, specifically for maintaining a memorial for your Rainbow Bridge angel. Whether or not you display it in a specific memorial area, you can also display your angel's clay paw, if you have one. You can also select a special urn for their remains, if you opted to keep their cremated remains.

Another option is to have customized portraits or other artwork painted or otherwise created for your Rainbow Bridge angel. You can have such artwork created based on your favorite photo of your angel, for example. Another option is to have custom jewelry created, using your Rainbow Bridge angel's image or name. Whether you wear such jewelry or put it on display, it can make for a lovely, unique memorial item.

If you can and want to, you can also create your own art or craft in honor of your angel. Whether this be a drawing, collage, or anything in between, this can help you feel closer to your angel. Or, you can write something in honor of your Rainbow Bridge angel. You can write a letter to them, write a poem for them, or simply write down any and all memories that you share with them. This is yet another way that you can honor and feel close to your angel, and you can choose to display or store away your personalized memorial items.

If you have a yard or garden where this is possible, you can also plant a tree or flower in honor of your Rainbow Bridge angel. You can also place a memorial plaque or statue for them in your yard or garden, or even inside your home. In the case where you can and do bury your furbaby in your yard, you can also select grave markers, including customized ones, to mark their resting place in a special way.

Yet another potential way to memorialize your Rainbow Bridge angel is to make some sort of donation to a shelter or rescue, such as the one from which they were adopted. Donations can be monetary, or in the form of food, toys, or even your time. Other donations you can make include those to the cause for a cure, such as in the case that your angel passed away from or suffered from a particular disease.

The options for memorializing Rainbow Bridge angels are endless. Everyone grieves and honors lost loved ones in their own way, and that is more than fine. If you wish to memorialize your angel, simply think of what ways might feel best to you, and then pursue those options.

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, and I came up with the second to.


1. A word I have trouble pronouncing is _________.

2. A word I usually spell wrong is _________.

3. If _________, my life would be very different.

4. _________ is the best way to _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. A word I have trouble pronouncing is lawyer.

(I know most people seem to pronounce it like loyer, but I've always pronounced it exactly as it's spelled, as in law-yer. I don't even know if it's technically wrong to pronounce it like that, because I've seen and heard dictionary pronunciations that indicate my way is acceptable. Either way, I've pronounced it this way since I was a kid, and I can't kick that habit, and over the years I've been corrected on my pronunciation more than once. How do you all pronounce the word lawyer?)

2. A word I usually spell wrong is occurred.

(When it comes to time to spell that word, I suddenly can never remember how many Cs and Rs it has. I have to look it up every single time, or simply rely on my computer's spell check.)

3. If my parents hadn't adopted cats and dogs when I was a young child, my life would be very different.

(I am certain I would still be an animal lover even if I didn't have pets at a young age. After all, my parents have told me stories about how before we had pets, I'd crawl or scurry after neighbors' dogs and cats. We even have a family video of my sister and I trick-or-treating, and when one door opens my sister yells, "Trick or treat!" at the same time that I excitedly shout, "A dog!" That said, I'm so grateful that I got to enjoy a childhood enriched with feline and canine friends. One of those was my kitty angel Rosie, who was with me from the time I was 4 until I was 26. I will forever be grateful for that companionship, and for the lessons she and all of my childhood animals taught me.)

4. Cuddling a kitty is the best way to start and end your day.
(All of my kitties are cuddly in their own way, by my little shadow Evan is almost always at my side both when I wake up and when I fall asleep. I am so grateful for those cuddle times, and they make every day better.)

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 an outtake...or three. Today's bloopers are brought to you by your classic Eddy blurriness mixed with poor lighting.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback is yet another spooky doodle scribbled up last summer. It was based on a piece of Halloween decor I saw, that being a candle holder in the form of a witchy hand. This was my recreation of that.

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Tip of the Day

We hope you're not getting bored with our tips on feline vet visits, because we still have some more for you. Today's tip is to, if needed, take precautions for the safety of both yourself and your kitty, namely when it comes time to load a kitty up. We're primarily referring to how to safely get an anxious or aggressive kitty into a carrier. We've already given tips on using methods such as leaving the carrier out, putting treats or toys in it, using Feliway, and even using sedating medications if needed. That all being said, for some cats, some or all of the aforementioned methods simply won't work. Even sedatives can be overridden if a cat becomes agitated enough. In such cases, it is important to take precautions to keep you and your cat safe when it comes time to get said kitty in a carrier.

When getting an anxious or aggressive cat into a carrier, a simple towel or blanket could potentially be your best friend. Wrapping your cat in a towel, and putting them in the carrier when they are thus confined, can potentially keep those claws and teeth in check. At the same time, make sure that you have the sufficiently sized carrier placed in a way that loading the cat is as easy as possible. This may mean using a top-loading carrier, or placing a front-loading carrier on its back side so that the door faces up. If a towel or blanket is not enough protection, then you can also look into using thick gloves specifically designed to keep kitty teeth and claws from penetrating, thereby keeping your hands and arms safe.

Some cats are simply less willing to visit the vet and are overall less amenable than others. Differences in personality are part of what make kitties so unique, after all. That being said, if your cat is one who is anxious, aggressive, or otherwise difficult to handle, always take precautions to keep everyone involved safe when vet appointments roll around. When in doubt, of course discuss with your veterinarian the best options for handling your cat.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Warm Spots and Shiny Things

Happy Thursday, friends! You better believe Thimble is here and ready for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop. 

Today, the little tabby girl is grateful for warm spots her furry siblings leave behind. Specifically, Evan gets special blankets just to himself since he has urinary incontinence. Thimble has little to no self-preservation, and so she loves to sit in the warm, sometimes wet spots Evan leaves behind on his blankets.

Oh, and Thimble is also thankful for reflections and other shiny things that are sometimes cast on walls and ceilings, which is what she was staring at in this photo. I happen to think her big eyes are pretty darn adorable.

Have a wonderful day, friends!

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And now we have for 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. A word I have trouble pronouncing is _________.

2. A word I usually spell wrong is _________.

3. If _________, my life would be very different.

4. _________ is the best way to _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is kind of a spooky one in a way. A couple years ago I got a new color of my favorite art marker, that being a pale grey. I thought it would be a perfect color for drawing a ghost, and so I drew a friendly ghost lady making friends with a kitty in a house that she may or may not haunt. Whether or not that makes sense, here you go.

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Tip of the Day

We still have some tips all about taking that kitty to the vet. Today's tip is to, if needed, discuss with your veterinarian medications that might help calm a cat who becomes especially anxious, or even aggressive, when it comes time to visit the vet. Some cats simply become reactive when they see a carrier, when they get into a car, when they visit a veterinary office, or when they meet strangers. If you have tried the usual tricks—which of course include leaving the carrier out at all times, using Feliway, using treats to coax and distract, and so forth—yet your kitty still becomes anxious or difficult to handle, then there are some potential sedating medications that could be given when it comes time to visit the vet. Your veterinarian would be able to determine if or which sedatives might work best for your particular kitty, given said kitty's behavior as well as health. So, be upfront and honest with your veterinarian regarding the ease and safety of getting your cat in a carrier and to the vet, and then the two of you can discuss potential options.

Almost Autumn Adventures with Astrid

Today's edition of Adventures with Astrid involves a hint of autumn. After all, Astrid found a red maple leaf on the ground the other day. See?

It's not a great shot, and I didn't stick around to get a better one because construction was going on and we needed to get out of the workers' way. The construction workers are the ones who named that there manhole cover SAM, but I digress. The short story is that pup Astrid and I found a red leaf in the midst of this August heat wave, and so now we're even more eager for autumn. Are any of you friends of ours seeing hints of autumn?

Happy Wednesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's doodle is a summertime flashback involving Halloween baking. We saw a red leaf, so it has to happen.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip in our series on taking your cat to the vet is to be prepared. This may seem strange or vague, but being prepared prior to loading your kitty up in the carrier and taking him or her to the vet can help everyone avoid extra and unneeded stress and anxiety. Being prepared even involves the moments when you're getting ready to head to the vet. For example, before you get your cat into the carrier, have everything ready to go so that your kitty doesn't have to wait in the carrier longer than necessary. Have anything loaded up that you might need at the vet, such as treats, toys, or even goodies such as your cat's fecal sample. Also think of what might need prepped in the car, such as if it's hot outside and the car needs pre-cooled, if it's cold outside and the car needs pre-warmed, or even if you need to pre-prepare a safe seat in the car for your kitty's carrier.

Of course, being prepared doesn't just end with what needs done prior to arriving at the vet. For example, if you have questions to ask or notes to share with the veterinarian, have those written down or otherwise ready to be addressed prior to arriving. This can ensure that the appointment does not last longer than necessary, which is especially important for anxious cats who grow increasingly nervous the longer they're at the vet. So, for the sake of your cat and to reduce any anxiety they might feel during a vet visit, do your best to be fully prepare prior to arriving at the vet for your kitty's appointment.

Throwback Tonks Tuesday

Today, your dose of Tonks comes in the form of a throwback. After all, I was going through some old photos on our blog and found these. And they made me smile. So, I had to share them again.

Do you remember a couple years ago when I showed you a certain package I received?

Do you remember what was in that package? Well, do you?

A Tonks! There was a Tonks in that package.

Tiny little Tonks can fit into pretty much anything. It's more or less a personal goal of hers to climb into any bag or box she sees. And so when she found that package I'd opened up, she accepted the challenge.

 

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

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is yet another one starring Edgar Allan Poe and his tortie Catterina. This one was inspired by my favorite shorty story by Poe, that being "The Fall of the House of Usher".

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip in our series on taking your cat to the vet is yet another plain and simple one, and that is to be and act calm. As you all certainly know, our furbabies can feed off of our own emotions. That's why, if you are anxious, your cat's anxiety could be heightened. So, as best as possible, remain calm and collected both before and during your cat's vet visit. Even speaking calmly and soothingly to your cat could help to make them indeed feel calm and soothed during their excursion to the vet. You can praise your cat for good behavior, of course remaining calm and quiet when doing so, as that can also help them feel more calm. The long and short of this tip is to try your best to keep any anxiety you have in check, and to remain calm for your cat's sake.

A Hot and Humid Mancat Monday

Evan has been enjoying his window time before we close things up for this sweltering week. Today is supposed to be the coolest day of the week at 90°F.

Honestly, I think the humidity is worse than the heat at this point. Last I checked it was 92% humidity outside. What's the weather like in your corner of the world? Evan and all of us here hope you're staying cool!

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Here's yet another flashback doodle that was heavily inspired by my summertime desire for autumn and Halloween.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip for taking your cat to the vet is to consider using a pheromone spray, such as Feliway. A synthetic pheromone such as this can potentially have a calming effect for your cat. One idea is to spray the pheromone into your cat's carrier, or onto a blanket placed in your cat's carrier. This could potentially help make the experience of getting into the carrier more calm for your cat, as well as potentially make the car ride and time at the vet a calmer experience. Also consider taking the pheromone spray with you to the vet, where you can spray it in the air in the exam room, or again spray it on a blanket or toy you might have brought along to the vet for your cat. Of course a pheromone spray might not work the same for every cat, but it definitely wouldn't hurt to try it in case it might help your kitty feel calm and soothed.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Window Whiffies

Hello and welcome, 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. A sight I would like to unsee is _________.

2. I plan to _________ before the summer is over.

3. I sometimes forget that _________ isn't considered normal by most.

4. If my life were a book, the current chapter I'm in would be titled _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. A sight I would like to unsee is Evan's frightened face when I left him at the emergency vet when he had his urethral obstruction.
(Evan is the first furbaby I've adopted as my own as an adult that I've had to leave at the emergency vet for hospitalization. This was this past December. It was heartbreaking watching them take him away. He looked back at me with such terror in his eyes. I also felt immense heartache when I'd go visit him his first days in the hospital and I'd have to say goodbye those times as well, and he'd again look so scared when they'd take him away. I'm so glad my baby boy is home with me and doing well these days. He's on lots of medications to ensure that, but he's a happy boy and I'm so grateful for that.)

2. I plan to do some Halloween decor window shopping before the summer is over.

(A lot of Halloween goodies are put in stores in the summer. I've learned that by the time Halloween itself rolls around, the spooky stuff starts selling out or getting replaced by Christmas. I don't know that I'll be purchasing much in terms of Halloween decor this year, but I'll still for sure be doing some perusing and admiring before it all disappears from the shelves for good. After all, I love me some Halloween.)

3. I sometimes forget that seeing a kitty drag his back legs behind him isn't considered normal by most.

(I once had a maintenance worker at my house, and Evan was walking in front of him in his little hind limb paralyzed way. I'm so used to it that I didn't think to explain it until I saw the look of confusion, or possibly horror, on the poor man's face.)

4. If my life were a book, the current chapter I'm in would be titled Bless This Mess.

(This could relate to so many things in my life right now. Home life, work life, my boy Evan's urinary incontinence and bowel issues, you get the idea. Things are often simply a mess, in more ways than one, but a lot of the mess is still a blessing.)

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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Eddy is of course here to give you a dose of her adorableness. She's sorry she didn't look at the camera, but she's just so busy enjoying some window whiffies while it's less than 80°F outside.

When it hits 90°F this weekend and next week, this mean mom of Eddy's won't be opening the windows. Eddy finds that very rude.

Eddy hopes you all have window whiffies weather! Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We have another flashback doodle today starring Edgar Allan Poe and his tortie Catterina. Oh, and a certain black bird.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip on taking that kitty of yours to the vet is, if safe and feasible, getting your cat use to car rides. This is something that might work best if started at a young age, but can also potentially be done with older cats who are not too stressed by the experience. You can simply try taking your kitten or cat out on short car rides. Of course, make sure that these short practice rides end in a non-vet location, so that your kitty can learn that car rides don't have to be associated with going to a veterinary clinic. If your cat is willing to and can safely eat while traveling, use treats as positive reinforcement during short practice rides in the car. Toys and other positive items can also be used, when possible. That all said, be sure to keep your kitty safe, such as by keeping them in a carrier securely placed in the car.

Just as with anything, car rides can take some getting used to for our kitties. Of course, not all cats will be calm during car rides, sometimes not even with practice. This is why it is important to always monitor your cat while they are on a car ride. If it is not safe to take your cat on even leisurely, practice car rides, such as if you see rapid or open-mouth breathing from them, then do not attempt unneeded car rides. You can discuss options with your veterinarian for making car rides easier for your kitty, and at least one of our tips in the near future will also touch on the topic of helping your kitty feel calmer in the car.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Sunshine and a Cute Snout

Thimble is ready and raring to go for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, this little tabby girl is yet again grateful for the bright and shiny sun. And of course her adorable little nose.

Thimble hopes seeing her cute little face made your day a good one!

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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. A sight I would like to unsee is _________.

2. I plan to _________ before the summer is over.

3. I sometimes forget that _________ isn't considered normal by most.

4. If my life were a book, the current chapter I'm in would be titled _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Apparently a few years ago I turned mowing into a spooky summer doodle. I barely remember scribbling this one up, but since it's mowing season and yet I'm ready for autumn, this seems like a good time to share this flashback.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip on taking that kitty of yours to the vet is about selecting the best kind of carrier for your cat. There are a number of considerations to make when it comes to carrier type. The size of your cat, the size of the carrier, how willing your kitty is to enter a carrier, your cat's behavior while in a carrier, and the material out of which a carrier is made can all play a role in the kind of carrier you might want to use.

To go into a bit more detail, let's start with the size of your kitty. For example, take into consideration the comfort of a large cat when selecting a carrier. A small carrier will of course be less than cozy for a large cat, not to mention that it might not be easy to get a large cat into a small carrier in the first place. At the same time, though, it is important to make sure that you can carry your cat's carrier with relative ease. This is especially crucial for emergency cases, when you might need to move quickly and therefore won't want to have difficulty transporting a cat-filled carrier.

Another consideration to make is how easy it is to get your cat into the carrier. Yesterday, we mentioned some tips on getting your cat used to the carrier. Those all being said, some cats may simply not be the easiest to coax into a carrier. With this in mind, consider what type of carrier will be easiest for you, your kitty, and your particular situation. If your cat is difficult to get into a carrier, for example, a top-loading one might be easier than a front-loading one. Then again, if it's possible and safe, you could set a front-loading carrier on its back end in order to load your kitty in through the door while it's standing up in that manner. Also keep in mind how sturdy a carrier is and how easily this might make it to load a kitty inside. Mesh or other flimsy carriers, for example, could collapse as you try to load a difficult cat inside, making the task even more challenging.

Yet another consideration to make is how your cat acts inside a carrier, and how details such as carrier material might be affected. For example, is your cat a digger while in their carrier? If so, a mesh carrier may not be the best option for them, especially if they are an insistent digger who might tear a hole in the mesh or dig at the zipper and escape. Also take into consideration if your kitty has a nervous bladder or nervous bowels. If your cat is known to urinate or defecate in the carrier, consider what type of carrier might be best able to withstand this and to be cleaned afterwards. A plastic carrier might be a good option in this case.

There can be a great many considerations to make when selecting a carrier for your kitty. Those we mentioned above are just some considerations you might need to make. It all depends on your particular furbaby, their personality and behavior, as well as on you and your capabilities or preferences.

Adventures with Astrid: Green Grass Snack Attack

After a drought earlier this summer, we're getting plenty of rain now. Astrid is happy about that, as she loves her some green grass.

It's a lovely sight, and the pup also finds it quite tasty. She knows it's important to get in your greens.

Astrid of course always gives the grass a sniff first, though, to make sure she's not gnawing on another dog's donations to the land. The girl has standards.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip on taking your kitty to the vet is one that we've mentioned before, and that is to get your kitty used to the carrier. The first and foremost way to do this is to keep the carrier out, in sight, and accessible all the time. If the carrier is tucked away, then it very well may simply become a source of fear when it comes out once a year. Keeping it out at all times can help combat this.

What's more, try to make the carrier a place of comfort or fun. For example, place a cozy blanket in the carrier, so that it can perhaps be seen as a place to snooze. You can also place toys in the carrier, as well as treats. Or, you can try to use the carrier as a feeding station, such as by putting one of your kitty's bowls of food in there. These methods can help your cat associate the carrier with things that are cozy, fun, or commonplace, in turn helping it to be seen as less of a threat. All in all, help your kitty get used to the carrier by turning it into a place where good things happen, rather than simply a place in which once a year they're locked up and taken somewhere unfamiliar. Associating the carrier with happy experiences can potentially make vet visits a bit less scary for the kitty in your life.