Woof Woof Wednesday: Astrid's Festive Friend

Astrid has a little friend she'd like you all to meet.

That was actually an early Christmas present. As in, Astrid wasn't supposed to get until Christmas.

That festive little fellow came in a 3-pack of Christmas squeaky balls. The other two are Santa and a reindeer. Astrid was supposed to get all 3 throughout Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but I accidentally squeaked them when putting them away in their hiding spot after they arrived. Despite being outside in the back yard at the time, Astrid heard the squeak. She looked so excited that I let her have the elf early. That was a couple weeks ago, and Astrid still regularly plays with him. He's gone on a couple walks with us, at Astrid's insistence, and he's often tossed around and gnawed on in the back yard.

Astrid hopes you all get to enjoy some early festivities as well! Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today, we thought we'd discuss some options for making Christmas merry and bright for shelter and rescue furbabies. To help brighten their holidays, you can make any number of donations to your local shelters and rescue groups. Toys, beds, blankets, cat trees, scratching posts, and anything that might help to enrich the shelter environment is one great option, even if these items are gently used ones that your own kitty or pup no longer uses or needs. You can also donate dry and canned foods and treats, as well as chew bones or other chew toys. Of course, also don't forget other items that could help to make the animals' and shelter workers' lives a bit easier, including carriers that you no longer need, and a variety of cleaning supplies. Many shelters and rescues have wish lists established online, or can inform you by phone or email of what they are most in need. Some shelters even simply ask you to save up newspapers or old towels and blankets to help make cages more comfortable for the animals. Of course, if you are able to make a monetary donation, no matter how big or small that may be, that can also help tremendously.

In addition, you could opt to volunteer your time, or even your home. Fostering a furbaby, even if simply to give them a temporary home in which to enjoy the holidays, can make a world of difference for both the animal and the staff who would otherwise need to be available to care for the furbabies over the holidays. If fostering is not an option, you can also sign up to help at the shelter, such as by caring for and interacting with adoptees over the holidays. This extra care and kindness could mean a great deal to a furbaby who is still waiting for their forever family to find them, and of course can also help relieve the shelter staff.

No matter how small or grand, anything you might be able to gift to a shelter or rescue this Christmas could make all the difference. So, if possible, don't forget the furbabies awaiting their forever homes this holiday season.