Adventures with Astrid: Duck Tales

Astrid has been seeing lots of feathered friends on her walks these days.

You probably can't even see this walk's friends all that well in these photos, can you?

I thought I had zoomed in more for the photo below, but apparently I hadn't. Even so, hopefully you can see the cute little ducks Astrid was excited to see.

Astrid doesn't chase birds or anything along those lines. She does tend to be very intrigued by them, though, especially when they're in or near water. So, these little ducks were stared at for quite some time.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Today is likely our last tip in our winter safety series. For this last tip, we're going to do an overview of winter weather concerns, and remind you of some of the signs to look out for that might indicate a furbaby is struggling with the winter elements. To begin, when outdoors in the cold winter months, closely observe your kitty or pup and watch for shivering, a hunched up position, restlessness, whining, lifting paws off of the ground, redness of the ears, and other signs that the furbaby is becoming too cold. On extremely cold days, frostbite and hypothermia can happen fast, which is why it is not only important to closely monitor a furbaby who might need to venture outdoors even for a short time, but to also reduce time outdoors as much as possible. Also monitor your kitties and pups indoors, and ensure that they are remaining warm with sufficient heating and bedding.

Coldness, frostbite, and hypothermia are not the only issues that can arise in the winter, though. Injury to the paws, for example, is another potential. Pups and kitties who go outdoors can be affected by the cold ground, and by the snow, ice, and ice melts that might cover the ground in the winter. For this reason, be watchful for paw pads that are dry, cracking, bleeding, or otherwise injured, and monitor for lifting of the paws or altered ambulation.

The winter issues don't end there, though, as many more potential concerns can arise from the harsh cold of winter. For example, dryness of winter air and heated homes can lead to dryness of the coat and skin  When it comes to this, be on the lookout for itching, scratching, dander, and a dull coat. Yet another system of the body that can be affected by the winter months is the respiratory system. Dry, cold air can affect asthma and other such ailments, so be on the alert for coughing and other similar signs.

Winter can be a harsh time of the year, as you all certainly know. It can be hard on us, and also of course our furbabies. For this reason, always monitor your furbaby, when outdoors but also when indoors. Over the past couple of weeks, we've discussed some of the potential ways to combat the various issues that might arise due to the harsh winter weather. What it comes down to, though, is that it is important to monitor your furbaby, and if you have any concerns regarding their health and comfort, never hesitate discussing this with your veterinarian in order to keep your kitty or pup as cozy as possible even on those cold winter days.

Tonks Tuesday: The Many Faces of Tonks

Hello, friends! Today, Tonks wanted to give you all a glimpse of a her many adorable expressions.

That's a pretty cute one, huh? How about an adorable little glare next?

Despite not being shy at all, Tonks has also perfected her coy expression. See?

Tonks hopes seeing these versions of her adorable face helped make your Tuesday terrific!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Today's tip is to find ways to exercise and entertain your furbabies indoors when it is cold outside. Walks and other lengthy outings can be a dangerous thing in frigid temperatures. As we mentioned in previous tips, frostbite and hypothermia can happen in a matter of a couple short minutes when temperatures reach significant lows. So, if your kitty or pup is used to walks, outdoor playtime, and so forth, find ways to improvise indoors on cold winter days.

You can of course play games with your kitty or pup, such as by grabbing a toy and initiating a game of fetch. For some kitties and pups who might not be easy to engage in a game of fetch, sliding treats across the floor can be a good way to get them to move and exercise, with an incentive. Another way to play with your furbaby can be a game of hide-and-seek. Of course, only play such games with furbabies who enjoy them, and who do not become confused or agitated by having to chase or look for you.

What's more, there are also a large variety of interactive toys available on the market that can help keep a kitty or pup entertained and active when walks or time outdoors is not an option. One plain and simple option is an interactive treat dispenser. These popular toys come in many forms, and can be rolled around or otherwise played with all while dispensing treats. The list of interactive toys certainly doesn't end there, though. You know your furbaby best and might be able to guess what kinds of toys they like, so search for interactive toys accordingly. For example, does your kitty like to bat things around? If so, perhaps get them a ball track toy, and roll it a few times for them in order to attract their attention to it. There are also a number of other interactive toys that will toss, roll, wave, fling, flit, and otherwise move items around for your furbaby to chase. Do, of course, be very careful when selecting interactive toys. For example, do not leave your furbaby unattended with any toys that contain dangerous parts and pieces, such as strings. It is important to keep those kitties and pups happy and active even on cold winter days, but only do so with toys that are safe.

Mancat Monday: Evan's Rough Weekend

Let me tell you, friends, things are going a bit rough around here lately. Let me follow that up by telling you that no one here is majorly sick or anything along those lines. But, Evan is a bit uncomfortable and a bit unhappy. Thanks to his antibiotics, his upper respiration infection appears to be completely gone. However, the aural (ear) hematoma he ended up with during his URI—whether it was as a result of him shaking itchy ears or whether it was due to a violent sneezing fit—is very big and making him feel quite annoyed.

Do you see that poor right ear of his? The hematoma did not start out anywhere nearly that big when it first showed up early last week, but it did eventually fill up to capacity over the following days. What happens with these is that the skin and cartilage separate, and the blood fills that space. This past weekend was especially rough, simply because that was when the hematoma took advantage of his full ear and reached its largest size as a result.

Evan's veterinarian has examined Evan's hematoma, and I even sent them follow-up photos after it grew in size. The vet says hematomas will almost always heal on their own, but that does take time, such as a few weeks or longer. The other option is draining it, but in order for it to not fill right back up again, Evan would have to undergo surgery under anesthesia so that the ear can be stitched up to prevent hematoma recurrence. I used to work at a vet clinic, and when aural hematoma cases would come in, draining them without surgically remedying the ear indeed almost always resulted in quick refilling of the hematoma. The vet and I are both hoping to avoid surgery by letting the hematoma heal on its own, but Evan is pretty bothered by it. It's weighing his ear down, as these hematomas tend to do, and that just plain and simply frustrates Evan.

For over a year now Evan has been on multiple meds for his various urinary issues, and a couple of those meds are now helping him get through this new issue. Gabapentin is helping reduce pain and keep him calm, and meloxicam is an anti-inflammatory that can help with that aspect of the hematoma. Though Evan has never needed these meds at their most frequent allowances for his urinary issues, I have upped them to their most frequent timing to help him get through this hematoma. When I give him those meds on the right schedule, Evan stays pretty calm and will rest pretty well, only acting especially bothered by his ear on occasion.

If some time passes and the hematoma does not decrease in size and Evan continues to be uncomfortable, I will more heavily consider moving forward with draining and surgery as treatment. I would really like to avoid surgery for a condition that ultimately will resolve itself, but I also don't want Evan to spend weeks or months in a constant state of discomfort. We'll see how the next week or two plays out, with lots of meds on board to keep Evan as comfortable as possible, and then we'll go from there.

Evan and all of us here send you warm wishes!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Our series of winter safety tips has already covered wiping off those paws when they've been in contact with snow, ice, ice melts, and so forth. Today's tip relates to all of that, and is to regularly check your furbaby's cute little toes. It is of course important to always ensure that your furbaby and his or her paws are free or injury, but this is something that is especially important in the winter. The cold and dry air, as well as the cold ground that might be covered in snow, ice, ice melts, and other substrate in the winter, can potentially lead to dry, cracked, bleeding, and overall uncomfortable paw pads. This is why it is important for you to regularly check your pup or kitty's paws in the winter, and of course year round. Be especially vigilant of the condition of paws that frequently go outdoors.

If you do notice your furbaby's paw pads are dry, cracking, or bleeding, or if they are displaying any discomfort when walking, consider options for treating and combating paw pad dryness and discomfort. There are pet paw salves on the market that are intended to combat dryness and to protect paws pads that often go outdoors. In some cases, petroleum jelly or even udder cream might be deemed safe to wipe onto the paw pads, but this is sometimes a debated option. More importantly, when it comes to the health, safety, and comfort of your furbaby and their paws, it is of course always recommended to discuss the matter with a veterinarian. A veterinarian can check for any damage to the paws, and can also best recommend treatment for or prevention of dryness, cracking, and other injury to the paw pads. So, do be observant of the state of your kitty or pup's paws, and seek veterinary care if you have any concerns.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Photo Fails

Hello and happy Friday, friends! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. I used to dislike _________ until _________.

2. If it weren't for _________, I would never _________.

3. I find _________ very intimidating.

4. _________ gives me the inspiration to _________.

My answers are below in bold, and are yet again accompanied by all of my rambling.

1. I used to dislike the thought of reading e-books until I met my Amazon Kindle.
(Don't get me wrong, because I still love reading physical books. That said, my parents got me a Kindle for Christmas over 10 years ago. It took me awhile to really form a bond with it, but now my Kindle and I are very good friends. E-books save me money and shelf space, and are also very easy to transport and are simply easy to read pretty much anywhere. Again, I still love physical books, but I now very regularly read on my Kindle, something that years ago I never thought would be true.)

2. If it weren't for my previous job, I would never have developed my customer service skills.
(I'm not a people person or a social creature. But, my previous job forced me to become good with people and to be good at customer service. Back then I worked at a veterinary clinic, where being the sole employee of a rather abrasive veterinarian forced led me to learn how to keep people happy and coming through our doors. It was one day when one of our clients commented on how friendly and social I was that I realized I had developed a whole other personality while at work. The customer service version of me is someone I don't even recognize when in my natural, comfortable state.)

3. I find my to-do lists very intimidating.
(I have various to-do lists, such as one at my day job, one for home projects, one for personal and creative projects, and so on and so forth. Some of the stuff, especially my personal and creative goals, are things that I very badly want to accomplish, but even that list is daunting some days. Sometimes even things we desire can feel overwhelming, but such it is to be human.)

4. My furry family gives me the inspiration to be and do my best.
(I wasn't entirely sure how to word this one, but the short story is that my kitties and pup are some of my greatest inspirations in all areas of my life. They motivate me to be my best and do my best, both for their sake and mine.)

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.

***

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.

As always, our blooper queen Eddy is ready for this event. And she's ready for it by walking away from the camera.

I have a great many bloopers like this from Eddy. I ask her to pose for the camera, and she happily turns away.

Happy Friday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Are you ready for an insanely long tip? Yes? Good. Because that's what we have for you today. Yesterday, we discussed the presence of parasites even in the winter, and the resulting importance of preventatives. During this discussion, we talked about how mice can carry parasites, and so how mice in the home can lead to the risk of parasites in our furbabies. Parasites are not the only way mice can affect our furbabies, though. As we mentioned yesterday, mice can often find ways into homes during the winter months, as they are seeking warm places to stay. As a result, some people move forward with ways of eradicating mice in the home. When it comes to such methods, always consider how they can affect our furbabies. For example, the common wooden snap traps can obviously cause pain and injury. If a curious paw or nose finds the traps, such as if lured by the scent of peanut butter or cheese on the trap, it can snap closed and cause damage to little paws and noses.

As an alternative to the wooden and metal snap traps, there are mouse traps that are considered safer. One option includes plastic snap traps that do not contain metal that could easily break or otherwise harm a cat or dog paw. There are also sticky traps, which do not contain the danger of snapping parts, but these do of course contain adhesives, which can cause risks such as stuck paws or fur, or the dangerous consumption of adhesive material. There is also the debate on whether sticky traps, or other traps, are humane for the mice. If you are looking to spare the life of the mouse, you can also consider various live traps, or catch-and-release traps.

No matter what kind of trap you use, if you use them, always put them somewhere that your furbaby cannot reach. This might mean putting traps in cabinets that you ensure your furbaby cannot open. Sometimes traps can also be placed under boxes or containers constructed to allow a mouse access, but to block a furbaby's access to the trap beneath. In other cases, traps could be placed in rooms or areas of the home where your furbaby cannot access, such as rooms with closed doors, attics, crawl spaces, and so forth. This of course goes for the more dangerous traps, but also even the safer ones. This is because no mouse trap poses zero risk, and a curious kitty or pup might try to get a mouse even in a trap. While cats are of course classically known as being mouse hunters, it is still perhaps ideal for them not to regularly play with or consume mice, such as to avoid parasites, choking, and so forth. As a side note, when I worked at a cat clinic, a cat once came in with a mouse head lodged in its throat. This is why you hear me mention to perhaps avoid allowing your cats to catch mice, in order to prevent dangers such as this.

Of course, this lengthy discussion on mice in the home would not be complete without mentioning the danger of rodenticides. Rodenticides can contain incredibly toxic ingredients, such as anticoagulants. This means if a kitty or pup manages to come in contact with or consume the rodenticide itself, or even if they find a mouse who has come in contact with or consumed the rodenticide, serious side effects can occur. For this reason, simply avoid using rodenticides. This is for the safety of your furbaby, and also for the safety of ferals, strays, and wildlife who can also be affected by the serious side effects of rodenticides. There are rodenticides on the market that are listed as safe for cats and dogs, but using those would of course require proper research.

All in all, mice in the home is not an ideal situation, for reasons including health and safety. Mice can carry disease and parasites, and can potentially and dangerously chew on wires and cables in the walls or other areas of the home. That being said, though, only use mice prevention methods in your home that are guaranteed to be safe for your furbaby. Find and block entry points for mice in your home, garage, and so forth. If need be, only put out traps that are as hidden and safe as possible. You know your home and furbaby best, so proceed accordingly.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Kitty Cold Season

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! Thimble is here to share her gratitude for angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is grateful that her brother Evan is feeling much better after starting on antibiotics. His upper respiratory infection is finally clearing up now. The hematoma that appeared in his ear after perhaps a rather violent sneezing fit is still very much there, however, so we'll be keeping an eye on that to see if it needs further treatment. Thimble is also thankful that, despite the fact that she is now taking her turn with the kitty cold that's going around the house, she's still feeling her happy little self.

Thimble has indeed started sneezing and has weepy eyes, but like the other cats in the house who have had it, she hasn't had anything as bad as what Evan did. This little lady is still very active and playful, and of course adorable. We're hoping this kitty cold finally dies down soon. It showed up at our parents' house around the same time, and at least 3 of their cats have had it as well. Luckily, all of the kitties except for Evan have gotten over it very quickly, and now that he's on antibiotics, Evan is also finally feeling much better.

***

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. I used to dislike _________ until _________.

2. If it weren't for _________, I would never _________.

3. I find _________ very intimidating.

4. _________ gives me the inspiration to _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

We have a weird and witchy one for you today. Enjoy.

***

Tip of the Day

Today's winter tip is, despite the fact that it's winter here in the Northern Hemisphere,to still keep in mind parasites and their prevention. We've mentioned this many times before, but here we are again with it. If you live somewhere that is warm or temperate even during this time of the year, of course certainly do consider keeping up with those parasite preventatives for your furbabies. The same, though, goes even for those who don't live somewhere consistently warm in the winter. Some winter days are not as cold as others, and parasites such as mosquitoes and fleas can survive and make reappearances when the temperatures rise. Sometimes, some parasites even make their way into our homes and survive winter climates by hanging out in the warm comfort of our heated houses. With this in mind, don't forget that mosquitoes can carry heartworms, and fleas can cause bloodborne diseases, as well as can carry tapeworms, all of which can cause uncomfortable and dangerous side effects for our kitties and pups. For all such reasons, do think about the benefits of keeping up with parasite prevention for your furbabies all year round.

One more note we want to make regards none other than mice. This time of year, mice might find ways to enter our homes, garages, sheds, and so forth, in search of a warm place to stay. What's more, mice can carry parasites such as fleas, tapeworms, and roundworms. This means, especially if your furbaby gets near or even eats a mouse inside the home, or anywhere else, they are at risk of such parasites. This is yet another reason to keep up with parasite prevention for your furbaby, no matter what time of year it is.

Adventures with Astrid: Winter Walks

Pup Astrid has been enjoying some snowy walks, and some rainy walks, and sometimes even some rare sunny walks. For today, she's sharing one of her snowy walks with you all.

Some days I wonder if part of Astrid's mutt makeup is Husky. She loves winter. Cold weather and snow are her absolute favorite. It could be 5°F outside, and she'll happily lead me on a 5 mile walk. Though she failed to show it off in the photo above, Astrid also has a curly tail much like that of a Husky. Either way, though, this is Astrid's favorite time of the year. I myself am far more a fan of autumn and its weather, but I digress.

Warm wishes to all!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

We've given a variety of tips regarding today's topic, but we're going to compile them and mention them again today. Today's tip is to keep a close eye on your kitty or pup's water bowl and food bowl during the cold winter months. What do we mean by this? To begin, make sure the water bowl remains full and fresh. To keep warm on cold winter days, we of course run the furnace, or turn on heaters or the fireplace. This is of course crucial for helping our furbabies and ourselves remain warm when it's cold, but this can also lead to increased evaporation of water. This is just one reason to regularly check on your furbaby's water bowl, even on—or especially on—cold winter days. In addition, the furnace and other heat sources can lead to dryness, such as of your kitty or pup's coat and skin. This is another reason why it is crucial to ensure they have sufficient fresh water, as they very well may drink more in order to remain moisturized and comfortable in the dry winter air.

The food bowl might also be affected by the cold weather in the winter. This concept more heavily relates to furbabies who live outdoors or who spend time outdoors in the winter, such as ferals, strays, or those who go outdoors to use the restroom or go on walks. Those who spend time in the cold will often eat more in the winter. This is because when the body breaks down consumed food, it produces energy and heat, which can be crucial for helping a furbaby remain warm in the cold. Therefore, if your furbaby spends time outdoors, keep an eye on their food intake. They may require more food in the winter in order to remain warm and comfortable. Of course, if you have any concerns regarding your furbaby's diet, weight, and overall food and water intake, then do discuss this with your veterinarian.

Tonks Tuesday: Sunny Days Have Gone Away

Today, Tonks is thinking back to a couple days ago.

See that sunshine outside? And the dry ground? We're far from that these days. The sunshine is long gone, and the ground is now covered in snow and ice and slush. This human admittedly enjoys overcast days, but this human is also terrible at walking on ice.

Tonks and all of us here are sending you warm wishes!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Though we're more than a tad bit late in the season to give this tip, we're going to give it nonetheless. Today's tip relates to the furnace, and we want to remind you to have a professional inspect your furnace before use every year, or as needed. An inspection could help detect any issues that might make running the furnace a risk. This in turn of course gives you the chance to have any necessary repairs or replacements made, so that neither your furbaby nor yourself are put in unnecessary danger.

Also relating to the furnace, don't forget to replace the filter regularly. We've mentioned this many, many times, but a clean filter not only allows the furnace to run optimally, but also helps eliminate allergens, dust, and other such debris from the air. Ensuring ideal air quality with a clean furnace/air filter is something to especially take into consideration if your furbaby, or yourself, has asthma or other respiratory issues, The furnace plays a crucial role for your furbaby and yourself on cold winter days, so don't forget to give it the care and attention it needs.

Mancat Monday: A Sick Boy and His Hematoma

Hello, friends! We're sorry for falling off the face of the earth the past couple of days. As is the case in many areas right now, we've been having some wild weather. We're currently in an ice storm.

What's more, my poor boy Evan has not been feeling well. A kitty cold has been making its way through my house as well as my parents' house. All of the kitties who have ended up with the sneezes and all that jazz have gotten over it relatively quickly and easily. Except for my boy Evan. He is a sneezing fiend and has been for nearly 2 weeks now, and his eyes are very pink, watery, and sometimes squinted. He's also pretty lethargic, and is simply much quieter and more tired than usual. Then, yesterday, I noticed that Evan had developed a hematoma in his right ear. This can happen when a cat scratches or shakes their head a lot. Evan is hind limb paralyzed and so isn't doing a whole lot of scratching at his ear, but he has been shaking his head a lot while sick. There's also a chance the hematoma came about during one of his sneezing fits.

That photo was taken this morning. Do you see how poor, tired Evan's right ear is a bit lumpy and at an odd angle? That's because of the hematoma. I saw and helped drain a number of these while working at a cat clinic a little over decade ago, but none of my cats have ever had one before.

So, after an especially tough weekend of Evan not feeling well, I called the vet first thing this morning and was able to get him in to be seen. Everything is covered in ice in our town right now, so my amazing dad drove Evan and myself to the vet in his 4-wheel drive truck. I had scheduled to drop Evan off at the vet since he wasn't on the schedule for today, but since the weather caused so many cancellations, the vet was able to see Evan right then and there, without me having to drop him off.

Unsurprisingly, the vet officially diagnosed Evan with an upper respiratory infection. He is now on antibiotics. In case those don't work within the next 24 to 48 hours, the vet gave me a prescription for an antiviral that I can go pick up at any local pharmacy.

As for the aural hematoma, Evan's vet is pretty sure this one will resolve on its own. Some cats will get hematomas that fill nearly the entire pinna of the ear. Evan's is relatively small, though, all things considered. If it doesn't start to shrink in the next week or two, then we'll proceed with some form of treatment for it.

Sorry for rambling, friends. And for being such a terrible blogger. I've been a worried cat mom lately, but I know you all can relate to that.

Warm wishes to all!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

As you all certainly know, cats often seek out heat. Those pups out there sometimes do, too. For this reason, when it's cold this winter, monitor your furbaby around any sort of heat source. This of course goes for fireplaces, which should be sufficiently blocked so that kitties and pups can't directly access it or end up with burns. But, this also goes for various space heaters, radiators, and even floor or wall registers for the furnace. Especially if your cat or dog is known to park themselves incredibly close to, or even on top of, such heat sources, be sure to keep a very close eye on them when heaters are being used, or when the furnace is running. If they are near a heat source, check on them regularly, and feel them to make sure that they, and their fur, are not getting dangerously hot. Depending on the kind of heat produced by various heat sources, burns and other injuries can occur if a kitty or pup sleeps on or near it. If needed, such as if your kitty or pup insists on keeping a heater or furnace register company, consider blocking direct access to them. For example, there are safe, fire-proof covers for furnace registers on the floor or wall. When it comes to space heaters, if needed, place them in areas where your kitty or pup does not have access. In other cases, you might be able to find a way to safely block direct access to heaters and radiators, so that your furbaby can enjoy the heat without the risk of burns. Of course we want our furbabies to stay warm in the winter, but it is also important to ensure that your kitty or pup does not end up with burns or other injuries.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Snow Day

Hello and happy Friday, friends! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. I am glad I got rid of _________.

2. I wish I had kept _________.

3. _________ would be _________ if _________.

4. _________ is too close for comfort.


My answers are below in bold, and are of course accompanied by my usual rambling.

1. I am glad I got rid of social media apps on my phone.
(I admittedly did keep Instagram on my phone, as I enjoy looking at quick photos of cats and the like on occasion. But, I don't have Facebook or any other social media apps on my phone, and it helps me feel so much less bombarded. My phone is essentially always with me, and I used to constantly get notifications and distractions from it. Now I get very little of that, and it makes me feel far less overwhelmed.)

2. I wish I had kept my Teddy Ruxpin cassette tapes.
(Does anyone know what Teddy Ruxpin is? He's an animatronic, storytelling teddy bear that came out in the '80s. Here, let me show you with a photo I took a few weeks ago when I stumbled across my Teddy Ruxpin.

One of my uncles gifted me one when I was a toddler. You can stick little cassette tapes into him, and that will prompt him to tell stories. As a kid, those stories brought me so much entertainment, happiness, and peace. I'd honestly love to hear the stories he tells again, but I can't currently find his cassette tapes. Truth be told, I'm almost positive I still have the cassette tapes, but I think they got shuffled in with some items stored in my garage, and with the heat of summer and cold of winter that the garage is subjected to, I assume that even if I find them, they probably don't work anymore. So, I guess my true answer to this fill-in is that I wish I'd simply kept my Teddy Ruxpin cassette tapes safe.)

3. Medicating Evan would be easier if he didn't rage pee.
(I'll begin my saying that I'm more than happy to medicate my sweet orange boy. He gets 4 to 5 medications per day, and they all keep his health issues at bay and ultimately make him a happy boy. That said, he's not a fan of the act of getting medicated. He's not aggressive, though. At least, he's not aggressive with his teeth or claws. Oftentimes, Evan will try to aim a nice stream urine at me when I'm medicating him. I started calling this rage pee awhile back, and it stuck, especially once my family even started calling it that. When Evan is feeling unhappy about the injustices of being medicated, he rage pees. He also sometimes rage poops, in case you were curious.)

4. Astrid and Evan's 11th birthdays are too close for comfort.
(I don't want to fear celebrating my pup and kitties and their birthdays, but I'd be lying if I said them aging didn't scare me and make me constantly worry. Astrid's birthday is in February and Evan's is in April. They're my two oldest and will indeed both be 11, and I'm so happy and grateful for every year I've had and will have with them. The bigger numbers just sometimes bring about some anxiety.)

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.

***

Are you ready for your Eddy fix? We're sure you are. Today, Eddy is enjoying the snowy view out the window.

Eddy loves snowy days. She seems to just really enjoy watching the white stuff fall from the sky. She also enjoys watching the birds and squirrels munch on the food I toss into the yard for them.

We know a lot of you are also experiencing some kind of winter weather these days, so we're hoping you all stay safe and warm!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Today's winter safety tip regards none other than frozen water. If you and your furbaby go out for walks, be careful of frozen ponds, lakes, and so forth. If you live or walk in an area where there is any sort of body of water, be very careful that you are aware of its location. Snow and ice can easily camouflage the frozen surface of water, beneath which danger awaits. To be better safe than sorry, simply avoid walking in areas where you know or think there are ponds, lakes, or any body of water. It is of course also safest to keep your walking pup or kitty on a leash and near to you, so that they cannot stray far and inadvertently find themselves on or in frozen water. A white winter scene can be beautiful, but it can also hold many dangers. Be aware of these dangers, and plan walks and other activities with your furbaby accordingly.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Sunny Days

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

Today, Thimble and all of us here are grateful that, for the first time in many days, we got to enjoy some sunshine.

Thimble of course took her post in the prized window on sunny days.

We're also, of course, thankful for friends like all of you. Warm wishes to all!

***

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

1. I am glad I got rid of _________.

2. I wish I had kept _________.

3. _________ would be _________ if _________.

4. _________ is too close for comfort.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Especially if you live in an area prone to snow, ice, wind, and other wintry goodness, do be sure to think ahead and plan for any related emergencies. For example, should a blizzard be expected to blow through and potentially leave you snowed in, ensure that, prior to the winter storm, you stock up on your furbaby's food, medications, and other necessities. Another potential winter weather emergency includes power outages. One thing to help combat that is of a course a generator. If you have a generator, do be sure to have it checked as needed, to ensure its functionality and safety. Not everyone can or does have a generator, though, and in this case, make sure you take other precautions to prep for potential power outages in the winter. Again, of course, make sure you are stocked up on your kitty or pup's food, medications, and so forth. Also have blankets at the ready. If you have a fireplace, have it regularly checked, cleaned, and rendered safe for use. A fireplace can of course be perfect source of heat in the event of a power outage, but it should be checked for safety, and should of course also be set up so that no furbabies can reach or be injured by the fire. Also, if there are safe places to put them well out of the reach of furbabies, candles being lit throughout the house could also potentially lend a bit of heat.

In some cases, especially in the event of lengthy power outages, it may be necessary to find a warm place to stay away from your powerless, cold home. If this is the case, ensure that you again have food, medications, and all necessities properly prepared for your kitty or pup. Then, of course, it is crucial to find somewhere that is pet-friendly for your furbaby to stay. This could be a hotel that is pet-friendly, or a family or friend's home where your furbaby is allowed, and that is also a pet-safe home. If necessary, such as if you cannot find a hotel or home that is pet-friendly for the duration of your home's power outage, you could also look into a pet boarding facility that you trust, and that of course has power and heat. During the winter months, snow, ice, and wind can wreak all sorts of havoc, so do be sure to consider how this could affect your furbaby, and have plans in the event of potential winter emergencies.

Adventures with Astrid: To Grandmother's House We Go

Pup Astrid wanted to let you all know how abused and neglected she was over the past couple of days. This girl has only been getting to go on 5 to 10 or so minute walks, and sometimes those outings have simply been a quick little jaunt over to her grandma and grandpa's house.

Can you believe this abuse? This is the pout Astrid gave her grandma and grandpa when we got to their house. This pup sure does love her grandma and grandpa, but she would prefer to visit them after a long, adventurous walk.

There is something Astrid isn't telling you, though.

We had subzero temperatures from Sunday through most of yesterday. That's why Astrid's walks were so short. I promise we weren't withholding her long walks for no reason. It didn't seem all that safe to take her on her usual walks when the temperature outside was nearly -10°F, with even colder wind chills. We just couldn't get this poor girl to understand that.

Don't worry, though, because Astrid is finally back to her usual walks. It finally went back over 0°F yesterday, and we've now finally hit double digits again for the first time in days. Astrid is thrilled. She loves winter, and cold weather is her jam, but more so, she loves her a good, long walk.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Today's winter tip is one that you often hear in the summer, but that also goes for the winter months, and that is to never leave your pup or kitty alone in the car. Just like the inside of a car can get fatally hot in the summer months, the inside of a car can get far too cold in the winter for a furbaby to remain inside. Should you need to run errands where your furbaby is not allowed, leave them home where it is warm. Another option, should your furbaby for some reason need to be along when you run errands, is to bring someone along who can sit with them in the warm car.

In this same line of thought, if your furbaby is in need of a car ride, prepare the car for this. Should a vet visit be in store in the winter months, for example, warm the car before taking your furbaby outside for a ride. As we all know, a cold car is an uncomfortable place to be. So, try to ensure that your furbaby does not have to feel this discomfort.

Tonks Tuesday: Life in Plastic

Tonks decided she wants to share with you all some of the nonsense she has to put up with here at our house. Today's nonsense is made of plastic.

There you can indeed see Tonks resting on a cozy blanket on the couch. But, do you see how her blanket is on top of none other than a plastic shower curtain? Over the years, this particular couch has been the target of all sorts of abuse by certain cats in the house. So, sometimes it finds itself covered in plastic in order to protect it. Classy, huh? I honestly hesitated sharing this photo and these facts, but it's a simple truth at my house with six cats and a giant dog, so there you go.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Today's tip is to be careful and cautious with your furbabies when outside in cold weather, and to be aware that our furbabies' tolerances to cold can vary. Some animals are more susceptible to getting cold, such as those with a thin coat or no fur, those who are very young or very old, and those who are ill or in any way compromised. Sometimes, it comes down to the fact that some animals simply tolerate cold better than others. In any extreme weather, such as cold winter days, it is important to keep a very close eye on any animal who is outside. If your pup or kitty is outdoors taking a bathroom break or on a walk, monitor them closely. If you notice any shivering, restlessness or anxiety, or anything out of sorts, get them inside where it's warm.

One simple rule of thumb to follow, especially when in doubt, is that if it's too cold for you, then it's likely too cold for your furbaby. Hypothermia and frostbite can affect our cats and dogs just like it can affect us, so don't risk these medical emergencies. Don't leave your furbabies outdoors in the frigid cold. Do not set out on long walks on cold days, but instead stay close to home and be vigilant regarding your furbaby's comfort, health, and safety. If you care for feral cats or other outdoor animals, try to ensure that they have some form of shelter that is out of the elements and off of the ground. If possible, offer some form of warmth in the outdoor shelter, a topic we very recently discussed.

Mancat Monday: Evan's Winning Smile

It's a very, very cold Monday here in our corner of the world. Evan is happy to be inside, but he's also still happy to sit and watch out his favorite window. Though, he agreed to look away from the window just long enough to give you all his winning smile.

Hm. You can barely see his adorable smile there, huh? Evan decided to remedy that and give you a better look at his smile, so here you go.

Warm wishes to all!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Our previous winter tip was to avoid using typical salt, or ice melt, for the sake of the health of your furbaby and their paws. One thing we failed to mention is to take precautions in the event that neighbors' or others' use of salt might affect your kitty or pup. In the event that your furbaby goes on winter walks in areas where salt is used, wipe their paws off when you get home in order to remove as much of the salt or other chemicals as possible. Even if your furbaby does not go outdoors, there is still a chance they can be exposed to salt or other potentially dangerous chemicals, such as by way of your shoes. To help prevent injury or illness due to exposure to or ingestion of salt in this manner, remove your shoes when you get home, or at the very least thoroughly wipe them off. In addition to this, vacuum regularly in order to keep salt and other debris from entering your home, or from trailing through your house. Ice melts can pose health risks to kitties and pups, so avoid their use, but also realize and prevent against the dangers they can pose if they are used by others and out of your control.

There is also another good reason to wipe off those furry feet after going outdoors, and that is to simply remove snow and ice from the paws and the toes they contain. When a dog or cat goes outdoors into the snow, their paw pads, the fur on their feet, and the areas between their toes can all collect snow and ice. This can of course be cold and uncomfortable, so when they come in from outdoors, be sure to wipe off their feet so that they can remain dry and warm. Especially if your furbaby is short or if the snow is deep, also wipe off their belly and anywhere on their body that might have collected cold snow. Also thoroughly wipe off your own feet when you come inside, or remove your shoes, in order to keep the floors dry and warm for your furbaby's paws.

In line with the above thoughts, if your pup or kitty goes on walks, consider taking a dry towel with you when there is snow on the ground. Snow and ice can clump up and get stuck between your furbaby's toes, and those with especially furry feet can attract extra snow and ice on their feet. So, if your furbaby is outdoors for an extended period of time, do consider taking a dry towel with you and removing snow and ice from on and between their toes throughout the walk. This will allow them to remain as dry and comfortable as possible when outdoors in the snow.

Kooky Caturday Art

The title of today's post pretty much sums up this weird one.

Happy Caturday, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

Today's tip can relate to our own furbabies, as well as ferals, strays, and other animals who live outdoors. When ice comes into play during the winter months, be very cautious when using salt, or ice melt. Most traditional salts on the market contain ingredients that can be toxic and can irritate cats' and dogs' paw pads. Irritation can also occur in the mouth, as well as in the intestinal tract, which is a concern if the animal directly ingests the salt or licks it off of their paws after walking through it. So, for the sake of your furbabies as well as ferals and other outdoor animals, avoid using typical ice melts. Instead, do your research or ask your veterinarian for recommendations on pet-safe ice melts. There are some ice melts on the market that are far more safe than typical salt used for melting ice, but even some labeled as pet-friendly can still contain ingredients that might be questionable. For this reason, it is always important to do your research. You can also opt for other alternatives, such as tossing some sand or other other similar, safe substrate on top of ice that forms in the winter. Sand and other such materials can allow for better traction and reduced slippage on ice, while avoiding chemicals included in many ice melts.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Tree Time

Hello, friends! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. Wouldn't it be nice if _________.

2. I don't mind buying used _________.

3. I have a strange habit of _________.

4. I have enough _________ to last a lifetime.

My answers are below in bold.

1. Wouldn't it be nice if our furry friends could live as long as us?
(I wish our kitties, pups, and other furry companions could live forever, or at least live lives as long as the average human. I know I'm not the only one who wishes that were the truth.)

2. I don't mind buying used cars.
(I'm still driving the first I car I ever bought as an adult, and I got it used almost 13 years ago. If buying a used car means paying less for a car that is still in good shape, then a used car it is for me. I've heard horror stories about the current state of the car buying world, though, so I don't know how easy it is to find good used cars these days. But, if and when possible, I'm a used car buyer.)

3. I have a strange habit of intentionally wearing mismatched socks.
(This started out of necessity years ago, when one day I simply couldn't find a matching pair of socks while in a hurry. I grabbed what I could find quickly and so wore mismatched socks that day. For some reason, that started a real trend with me. I don't know if I've worn matching socks since, because I guess I just find it fun for chaos to exist on my feet. I also enjoy wearing a lot of funky socks, and so sometimes one foot will be covered in corgis riding skateboards, and the other will be covered in popcorn. True story.)

4. I have enough syringes to last a lifetime.
(This is such a weird answer, I know. But, as Evan's pile of medication syringes toppled and covered the counter recently, I figured this would be an apt answer for this. Every time I get a new bottle of Evan's gabapentin solution, the vet gives me anywhere from 1 to 3 new syringes to go with it. He's also been on many rounds of antibiotics and other medications that have gifted me with countless other syringes. I also religiously clean and reuse syringes, so that has landed me with dozens upon dozens of syringes in my kitty medication stash. I used to have a fear of running out of syringes, having had multiple furry family members over the years who have needed oral medications, syringe feedings, and that sort of thing. I shouldn't have to worry now, though.)

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.

***

Are you ready for your Eddy fix? Well, given that Christmas is being deconstructed at our house tomorrow, Eddy wanted to share some final photos of her and beloved Christmas tree. The ones she most recently snapped, though, are bloopers. What's new?

These bloopers are indeed blurry shots of Eddy playing on her cat tree beside her Christmas. Eddy sure loves her trees.

In truth, you don't have to worry about Eddy missing her Christmas tree. Though the red ribbon will be removed from the tree with the season over, Eddy gets to keep her Christmas tree all year round. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before, but Eddy has greatly loved Christmas trees since kittenhood, and so I put one up in my bedroom for her and decided to just never take it down. I try to decorate it for various holidays, but sometimes Eddy just removes all the decorations, so it's often just a tree getting abused by a cat in the corner of the room.

Happy Friday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Today's tip relating to the care of ferals and other outdoor cats is to be aware of where you store potentially dangerous products. Antifreeze, for example, is toxic to cats and dogs, as you all certainly know. Make sure that you are not only storing such products well out of the reach of your own indoor kitties and pups, but also well out of the reach of ferals, strays, and even wildlife. Even if you have it in the garage or shed, do consider keeping it tucked well away, such as in a cabinet, so that nothing can reach it. Especially if you have your garage or shed door open at times, there is the chance that a cat or wild animal will be able to make their way inside and thereby have access to any products that are not hidden away. Also keep this in mind with pesticides, fertilizers, cleaners, oil, and other potentially dangerous products. Think of whether even an unsuspecting outdoor visitor might make their way into your garage, shed, or other storage area, and hide away anything concerning or questionable just in case.