Adventures with Astrid: Bridge over Water

Last week, Astrid shared a visit to one of her favorite bridges in our neighborhood. So, today, she thought she'd share part of the trek to yet another bridge she loves to walk.

Are you read? You are? Good. Just follow Astrid and she'll show you the way.

The bridge is just past that bend up there. It's a simple and quaint little thing.

See? Astrid doesn't pick to walk to this bridge as often as some of the others in the neighborhood, but it's still a nice path to take.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We mentioned yesterday how this time of year is when I always feel compelled to scribble up some Harry Potter-ish doodles. I still need to finish scribbling up this summer's weird, wizardly whatnot, but for now, here's this old one.

Astrid loves car rides, so the flying car in Harry Potter seemed like something to share for her today.

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Tip of the Day

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

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

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

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

Tonks Tuesday: Every Day is Halloween

Last week, Tonks shared how we have Halloween pillows that stay out all year long. Today, she's sharing another Halloween something that is always out at our house. After all, every day is Halloween around here.

That back there is a kitty pumpkin light. It's a cat-o'-lantern lamp, essentially It actually stopped working recently, and it looks like I'll have to replace the socket inside of it. I need to get on that, because it's so cute lit up.

Tonks is wishing you a wonderfully spooky sort of day!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

It's the time of the year when I'm always in the mood for Harry Potter doodles. I was a kid when the books and then the movies were first being released, and it was a huge part of my childhood. Anyway. I hope to have a new Potter doodle finished to share in the next couple of days, but for today, here's one from a few years ago.

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Tip of the Day

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

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

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

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

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

Toe Beans on Mancat Monday

It's Mancat Monday, and Evan would just like to remind everyone how adorable his little paralyzed back feet are. See?

Just look at those toe beans! I happen to think they're cuter than cute. Evan hopes seeing his toesies helped brighten your Monday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I still need to get my newest drawings scanned to share, but in the meantime, here's yet another flashback summertime doodle of the spooky sort.

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Tip of the Day

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

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

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

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

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Photo Fail

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. I have changed _________ in the past year.

2. I need to get moving on _________.

3. Though it might seem childish, I _________.

4. _________ wasn't as _________ as I thought it would be.


My answers are below in bold, along with unnecessarily lengthy explanations.

1. I have changed my morning routine in the past year.

(Over the past year or so, Evan has been put on a variety of new medications, mostly for his urinary and intestinal issues. He gets anywhere from six to nine medications every morning, and half as many every evening. Prepping Evan's medications and administering them to him takes a bit of time, in part because a number are crushed and/or dissolved, some are liquid suspensions I draw up in a syringe, and one is given transdermally. What's more, Evan is not the biggest fan of medication time, so a tiny little battle ensues every time. Before work, my mornings also include feeding the furry babies, scooping litter, tending to feral kitties in our neighborhood, walking pup Astrid, and doing a workout. With Evan's new medication necessities, I've started getting up 30 minutes earlier than I used to, usually in the 5 o'clock hour, so that I can fit it all in. I'm a morning person and so I don't really mind, but the mornings I fall behind turn into pure chaos.)

2. I need to get moving on my writing projects.

(I've been saying this for years. I love writing. I've always wanted to be a writer, an author. And for years now, I've been planning and writing stories in the same fantasy world I created quite some time ago. The stories keep shifting and evolving. Earlier this year I had a huge revelation for my stories. A missing piece of the giant puzzle finally crawled out of the depths of my brain. All that to say, I've reworked some things and now have a new starting point for my stories. I've been chipping away at it, but I have some publishing goals, and even some publishing experimentation I want to try, and so I need to really get to writing.)

3. Though it might seem childish, I went to a kids' summer showing of How to Train Your Dragon.

(I've mentioned before how How to Train Your Dragon is one of my favorite movies. It came out when I was in college, when I was already an adult, but that didn't stop me from falling in love with it. I have watched that movie dozens upon dozens of times. I have memories of my angel Rosie watching the dragons fly around the TV screen, and now Thimble does the same thing. All that to say, on Monday of this week, a local theater had a free, midday showing of the movie. It was targeted for kids, though anyone was welcome, so I left work early for the day and went with my sister and mom. It was one of the most fun things I've done in a while.)

4. My most recent horror read wasn't as scary as I thought it would be.
(I'm one of those people who likes the horror genre. I like books as well as movies that can give me a good scare. So, I recently looked for a new book that was deemed scary by the majority of its readers. I found one by a new author that many people said was as scary as Stephen King's Pet Sematary. Given that Pet Sematary is one of only two books that have ever truly scared me, I was all for it. But, I didn't find this other, new book scary whatsoever. It wasn't a bad book, and it even starred a canine character who does not die in the end, which gets a thumbs up from me. But, it just wasn't the scare I was looking for. If anyone's curious, the book I'm talking about is Mean Spirited by Nick Roberts.)

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 your blooper queen Eddy is ready for the event. If you're looking for blurry and off-center, Eddy's got you covered.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Yesterday, Thimble shared some photos of her watching a momma opossum eating on our back porch, while carrying 9 babies on her back. That reminded me of this drawing I scribbled up a couple years ago, and which I'd honestly love to recreate with upcoming holiday themes. Because what's more festive than an opossum.

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Tip of the Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thankful Thimble Thursday with the Opossums

We've reached Thursday, and of course Thimble is here to partake in Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is grateful for some of the visitors we get. She loves meeting and watching newcomers.

That was just yesterday. I'd fed the feral kitty who visits our yard every day, and he left behind some food that this momma opossum enjoyed as her 9 babies crawled all over her. 

We get a lot of opossum visitors, since I do feed kitties outside of my house, but this it he first time I've ever seen a mother carrying babies on her back. Thimble was very intrigued, as was I.

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

1. I have changed _________ in the past year.

2. I need to get moving on _________.

3. Though it might seem childish, I _________.

4. _________ wasn't as _________ as I thought it would be.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

It's a Merry Christmas in July sort of day!

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Tip of the Day

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

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

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

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

Adventures with Astrid: Water under the Bridge

There's a creek that runs all over our neighborhood, which means there are lots of bridges to cross during our walks. Astrid loves her bridges.

Isn't that a nice little view? Astrid sure thinks so.

We've almost certainly shared this bridge before, as I believe Astrid has by now shown off all of her beloved bridges. But, even so, Astrid is happy to show it off again.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Does today count as Christmas Eve in July? Yes? No? Maybe so? Well, in case it does, here you go.

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Tip of the Day

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

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

Tonks Tuesday: 100 Days until Halloween

Today marks 100 days until Halloween. This probably means next to nothing to most people, especially given that we're still in July. But, it is indeed 100 days until Halloween, and I love Halloween. Tonks also loves it, and so she decided to share a photo she snapped with one of our year-round Halloween pillows.

Tonks is wishing you all a wonderfully spooky 100 days until Halloween!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Of course we have another flashback spooky summertime doodle in honor of it being 100 days until Halloween.

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Tip of the Day

When there's rain rather than shine, it can often make it difficult to take our pups or outdoor kitties outside. For those furbabies who might need to go outdoors, such as for a bathroom trip or a walk, you can try to find ways to keep them as dry as possible in the rain. There are indeed products on the market specifically designed to help keep your pups or even kitties dry. For example, there are leashes available that have umbrellas attached to them, so that your furbaby can stay dry beneath the umbrella while on their leash in the rain. In addition, there are also rain ponchos available for pets. With such products, you of course have to ensure that you get a product that matches your furbaby's size. An umbrella or poncho fit for a mastiff won't fit a small dog or cat.

There are also, of course, other options for helping your furbabies stay dry when they go outdoors in the rain. You can try the simple trick of holding a typical umbrella over your furbaby. Another option is to have an area of your yard that stays dry, such as beneath some sort of canopy, where your furbaby can comfortably enjoy the outdoors even in the rain. For furbabies who might refuse to go outdoors in the rain, yet who are not litter box trained, you can also train them to use pee pads in the house if plausible or if in dire straits. So, there are a variety of ways to potentially help furbabies stay dry in the rain, which is especially crucial for those who go outdoors to use the restroom yet who also don't like getting wet. Simply take into consideration what methods might be most useful for your particular situation, and then try viable options until you find a solution that works best for your furbaby and yourself.

Mancat Monday with Evan and His Ear

I realized that I haven't given any recent updates on the status of Evan's ear. For those who don't know or don't remember, Evan had an upper respiratory infection in January of this year. When he had that, he was doing a lot of sneezing, head shaking, and ear rubbing, which resulted in a hematoma on his right ear. Given all of Evan's already existing issues, his vet and I agreed that rather than put him under anesthesia to drain the hematoma and pin the ear flap shut, we'd let it heal on its own, as hematomas will usually do.

Well, Evan's aural (ear) hematoma decided it didn't want to heal in the normal way that most do. Evan just really doesn't like doing things the normal way, apparently. Through to early April or so, Evan's hematoma did shrink quite a bit, especially given that at its worst his entire ear pinna was swollen with the hematoma. But, then it reached a point where the hematoma hardened into what may now be some sort of scar tissue. Since April, it seems to have remained exactly the same, neither shrinking nor getting larger.

Do you see Evan's little cauliflower ear there?

You might remember how, earlier this year, first the hematoma and then this resulting scar tissue were causing Evan to get chronic infections in that ear. Since that ear is now weighed down and folded over, the ear canal can't get much airflow. So, moisture would build up in there and cause ear infections every 2 to 4 weeks. I was removing a lot of debris out of Evan's ear every day, and he was pretty much living on antibiotics. 

One of the vets at our clinic mentioned that if the ear infections continued, and especially if the ear was indeed stuck in this state, we might have to remove it. Before proceeding with anything that drastic, though, we decided to try having me clean his ear with a specially formulated antimicrobial ear cleaning solution every day. And guess what? Evan has not had a single ear infection since I started cleaning his ear with that.

Evan's ear is now staying clean and without infection, and has been for over 3 months now. He no longer seems bothered by it at all. That makes me so happy. If ever the vets were to think this state of his ear were to be a cause for concern for another reason, we could revisit the whole ear removal option. But, for now, using the antimicrobial ear cleaning solution twice a day has been keeping Evan and his ear happy, so I'll happily continue with that.

All that to say, above you can see how adorable Evan and his ear are. It's not a "normal" ear anymore, but is being normal really that great? Evan thinks not. And, of course, Evan is still my adorable little momma's boy. I don't care how his ear looks, as long as he and it are as healthy as possible, all things considered.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

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

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Derriere

Hello, friends! It's time 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 refuse to shop at _________ because _________.

2. _________ is my screensaver.

3. If I had a pet parrot, I would teach it to say _________.

4. Even though _________ isn't until _________, I'm already _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. I refuse to shop at Starbucks because I personally see it as an overpriced status symbol.
(This is very much just me and my opinion. This is certainly not a judgement on anyone who enjoys Starbucks items. To each their own. I personally will just never buy anything from there. Starbucks was incredibly popular when I was in high school, but it always seemed like it was popular for the wrong reasons. Some students would show up every day touting their Starbucks cups and would carry them around all day. It was a thing. And, admittedly, that kind of thing immediately makes me dislike something. Also, the prices just seem insane to me.)

2. Evan is my screensaver.

(I of course have images of all of my furbabies all over my devices and all that jazz. But, my momma's boy Evan has been my screensaver for years.)

3. If I had a pet parrot, I would teach it to say spooky things.
(I might teach him some of my favorite lines for Poe's works or my favorite quotes from horror books and movies. This is in part because I just love these kinds of things, but it could also be incredibly useful if someone were to break into my house and hear a creepy little voice say, "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.")

4. Even though Halloween isn't until October, I'm already enjoying horror movie marathons and putting out creepy home decor.
(I technically do this kind of stuff all year round, but with Halloween creeping up on us, I've been picking up my pace with it all. I'm sure my entire house will be decorated for Halloween before August is over.)

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.

***

Eddy apologizes that your view of her for today is a bit, well, you can just see for yourself.

Eddy didn't intend on giving you a rear view, but this mom of hers opened the window because it's been beautiful outside lately, and so Eddy just had to investigate.

Don't worry, the window only stays open like that if I'm standing right there. My angel Rosie once fell out of a window when the screen busted out, and though she was fine and we got her back inside, I now trust no open windows to keep my kitties safe.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

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

Thankful Thimble Thursday with Angel Tickey

It's Thursday, so you better believe Thimble is here and ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is thankful for the outside attention her adorable self draws.

That kitty in the background was our neighbor kitty, Tickey, who passed away last July. He was beyond sweet and visited us almost daily. We miss him a great deal, but Thimble and all of us are so very glad and grateful for all the visits we got to enjoy with him.

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

1. I refuse to shop at _________ because _________.

2. _________ is my screensaver.

3. If I had a pet parrot, I would teach it to say _________.

4. Even though _________ isn't until _________, I'm already _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

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

The Healthy Hound

Pup Astrid had her annual exam and senior lab work last Thursday. We just got all of the results yesterday, and all is well for the 11-year-old lady! And you better believe the perfect little angel of chaos got her usual ice cream treat after her vet appointment.

Astrid has one liver value that's a bit elevated, but this is actually not new for her. She has osteoarthritis, and though she's on a supplement for this, which actually puts quite a pep in her step, the condition can still cause some of the liver values to be a bit off. Her vet is not concerned, though, and everything else looks great, so Astrid is overall in really good health.

We also had a newly discovered lump on Astrid tested by way of a fine needle aspirate. It came back as just yet another benign fatty lipoma. She has at least half a dozen of those, as well as some benign adenomas. She's a bumpy little lady, but as long as they're all benign, we're more than happy.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is from quite a few years ago, but it's one of the first spooky, Halloween-inspired doodles I created in the summer months. I scribbled it up after seeing a piece of Halloween decor during the summer, that piece being a spooky typewriter. So, I scribbled up my own.

And now this is yet another old doodle I really want to recreate.

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Tip of the Day

Today's pet parenting tip is a simple one about creating a masterpiece of a memory using your furbaby's adorable toesies. If your furbaby is willing to participate and does not get stressed, you can get non-toxic, pet-friendly paint in order to create some paw art. After finding somewhere in your home where you don't mind making a tad bit of a mess, put some of the pet-safe paint on your furbaby's feet and either have them walk on some paper, or press their paw on the paper yourself. You can then leave the paw prints as-is, or even get creative and turn some of them into flowers or other cute designs. Either way, this is one way to create a simple yet long-lasting memory of your furbaby.

As morbid as it sounds, in the future, you will likely be glad you created these such lasting memories while your furbaby was still with you. We all know that some similar items, such as clay paws, are often created during a time of grief. This is why the aforementioned paw art is one way to create such a memory in happier, healthier times. Again, as morbid as it may sound, it's never too early to think ahead about what memories you might want to have after your furbaby is gone. Of course, do take into consideration your furbaby's comfort. If your furbaby is too stressed to participate in paw art, for example, brainstorm and think of other ways to create lasting memories with them. The options are endless.

A Happy Tonks Tuesday

It's Tonk's Tuesday, and today this girl is looking extra cute. Then again, she's always looking extra cute. But, really, just look at that face!

Tonks is also extra happy because her orange tabby brother Evan is feeling much better today. We mentioned yesterday how he was struggling with constipation again, and I ultimately had to give him an at-home enema last night because he was really straining and exhausting himself. And, thankfully, the enema worked immediately and cleared his colon out real good. That makes Tonks very happy. After all, Evan is the only cat in the house universally loved by all the other cats in the house, and this calico girl missed the playful version of her brother as he struggled with his constipation. But now he's back!

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today we have for you another spooky summertime flashback doodle, this one chosen because I'm really trying to get back on track with regularly working on my writing projects.

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Tip of the Day

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

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

Another Mancat Monday with Megacolon

It's Mancat Monday, and my poor orange boy Evan is having another rough time with his megacolon and resulting constipation. He goes through cycles. He'll get his system all cleared out, whether or not an enema is involved, and then for 2-4 weeks he'll do okay on all of his usual medications. And then the constipation starts up again. Right now, we're indeed in the constipation stage of the cycle.

It exhausts poor Evan when he can't get his stool out, understandably. I'm giving him a chance to evacuate things with the maxed out doses of his meds, which almost always results in diarrhea. That said, sometimes the medication-induced diarrhea doesn't amount to enough stool to actually clear his colon of the backlog. If he doesn't manage to sufficiently evacuate his system after a day or two on these hefty doses of meds, I'll be giving him another at-home enema. We'll get this stool out of Evan one way or another.

Now, on to a drastic subject change. The kitties and pup here want to wish their grandma a very happy birthday!

The kitties' and pup Astrid's grandma, that being their Gammy, is one of their all-time favorite people. And for good reason.

Given that this is Mancat Monday, Evan wants to specifically express how amazing his Gammy is. After all, she's the one who often rescues Evan and takes him home from his grooming appointments after I've dropped him off and headed to work. So, from Evan, all the kitties, and pup Astrid...Happy Birthday, Gammy!

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Tip of the Day

Today's pet parenting hack of a tip is one to help you sleep better at night. Does your kitty or pup ever wake you up during the night, perhaps seemingly bored or hungry? The first step in a case such as this is of course to make sure there is no medical explanation. If your furbaby is indeed healthy, though, and they simply wake you in the middle of the night for some playtime or a midnight snack, then there are a couple of simple things you can do to try to combat this.

First, you can do a bit of a pre-bedtime play session with them. One of the last things you do before you go to bed can be a game of fetch, perhaps a little fun with a wand toy, or anything that your furbaby finds fun and that expends their energy. This will help tire your furbaby out, and will hopefully help satisfy their desire to play so that they can sleep through the night.

Second, in the case that your furbaby wakes you up in the middle of the night out of hunger, perhaps save their last meal of the day for right before bed. Fill their bowl just before you go to bed, so that they will go to bed with a full stomach. If needed and possible, you can also make this nighttime meal their largest of the day, to even further satisfy them and their stomach. In some cases, this is all it takes to help keep those hungry furbabies satiated until their breakfast.

Just like us, our furbabies are not immune to restless nights or a desire for a midnight snack. If a medical concern has been ruled out, then try to find a way to help both you and your furbaby sleep through the night. Satisfying the play or hunger drive just before bed may be all that is needed.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Adorable Face

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. It would be nice to be _________ for a day.

2. The older I get, the more I appreciate _________.

3. I like to decorate _________ with _________.

4. You'll often find _________ on my kitchen counter.


My answers are below in bold.

1. It would be nice to be retired for a day.

(I'm grateful to have a job and therefore a paycheck, but I'll admit there are plenty of days when I would love to try out retirement. That said, I'm currently 35 years old, so those days are still in the distant future. Still, though, a girl can dream.)

2. The older I get, the more I appreciate downtime.
(As a kid, I would lament about how much time school and homework took, but that was before a full-time job, cleaning an entire house, grocery shopping, cooking almost every meal, making sure I have clean dishes and clothes, tending to home repairs, yard work, and all that jazz. So, times when I can just sit on the couch and read or watch TV without some sort of responsibility needing my attention, I really savor those moments.)

3. I like to decorate my home with my personal style.
(I assume this is the case for most people. That said, I've never wanted a home that looks like one you'd see in a catalogue. I prefer things that are admittedly a bit more weird, like Halloween decorations that stay out year round. For example, my art desk is set up with witchy and macabre decor, complete with little potion bottles and skulls, and even a skeleton sitting in the chair when a living human isn't using it. It's weird and I'm fully aware of that, but that's what brings me joy and inspiration.)

4. You'll often find syringes on my kitchen counter.

(I've mentioned before how my orange tabby boy Evan is on something like 9 different medications, and his medication station is tucked away in a little nook on the kitchen counter. All of the medications live in a cute kitty bowl (a Halloween one, of course), but the syringes used to give some of his meds just tend to find themselves scattered on the counter sometimes. They have a designated place with the medications, but they still just always seem to end up hanging out elsewhere. Need to pour yourself a drink? Better move these syringes out of the way. Ready to make that spaghetti dinner? Let's just get these syringes off the burner first.)

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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Your Eddy fix today may not include great lighting or a great angle, but it sure does include a cute little face.

You can even get a little glimpse of that little snaggletooth in Eddy's adorable mouth. Of course, you can also admire those whiskers and those eyes and that nose and pretty much all of Eddy's adorable face.

Have a fantastic Friday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Given my answer to fill-in #3 above, this flashback doodle seems apt enough.

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Tip of the Day

Today's pet parenting hack of a tip is one to help you save on floor space. When it comes to storing some of your pet supplies—whether it be treats, canned food, medications, brushes, toys, or cleaning supplies, just to name a few—you can try using a shower caddy or other similar shelving system. You can even get shelving units that are meant to hang from a door, such as by a hook that goes over the top of door, to further save on both floor and wall space. Sometimes our furbabies come with a lot of supplies, and we have to find a place to put all of those items. So, as needed, think outside the box and find ways to use a variety of storage systems that will help save you on floor space or even wall space.

Thankful Thimble Thursday in the Sun

Hello, friends! It's Thursday, which means Thimble is happily here for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

After days and days of rain, today Thimble is grateful for the return of sunshine.

Thimble is also thankful for all of the prayers you friends of ours sent for her grandma and grandpa's kitties Flitwick and Trapper! Both boys are still slowly but surely improving. Flitwick has cystitis, which is nothing new for him. He's in a flare, but it's indeed slowly improving. Diabetic Trapper suddenly stopped eating and not acting like himself, and his vet believes he has a mild case of pancreatitis. With various medications, he is also slowly improving. Thank you all again for the purrs and prayers for Flitwick and Trapper!

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Now, how about 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. It would be nice to be _________ for a day.

2. The older I get, the more I appreciate _________.

3. I like to decorate _________ with _________.

4. You'll often find _________ on my kitchen counter.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm feeling extra hungry right now, and I always have a sweet tooth, so here's a flashback of angel Chef Rosie offering up some donuts.

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Tip of the Day

Today's pet parenting hack tip is a simple yet important one. Especially if your furbaby is a known chewer, do consider getting covers for power cords and other cables. I'm sure you all know the dangers that chewing on a cord can pose to our furbabies. So, to prevent this, cover up those cords and cables. There are a variety of cord and cable covers available on the market. There are covers that encase cords so that they are safe yet still able to be easily moved, and there are ones that essentially pin cords safely and securely to the floor. Of course, those are just two examples as to how you can make cords and cables safe around your furbabies. Perhaps do a bit of research, and, depending on your home and technological setup, determine what kind of cord and cable covers would best work for both you and your furbaby. As we always say, it's better to be safe than sorry.