High as a Kite on Mancat Monday

Evan's had quite a weekend. He went to the vet on Friday with concerns of a UTI as well as a significant bout of constipation.

A UTI was indeed diagnosed, for which Evan was given a Convenia antibiotic injection. He was also given some enemas and a full colon cleanout under sedation since his megacolon decided to ignore all of his intestinal meds and get backed up anyway. Evan was more or less as high as a kite when he came home on Friday night. He was also very cuddly, and I was happy to oblige.

Though Evan seemed very happy and acted much better on Saturday, since then he's started acting restless again and has been urinating multiple times in multiple locations over short periods of time. I've already spoken to the vet about that this morning, and we're switching Evan to another antibiotic, which is actually nothing new for this poor boy. As we wait for those to kick in, he's getting high doses of his gabapentin and other urinary meds to alleviate any pain and anxiety from his UTI. For that reason, Evan is nearly as high as he was when he got home on Friday night. That always makes him extra cuddly, which I don't mind one bit.

I also discussed with the vet how Evan has not defecated since his enemas and colon cleanse on Friday, which is not too concerning since his colon was completely cleared out then. Even so, we're adding psyllium husk powder to Evan's armory of medications, since he has no interest in eating high fiber foods in a more natural way.

I am determined to get this poor boy back to some semblance of regular, in more ways than one. I'll be getting his new antibiotic after work today, and that should start clearing up his stubborn UTI pretty quickly. I can't wait until he starts feeling better again.

Wishing you all a happy Monday!

***

Doodle of the Day

Starting tomorrow, in October, I'm going to try to share a new Halloween doodle every day. I already have quite a few of them finished, so I'm hoping to be able to succeed. Finishing the rest of the doodles of course depends on how Evan is doing, as well as how Thimble and Tonks's dentals go this Wednesday, and so on and so forth.

The above said, quite a few of the Halloween doodles you'll be seeing in October will be concept art or illustrations for some of the stories I'm writing. The main story I'm enjoying working on right now takes place in the Halloween season, and it co-stars a kitty who was heavily inspired by Evan. See?

Clearly, the human main character and her kitty live in a home of questionable quality. After all, times are tough these days. Oh, and that lamp meets its demise on page one of the story. Actually, it doesn't even make it past the first paragraph. Why? Because pilling cats is hard to do.

You'll be seeing more of that kitty and some of his friends in October. We'll tell you a little more about him then.

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Tip of the Day

Since September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, we'll be finishing out the month on this topic. Today's tip relates to how our furbabies might let us know they are in pain. This can be a bit difficult sometimes, as cats and even dogs can be very good at hiding pain. This is why we must be very observant of our furbabies on a regular basis, in order to know when they aren't acting themselves.

The symptoms of pain in our furbabies can vary greatly, depending on the source of the pain, as well as the individual animal. You might see decreased activity level, or even a decrease in your cat or dog's appetite. Another potential sign is an altered gait, or an unwillingness or inability to move or jump. A cat in pain might avoid or miss the litter box, and a dog in pain might have accidents inside the house. Aggression and hiding are yet more potential signs that your kitty or pup is in pain. The list of signs and symptoms of pain in animals could go on and on. This is why it's imperative that you know your kitty or pup's norm, and that you make frequent observations of their activities and behavior in order to catch when anything is out of the norm. Altered activity or behavior could mean any number of things, pain being one possibility.

What's more, if your furbaby does indeed have difficulty jumping due to an injury or arthritis, for example, you can put pet stairs or a pet ramp beside chairs, couches, or beds in the home. This can help your kitty or pup better reach elevated areas without having to jump, which could otherwise exacerbate pain associated with an injury or arthritis. For a cat, another way to help them combat pain and discomfort is to give them litter boxes with low sides, so that they can easily walk right in. Or, you can also give them a ramp or stairs leading up to the entrance of the litter box, if needed. If it helps reduce pain associated with certain injuries, arthritis, or other ailments, you can also elevate your kitty or pup's food and water bowls.

Another simple way to help a pained furbaby feel some relief and comfort is by way of their beds and blankets. You can offer extra soft and thick beds, and in easy to reach locations. Some forms of pain are also alleviated by heat, which means that safe, pet-friendly heated blankets or heated beds could also be of use. Of course, you would need to take all necessary safety precautions when using any heated or electric products.

In more extreme cases, your furbaby might be in need of direct assistance with their mobility. If need be, you can use various forms of slings to help your kitty or pup ambulate. You can use a towel or blanket to create a makeshift sling, for example. Another option is to purchase a sling, or a harness with handles, which are indeed available on the market.

It is not easy to see our furbabies in pain. At the same time, it is not easy for them to feel such pain. That's why it is important to do what you can to alleviate your kitty or pup's pain, even if that means a bit of redecorating within your home.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Blurry Eddy

Hello, friends! I'm sorry I'm so late today. Evan has had a rough 12 hours or so. He's at the vet right now. Not only is he getting an antibiotic injection for a UTI, but he's also being sedated to have his constipated colon cleared out. The poor boy is on pretty much every medication possible for his megacolon, and despite have a great 2 months from mid-July to mid-September, he and his colon have recently had a rough 2 weeks. The vet and I hope that having the colon manually evacuated will give him a clean slate.

All that to say, I am way late for our Friendly Fill-Ins Challenge. I'm so sorry for that! We still hope you'll 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 had Covid _________ times.

2. There is no acceptable excuse for _________.

3. I wish _________ lasted all year long.

4. I probably look silly when I _________, but I don't care.


My answers are below in bold. Since I am so late today, my usual rambling will either be short or nonexistent.

1. I have had Covid 2 times.

2. There is no acceptable excuse for abuse.
(I of course have no respect whatsoever for anyone who abuses an animal, but abuse of any kind is vile and inexcusable.)

3. I wish autumn lasted all year long.

4. I probably look silly when I sing to and dance with my kitties and pup, but I don't care.
(All of my cats and the dog have songs specific to them. Some go with their name, some are just silly nonsense. Actually, they're all just silly nonsense, but I'm still going to sing them and do a little jig with my furry babies.)

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.

Today, blooper queen Eddy decided to turn the blur up to a notch above high.

Eddy hopes even a blurry version of her helps brighten your day!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We're sharing flashback Halloween doodles the next couple of days, since I'm hoping to share all new doodles in October (hopefully) and so the old ones might not get much screen time. I picked today's flashback because this is probably the same level of horror Evan has about his colon cleanse today.

What's more, I'll very likely cuddle Evan on the couch while watching Halloween movies after I bring him home from his traumatic day today.

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Tip of the Day

I very much so failed to create a Remember Me Thursday post yesterday, so today tip is going to be to remember the importance of adopting shelter animals, so that they can indeed know the love of a forever home. Even if you are not looking to adopt, you can still spread the word to others about adopting a cat, dog, or other companion animal from a shelter. You can also help by volunteering time and resources to a shelter, as any little bit of assistance can help them adopt out more animals. Lastly, when adopting or spreading the word about animal adoption, please don't forget those animals who are special needs, geriatric, or in any other way often considered less likely to be adopted. Every single cat, dog, and other companion animal deserves the chance to feel comfort and love in a home of their own.

The Night Shift on Thankful Thimble Thursday

Welcome to Thursday, friends! You better believe Thimble is ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Just like last week, Thimble is yet again grateful for nighttime cuddles. At any and all hours of the night.

Perhaps because the temperatures are slowly decreasing, especially at nighttime, Thimble has gotten even more cuddly than usual. I love her cuddles so very much, though sometimes I do ask her if maybe she could cuddle me while I'm sleeping. She usually says no. She wants me awake for the cuddles as well. Because she's so cute, I usually just agree and give her lots of cuddles, even if it's 2 o'clock in the morning.

I'd worry Thimble was having symptoms of hyperthyroidism, given how active she sometimes is at night. But, this girl just had her senior bloodwork and all was well with that. She's just a sweet, cuddly, nocturnal little lady.

***

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

1. I have had Covid _________ times.

2. There is no acceptable excuse for _________.

3. I wish _________ lasted all year long.

4. I probably look silly when I _________, but I don't care.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

If all goes to plan, which is yet to be determined, I hope to share brand new Halloween doodles every day in October. Because of that, I feel compelled to share some of my favorite flashback Halloween doodles over the next couple of day, since they likely won't get shared much or at all in October. So, here's one with a haunted house that I remember took me a relative eternity to draw.

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Tip of the Day

Today is the last tip in our disaster preparedness series, and it is one that we have repeated many times, on many different occasions. This tip is to always ensure that your furbaby has some form of identification. We've mentioned this tip many, many times before, we'll gladly say it again. In the unfortunate event that your furbaby becomes separated from you in any form of disaster or emergency, some form of identification could more easily bring them back to you. A collar with an ID tag as well as a microchip are the most common forms of ID for our kitties or pups. In addition to ensuring this identification is on your cat or dog, also make sure that the information is up-to-date. If you have moved addresses or changed phone numbers, for example, make sure this is reflected on your furbaby's identification. No one ever wants to consider being separated from their kitty or pup, but should this happen in an emergency or any event, your furbaby is more likely to find their way back to you if they are wearing some form of identification.

Woof Woof Wednesday in the Great Outdoors

In the past few weeks, pup Astrid has taken you along on quite a few of her walks. So, today, she wanted to show you how she enjoys time in the great outdoors while at home.

Doesn't that look cozy? On that particular day, Astrid chose to nap there in the back yard for about 3 hours. It was a beautiful, cool day, understandably her favorite kind. Astrid has terrible allergies and osteoarthritis, and yet she loves to snooze out there on the grassy ground.

I've tried putting blankets and beds out there for Astrid, because sometimes the poor old girl will get up from the ground and limp, but she always seems offended and never wants to lay on the soft materials I provide outside. She wants the hard ground, oftentimes even opting to sleep on the concrete patio. It doesn't make sense to me, but Astrid loves it, so I guess I'll just let her do her thing. She gets medications for her allergies as well as her arthritis, in hopes of combatting the consequences of her beloved outdoor naps.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I completely forgot about this doodle that I scribbled up a couple years ago. It seemed apt enough as we await true autumnal weather, though, so here it is.

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Tip of the Day

Today's disaster preparedness tip is actually instead related to what might occur after a disaster. Just as with humans, cats and dog might show signs of anxiety or other behavioral changes after going through something frightening or tragic. Especially if they are taken away from their home, separated from family even briefly, or in any other way experience a change in their familiar routine, a cat or dog might start displaying behavioral changes. After a disaster or emergency, even after you find yourself safe, always keep a close eye on your furbaby. They may begin showing signs of separation anxiety, or even uncharacteristic aggression. If you do notice any such signs, do not hesitate to discuss the issue with a veterinarian. Products such as calming synthetic pheromones might help an anxious furbaby, but sometimes more potent medications or treatments might be required to help them cope with their post-traumatic stress. Therefore, always keep a close eye on your kitty or pup, especially after they experience any emergency situation, and do not hesitate to seek professional assistance if they begin displaying any concerning behavioral or health issues.

Feeling Better on Tonks Tuesday

Yesterday, poor Tonks wasn't feeling too great. She vomited a few times, and also passed some less than ideal stool. She slept most of the day, a little like this:

Tonks has had very similar issues before, a couple times in the past couple years. I think it usually occurs when she's eaten canned food of various fishy varieties, but I need to monitor that more to make a true connection. Either way, Tonks is feeling much better today and is back to her usual happy, active self. I'm very glad for that. She and Thimble have their dental surgeries next week, and I of course didn't want Tonks to be ill for that.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Our current series of tips is about disaster and emergency preparedness for both yourself and your furbaby. Today's tip on this topic is to contemplate and decide on a proper caregiver for your furbaby, should there be an emergency rendering you incapable of caring for them. Thinking on such unfortunate hypothetical situations is never something anyone looks forward to, but it is nonetheless something important to consider. You will want to ensure that someone you trust might be prepared to care for your kitty or pup in an emergency. It is of course important to discuss this with the person in question, and to ensure that they are truly able and willing to take on the care of your furbaby, should the need arise. In some cases, this might mean including in your will that this person would become your furbaby's caregiver. Overall, though not an ideal topic with which to occupy your mind, it is indeed significant to have a safe and secure plan for your furbaby's care should something render you incapable of caring for them. Think of family or friends whom you trust, whom your furbaby knows, and whom have displayed an ability and willingness to take on the care of your kitty or pup.

Mancat Monday: Evan vs. Cystitis

Evan had a bit of a rough weekend. He ended up in a cystitis flare, which made urinating a bit difficult and painful for him. I increased all of his meds to the highest doses and frequencies and so he started to feel better, though his drugs also made him a bit, well, like this:

I know Evan looks a bit sad there, but he's on a high dose of gabapentin and was really just very sleepy. He was also purring, and I promise he got lots of cuddles.

Wishing you all a happy Monday!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm trying to scribble up as many new Halloween doodles as I can for this October. I'd love to create 31 new ones, of course to share one per day, though at present I make no promises. I already have quite a few done and am trying to save them for October. So, in the meantime, here's an autumnal, sort of spooky flashback doodle starring my angel Rosie.

That one there is actually based on a story I was working on a while back. That particular story is being reworked at some point in the future, as I'm now writing some other strange things that need to come before that particular story. For various reasons. Anyway. All that to say, quite a few of my new, upcoming Halloween doodles are based on new stories I'm writing, of course starring lots of kitty and other characters.

***

Tip of the Day

Today's disaster preparedness tip is a rather specific one, and it is to consider using a pet rescue alert decal or sticker at your house. These decals or stickers are meant to alert rescue response teams as to how many and what kinds of animals are in the home. They can be placed on a screen door, on a window near a door, or somewhere similar where rescuers can easily see it. This type of information on what animals are in the home can help in the case of a house fire or any emergency evacuation, especially in cases when you are in any way unable to inform response teams as to how many and what kinds of animals are in the home and in need of rescuing. There are a variety of these decals or stickers available online, but one easy way to get them is through the ASPCA, as you can visit their website and order free pet emergency alert decals for your home.

Alerting emergency personnel of the animals in your home can help them to more quickly rescue your companion animals in the event of a fire or other emergency. This being said, though, please do ensure that any such decals or stickers are kept up-to-date. Not only is this important for ensuring that all animals in the house are properly accounted for, but is also important for the safety of emergency personnel. For example, if one of your furbabies has passed away but it is still included on any displayed pet emergency alert at your home, then emergency crews might put their lives at risk looking for an animal who is not even present. So, while these pet emergency alert bulletins can indeed benefit your pets' safety, also ensure that you use them properly in order to keep emergency personnel equally safe.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Adorable Eddy

Hello, friends! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins, 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. _________ is a blog I enjoyed that is no longer there.

2. I won't ever _________ again.

3. I once injured myself while _________.

4. I usually get _________ hours of sleep.


My answers are below in bold, and are of course accompanied by my usual endless rambling. Feel free to skip all the extra words if you're in a hurry. I wouldn't blame you one bit.

1. An artsy name I can't remember is a blog I enjoyed that is no longer there.
(That's obviously not the name of the blog, but I'm sad to say that at this point I can't even remember the name of the blog I'm referring to. Years ago, when I started looking into drawing with art markers, I found a blog run by a woman who created beautiful drawings. Her art was fanciful and just generally gorgeous. I learned a lot and got a lot of inspiration from that blog, but she ultimately stopped blogging and one day the blog disappeared. That was many, many years ago, and now I can't remember the name of the blog. Even so, it was one of the sources for my inspiration to get into pen and marker art.)

2. I won't ever let Evan's enema sit too long again.
(What a weird answer, but it's true. Just this week poor Evan was constipated thanks to his megacolon, and so I prepared an at-home enema for him. Those are comprised of warm water, dish soap, and a bit of lubricant, administered with a giant syringe and a catheter. I had the enema nice and warm so as not to shock his system, but then pup Astrid started vomiting up grass she ate outside and some other furry chaos started happening, and so a few minutes went by before I actually administered Evan's prepared enema. The problem, though, was that the warm water was no longer all that warm, and I believe because of that, Evan vomited for a few minutes after his enema. Maybe that's not why Evan vomited this time, and maybe it'll happen again in the future even with a warm enema since that sort of thing isn't all that natural for the body to experience. But, Evan had never vomited after an enema before, and I felt absolutely terrible. The enema still did its job, but I won't ever again give Evan an enema that isn't warm.)

3. I once injured myself while sleeping.
(I don't have any interesting stories revolving around injuries, as I've never so much as gotten stitches, let alone broken a bone or anything like that. I'm very grateful for that, but all I could think to put here was how I one time woke up with the worst neck pain I've ever felt in my life, after apparently having simply slept wrong. I couldn't move my head side to side for over a week. I guess I could also mention how it was sleeping that also prompted my first ever carpal tunnel syndrome flare, as I suddenly woke up with numb hands and subsequent pain. Obviously it's not sleeping in and of itself that can cause carpal tunnel, but apparently I sleep in ways that crush my hands and thereby worsen carpal tunnel, so it's after sleeping that mine is always the worst. Wearing a hand brace to bed fixes that right up, though.)

4. I usually get unknown hours of sleep.
(I'm terrible at keeping track of my sleep. Not only do I have a habit of falling asleep while watching TV on the couch and wake up there in the middle of the night, but Evan and some of the other kitties also aren't the biggest fans of me sleeping through the night. Sometimes poor Evan is just having a troubled night with his megacolon or something like that, and so I'll be up at certain points of the night with him. I don't know an exact number for the hours I sleep, but I will admit that I'm not good about making sure I get the recommended amount of sleep. Some nights I know I don't get much more than 5 or 6 hours, sometimes less and sometimes more. It's something I working on, sort of.)

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 Eddy? We hope you've prepared yourself, because today this little lady actually decided to sit still and remind you all just how adorable she is.

Eddy and al of us here wish you a happy Friday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Autumn starts this weekend. I say that as the weather forecast is informing me that it'll still be 90°F this weekend. Even so, we can at least celebrate the change of seasons with a doodle, even if Mother Nature isn't cooperating.

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Tip of the Day

We're in the midst of a series of tips for National Disaster Preparedness Month. Yesterday, we discussed preparing emergency supplies or a travel kit, so that you and your furbaby will be ready to handle a disaster, evacuation, and so forth, should the need arise. Today, we're here to remind you to go yet another step further and to have a plan. In other words, in the event of a disaster or other emergency, how and what will you do in order to ensure the safety of both your furbaby and yourself? For example, if you live in an area where disasters might make evacuation a possibility, have a safe a safe destination secured, not only for yourself but for your furbaby as well. Do you know of a motel or hotel, or another similar shelter, where animals are allowed? Or, do you have friends or family where your kitty or pup will be allowed to stay? If necessary, research veterinary offices, boarding facilities, or other similar facilities out of harm's way, where your furbaby could be taken in the case of an emergency.

Emergency plans don't just relate to possible evacuations, though. For example, if you live in an area where tornadoes are a possibility, have a plan for what part of the house both you and your furbabies can safely hunker down. If you don't have a basement, pick a windowless room in the center of the house, for example, and have a plan for getting your kitty or pup there in a hurry. If needed, have leashes, carriers, or other necessary tools ready. Depending on where you live and what your situation is, always think ahead to how you will keep both your furbaby and yourself safe in an emergency situation.

One last comment we'll make on this topic is to, as needed and possible, practice your emergency plans. Make sure that everyone in your home knows the plan, and that everyone will know their part in the action. Doing a trial run or two can never hurt, to ensure that everyone is on the same page, and that everything will run as smoothly as possible in an actual emergency.

Late Night Thankful Thimble Thursday

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! You better believe Thimble is here for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is grateful for nighttime cuddles. Especially when they're at 2 o'clock in the morning and she woke her mom up to get them.

Thimble is usually the kitty who wins the spot on the bed that is me. She indeed sleeps on top of me most nights, and she's not only a very cuddly cat, but a very actively cuddly cat. While she usually sleeps pretty well once she's fallen asleep, she still sometimes wakes up and just simply wants cuddles. And she'll wake me up to let me know that. She most often does this by using her little paw to poke me anywhere and everywhere on my face. My mouth, nose, and eyelids are the usual targets.

On the night that photo was taken, I turned on a light to get a good view of her face when she insisted I wake up for cuddles. Honestly, just look at her. You can't even be mad at that for a single second. And don't worry, she got her cuddles.

***

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. _________ is a blog I enjoyed that is no longer there.

2. I won't ever _________ again.

3. I once injured myself while _________.

4. I usually get _________ hours of sleep.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today is Talk Like a Pirate Day. I didn't get a new doodle scribbled up for this, but it did remind me of a Halloween doodle I have from a couple years ago. Has anyone seen Garfield's Halloween Adventure? In it, Garfield and Odie dress up as pirates and find themselves at a haunted sort of home. Since I'm a huge fan of Halloween, I'll go ahead and share this spooky little pirate doodle now, in September, before autumn has even officially begun. Because why not.

***

Tip of the Day

As we mentioned yesterday, we're in National Disaster Preparedness Month. Our newest series of tips, therefore, relates to this. These are repeat tips, but perhaps it's a topic worth repeating. Today, we're here to discuss having emergency supplies and travel kits prepared, should you and your furbaby need to evacuate suddenly. After all, destructive hurricanes, tornadoes, and other such disasters can, sadly, put people and their pets in the line of danger, as well as without a place to live. Therefore, especially if you are in an area where disasters might lead to evacuation, but also of course simply to be prepared for an emergency, do consider having an emergency kit prepared for your kitty or pup.

When preparing an emergency travel kit, think of the things your pup or kitty might use or need on a daily basis, or even weekly basis. Anything that they need on a regular basis can, of course, be included in an emergency kit. For example, an emergency kit for your furbaby would do well to include a week or so worth of their food, water bottles, bowls, and any medications they require. That is often not all that can or should be included in a cat or dog's emergency travel kit, though. If you rack your brain for anything that might be useful in your furbaby's emergency kit, you might consider a blanket or two, a spare leash, a carrier, a transportable litter box, litter, toys, your cat or dog's medical records, pictures of your cat or dog, and even cleaning supplies, such as paper towels and dish soap. All in all, consider anything and everything your furbaby uses or needs on a regular basis, and then create a travel kit based on that. In the case of an emergency, having such supplies already prepared can allow for you and your furbaby to evacuate and get to safety in a timely manner.

Adventures with Astrid in Almost Autumn

We're just days away from the official beginning of autumn. Though we're still in a heat wave in which it's usually nearly 90°F during the day here, our mornings are still relatively cool, and there are also other signs. For example, on a recent cool, crisp morning walk, pup Astrid came across some fallen leaves that very much felt autumnal.

That's far from an award-winning shot, but we're still happy to show off this hint of autumn. Astrid seemed very intrigued by the leaves, which was a bit surprising, as sometimes she prefers to hop and skip around fallen leaves rather than walk on them. This time, though, both Astrid and myself were quite excited to see the fallen foliage.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is an autumnal one, and it stars my angels Rosie and Sammy. Since this is still their birthday month, I wanted to makes sure these childhood reading buddies of mine got more of their doodles shared.

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Tip of the Day

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month. This is timely, as it's also still the season of hurricanes and other such natural disasters. Given that this month is dedicated to disaster preparedness, we'll be doing a series of tips on this topic. Our first tip in this series is a simple precursor to the more detailed tips that will begin tomorrow. And this tip today is to please realize and understand that if a situation is not safe for you, then it's not safe for your animals. For this reason, please do absolutely everything in your ability to never leave your cats or dogs behind in the event of a disaster. If the only safe option for you is to evacuate, then that is also very likely the only safe option for your furbaby. For this reason, never wait until last minute to consider preparations and plans, as then it might be too late. Always have preparations and plans thought through or ready. We'll start discussing such preparations and plans in more detail tomorrow. For now, though, when it comes to potential disasters, please indeed keep in mind your furbaby's safety in addition to your own.

Up Close and Personal on Tonks Tuesday

Today's photo of adorable Tonks isn't the best quality, that of course being this here human's fault. Even so, we found it in our camera roll from this month, and it shows off Tonks's whiskers and eyelashes.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm officially almost exclusively scribbling up new Halloween doodles now, especially ones to share when the spooky season has really hit us. For today, though, here's a flashback that sort of shows my eagerness for it to just be autumn already. There are some trees starting to change color in our area, so despite the 90°F weather, there is hope.

***

Tip of the Day

Today is the last of our autumn pet safety tips. This one is another about wildlife, in particular predators who increase their activity during cooler weather in search of food. In some areas, this might mean an increase in the activity of coyotes, wild cats, or other predators. To such wildlife, cats as well as small or even large dogs can be considered prey on which to feed. Therefore, especially if you are in an area where coyotes, wild cats, or other predators might be present, be very cautious letting your furbabies outdoors at night and unattended. If you and your furbaby make a trip outside, keep them close to you, such as on a leash. Be sure to not only monitor your furbaby closely, but also your surroundings. Always err on the side of caution in order to keep both your furbaby and yourself safe from hungry predators and other dangers.

Mancat Monday: Evan vs. the Meds

Today, Evan wanted to remind you all about the nonsense he has to put up with every day.

If Evan looks a little disgruntled there, it's because that photo was taken right after his morning meds were forced down his throat. And in his ear. Mornings are when he gets most of his meds, as he gets almost twice as many then as he does in the evenings. This is the kind of nonsense Evan has to put up with every morning:

Evan is not a big fan of getting his medications. Even so, he's such a good boy and lets me administer them. Most go in his mouth, while two go in his ear, one being an antimicrobial cleaner that keeps his deformed ear's suffocated canal from getting infected. All of these meds have been overall working great for him, with the occasional at-home enema needed when his megacolon medications don't quite do the trick. He doesn't enjoy it, but he lets me do it, and that minute or two of administering meds is worth seeing him happy and active and playing and purring and all that wonderful jazz the rest of the time.

Evan and all of us here wish you a happy Monday! Of course, Evan also hopes you all are putting up with far less nonsense than he is during medication time.

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Doodle of the Day

I don't see that I ever shared this doodles that I scribbled up honestly months ago, and so here it is. After all, it's more than fitting for today.

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Tip of the Day

Today's autumnal tip relates to grooming. As the weather starts to cool in the autumn, your furbaby might begin to grow their winter coat. Especially in double-coated furbabies, such as Persian cats and Husky dogs, you might notice the fur filling out and growing thicker as the weather cools. For this reason, do be sure to help you furbaby groom, such as by brushing them on a daily, or at least nearly daily, basis. If you are unable to groom your cat or dog, and especially if they are prone to mats or hairball issues, then you can consider taking them to a groomer. Some veterinary offices even offer grooming services, so, as needed, you can discuss this with your veterinarian. Regardless of if you do it at home or take your furbaby to a groomer, regularly grooming your kitty or pup can help prevent mats, and can help prevent the ingestion of hairballs, especially in cats. Mats can be uncomfortable and painful, so it's of course ideal to prevent these. It is of course also important to help prevent your furbaby's ingestion of too much hair, not only because this prevents the vomiting of hairballs, but also because, in worst case scenarios, ingestion of too much hair could cause a blockage in the intestinal tract. So, don't forgot about those grooming sessions.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Window Whiffies

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. _________ would make me happier than _________.

2. _________ raises my blood pressure.

3. I have a lot of _________ that I don't use.

4. I never seem to have _________ when I need it.


My answers are below in bold.

1. Having more time to spend with my furbabies and on my passions would make me happier than almost anything else.
(This answer stems from me having this past week off of work, and during this time I got a lot of things done that I don't usually have time for. Looking at this from certain angles, obviously things could be a lot worse. Having a healthy family, both human and furry, is of high importance, and so on and so forth. I also don't mean to complain, as I'm grateful to have an income. Even so, I'd love to have more time, especially more time outside of my full-time job. Of course, this is something a lot of people wish for.)

2. My kitties or pup being sick raises my blood pressure.
(Seeing our furbabies ailing and trying to make them feel better can be a stressful thing, as I'm sure you all already know. When my poor Evan's megacolon acts up and he ends up constipated, even though I know I have multiple medications and even at-home enemas to work with in order for him to feel better, it still stresses me out.)

3. I have a lot of notebooks that I don't use.
(I'm one of those people who loves stationery. I've always loved notebooks and have acquired many over the years, probably because I love to write. The problem is that I'll see a cute notebook and buy it, but then because it's cute, I don't want to use or "waste" it. Then it just sits on my shelf looking pretty, and that's kind of sad. I do intend to get over that and put the poor notebooks to use.)

4. I never seem to have time when I need it.
(This heavily relates to my answer to #1, and this is certainly something a lot of people can relate to. Time is precious, and also seemingly in short supply.)

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? Yes? Well, you'll be getting yourself a shot of adorable Eddy, but the girl was admittedly yet again too busy watching the birds and squirrels to pay the camera any mind.

That there was taken on one of our days of beautiful, autumnal weather, before the current heat wave swooped in. Eddy hopes you're all enjoying lovely, window whiffies weather!

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Doodle of the Day

I spent part of this week finishing up a few kooky doodles as well as scanning the completed ones. As I was going through them all, I realized I never shared this one that I scribbled up a while back. So, here's this weird little something.

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Tip of the Day

Today's autumn pet safety tip is a short and simple one, and that is to keep up with those preventatives. Even as the weather cools in the autumn, and even winter, it is possible for there to be days and conditions that allow for fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other parasites to survive. Bites or infestations of certain parasites can potentially lead to a variety of diseases or other medical concerns, some of them life-threatening. In order to better ensure that your kitty or pup remains healthy and happy, therefore, do consider administering their preventatives year-round.

Thankful Thimble Thursday in the Dirty Window

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

Today, Thimble is grateful that she's way prettier than a dirty window.

Do you see all that dirt and dust on the window? Thimble is not impressed with how this human mom of hers skipped this window during spring cleaning. A pretty lady like Thimble shouldn't have to pose in a dirty window, but she's at least glad she outshines it.

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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. _________ would make me happier than _________.

2. _________ raises my blood pressure.

3. I have a lot of _________ that I don't use.

4. I never seem to have _________ when I need it.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

This should be our last 90°F day, at least for this week, so perhaps autumn is finally on the horizon, which is something to celebrate with a doodle.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday's autumn safety tip revolved around helping your kitty or pup stay warm by putting out more blankets or pet beds, and keeping said napping spots off the floor. Today's tip is also about helping your furbaby stay warm as the weather cools down, but this time in the form of food. It is possible that, as the weather grows colder, our furbabies might eat more in order to stay warm. This is because eating spurs metabolism, which can help produce warmth for the body. As it grows chilly, therefore, your kitty or pup might indeed need more food. That being said, though, if you have any concerns regarding your cat or dog's weight, or if they have related health issues, then of course discuss food intake with your veterinarian first.

Astrid's Adventures in Cat Sitting

I mentioned earlier this week how I'm watching my parents' 12 cats while they're on vacation. I live just a couple doors down from my parents, so I often pop in to see their kitties on the way home from pup Astrid's walks. So, of course Astrid is helping me take care of the kitties.

That there is Trapper. He's actually my Thimble's litter mate, and he loves Astrid. Sometimes he shows his love in weird ways, but he really is one of Astrid's number one fans.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's doodle is not only a flashback, but also a Halloween one. This is because it's sort of in the same vein as a new series of doodles I've been working on, and so when I thought of this old doodle, I figured why not just share it.

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Tip of the Day

Today's autumn pet safety tip is all about those cool fall temperatures. When the weather starts to cool, take into consideration what steps you might have to take to ensure that your furbaby stays warm. Don't forget that cooler weather can be felt both outdoors and indoors.

If it's growing cold outside, monitor your pup or kitty when outdoors, and don't leave them outdoors for long periods of time. In addition, if you care for strays, ferals, or other outdoor kitties of pups, do your best to ensure they have some form of shelter in which to stay out of the wind and to stay as warm as possible. Even a storage container or a Styrofoam cooler turned upside, with a hole cut in the side as an entrance, can allow for some warmth on cool days. You can add blankets or straw to help strays, ferals, and other outdoor cats or dogs huddle up and stay warm in such a shelter. Do keep in mind, though, that blankets can become damp and cold if rained on, which is why straw might be an ideal option for helping outdoor furbabies stay warm in a shelter.

Of course, don't forget that even our indoor furbabies can feel the drop in temperature this time of year. Floors can go from being cool respites on hot summer days to being drafty and chilly in the autumn. For this reason, try to ensure that your cat or dog has somewhere off of the floor to sleep, especially in these cooler seasons. You can put out extra blankets or pet beds for them to warmly nap on. Especially as we get further into autumn, safe and pet-friendly heating blankets or heated pet beds could also be put out for your furbaby. Then again, you can also help your kitty or pup stay warm with some extra lap time.

Tonks Tuesday: Every Day Is Halloween

Today, Tonks wanted to share a particular flashback of her cute self. This was snapped roughly a year ago.

The reason Tonks wanted to share that flashback is because she still plays with those toys a lot, and she even snapped some new photos with some of them recently. She wants to share those new photos soon, but since the toys have been a little too well-loved, Tonks was afraid you wouldn't be able to tell what they are unless you saw this old photo with them. It makes me so happy and proud that some of Tonks's favorite toys are Halloween ones. She loves them all year round, and that's fine by me. After all, as some say, every day is Halloween.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We had some gorgeous days that were not much above 60°F. We're back to nearly 90°F, though, so we're bringing autumn back here with a doodle.

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Tip of the Day

We're still in the midst of our series of autumn pet safety tips. Today's such tip is to take precautions if you are walking your pup or kitty on autumn evenings. This time of year, it starts growing dark earlier in the evening. Therefore, if you head out with your furbaby on a walk in the evening, such as after getting home from work, be sure to wear bright colors, and make sure that your furbaby's collar, leash, and/or harness is adorned with reflectors. This way, if your furbaby is out on a walk with you after it has grown dark for the night, both your furbaby and yourself can be more easily seen and avoided by potentially dangerous traffic. Of course, when walking your furbaby in the dark, also do your best to select a route that is the safest one possible. After all, as always, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Mancat Monday with the Mama's Boy

It's Mancat Monday, and today Evan is doing a happy little jig.

This mama's boy is excited because this week, this here human mom of his took off of work and so will be home a lot more than usual.

I actually took this week off because my parents and sister are on a vacation halfway across the country. I don't enjoy traveling and prefer to be close to my home and kitties and pup, and so I chose to stay behind to take care of the furry family members. Between my parents, my sister, and myself, we have 18 kitties and of course pup Astrid, as well as a dozen or so fish and a frog. I don't mind caring for them all, though, and I'm honestly just happy to have a week off of work.

You'd think I'd be posting early in the day here on our blog, and that I wouldn't have missed yet another weekend of posts, since I'm not working my full-time job. But, this is actually one of the first times I've even turned on my computer since last week. I did get a number of big chores done this weekend, though, and so I hope to get back on track with blogging as well as getting lots of art and writing done this week. We'll see what the kitties and pup allow.

Happy Monday to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm pretty sure I haven't shared this doodle yet this season, but it's another flashback I wanted to share this month, as we transition from summer to autumn. We're also approaching my favorite season to mow the lawn, since it's usually more crisp and cool outside, hence this doodle.

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Tip of the Day

Today's autumn pet safety tip is all about those windows. We've shared many tips on this topic in the past, but here we go again. After all, as the temperatures cool down this autumn, we might find ourselves craving some fresh air. Before opening any windows, though, be sure to inspect screens and take any and all precautions to ensure that no furbabies escape from any open windows. If you have an escape artist, perhaps block their direct access to windows, such as by putting something in front of the window that will prevent them from getting right next to the screen. Also never leave furbabies unattended with an open window, but instead monitor them closely when windows are open. Perhaps this all sounds like extreme measures, but a lost furbaby is a devastating thing, and it is always better to be safe than sorry.

That's not all we have on those windows, though. Also keep in mind the health of your furbabies, and yourself, when windows are open. Does your furbaby, or yourself, have asthma? What about allergies? If your kitty or pup has any such respiratory issues, open windows might not be an ideal thing. Allergens, dust, dirt, and all sorts of debris can enter through the window screen with the aid of the wind. This debris can lead to asthma attacks, itching, scratching, and other potential side effects in furbabies who do have asthma, allergies, or other similar medical issues. So, though open windows can be very enticing when the weather is cool and crisp, never forget to take into consideration all potential side effects.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Window View

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. _________ is a movie I would like to see.

2. _________ is a museum I would like to visit.

3. I've been complimented on my _________.

4. I once got in trouble for _________.


My answers are below in bold.

1. Longlegs is a movie I would like to see.
(I'm pretty sure I mentioned this movie in another recent fill-in. It's a new movie that I've heard is a creepy, psychological horror-thriller. It also stars Nicolas Cage, and I've really been enjoying a lot of the new movies he's been in. I mostly wait for movies to be available on the streaming services I have access to, which is why I'm still waiting to watch this one. I'll be excited when I can give it a try.)

2. The Halloween Museum of Salem is a museum I would like to visit.
(I don't know why, but I've always found museums a bit boring. I enjoy learning, and so I've never fully known why I feel this way, but it is what it is. That said, I wouldn't mind someday visiting Salem, MA, including the Halloween Museum there. There are also some Salem witch trial museums there that I would probably find interesting as well. I don't like traveling, mostly because I simply prefer being home and with my kitties and pup, but if someday I do travel, perhaps I'll visit Salem and the museums it offers.)

3. I've been complimented on my creativity.
(I've gotten compliments when others have seen my drawings or read my writing. I always appreciate the compliments, as there are times I wonder if others can understand or enjoy what my brain and hands come up with. I know I have some weird and out-there ideas sometimes, so I appreciate knowing that my creations bring others even a little bit of joy.)

4. I once got in trouble for getting distracted by a cat.
(Honestly, this has happened more than once in my life. Whether it was a family or school or other sort of event, I've more than once been told to focus on a task at hand rather than pet and fawn over a kitty, or a pup. There's little chance I'll readily obey that sort of order. I'm generally a pretty focused person, but when a cat or dog enters the picture, that goes right out the window.)

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.

***

Today's Eddy fix comes yet again from her post at her favorite window. This time, though, Eddy climbed to the very top of her cat tree to get a higher vantage point.

I've said this before, but I just love when Eddy's snaggletooth co-stars in her photos. Just look how cute it is!

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

While we're supposed to get another heat wave later next week, the next few days we'll be enjoying very autumnal temperatures. That makes it feel like Halloween is right around the corner, which makes me happy, and which made me think of this flashback doodle.

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Tip of the Day:

Today's autumn pet safety tip relates to those leaves, sticks, and other debris that ends up on the ground this time of year. Though they might seem harmless, it is possible for even simple fallen leaves to pose a variety of risks. If your pup or kitty is accustomed to chewing on or ingesting leaves, sticks, acorns, and other bits and pieces that frequently fall from trees during the autumn, for example, then medical issues could result. There is a chance that your cat or dog could end up with gastrointestinal distress if they eat leaves and the like. In worst case scenarios, ingestion of large amounts of leaves, sticks, or acorn material could lead to perforation or obstruction of the bowels.

Another similar risk might come from sharp leaf stems or sticks. If your furbaby is playing out in the yard where leaves are thick and obscure what's beneath, for example, then it is perhaps possible for them to sustain injuries to the eyes, legs, or other areas of the body. This might occur if a stick or leaf stem scrapes or pokes them while they are walking or playing in fallen leaves. In order to prevent injuries and other potential medical emergencies, you can try to keep on top of picking up leaves, sticks, and the like in your yard, so that dangers are less likely to lie in wait. It is also, of course, important to monitor your kitty or pup while they play in the yard or make their way on walks. This way, you can try to help them stay safe from injury from autumn debris on the ground. Of course, though, despite our best intentions, sometimes furbaby emergencies still do occur. If anything of the like occurs, do not hesitate to seek veterinary assistance.