Not So Dizzy Adventures with Astrid

We mentioned last week how pup Astrid was having a flare of her vestibular disease. That of course made her dizzy, unsteady on her feet, and all that not so fun jazz. Astrid has improved a lot, though, enough to enjoy outdoor time without falling over.

Astrid has had multiple flares of her vestibular disease over the past 8 or so months, but this most recent one was the worst. It usually takes her at least a couple weeks to act more like her old gal self again. It's been a bit over a week, and though she's not back to how she was before this flare, Astrid is indeed feeling much better nonetheless.

It doesn't help that Astrid really hates hot summer weather. What's more, her vestibular issues do often seem worse in the summer. So, having such a gnarly flare of it in July and August wasn't the most fun thing for the poor pup to experience. Again, though, she is already feeling a lot better, for which I'm very grateful.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Believe it or not, we still have a couple tips left in our litter box series. Today's tip is to consider regularly replacing litter boxes as they grow old and overused. Some cat care professionals recommend brand new litter boxes on a yearly basis. At the very least, do take note of how old your cat's litter box is and what shape it's in, and replace it as needed.

There are a couple of considerations to make when deciding whether or when to replace a litter box. First, keep in mind that plastic litter boxes can become adorned with scrapes and scratches from cat claws, and those scratches on plastic litter boxes can ultimately harbor a variety of microbes. This can, of course, ultimately lead to potentially unsanitary conditions within the litter box. In addition to that, ammonia and other components of excrement can potentially leach into the plastic of litter boxes over time. This can make lingering odors, such as that of urine, more or less permanent, which could very well be unpleasant to those sharp noises of our kitties. The aforementioned are just two reasons why regularly replacing old litter boxes may indeed be a good idea. As we've said before, maintaining a fresh, clean litter box can be crucial to sharing your home with a happy, healthy feline.

Toesies and Tongue on Tonks Tuesday

Hello, friends! It's Tuesday, as in Tonks Tuesday. And today, the calico is here to show off her adorable toesies and tongue.

There's nothing like a good ol' tongue bath in the sun. Is that what they mean by sunbathing? Because if this is sunbathing, Tonks is a pro at it.

Happy Tuesday to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today we have yet another flashback doodle from an old series starring Edgar Allan Poe and his tortie Catterina. This one was inspired by one of my all-time favorite stories by Poe, that being The Fall of the House of Usher.

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Tip of the Day

We're still making our way through our tips on litter boxes. Today's tip is a quick and simple one, and it's to use the times you scoop and clean the litter box wisely. In other words, use your litter scooping time to be observant of your kitty's urine and feces. Are there any changes to the urine or stool volume or frequency? Is it a different color? Is there blood or mucus in it? Is the stool especially hard, or especially soft or runny? What about the odor? Excrement never smells particularly nice, but is there any new change in its smell? Try to always be observant of these types of things when you're scooping your cat's litter box. After all, some diseases will have symptoms that show up in the litter box, and so it is indeed important to make sure you are regularly checking to make sure all is well in that box. Of course, if you do notice anything concerning while scooping the litter box, do not hesitate to make a call to your veterinarian.

Sleepy Mancat Monday

Hello, friends! Evan had a wonderful weekend. He did not struggle with any of his urinary issues, nor did he have any megacolon flares. Even so, he's still a tired little fella. After all, the happy boy spent all weekend babysitting this mom of his. He's informed me that's a full-time job, and so now he's resting on this Monday.

Can you even tell what you're looking at there? Evan loves to snooze with his face pretty much suffocated against a blanket, which is indeed what's happening in that particular nap.

I don't know how it's comfy to sleep with your head curled under, but it's Evan's favorite way to nap. The ear you can see in those photos is his deformed one, which doesn't make it any easier to tell what you're looking at. Take my word for it, though, that Evan is absolutely adorable when he naps. And always, of course.

Evan wishes you all lots of naps today! Happy Monday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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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 every one to two weeks, to keep the box squeaky clean and your kitty healthy and happy. If that's not possible, then try for at least 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 regular full cleans, and your kitty will likely be very happy with you.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy Cuddles

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. My plans for August include _________ and _________.

2. I exercise my brain by _________.

3. I try not to let _________ go to waste.

4. I know it's going to be a good day when _________.


My answers are below in bold.

1. My plans for August include more art and more writing.
(Goodness knows I have plenty of items on my to-do list I could put here. I have chores and projects both inside my house and outside of my house that I really need to work on. But, I just really want to draw and work on my writing project. Those are simply passions in my life that I want to give more time and attention to, so maybe I'll manifest that by giving them as an answer here.)

2. I exercise my brain by reading and playing word games.
(A lot of things can exercise the human brain, as I'm sure you all already know, but my favorites are indeed reading and my daily word games. I try to make sure I read at least a couple or few pages of a book every day. I also every day try to play my favorite online word games, those being Wordle, Quordle, Squordle, Octordle, and Connections.)

3. I try not to let time go to waste.
(Like many people, I don't like letting most things go to waste, like food and such. But, I picked time as my answer because lately I've been trying to manage my time better. Mostly, I want to make sure that I'm not wasting too much time on things like scrolling through social media. I'm not terrible at this, but some days I do find myself procrastinating with the likes of Instagram. That seems like such a waste of time that could be used for such better things, like cuddling my furry babies, working on my art and writing projects, and so on and so forth.)

4. I know it's going to be a good day when my furry babies wake up happy and healthy.
(Astrid is still working through her most recent vestibular disease flareup. I look forward to it resolving more, so that she can feel and act more like herself. She's already doing better than she was a couple days ago, and the kitties are all doing their version of fantastic lately, so here's to happy and healthy days.)

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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Now, of course, we have your Eddy fix. For anyone who doesn't know, my girl Eddy is very skittish, and anything and everything can and will make her hide. She was more or less semi-feral when I adopted her as a 10-week-old kitten, and sometimes that feral side still comes out just a bit. That said, I love my girl Eddy so much. She does not like anyone but myself, and I have to say it's an honor to be the one and only human she will happily run to, meow at, boss around, cuddle, and all that adorable jazz.

All that rambling to say, how about a shot of Eddy cuddling this here human of hers?

Eddy likes to be the little spoon to my big spoon, and she indeed loves to use my hand and arm as a pillow. And I'm more than happy to oblige.

Oh, and behind Eddy there in that photo you'll see my orange boy Evan. Evan is the only kitty Eddy actually likes. She will tolerate Thimble and so they can be in the same vicinity with only minor amounts of mutual trolling, but otherwise Eddy loathes every cat except for her beloved Evan. They're two of the only cats in the house you'll find sleeping next to each other like that.

Eddy and all of us here wish you a wonderful weekend, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'd almost forgotten I scribbled up this doodle last year, but I stumbled upon it recently and so decided to re-share it today.

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Tip of the Day

We're still in the midst of our series of tips on the topic of litter boxes. Today's tip in this realm of things is one that we might not always think on too much, and that's the litter scoop. You'd think a scoop is a scoop, but sometimes one scoop simply might work better than another. Depending on the type of litter you use, your particular furbaby's litter box habits, and other such factors, be sure to select a litter scoop that removes as much of the piles of urine, feces, and affected litter as possible. If too much of these bits of debris are left behind when you scoop, that can lead to lingering smells and less sanitary conditions. This could in turn mean that the litter box will need to be cleaned more frequently than might be expected. For the above reasons, when selecting a litter scoop, consider factors such as the number and spacing of the grates on the scoop.

In addition, you also might want to consider the material out of which the scoop is made. If there's a chance your litter scoop might get bunged up, for example, perhaps go for a metal scoop. This is because plastic scoops are far more likely to end up with scratches on their surface, and such scratches could harbor microbes, especially when used in an environment such as that of a litter box. So, don't forget to give even that scoop a bit of extra consideration and attention. Every little detail could potentially affect our kitties and their health and happiness, and that even includes the litter scoop, which helps keep that litter box as clean and sanitary as possible.

Thankful Thimble Thursday with a Toby Cameo

It's Thursday, which means it's time for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is grateful for sunny window seats, even if she has to share them.

Behind Thimble there is her littermate Toby, who owns my sister. Toby currently lives with us, though he and Thimble don't always spend a whole lot of time together. That may or may not be because Toby has a tendency to pick on the lady cats in the house. The only cat he doesn't pick on is Evan. Despite having nonfunctioning back legs, Evan is the only cat in the house who can and will take Toby down. And believe it or not, Evan never loses. Sometimes Evan will intervene and take Toby down when he's picking on a girl kitty, something for which Thimble is also thankful.

Thimble hopes you all get to enjoy a sunny window view today, preferably without any boy cats doing unspeakable things to you.

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And now we have for you the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. My plans for August include _________ and _________.

2. I exercise my brain by _________.

3. I try not to let _________ go to waste.

4. I know it's going to be a good day when _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

For reasons, I feel like sharing another old doodle of the feline Harry Potter sort.

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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.

Woof Woof Wednesday with a Dizzy Dog

It's Woof Woof Wednesday, and today poor pup Astrid is struggling with one of her vestibular flares. She's had occasional vestibular issues for 7 or 8 months now, but this particular flare is making her a bit dizzier than usual. Astrid is already feeling a bit better today than she was yesterday, but we still have a ways to go to get out of this flareup.

Astrid was doing great last week and this past weekend. Her arthritis wasn't bothering her too much, and neither was her vestibular disease. Actually, Astrid had a really good month overall, I'd say. It's just the past couple of days that she's struggling with this vestibular flare. That said, let's share a couple of happy photos from one of her recent outings when she felt great.

In these two photos, Astrid had just seen a bunny rabbit hop up someone's driveway. Rabbits are one of Astrid's favorite things to stare at, and so it certainly caught her attention.

Astrid hopes you all get some fun bunny sightings! Happy Wednesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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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, at least 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 certainly 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.

Another Nosey Tonks Tuesday

We've reached another Tonks Tuesday, and the calico herself is gracing you with another view of her adorable little nose.

And you are free to boop that nose, as Tonks absolutely loves nose boops. They make her purr and drool so very much.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

As we mentioned yesterday, we're yet again sharing a series of tips dedicated to none other than the litter box. Yesterday, we talked about choosing a type of litter box. Today, we're going to talk about the number of litter boxes you might need.

We're going to begin this discussion with a bit of an equation:

(# of cats) + 1 = (# of litter boxes)

That up there is the general rule for how many litter boxes a home should have, for the comfort of the kitties living there. Since we're a broken record, we'll say it again: the number of litter boxes should equal the number of cats, plus one. We know following that rule might not always be easy or feasible, but it simply helps ensure that all of the cats in a home have plenty of options, something that is especially important in a multicat home. Finding a clean litter box, and not being bullied out of it, is more easily done when there is a sufficient number of boxes. As for single cat homes, the equation above still typically applies. Why? One reasons is that some cats don't like to urinate and defecate in the same box. Another reason is that, again, it gives them more options for a clean box, and can thereby reduce potential out-of-box behaviors.

Now that we have that little equation out of the way, we'll also mention that it's possible that not all of the litter boxes in a home should be or will be the same type. For example, do you have one cat who likes covered boxes, and another cat who prefers uncovered boxes? If so, then you should probably have litter boxes of both of those types. This ensures that each cat has a choice that suits their preferences. So, it's not only important to ensure that there are enough litter boxes, but that the boxes suit the needs of all cats present in the home.

Caged up on Mancat Monday

Evan got to visit our vet's groomer for yet another sanitary shave on Friday.

Evan isn't always the most thrilled to go visit the groomer. He's been in a lot better mood for her lately, especially since starting on Solensia, but that doesn't mean he's happy to be there. That said, Evan is always a very happy and observant boy on the drive home. The photo above was snapped after I picked Evan up and we were about to leave the vet. Once he knows he's going home, he's happy to sit in his cage, purring and taking in his surroundings.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

We've given tips on cats and their litter boxes many 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 re-share our 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.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Festive Photo Fails

Hello and happy Friday! 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. The best part of the summer is _________.

2. I can't believe that I ever _________.

3. I would happily _________ every single day.

4. I could use a break from _________.


My answers are below in bold.

1. The best part of the summer is when it ends.
(Not everything about summer is horrible, and I don't ever want to wish away time with my furry or human family. That said, heat and humidity is not my thing. The heat index here has been nearly 110°F for the past couple of days, in no small part thanks to the outrageous humidity we're experiencing. It's times like this when I want nothing more than autumnal weather.)

2. I can't believe that I ever liked bologna.

(As a kid I loved bologna sandwiches, complete with ketchup and mayo, sometimes with a piece of lettuce on top to disguise it as healthy. These days, though, even the sight of bologna nearly makes me want to gag. It looks gross, tastes nasty, and smells even worse.)

3. I would happily be a stay-at-home cat mom every single day.
(I know this isn't really a thing, nor is it financially feasible, but a girl can dream.)

4. I could use a break from this week's work chaos.
(I work as a laboratory technician at a chemistry lab, where we test all sorts of things from all over the world. This week, we had a couple of building repairs being done on top of an old testing instrument being rebuilt and upgraded, which is a huge undertaking. To top that all off, the FDA showed up for one of their unannounced audits. We were overdue for one, but it could quite literally not have occurred during a worse week. All of that has meant extra long days. Even better, the FDA will likely continue their visit into next week.)

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.

Blooper queen Eddy is of course here for the occasion, and she's ready to get festive. After all, it is Christmas in July! To begin, we're actually going to share the one and only non-blooper shot from Eddy's recent festive photo shoot.

We do indeed use Christmas (and Halloween) blankets all year round at our house, and so Eddy enjoyed that one there recently. And let's pretend that festive feline blanket wasn't vomited on the very next day.

But we're here for bloopers, aren't we? As always, Eddy got good and blurry for the occasion.

The next one is also blurry, but with a side of bent whiskers.

The last blooper is the result of Eddy jumping from her chair half a second before the photo snapped. And so, you get a blurry view of the festive blanket all by its lonesome.

Merry Christmas in July, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I have to admit that I've been at work too late most nights this week to work on art when I get home. Whether it was due to lack of time or lack of energy, or both, I have not yet managed to finish this year's Christmas in July doodle. I do plan on finishing it up this weekend, though, and I'll share it next week. So, for today, here's one of my favorite past Christmas in July doodles.

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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 land-bound. 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. If a cat is good at and willing to jump, you can also block the dog with a baby gate over which the cat can jump. 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.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Big Ears and Baby Food

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

As has been the case before, today Thimble is grateful for her adorably oversized ears. After all, these ears are how she hears the sound of a baby food jar popping open.

I don't have any human children, but you better believe I buy many jars of baby food every single week because Thimble enjoys it as a treat. Her favorite flavor is ham, in case you were curious.

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And now we have 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. The best part of the summer is _________.

2. I can't believe that I ever _________.

3. I would happily _________ every single day.

4. I could use a break from _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I felt like sharing an old doodle inspired by Harry Potter, just because. So, 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.

Woof Woof Wednesday: A Gotcha Day and an A+

Hello, friends! First and foremost, on this Woof Woof Wednesday, Astrid would like you all to know that she was happy to celebrate her 12th gotcha day this past Sunday. We indeed brought her home on July 20, 2013, after she showed up in my uncle's yard and no one stepped forward to claim her. So, we were blessed with this sweet and sassy pup! To celebrate the occasion, I ordered some cookies from Astrid's favorite pet bakery.

After (sort of) patiently waiting for a few photos to be snapped, Astrid then made the executive decision to pick which cookies she ate first.

What's more, Astrid's exam and senior panel from last week all came back looking pretty darn good for a 12-year-old big pup like herself. Her arthritis and vestibular issues are staying steady. The arthritis is managed pretty well with a couple of pain meds for now. The vestibular issues make her a bit off balance sometimes, and they've led to a frequent right-sided head tilt (which you can see in the first photo above) as well as occasional strabismus of the right eye. But, Astrid's vet is overall happy with how she's handling all of that and is very pleased with how she's doing, as are we. I'd like to say Astrid earned herself an A+. (At least close to it. The pup is also a bit overweight at nearly 88 lbs, but pretend you didn't hear that from me.)

Some of the other issues Astrid was having a couple months ago, including difficulty swallowing, have improved vastly with some other medications. Luckily, Astrid happily takes her 9 doses of meds per day in peanut butter. She's one of the easiest furry babies to pill, because she'll take anything you stick in a spoonful of peanut butter.

I can't tell you the amount of relief I felt after speaking to Astrid's vet about her current status and bloodwork results. Except for one liver value that is often elevated in older dogs and has indeed been elevated for Astrid for a number of years now, Astrid's bloodwork looked phenomenal. Her organs all seem happy, and she seems happy, and so I'm happy.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

How about another old Christmas in July doodle. It's a bit of a random one, and I can't remember exactly what my thoughts were way back when I scribbled it up many years ago, but here it is nonetheless.

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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. Did you know that 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, and also that the item doesn't scare or agitate your pup or kitty.

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.

Sleepy Tonks Tuesday

It's Tonks Tuesday, and for today's photo I accidentally woke up the sleeping calico.

Sorry, Tonks. Don't worry, though, because you're still downright adorable even when you're sleepy. I'm sure all of you friends of ours agree, because honestly, just look at that face.

Happy Tuesday, 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. This could perhaps be a cheaper option than a store-bought bed, and 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.

Another Mancat Monday with Megacolon

It's Mancat Monday, and poor Evan had a bit of a rough weekend. His megacolon gave him lots of trouble, since it decided to hold his stool hostage. Don't worry, though, because with some extra meds and stomach massages, Evan was finally able to evacuate everything from his system. He's feeling much better now, though a tad bit tired.

Evan is a very happy boy on this Mancat Monday, since his colon is good and cleared out. He hopes you're all having a magnificent Monday as well!

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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's right, it can! 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.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Festive Eddy

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. _________ is a book that I would reread again.

2. My _________ is in need of _________.

3. I've been working on _________ for _________.

4. I finally figured out _________.

My answers are below in bold, alongside much needless rambling, as always.

1. The Hobbit is a book that I would reread again.
(I really struggled with what to put for this one. Not because I couldn't think of an answer, but because I came up with too many options. But, I landed on The Hobbit. My dad read this to my sister and myself as a bedtime story when we were very young, and then I read it myself when I was a preteen. Given that it's one of my favorite books of all time, and that Tolkien is the king of my favorite genre, I'm horrified to admit that I haven't read The Hobbit since I was a kid. I really do want to reread it soon.)

2. My car is in need of a lot of help.

(My car is 15 years old. I plan on driving this thing until it's got nothing left to give. I do take it in roughly twice a year for oil changes, and for lots of unexpected repairs that have been needed over the years. This past week my car decided it didn't want to start and ended up just needing a small repair to fix the issue. The shop I take it to always does an inspection and will text you their findings, and my poor old car always gets random things marked as "suggested" or "recommended future" repairs. More of these were of course mentioned for my poor old car this week. Most of them are not crucial, but anything significant will get sorted out soon enough. For now, though, my car is driving great again.)

3. I've been working on my current writing project for over a year.

(I came up with this story idea last April. I actually wrote the first page with the intention of entering it into a short story contest, but then I realized I'd love to write it as a full novel. I didn't write much in the story for quite a few months last year, but as of this year, I'm working on it regularly and making pretty good headway. It's the weird and wacky fantasy story for which I created illustrations for this year's April A to Z Challenge, and the main human in the tale has a hind limb paralyzed orange kitty like my Evan.)

4. I finally figured out what to scribble up for Toby and Winky's spooky summertime drawing.
(I created new kooky doodles for pup Astrid and my four kitties, and we've even shared them already. But our housemates Toby and Winky, who own my sister, haven't gotten a new spooky summertime doodle yet. I couldn't decide what to do for them, so I asked my sister, and she shot out a unique little idea. I've already outlined it, and it's an odd one, but I'll share it soon enough.)

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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Next week, Friday falls on July 25th. Eddy has already had herself a bit of a Christmas in July photo shoot for the occasion. Next Friday is also the official day of bloopers for this month, and so of course Eddy will include at least one good and blurry offering in her festive post. For today, though, how about a festive spoiler with Eddy resting in her favorite chair beside her year round Christmas tree?

These photos are also a tad bit blurry, but such is life with Eddy. At least she's still downright adorable.

Eddy hopes you're all enjoying some sort of festive fun this July!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I intend on creating a new Christmas in July doodle for next week, but since we mentioned the occasion above, how about this festive flashback doodle for today?

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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.

A Nosey Thankful Thimble Thursday

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

Thimble has been sharing lots of gratitude lately for the sunshine and her adorable self. Today is similar, but with an emphasis on how cute her little nose is. She even put it in the sunny spotlight for you all to appreciate it properly.

Feel free to give that nose a little boop. Thimble would genuinely be more than happy with that. She very much so loves attention and affection.

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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. _________ is a book that I would reread again.

2. My _________ is in need of _________.

3. I've been working on _________ for _________.

4. I finally figured out _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Since we've been sharing some summertime spooky doodles here and there over the past few weeks, I think it's time for the annual re-share of my Edgar Allan Poe series of doodles from quite a few years ago. Today you get Poe, his tortie Catterina, and none other than the (in)famous raven.

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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.