Merry Seventh Day of Christmas and Happy New Year's Eve (With Angel Astrid)!

Today, I have a sweet memory of my sweet angel pup Astrid with some of my outdoor Christmas decor.

Those festive pieces are helping decorate my front yard again this year. We've been having lots of wind storms, though, and despite lots of tent stakes and other attempts to keep them standing, I've had to pick them up off the ground so many times lately. The poor reindeer keeps getting decapitated by the wind, but luckily his head is easy to reattach. And now that I'm looking at these photos, I'm pretty sure I put his antlers on backwards when I reinstalled his head just last night. That doesn't matter right now, though, as the best part are the memories I have of my dear Astrid.

Now, Merry Seventh Day of Christmas and Happy New Year's Eve to all! We hope the final hours of 2025 treat you well and bring you much peace and joy. What's more, we hope 2026 treats you with kindness and bestows you with many blessings.

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

I have 4 days off of work starting tomorrow, and so I hope to use that time to finally finish up some of my festive doodles that are in limbo and finally share them in the final days of the Twelve Days of Christmas. For today, though, I have a doodle I scribbled up for a New Year's Eve many, many years ago. It's yet another one I'd love to recreate in my more current style, but for now this is the original piece that I've shared on many New Year's Eves.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip on winter feral care is to remember to put water out for ferals and strays you care for. This sounds and often feels impossible, given that water indeed freezes in cold temperatures. However, it is often possible to make water accessible to ferals or strays even in the winter months. Yesterday's tip discussed ways to successfully feed moist food to ferals in the winter, and most of those methods will also work for water. You can start by simply checking the water as often as possible, and removing ice or refreshing the water to ensure that it remains a liquid and not a frozen solid. You can also warm the water bowl, or even put out warm water, to delay its freezing. Other options include putting microwavable heat pads beneath the water bowl, using an electric heated bowl, or using another heat source in the area where the water is kept. With all such options, though, always keep safety in mind, and only choose and use heated products that best prevent burns and fires.

There are a couple of other considerations to make when putting water outside for ferals and strays in the winter months. To begin, try to keep water bowls elevated off of the cold ground as much as possible, to help keep it from freezing rapidly. In addition to this, using a deep bowl inside of a wide bowl will also help it to freeze less rapidly. Another option is to have a source of running water, such as by offering water in some sort of fountain, as moving water does not as easily freeze. And yet another way to help keep water from freezing rapidly in the winter is to put the bowl in the sun.

It also important to note that, as much as is possible, try to avoid putting water near where ferals or strays might sleep. This is because spills can indeed happen, and damp bedding material can make warmth and comfort difficult. So, there are many considerations to make when successfully offering water to ferals and strays in the winter months, but it is indeed possible, and of course also beneficial to them and their health.

Merry Sixth Day of Christmas (With Tonks, Another Tonks, and a Skeleton)!

This Tonks Tuesday brings us to the Sixth Day of Christmas. Indeed, as we've mentioned a couple of times, the Twelve Days of Christmas only begin on Christmas itself, and of course we celebrate them all the way until the end. And then some.

That said, today Tonks wanted to show off another shot of her with her favorite Christmas tree. Tonks is a bit blurry in this one, and the lighting is far from ideal, but there's one little detail in here that I just love. On the right side you'll see a figurine. I didn't realize this little character was visible when I snapped this photo, but it's quite fitting. It's a Funko Pop of a Harry Potter character, that character being Tonks, after whom my little calico is named.

If you look on the left side of that photo, through the Christmas tree you can also see the face of one of the skeletons that sits around in my house year round. I again didn't even notice this detail until after I'd taken the photo, but if suddenly noticing a skeletal face peeking through the Christmas tree doesn't sum up my house, I don't know what does.

Merry Sixth Day of Christmas, friends!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Since I still need to scan and upload new festive doodles, as well as finish some that are sitting in limbo in my notebook, how about another doodle in the old series of houses from famous Christmas movies? This one is from Home Alone, of course with a kitty added into the mix.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday we discussed feeding feral and stray cats outdoors in the cold winter months. As we mentioned, dry food is a good option in the winter as it will not freeze like moist food. However, moist food still has its benefits, and so today we're here to give some tips on how to feed moist food outdoors in the cold months with at least some success. To begin, you can resort to putting moist food out only when you know the cat or cats you feed are present, so that they will be able to eat it immediately, giving it little to no time to freeze. Sometimes, though, you might not know when a feral or stray cat will show up for a meal. In such cases, there are ways to potentially offer moist food to ferals and strays, without the moist food freezing rapidly.

To begin, you can simply check on the status of moist food as often as possible, and warm or replace food that has become frozen. What's more, a source of heat will obviously help keep moist food from freezing at a fast rate, although you of course have to ensure that this source of heat is safe. This could mean doing something as simple as warming the bowl in which you put the moist food, or warming the moist food itself, to a safe temperature. There are also both electric and non-electric heat sources that can work for keeping bowls and their contents warm. For example, there are microwavable or otherwise warmable heating pads that can be placed bowls to help prevent the rapid freezing of moist food that is fed to outdoor cats in the winter. There are also electric heated bowls that could keep moist food warm enough to prevent freezing. Other options of course include using a more extensive heat source within an entire feeding station or shelter, details which we will further discuss in upcoming tips. One important detail, though, as we mentioned just a few moments ago, is ensure that any heat source you use is safe and that it will not cause burns or fires. Always do your research before using any item that entails electricity and heating, and choose and use accordingly and wisely.

The last note to make here is that you should still of course make sure that moist food is not spoiling, such as if it manages to get too warm or sits out for too long. If a heated bowl or heat pad causes moist food to remain warm for long periods of time, do be sure to remove any uneaten food prior to spoilage. It might be cold outside during the winter months, but depending on the methods you use and the duration of time that outdoor cats' moist food is sitting out, it is always best to be aware of the potential for gastrointestinal or other issues that could result from the consumption of spoiled food.

Mancat Monday: The Christmas Tree Chewer

I've already missed some Twelve Days of Christmas posts this weekend, and then I forgot to hit publish on today's post until this late hour. But, that's okay. Life is busy this time of year, and that's part of the festive fun. We're finally here, and you better believe Evan is ready for some merry continuation on this Mancat Monday.

One of Evan's favorite things to do this time of the year is chew on the Christmas trees. I'm lucky in that he doesn't actually ingest any of the tree, and he doesn't chew on any of the lights or anything beyond the ends of the branches. He treats the tree like floss, and he's done this for all 12 of his years.

I've gotten a number of photos of this boy gnawing away on the poor Christmas tree, as you can see in this post here.

Do you see how big of bites Evan is taking? It's honestly quite impressive.

Merry Fifth Day of Christmas!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Due to the continued holiday craziness, I unfortunately did not get any new festive doodles scanned and uploaded. I still plan to do so soon, but for today we have yet another flashback. This is from the series I scribbled up a few years ago that was inspired by the houses in famous Christmas movies. Today, we have the house from A Christmas Story, of course with an obligatory kitty.

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Tip of the Day

We're sharing a repeat series of tips on how you can assist strays and ferals during the cold winter months. Today's tip regards feeding strays and ferals, and it is to make sure you understand the pros and cons of feeding dry versus moist food during the winter months. Dry food often takes more energy than moist food to digest, and animals need to conserve as much energy as possible to stay warm in the winter. That being said, moist food that is not immediately eaten can freeze during the winter months due to its high moisture content. For this reason, it is typically best to ensure that dry food is offered to strays and ferals in the winter months, as it will not freeze and therefore will be readily available even after sitting out for some time. All in all, though, it is possible and often beneficial to feed both dry and moist food to outdoor strays and ferals. Tomorrow we will further discuss how to successfully feed moist food to strays and ferals in the winter.

Merry Second Day of Christmas!

Hello, friends! We hope you all had a merry and blessed Christmas! We're now 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 2025 was _________.

2. My focus word for 2026 is _________.

3. I always _________ in the days after Christmas.

4. I've had enough _________ to last a lifetime.


My answers are below in bold.

1. The best part of 2025 was time spent with my furry and human family.
(After losing my parents' kitty Talon in April and my sweet pup Astrid in September, I'm so grateful for all the time I got to spend with them as well as with my other human and family members. I miss our angels so much, but getting what time I did with them and my other family this year was a blessing.)

2. My focus word for 2026 is becoming.
(I recently heard someone mention this as a word of inspiration and encouragement. At first I thought it sounded odd, and it honestly still does. But, I like odd things, and it's growing on me. There's a lot I envision myself and my dreams becoming. What's more, I know that if I employ discipline and hard work, my dreams and I can indeed become those things. So, becoming is my word for 2026.)

3. I always continue the festive celebrations in the days after Christmas.
(Christmas Day is only the First Day of Christmas. You know those famous Twelve Days of Christmas? They have indeed only just begun. So, I'll happily continue watching those Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music and simply doing all things Christmas.)

4. I've had enough sugar to last a lifetime.
(Just in the past couple of festive days alone, I've indeed had more sweets than I had any right to eat. I've feasted on plenty of other food as well, but I especially overloaded on the sugary goodness.)

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.

We'll still be sharing lots of festiveness around here. After all, as we mentioned above, Christmas Day is only the First Day of Christmas. That means today is the Second Day of Christmas. We still have 11 out of 12 days of Christmas to go, and we're so very happy about that. All that to say, our blooper queen Eddy of course has some festive outtakes to share today, and they co-star her favorite victim red ribbon on her beloved Christmas tree.

That there red ribbon is a tough one and has so far done well to survive Eddy's festive assaults. The previous ribbon had to retire this year, and it did so in tattered pieces. This new one, though, hasn't even budged and is still firmly in one piece. I'm honestly impressed.

Eddy and all of us here wish you a Merry Second Day of Christmas!

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Festive Doodle of the Day

After falling devastatingly behind in creating new Christmas doodles throughout this month, I'm trying to finish and share some of them for the Twelve Days of Christmas. And I do indeed have a new one to share today. This doodle doesn't even look all that in-your-face Christmassy, but it was inspired by my favorite Christmas movie of all time.

That there is based off of the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. At the beginning of the movie, the main character takes his family to go cut down their own Christmas tree. He finds the perfect one, which is far too large for any normal house. He also failed to bring an ax or saw with him, and apparently summons some sort of superhuman strength to rip the whole thing out of the ground. None of it makes a lick of sense, and I love this movie so much. Oh, and as I always do when creating art based on my favorite movies, I threw some kitties into the mix, as you can see.

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Tip of the Day

Did your kitty or pup get new toys for Christmas? We're thinking many of them probably did. Now that all such new Christmas gifts have been opened and are being enjoyed, consider going through your furbaby's toy stash, pulling out the ones they don't use, and donating them to a shelter or rescue. Many shelters will accept such toys as long as they are clean, as well as easily cleaned, and in good condition. Of course, it is nonetheless always best to do your research regarding an individual shelter or rescue's requirements for donations. Donating toys that your kitty or pup has accumulated but does not use not only keeps your furbaby's toy stash at manageable levels, but also of course benefits shelter kitties and pups who are awaiting their forever homes. This might also go for unopened cans of food your furbaby will not eat, and even clean blankets they do not use. Christmas is indeed the season of giving, and even though the 25th of December has passed, that spirit of giving does not need to come to an end.

Merry Christmas!

We wish all of our friends out there a merry Christmas, happy holidays, and all of the warm wishes and winter blessings you could ever ask for. Thank you all for making this community the amazing and inviting place it is.

From all of us to all of you, peace, joy, and good tidings!

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We'll be here tomorrow for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, so let's share the fill-in statements. 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 2025 was _________.

2. My focus word for 2026 is _________.

3. I always _________ in the days after Christmas.

4. I've had enough _________ to last a lifetime.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends! Merry Christmas to one and all!

***

Tip of the Day

Christmas is often a time of remembrance, a time when memories find their way into our minds. This can sometimes make this time of year a bittersweet one, as we remember our loved ones, both human and furry, who are no longer with us. Today's tip is to of course remember lost loved ones with fondness during the beautiful holiday season, but also to find ways to include lost loved ones in the festivities, if this is something that would benefit you. There are a number of ways to keep lost furbabies' or other family members' memories alive and well during the holiday season, such as by hanging an ornament dedicated to them. One example of this includes picture frame ornaments, in which you can of course place a photo of a lost loved one. Another example are ornaments sculpted or painted in the likeness of a lost loved one, and this of course includes ornaments made to resemble kitties or pups who have gained their angel wings.

In addition to memorial ornaments, you can also set up memorial stations in your house for lost loved ones. This memorial area can be a place where you set up photos of a lost kitty, pup, or human family member who is no longer with you. What's more, to maintain their memory and inclusion during the holidays, you can add festive decorations to the memorial area you have set up for them. You can festively light up the memorial station with lights or candles, as long as this is done in a safe manner. There are plenty of other options for using festive yet respectful decor to include a lost loved one in the holiday spirit.

Just one more of many options for keeping a lost loved one's memory alive and well during this holiday season is to make a donation or other gift in their memory. When it comes to an angel kitty or pup, you can donate goods to a shelter or rescue in their memory. You can also sponsor, or even foster or adopt, an animal in their honor. Though remembering lost loved ones during the holiday season can be a bittersweet thing, there are many ways in which to maintain a lost loved one's memory and include them in the festivities.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Hello and Merry Christmas Eve to all! Tomorrow is Christmas, as you all certainly know, and the kitties are getting ready for a visit from Santa Paws.

Before the kitties show you how they're preparing for the man in red to visit, I want to share one of my favorite festive photos of my precious pup Astrid, who gained her angel wings this September. It's our first Christmas without her, but I will never, ever forget the 11 wonderful Christmases we were blessed to celebrate with her.

You can see Evan (well, minus his head) in that there photo with Astrid, as they were buddies. Evan still hangs out by the Christmas tree at our back door, which is indeed where he's waiting for Santa Paws today.

As she waits for Santa Paws, Thimble decided to snap some festive glamour shots. What else is a gorgeous model to do on Christmas Eve?

As for Eddy, she's inspecting her abused beloved tree in my bedroom.

Eddy's paying especially close attention to the state of that big red ribbon she loves so much.

It needs to look just right for Santa Paws, after all.

Yesterday, Tonks inspected the outside of her favorite tree to make sure it looked just right for Santa Paws. Today, she's making sure the inside of her tree is all ready for Christmas.

And of course we didn't forget our house panther housemates, Toby and Winky. They own my sister, who currently lives with us, and they also love Christmas. First up is Toby, the handsomely fuzzy boy with majestic whiskers. I'm not sure if he thinks he can see Santa Paws through the ceiling, but he's looking up and waiting for something festive.

And then, mimicking her big brother, here's little miss Winky (and a calico photobomber).

Merry Christmas Eve!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is the image from last year's Christmas card. I wanted to go with A Christmas Carol sort of situation back then. My sweet angel pup Astrid played the role of Scrooge, with my extra special Evan playing Tiny Tim. Of course, the other kitties showed up to the festive party as well.

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Tip of the Day

We recently mentioned some ways to make Christmas special for both your own furbabies and those in shelters. Today, we want to remind you to remember those furbabies who are outdoors and in your neighborhood. Do you have stray or feral cats in your area? If so, for Christmas, or any day possible, try to give them any extra help you can. During this holiday season, or all year round, try to give strays and ferals extra food, treats, or even a toy. If possible, also try to offer them shelter in some way, even if it's something makeshift. This is something that can greatly benefit them during a cold and snowy winter. We'll soon be sharing some repeat yet also significant tips on offering assistance to outdoor strays and ferals, but for now we'll offer this simple reminder to remember outdoor furbabies during this holiday season.

Since we're talking about outdoor animals, perhaps also don't forget the squirrels and birds. For Christmas, you could throw some extra food out for wildlife, to allow them an extra festive day as well. Some places even make or sell especially festive suet cakes and other goodies for outdoor critters this time of year.

So, this Christmas season, don't forget to think outside of your own home and family. Of course Christmas is a time for family, but it's also a time to remember how lucky we are, and how others may not be so lucky. So, spread the love this Christmas season!

Tonks Tuesday: The Christmas Tree Inspection

There are just 2 days until Christmas. Tonks wants to make a good impression on Santa Paws, so she's inspecting her beloved Christmas tree to make sure it looks just right.

The tree probably wouldn't have to be so heavily inspected if Tonks didn't constantly catapult herself into it and climb all over it. But, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Merry Almost Christmas to all!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Christmas is quite literally right around the corner and I've only just started finishing up some of my new Christmas drawings for the season. Thankfully, Christmas Day itself is only the first of the Twelve Days of Christmas. So, my festive doodles for this year will be a Twelve Days of Christmas celebration rather than a lead-up to the big day itself. All that said, we'll share a couple more flashbacks, and then on Christmas Day we'll kick off the brand new festive doodles, starting with this year's Christmas card. For today, though, here's an another oldie for you.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip relates to the spirit of gift-giving during the holiday season. In particular, we're talking about the practice of giving cats, dogs, and other little critters as gifts on Christmas morning. The important thing here is that anyone giving a furry friend as a gift realize the significance of such a gift. Obviously, a living creature requires proper care and commitment. For this reason, if you or someone you know is intending on giving a cat, dog, or other critter as a gift, be sure that all considerations have been made. Does the recipient want a furry friend? Do finances, time, age, location, and other such factors allow the recipient to properly care for a furry friend? These are just the basics that need to be considered, as cats, dogs, and other animals come with far more factors than this. After all, pets are a commitment that can be with you for many years.

The long and short if it is that while it is wonderful to think of an animal finding a home on Christmas morning, it is still important to ensure that said animal will not end up without proper care, or back at a shelter or abandoned. There are of course times when giving or receiving a cat, dog, or other critter as a gift works out perfectly fine. Such cases might include when a husband or wife gifts a furbaby to their spouse who wants and can care for it, or when a parent knows their child wants and is capable of assisting in the care of a cat, dog, or other pet. If you or someone close to you is planning to surprise someone with a furry friend on Christmas morning, just as with any gift, do take into consideration whether a pet is appropriate for the recipient in question.

Mancat Monday: The Christmas Countdown

It's the week of Christmas. To be exact, it's 3 days until Christmas. Evan is indeed counting down the days, and since we're so close to the big day itself, he wanted to have an especially festive-looking Mancat Monday post. So, he went for a handsome, whiskery portrait of himself by his favorite Christmas tree

Evan and all of us here wish you a Merry Almost Christmas!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

This festive time of year, our homes are often more likely to be full of potential dangers. After all, we often deck the halls this time of year. Today's tip is to take this into consideration before leaving your furbaby home alone or in any way unattended. Before you leave your furbaby alone, do consider the decorations you have out and what risks they might pose. What's more, especially when your furbaby is left alone or unattended, be sure to make the house a safe place for them to stay. For example, unplug the Christmas tree lights and other similar decorations so that your furbaby cannot harm themselves. Of course, also make sure that no candles are lit when you are not present. Also think about small parts and pieces of decorations, especially if your furbaby is a chewer or is known to eat anything and everything. Move any such decor out of your furbaby's reach when you are not home or able to monitor them. Of course, it is best to always have decor with small or in any way dangerous parts and pieces well out of reach of curious paws and mouths. If need be, simply don't put out such decor in the first place. Or, only put out such decor in rooms or spaces where your furbaby does not have access. Long story short, before you leave your furbaby home alone or otherwise unattended, always be aware of the decor you put out for the holidays and what danger such decor might pose. As needed, when your furbaby is not being monitored, remove, turn off, or in some way render such decor a non-risk.

Festive Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Red Ribbon (Yet Again)

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


1. I still need to _________ before Christmas.

2. Don't forget to acknowledge _________ at Christmas.

3. _________ is my Christmas miracle.

4. I _________ on Christmas Eve and _________ on Christmas Day.


My answers are below in bold, accompanied by some festive rambling. 'Tis the season.

1. I still need to wrap gifts before Christmas.
(I always tell myself I'm going to wrap gifts early, but I never seem to manage it. That said, I'm wrapping gifts tonight. I'm honestly looking forward to it. Once I get home from work and get the kitties all settled for the evening, I'm going to put on Christmas movies and wrap away. It's perfect timing as well, because one of my sister's gifts has been lost in the mail for weeks but is finally out for delivery today. Whew.)

2. Don't forget to acknowledge delivery drivers at Christmas.
(As someone who isn't a fan of shopping or leaving my house any more than necessary, I do a lot of online shopping. For that reason, I always try to put out some treats for delivery drivers to select from when they're delivering at my house leading up to Christmas. After all, their loads are bigger and their days are longer this time of the year. I didn't get their treat station set up outside as early as I wanted to this year, but I'm still hoping some delivery drivers get to take advantage of it.)

3. Last week's delivery of a stray kitty to a local rescue is my Christmas miracle.
(I mentioned in this post here that a stray kitty started showing up in my neighborhood a while back, and I was so worried about her as the winter got colder and colder. After being turned away by some shelters as well as animal control, a local rescue was finally able to take her in for me, and I was so happy to transport her to them last Wednesday. Just two days after she was taken in by the rescue, we had highs barely over zero and wind chills down to nearly -30°F. I was so glad she wasn't out there for that.)

4. I feel especially festive on Christmas Eve and a bit more melancholic on Christmas Day.
(Ever since I was a kid, my family's big Christmas celebration is on Christmas Eve. We go to a beautiful Mass at our church in the early evening of Christmas Eve. Then we go to my parents' house for supper, and then we put on the A Christmas Story marathon on the TV and open the gifts under the Christmas tree. We stay up late and eat festive desserts and all that fun jazz. On Christmas morning my parents come to my house for sausage and scrambled eggs and we open our stockings and watch at least one Christmas movie, usually Arthur Christmas, and then later that night my sister and I go back to my parents' house and watch none other than Die Hard. Christmas Day is beautiful, but it often feels bittersweet. It's only the first of the Twelve Days of Christmas, but the TV stops playing Christmas movies, and radio stations stop playing festive music, and soon after you start seeing Christmas trees tossed to the cub. That always makes it feel a bit sad.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

***

Eddy loves her year round Christmas tree in my room. She especially loves when I put its festive lights on and top it with that giant red ribbon.

For Christmas next week, you'll get to see Eddy giving that red ribbon the attention it deserves. Or perhaps doesn't deserve. We'll let you be the judge of that.

Eddy and all of us here wish you a festive Friday!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

My dad and I both enjoy horror movies, and so a couple times a week I go to my parents' house to watch scary movies with him. This time of year, we focus on creepy Christmas movies, and last night we watched Krampus. I really enjoy that movie, and I find the idea of Krampus festively frightful. A couple years ago I drew what I call Krampuss, and it seems fitting enough to share that today.

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Tip of the Day

Our past couple of tips covered what you can do to keep your furbaby happy and safe if you are traveling during this holiday season. On the other hand, what if your family is coming to your house for the holidays? First, as we've said many, many times before, practice door safety when guests are coming and going. If need be, block your kitty or pup's access to the door, or give them a safe room in which to stay. Consider whether your guests are staying for a short or long visit, and consider your individual furbaby's personality and behaviors when determining if, how often, or for how long they can safely intermingle with guests.

Of course, it isn't just your furbaby you have to worry about when guests arrive. Make sure that all guests know any important rules when it comes to your furbaby. If your kitty or pup is staying in a safe room while guests visit, for example, then make sure guests know if they are to refrain from visiting that room in the house. On the other hand, if your furbaby is a social butterfly and is out and about with guests, make sure that your guests understand what they should and should not do to keep your kitty or pup safe. For example, make sure guests are aware of the potential for escapes if the door is kept open. In addition, guests should know whether you allow your furbaby treats, and what human foods are dangerous and should not be fed to your kitty or pup. Also take safety precautions if guests are staying overnight. For example, make sure guests know to keep all medications or other potentially dangerous items well out of reach of resident cats and dogs.

It is possible for your house to be inhabited by both your furbabies and guests during this holiday season. At the same time, it's also important to make sure that all precautions are made to ensure that guests' stays are safe for everyone, including the furbabies of the home. So, simply think ahead and prepare both your furbabies and guests for a safe Christmas.

Thankful Thimble Thursday with the Big Red Ribbon

It's Thursday, which means my tabby girl Thimble is of course here and ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble found out that last week Eddy shared photos of her posing with the Christmas tree in my bedroom. That's the tree that's loosely decorated with battery-operated lights and a big red ribbon on top, as in her youth Eddy proved that she can't be trusted with anything else on a tree. Thimble decided she also wanted to pose with this tree, and so here you go.

Thimble and Eddy both love to sit on their cat tree beside the Christmas tree and watch into the back yard. They love keeping tabs on the squirrels and birds and neighbors back there.

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Now, of course, 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. I still need to _________ before Christmas.

2. Don't forget to acknowledge _________ at Christmas.

3. _________ is my Christmas miracle.

4. I _________ on Christmas Eve and _________ on Christmas Day.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

I have done a number of doodles over the past few festive seasons that relate to my love for the song "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas", and this is one of them.

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Tip of the Day

Today we have our final tip on traveling with your furbaby this holiday season, or any time of the year. When traveling, always think ahead to your final destination and your plans for the entire trip, and then prepare accordingly. Will you be staying with family or friends? Do they have other animals? If so, does your furbaby get along with the other animals? Will your kitty or pup need to remain in a separate room or in a cage? Or, are you staying in a hotel? If so, did you ensure that it's a pet-friendly hotel? What are their requirements for a pet staying at their facility? Consider any and all such factors, and then think ahead to what you might need to prep for your furbaby's stay at your final destination.

In all of this planning, of course also don't forget the basic necessities. Bring plenty of your furbaby's food, especially if they are on a prescription or other special diet. Bring bowls and even water as needed. If your furbaby is on medication, bring ample amounts of it, especially in the event of any unexpected delays. Don't forget any potentially necessary items, such as cages, leashes, harnesses, seat belts, blankets, toys, and even cleaning supplies. Though it may not be a pleasant thought, also be sure to make plans and preparations for any emergencies that might arise. For example, take your furbaby's medical records with you, your veterinarian's information, as well as contact and other information on veterinary hospitals located in your travel destination. It never hurts to be over-prepared, so as space allows, plan and pack anything and everything you might need for the comfort and safety of your furbaby during your travels.

Woof Woof Wednesday with Festive Angel Astrid

It's time for some more festive fun with my sweet angel pup Astrid. We've shared flashbacks of the big girl in her Christmas sweater before, but how about another one?

That sweater isn't the only festive attire Astrid wore, though. We also always put a Christmas ribbon on her collar. My mom (Astrid's beloved Gammy) made all of Astrid's collar ribbons, and my favorite of her Christmas ones starred the renowned red truck:

Happy Wednesday from my sweet angel Astrid and all of us!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's doodle is indeed another flashback, this one being one of our previous Christmas card images. It of course starred all of the kitties as well as sweet pup Astrid.

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Tip of the Day

Today is another one of our tips on how to travel with your furbaby this holiday season, or any time of the year. When traveling with your furbaby, consider how you will be traveling and what all therefore might be necessary. Are you and your furbaby traveling by car? Plane? Train? For a plane, train, or other public transportation, do your research and understand what all that particular company might require for your furbaby to board and travel. Is a carrier required? If so, how small or big of one? Is a health certificate required, and/or proof of particular vaccinations? Look into all of this and plan well in advance so that all can be squared away before you and your furbaby head out on your travels. Of course, this is all also important to keep in mind when traveling in your own car. Proper, safe restraint is important even in a car, of course. Have secure carriers for kitties and small dogs, or leashes and seat belts for larger dogs. Even in your own car it is also important for your furbaby to be up-to-date on certain vaccines and other medical care, in case you should be stopped and asked for proof of their health status. So, while it is often possible to travel with your kitty or pup, do of course ensure that you allow proper time to find out what all you will need for safe and legal travels.