Happy Birthday, Eddy!

As the title says...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EDDY!

My sweet and sassy, active and playful, ornery girl Eddy turns 10 years old today. I can't believe she's reached the double digits now.

Eddy loves me, something for which I am eternally grateful. She's otherwise very skittish and doesn't like any other humans, though, and so family and friends only get to know her through photos and videos. This girl has a big personality and lots of sass and many volumes of adorably bossy meows, so I wish she'd let others get to know her and her amazing self. That said, I'm happy to be this spunky little lady's favorite human being, and I love her so much.

Happy Birthday, Eddy! I love you so much, and I hope your day is absolutely perfect!

I didn't get Eddy's new birthday doodle completely finished yet, so for now she gets a flashback doodle in celebration.

Let's say it one more time...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EDDY!

***

Tip of the Day

 

Are you ready for another spring safety tip for your furbabies? As certain insects and buggers start to make an appearance this time of year, be cautious of those that could be harmful. For example, just as with humans, bee stings can lead to allergic reactions in cats and dogs. These reactions can include mild swelling at the site of the sting, or a full anaphylactic reaction, such as with difficulty breathing. For this reason, always try to keep your furbaby away from bees and other similarly dangerous critters. Keep your furbaby out of gardens where bees and other such critters might frequent, and don't leave your kitty or pup unattended in an area known for its bees and so forth.

We'll also now remind you of some other critters that we not too long ago mentioned in another tip. So, don't forget that some caterpillars and butterflies, such as those that consume milkweed, can be toxic for furbabies to ingest. There are also dangerous spiders of which to be cautious, of course including the brown recluse and black widow. There are even some toads and frogs that can be poisonous for our furbabies to ingest.

All in all, this time of year, some incredible critters start to make appearances. However, some of these critters can lead to serious effects in our furbabies. This means we must always be cautious with our furbabies around any critters that we know are dangeorus, and even those with which we are not familiar. And, of course, should your furbaby come into contact with a dangerous insect or other critter, do not hesitate to seek veterinary assistance. What's more, discuss with your veterinarian what you can do to help prevent serious allergic reactions or other emergencies, which can include having diphenhydramine (Benadryl) on hand, and knowing how much to give.

Tonks Tuesday with the Talon Look-Alike and the Letter W

Thank you all for the kind words after the loss of my parents' sweet kitty Talon. We love and miss him so much.

I'm a couple days behind on the last letters of the April A to Z Challenge. The past few days have left me with little to no desire to do any form of art. I'm starting to come out of at least that part of the funk, though, and today I do have the letter W to share.

Again, my preface for these alphabetical doodles is that some of my favorite things in life are cats, drawing, writing, and the fantasy genre. And so, my A to Z posts this year are illustrations for a weird and wacky fantasy story I'm currently writing. This story co-stars a hind limb paralyzed orange tabby cat named Hobo, and this month you'll get to go along on some of his adventures.

Today, the letter W stands for walks. After all, in between all of his wild and wacky adventures, Hobo enjoys himself a plain and simple walk in the park.

I'm admittedly not happy with the progress I've made on the doodles for the last three letters of the April A to Z Challenge. I've worked on all of them, but some of some of the progress occurred when I was visiting my parents and their kitties on Talon's last day. Now I honestly just don't really want to look at those drawings. I wasn't happy with how the drawings were going anyway.

All that to say, I think I've decided a way to combine all three of the last letters of the April A to Z Challenge into one doodle that I'm actually excited to work on. Tomorrow is Eddy's birthday, though, and I'm still working on her celebratory doodle, so you might not see my April A to Z Challenge finale until later this week.

***

It is indeed Tuesday, which means Tonks Tuesday. I've mentioned this on our blog before, but nearly 11-year-old Thimble and her in-the-family littermates Toby, Trapper, and sweet angel Talon actually had the same mama kitty as Tonks and her also in-the-family littermates Winky and Flitwick. The mama kitty in question was a feral in my grandma's neighborhood. My grandma and her husband were able to catch her and get her spayed when Tonks and her littermates were a couple months old.

All that said, Tonks is the kitty from the same mama who looks and acts the most like her now angelic older brother Talon. So, today I'm sharing a few photos in which she really reminds me of him.

Before Tonks came to live with me as a kitten, she stayed at my parents' house for a few days. Talon was the kitty at my parents' house who excitedly welcomed and mentored all the kittens who came after him, Tonks included. Tonks not only looks like a calico version of Talon, but she also sounds like him when she lets out her cackling meow and just all around acts like him in so many other ways. I'm glad Tonks still helps give us little glimpses of Talon every day.

***

Tip of the Day

 

As spring really gets underway, don't forget that our furbabies can have allergies just like we can. Just as with us, pollen, grass, and other airborne allergies can lead to itching, scratching, sneezing, and a number of other similar symptoms in our kitties and pups. If you notice any such symptoms in your furbaby, discuss this with your veterinarian. There are antihistamines and other treatments that can potentially help alleviate allergies for our furbabies.

In addition to veterinary and medicinal care, there are other considerations to make when it comes to helping a kitty or pup cope with seasonal allergies. For example, though we all love window whiffies, keep in mind that open windows can potentially exacerbate allergies, as the allergens then have easy access into the home. So, closed windows are often best for keeping the allergens down within the home. For furbabies who go outdoors, when they come inside, you can wipe off their paws and even wipe down their body to help remove allergens. Regularly cleaning floors, curtains, bedding, clothing, and so forth, can help keep a handle on allergens that might find their way into the home. Regularly changing the filter in your heating and cooling system is another important factor. An air purifier can also help.

As always, we of course want what's best for our furbabies. Allergies can lead to discomfort, so helping your furbaby cope with them is crucial. If you think or know that your furbaby has seasonal allergies, or any allergies at all, discuss this with your veterinarian and do all that you can to minimize their effects.

In Memory of Talon

It's been a rough few days for my family. My parents' happy, sweet, social, and just generally amazing cat Talon gained his angel wings on Friday evening. Talon was the littermate of my girl Thimble, and also littermate to my sister's boy Toby and my parents' other boy Trapper. Talon of course lived with his brother Trapper at my parents' house.

Talon is the handsome black and white boy on the left in that photo, posing with his tabby brother Trapper.

My parents, sister, and myself bottle-fed the litter of four kitties after my grandma discovered her neighbor had found them and put them in a bucket at 3 weeks old, no mother in sight. They were the first litter of kittens we took in with the intention of fostering, but we failed miserably at that and adopted them all instead. Every single one of these kitties, Talon absolutely included, means so much to my parents, my sister, and myself. I still remember bottle feeding Talon, as he was the most enthusiastic about his food as a baby. He earned his name because he wildly used his sharp little kitten claws to get that bottle to his mouth. Bottle feeding him brought me so much joy, and I cherish every single second of the nearly 11 years that Talon blessed our family.

A little over a year ago, Talon started coughing on occasion. His vet at first thought it was asthma, and then chronic bronchitis. For many months, steroid shots and occasional oral steroids, in addition to a bronchodilator and other various meds, kept his coughing at bay. He did end up with steroid-induced diabetes recently, but the oral medication Bexacat kept that in check, just like it does for his brother Trapper's diabetes. Over the last couple of weeks, though, Talon's coughing was no longer responding well to the steroids or other meds, and his respiratory rate was starting to regularly rise well above what's normal for a cat. X-rays of his lungs also showed that what was originally believed to be mild inflammation related to bronchitis, had worsened and was also no longer responding to the steroids or other meds.

With all of that, the vet determined that Talon actually very likely had cancer in his lungs, that being pulmonary carcinoma. The only way to confirm that diagnosis would have been surgery or a procedure that involved flushing out Talon's lungs with water, something he very likely would not have survived given his condition. Pulmonary carcinoma is very rare in cats, and Talon is only the third cat our vet has ever diagnosed with this cancer in his 20 years as a vet. No one in our family smokes or anything along those lines, but the vet also indicated that there were also no obvious environmental factors for the other two cats he'd diagnosed with pulmonary carcinoma in the past. There's no knowing what truly caused it, though it could have been any number of genetic and/or environmental factors, or even something like a retrovirus. For what's it worse, not long before Talon started showing symptoms over a year ago, a kitty cold went through both my parents' house and my house, and we do wonder if that spurred something.

On Friday, nothing the vet tried would bring Talon's respiratory rate even remotely down to normal. As his x-rays indicated, he did not have a distinct tumor in his lungs, but instead a diffuse form affecting the entirety of his lungs. Surgery was not an option in any regard, and quality of life had to be considered for sweet Talon.

We said goodbye to Talon on Friday evening, and it was one of the worst days of my family's life. I love every single cat in my life, and I visit my parents' house pretty much every single day. They live right down the street from me, and even if it's just for a few minutes, I see their kitties every day. What's more, Talon honestly had the biggest personality of any cat I've ever met. He was an incredibly social cat. He loved everyone, and he excitedly followed around anyone and everyone who visited my parents' house. Talon loved jumping on my back when I was there, and I'd walk around giving him piggy-back rides. And that's all just barely skimming the surface of the amazing kitty Talon. His absence is very, very noticeable, and we will never let him be forgotten. Not ever.

We all love you so, so, so very much, Talon. Always and forever.

***

I will still be sharing the last few doodles in the April A to Z Challenge, you just might see them sprinkled in over the next week or so. I simply haven't had it in me to pull out my sketchbook or scanner or anything like that over the past few days. I also plan on scribbling up something in honor of the sweet Talon. May 10th is the 11th birthday of Talon and my Thimble and their brothers Toby and Trapper. It's going to be a rough one this year, but you better believe Talon will be honored and will absolutely be included in their birthday doodle.

Friendly Fill-Ins, Blurry Eddy, and the Letter V

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. _________ hurts my feelings.

2. Things on my not to do list include _________ and _________.

3. _________ is an inanimate object that cheers me up.

4. I wish I could hire someone to _________.


My answers are below in bold.

1. Not much hurts my feelings.
(I don't get offended by a whole lot. I just don't take many things personally. I'm a lot like my dad in that way. The only thing that kept coming to my mind for this one was how it bothers me when people make rude comments about my pets or animals in general. It's not really my feelings being hurt in that case, though, but instead that I just feel frustration and annoyance for those sorts of people.)

2. Things on my not to do list include talking on the phone and going to parties.

(This makes me sound so antisocial. And I kind of am. Or I'm at least asocial.)

3. My favorite book is an inanimate object that cheers me up.
(I also find joy in things like my sketchbook and drawing materials, just to name one more example. That said, lately it's escaping into the world(s) of my favorite book(s) that really brings me a lot of joy.)

4. I wish I could hire someone to do all of my home repairs.

(There are a variety of repairs my home needs, some that have needed done for a while, and some that just pop up from time to time. Home repairs and making time for said home repairs is one of my least favorite things, so I wish I could hire someone to finish all that needs done, and to be on hand when new issues arise. I do indeed hire certain people as needed, like plumbers and such, but there are also a lot of little things that I can and should just do myself.)

Now it's your turn!

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

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

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

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

***

And now it's time for the Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop, hosted by none other than Melissa and Mudpie of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows.

As always, our blooper queen Eddy is more than ready with some outtakes. She's good and blurry in these, of course.

That's what most of the photos look like when I stick a camera in front of little miss Eddy. Any crisp, clear shots you see of her are needles in a haystack.

Have a wonderful day, friends!

***

Now, how about another letter for the April A to Z Challenge.

I only have a few more days to repeat our alphabetical preface, that being that some of my favorite things in life are cats, drawing, writing, and the fantasy genre. And so, my A to Z posts this year will be illustrations for a weird and wacky fantasy story I'm currently writing. This story co-stars a hind limb paralyzed orange tabby cat named Hobo, and this month you'll get to go along on some of his adventures.

Today we've reached the letter V, which stands for veterinary sorts of things. In between going on wacky adventures and meeting ogres and trolls and gnomes, Hobo the special needs kitty also has to visit the vet. It's far from his favorite thing.

***

Tip of the Day

Today's spring safety tip is another one we've very recently mentioned, but that we'll repeat again. It is to always be aware and cautious of the potential dangers of various fertilizers, pesticides, and other such chemicals that are often used this time of the year. If you plan to use any such products, do your research and try to avoid using potentially toxic variations. No matter what kind you use, though, to be safe, keep any such products stashed safely away from your furbaby's reach.

But, this tip also goes beyond what you might be using in your own personal environment. For pups or kitties who go outdoors, you should take into consideration that unfamiliar yards, parks, and other such areas may use products that could have toxic effects if walked through, ingested, and so forth. When out and about with your furbaby, or even just yourself, try to avoid areas where you know or think any unsafe chemicals are used. When you arrive back at home after a walk or other excursion, wipe off paws and shoes, so that you can do your best to remove any traces of fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals. There is no such thing as being too careful when it comes to the health and safety of our furbabies, so do all that you can to keep your furbaby protected from potentially dangerous chemicals this time of year, and all year round.

Thankful Thimble Thursday with Sunshine and the Letter U

It's time for me to share another weird and wacky doodle for the April A to Z Challenge.

So far there hasn't been a single day that I've skipped our broken record A to Z preface in these alphabetical posts. I guess I'll keep that streak going, and so I'm yet again here to say that some of my favorite things in life are cats, drawing, writing, and the fantasy genre. And so, my A to Z posts this year will be illustrations for a weird and wacky fantasy story I'm currently writing. This story co-stars a hind limb paralyzed orange tabby cat named Hobo, and this month you'll get to go along on some of his adventures.

Today brings us to the letter U, which stands for underground. Hobo and his human do indeed visit a world that exists none other than underground. It's aptly called, well, the Underground. Some call it the Graveyard, though, for reasons. I again realize that none of this makes any sense, but what's new.

I had a lot of trouble trying to make those stairs look like they were descending far down beneath the surface. I'm still not happy with the final result, but that there is what I have to offer for today.

***

Are you ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop? Thimble certainly is.

Today, Thimble is grateful for the beautiful, warm, bright, and shiny sun.

Thimble indeed loves those sun puddles. Of course, she also quite likes how the sunshine makes her glow in glamour shots like that one there. 

***

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. _________ hurts my feelings.

2. Things on my not to do list include _________ and _________.

3. _________ is an inanimate object that cheers me up.

4. I wish I could hire someone to _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

We're here with another spring pet safety tip today. This one is another repeat tip, but it's also one that we think it's worth saying again. And that is, again, to consider keeping up with those preventatives. As the weather warms and the grass grows green, pests such as fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks will be out and about in full force. We very recently gave a series of tips on buggers such as these, what parasites they can harbor, and what diseases they can pass on to our furbabies. Tapeworms, heartworms, and Lyme disease, for example, can result if your furbaby falls victim to such pests. This can of course affect their health and happiness, and nobody wants that.

So, in short, please do keep up with preventatives for your kitties and pups. You can discuss the best options with your veterinarian. And, of course, only give your furbaby a preventative that is formulated for their species, as well as their age and weight. Proper prevention indeed plays a part in keeping our furbabies as healthy as possible.

Woof Woof Wednesday with a Ribbon and the Letter T

Hello and welcome to another edition of the April A to Z Challenge.

I'll again note that some of my favorite things in life are cats, drawing, writing, and the fantasy genre. And so, my A to Z posts this year will be illustrations for a weird and wacky fantasy story I'm currently writing. This story co-stars a hind limb paralyzed orange tabby cat named Hobo, and this month you'll get to go along on some of his adventures.

Today we have the letter T, which stands for trolls...and their troll bridges.

I admittedly didn't have it in me to scribble up a whole troll, so you get a glimpse of Hobo meeting that one there. If you're wondering, that troll's name is Carl. And Carl is very serious about guarding his troll bridge.

***

I've mentioned before how we like to put a ribbon on Astrid's collar. This is in no small part to be festive, but also because she often gets referred to as a boy when people meet her on walks. We thought putting ribbons on her collar might help, but to be honest, she still gets called a boy more often than not.

Astrid didn't feel like letting her ribbon be flat and not folded and creased during her photo shoot, but that there is her Easter ribbon, complete with an adorable little bunny.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

 

We've gotten into the habit of turning our tips into series of tips these days. We're doing that again, and our newest series is going to be on pet safety in the spring. Today's springtime tip is one that we've shared far more than once before, including very recently, and that is to always be aware and cautious of the plants you have both in your garden and in your house. Some of the springtime plants that can be highly toxic to our furbabies include certain lilies, daffodils, and tulips. The list most certainly does not end there, though.

All of the above is why, before you bring any plants anywhere near your kitty or pup, always do your research and understand any potential toxicity. One good resource for finding out the potential toxicity of plant types is by perusing the ASPCA's extensive information on plants, which you can find by clicking here. In short, to keep your furbaby safe this spring, of course be aware of any and all plants with which they come in contact. And, of course, if you have any concern that your furbaby may have gained access to a toxic plant, seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible.

Tonks Tuesday with Toesies and the Letter S

Hello, friends, and welcome to another day of the April A to Z Challenge.

It's time to yet again preface today's letter by saying that some of my favorite things in life are cats, drawing, writing, and the fantasy genre. And so, my A to Z posts this year will be illustrations for a weird and wacky fantasy story I'm currently writing. This story co-stars a hind limb paralyzed orange tabby cat named Hobo, and this month you'll get to go along on some of his adventures.

Now, today's letter is S, which stands for shadows. Well, one shadow in particular, that is. After all, following a certain series of events, Hobo ends up with a very special shadow.

I scribbled up that doodle probably a year ago, and though it's not the most busy or exciting image, I really enjoyed drawing it.

***

And now how about a cute little shot of Tonks? Lucky for you, her toesies also star in this one.

Tonks and all of us here wish you a terrific Tuesday!

***

Tip of the Day

We have one more tip in our Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month series. This tip is another way you can help contribute toward the prevention of animal cruelty and neglect, and that is by assisting in the mission and work of shelters, rescues, and humane organizations. The more resources these organizations have, the more animals they can rescue from cruelty, neglect, and other similar situations. To do this, you can volunteer your time, make monetary donations, or donate goods that aid humane organizations in rescuing and caring for animals in their program. You can also help by spreading the word about the work they do and the animals they are rescuing or adopting out.

Of course, do your research to ensure that a particular organization is indeed humane and that their mission matches your beliefs. The Humane Society of the United States, the ASPCA, Best Friends Animal Society, and various local shelters and rescues are examples of those that you can potentially volunteer with or donate to in order to help prevent animal cruelty and promote the adoption of homeless animals. Any little bit that you can offer to such organizations can help them rescue more animals, including those subjected to cruelty and neglect. Any little bit truly counts, and any little bit can help keep kitties and pups safe and ready for their forever homes.

Mancat Monday with Evan, a Belated Q, and R

I again failed to get a post up this weekend, which means I'm behind on the April A to Z Challenge.

Let's of course start with our usual alphabetical prologue, that being that some of my favorite things in life are cats, drawing, writing, and the fantasy genre. And so, my A to Z posts this year will be illustrations for a weird and wacky fantasy story I'm currently writing. This story co-stars a hind limb paralyzed orange tabby cat named Hobo, and this month you'll get to go along on some of his adventures.

The letter we missed on Saturday was Q. That's not an easy one whatsoever, but luckily I once saw a roster that included someone with the last name Quisenberry. That sounded like a fun one, so I decided to use that surname in my story. Specifically, today you're meeting the Quisenberry twins.

I call those two Caleb and Pippa, and drawing them was heavily inspired by the fact that I'd just gotten a variety of markers in brown hues I'd never had before, and so I decided to test them out on hair and eyes. Just like I said when you met Hobo's human Munroe, who became a redhead also because of some new markers I'd obtained, I'll reiterate that drawing humans is neither my forte nor something I enjoy all that much. The reason those two above have half a face each is because at the moment I decided to draw them, I legitimately did not want to tackle human faces in their entirety. The thought alone stressed me out, and so they each got half a face. Oh, and you've already met Bunny the corgi, who happens to be quite fond of Caleb.

Now, today's letter is R, which quite plainly stands for all things rocky. As in, you know, stone. After all, Hobo and his human's weird little journey lands them somewhere heavily built from none other than rock and stone.

I'll admit that's a rather boring doodle. Despite R being a common letter, I still couldn't manage to come up with anything else for it. So, that there is what you get.

***

Now, of course, it's time for the Mancat Monday part of this post. And today, mancat Evan wanted to share two of his favorite places to sleep. He loves them both so much that sometimes he simply can't choose between the two.

On the left is one of Evan's favorite "blankets". I've shown and explained it before, but it's actually an old sleeping bag I had as a kid, starring none other than Barney the purple dinosaur. It used to be much brighter in color and far less shredded. If I remember, next week I'll show before and after photos of that well-loved, used and abused "blanket".

Oh, and on the right is the bed Evan has loved nearly to death. It's lost a lot of its original softness, not to mention its losing a lot of its stuffing. That there bed's slow and steady death is why I got Evan a brand new bed for his birthday last week. He has multiple other beds, but he loves the especially cushy ones, understandably so.

Happy Monday, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

As part of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, we're reiterating some tips regarding this topic. Today, we are giving some brief tips on what to do if you do witness animal cruelty.

First and foremost, if you witness animal cruelty, report it as soon as possible. You can report it to the police, including calling 911 if you believe it is an emergency at hand. You can also call your local animal control, humane society, or other organization that can offer help in the face of animal cruelty. If your local area does not offer help for animal cruelty, then call the Humane Society of the United States or other similar organization to see what can possibly be done.

What's more, if you do have animal cruelty to report, make sure that you have all the details and any evidence possible. Knowing the location, date, time, and of course the nature of the witnessed cruelty can be important for expediting the report and actions taken by police or other organizations. Try to tell them what types of animals and how many are involved, as well as details on any perpetrators you've seen. If possible, use that cell phone of yours to grab photos or video of any cruelty you are witnessing. Evidence in this form can really help to expedite the resolution of the issue.

When it comes to reporting animal cruelty, be persistent. Animals do not have the voice with which to speak up for themselves, so we must do it for them. If you are witnessing cruelty, be persistent in contacting those who can help, and follow up to ensure that there is resolution. Give the police, animal control, the humane society, or whoever is helping your contact information, so that they can contact you if needed. All in all, we must be the voice for the voiceless, so if you witness any form of animal cruelty or neglect, do all that you can to safely seek aid for the victim(s).

Friendly Fill-Ins, Eddy's Belly, and the Letter P

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 Easter (or Sunday) include _________.

2. My favorite Easter treat is _________.

3. _________ is a healthy food I genuinely enjoy.

4. _________ is an age I wouldn't mind being permanently.


My answers are below in bold.

1. My plans for Easter include Easter morning Mass and dinner at my parents' house.
(My family and I always go to Mass at our church on Easter morning. It's always a beautiful service. Then, that evening, we all get together at my parents' house for Easter dinner, dessert, and a movie.)

2. My favorite Easter treat is a bunny patch pudding dessert.
(I almost didn't put this as my answer, because I myself make this dessert and that sounds a bit conceited. I'm in charge of Easter dessert every year, though, and this is what I make. We all enjoy it, myself included. It's a pudding dessert with a pie crust base that's topped with homemade chocolate pudding, whipped cream, crumbled up Oreos playing the role of dirt, green-dyed coconut shreds as grass, and bunny Peeps with peanut M&Ms as eggs. The finished result looks like what you see below.)

3. Fruit is a healthy food I genuinely enjoy.
(While my favorite fruits are grapes and watermelon, I'll eat pretty much any fruit you put in front of me. I eat fruit as my dessert after almost every lunch. I have a sweet tooth, and most fruit is good and sweet, so there you have it.)

4. 30 is an age I wouldn't mind being permanently.
(While in reality I don't think I'd choose to be any age permanently, if I had to choose one, I'd probably pick 30, or some year in my early 30s. I feel like in my 20s a lot of things were still up in the air, as I was simply still figuring some things out. Then again, I'm still figuring out plenty of things now. That said, at 30 or thereabouts, I at least had a better grasp on adulthood. I can't speak for the years I haven't lived yet, and I just turned 36. The 30s seem to be a decent enough decade, mostly, so this is my answer at this point in time.)

Now it's your turn!

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

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

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

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

***

And now we of course have another letter to share for the April A to Z Challenge.

I'm still a broken record, and so I'm still prefacing these alphabetical contributions by saying that some of my favorite things in life are cats, drawing, writing, and the fantasy genre. And so, my A to Z posts this year will be illustrations for a weird and wacky fantasy story I'm currently writing. This story co-stars a hind limb paralyzed orange tabby cat named Hobo, and this month you'll get to go along on some of his adventures.

We've reached the letter P, and that stands for potions, as well as a couple of plants. You've seen Nilda the gnome a couple of times this month now, and these potions and plants are her creations. 

Hobo the orange boy himself is quite fond of Nilda's weird and wacky skills, especially one certain potion, which leads to some unexpected results.

***

And you of course get an Eddy fix today. Are you ready for the cuteness?

I don't often get shots like that of Eddy, simply because she usually jumps up at the mere sight of myself (the treat giver) or the camera (which she seems to wholly believe is out to steal her soul). But, this time she let me get a photo of her adorable belly. That said, that belly is 110% a trap. While Thimble is the kind of kitty who rolls her belly up fully expecting a tummy rub, when Eddy rolls her belly up, it's not an invitation. I respect that and am grateful to simply admire its adorableness from a safe distance.

Eddy and all of us here hope you have a wonderful day!

***

Tip of the Day

 

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. For this reason, though we did have some recent tips on this topic, we're going to going to give another set of tips on how to recognize potential cases of cruelty, as well as what we can do to help. Today, we're going to start by giving a simple overview of what cruelty can look like. First, of course physical abuse toward an animal is cruelty. Neglect is another form of cruelty, and can include situations such as when an animal is left outdoors in extreme or unlivable conditions with no shelter, food, or water. In a similar line of thought is hoarding, which can include too large of an animal population for the space provided, extremely unsanitary conditions, and lack of nutritional, medical, and other basic care for the animals. Another example of neglect and cruelty to animals is abandoning an animal, such as in a vacated home or outdoors. Other examples of cruelty to animals include leaving an animal alone in a hot or even cold car, as well as any form of dog fighting.

There are, sadly, a great many examples of animal cruelty and neglect. Since animals can't speak for themselves, it is of course important that we all be aware of what cruelty is, and what forms it can take. Our vigilance and diligence may be the only way for some innocent, helpless animals out there to receive the help and care they need. So, do make sure that you are aware of the sad yet true facts of animal cruelty and neglect. This way, you can know it when you see it, and can thereby seek help for the afflicted animal or animals. Tomorrow, we will discuss some of the ways we can address situations of cruelty and neglect that we might witness.

A Not-So-Spooky Thankful Thimble Thursday with the Letter O

Hello and welcome to another alphabetical day!

Yet again, I'll note that some of my favorite things in life are cats, drawing, writing, and the fantasy genre. And so, my April A to Z Challenge contributions this year will be illustrations for a weird and wacky fantasy story I'm currently writing. This story co-stars a hind limb paralyzed orange tabby cat named Hobo, and this month you'll get to go along on some of his adventures.

Today we've reached the letter O, and that stands for October. The story of Hobo and his human begins in October. More specifically, it starts on Halloween. Because I couldn't help myself. That said, this is the one day of this year's April A to Z Challenge that I allowed myself to use some doodles I've already shared. Indeed, I first posted these back in October. So, here are some not-so-spooky flashbacks of Hobo and his friends Pyg the giant pup, Nilda the gnome, and Bunny the corgi enjoying some Halloween fun.

And now I'm in the mood to scribble up some new Halloween doodles. At least April is halfway to the spooky month itself.

***

Now, you better believe Thimble is ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Since we shared some Halloween doodles above, Thimble wanted to share her gratitude for one of her favorite toys. And that is the well-loved, used and definitely abused cat-o'-lantern basket toy thingamajig.

Thimble loves that toy so much, all year long. Actually, all of the cats do. But, Thimble loves it the most, especially when I put some catnip in it and she can get good and dosed up on it.

Thimble wishes you all lots of catnip and fun today!

***

Last but certainly not least, 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. My plans for Easter (or Sunday) include _________.

2. My favorite Easter treat is _________.

3. _________ is a healthy food I genuinely enjoy.

4. _________ is an age I wouldn't mind being permanently.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

The last parasite we'll be discussing in this parasitic series of tips is Toxoplasma gondii, which causes the disease known as toxoplasmosis. Though different animals can be affected, including cats, dogs, and humans, cats are the most prevalent. A cat can get toxoplasmosis from eating the infected muscle or organs of an animal, such as by eating a mouse or uncooked meat. The parasite can thereafter be passed through the cat's feces, and then other cats, dogs, or humans can acquire the disease after coming into contact with and ingesting such fecal matter.

Some cats with toxoplasmosis will display symptoms such as fever, lethargy, respiratory distress, or neurological disturbances. Symptoms are most often seen in cats who are immunocompromised, such as young kittens or the geriatric and sick. In most cases, though, especially in grown, healthy cats, no symptoms are noticed. It is even possible for a cat to indeed have toxoplasmosis for years, but to simply never display symptoms. This can also be the case in other animals, including humans. That being said, developing babies in utero can be at high risk for toxoplasmosis. This is why it is often recommended that women refrain from scooping their cat's litter box when pregnant.

To help prevent the transmission of toxoplasmosis, you can keep your kitty indoors, where they are less likely to come into contact with the feces of an infected animal or to ingest infected tissue from prey. Also ensure that any meat you feed your cat is cooked. Also keep all litter boxes scooped and cleaned. To protect yourself, always wash your hands well after scooping the litter box. Accidental transmission can occur simply from a person scooping the litter, not thoroughly washing their hands, and then touching their mouth or food. Dogs can also acquire toxoplasmosis by ingesting fecal matter, so keep your dogs away the litter box and fecal material they might find outdoors.

We're sure you all know this by now, but if you notice any concerning symptoms in your kitty, of course always have them examined by a veterinarian. Any questions or concerns regarding your cat's risk for diseases such as toxoplasmosis can of course be discussed with your vet as well. Even diseases such as toxoplasmosis, which often give off no symptoms at all, can be lethal in a compromised, untreated furbaby. So, as always, it's always better to be safe than sorry.