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.

Adventures with Astrid, Feathered Non-Friends, and the Letter N

Hello and welcome to another day of the April A to Z Challenge!

My daily preface to this year's alphabetical challenge is that some of my favorite things in life are cats, drawing, writing, and the fantasy genre. And so, my A to Z 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 N, which is quite tame and simply stands for the night sky.

For being a relatively common letter, I struggled with N. Though it doesn't play a huge part in the story in and of itself, the night sky is mentioned for certain reasons, and so there's Hobo doing a little stargazing.

***

For today's adventure with pup Astrid, she wanted to share something she saw in the creek near our house on a walk the other day.

It might be difficult to tell in that photo, but that there is Astrid with her head shoved through the grates of a bridge. After all, there was a heron more or less flogging some geese who apparently didn't give him enough personal space.

The heron was not interested in being harassed by the geese, and he told them exactly that. That there photo was snapped after their rather loud altercation, which is what got Astrid's attention and made her watch them for quite a few minutes. Luckily, all the feathered individuals involved went about their way in peace after the heron set some boundaries.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

 

We're back to our tips on parasites that can affect our furbabies. Two days ago we gave a tip on Giardia, and the parasite of today is very similar to this. Today's parasite is coccidia, which is another single-celled protozoa that can infect the intestinal tract. Coccidia is similar to Giardia in more than just that regard, though. Just like Giardia, coccidia most commonly causes diarrhea, and is passed in the feces. It is also possible for a furbaby to become infected with coccidia if they ingest an infected rodent.

Also just like with Giardia, sometimes a cat or dog will show no signs of infection even if they have coccidia in their intestinal tract. Young kittens or puppies, geriatric furbabies, and those otherwise medically compromised are at the highest risk. In compromised cats and dogs, diarrhea caused by coccidia infection can lead to dehydration and other complications, which can be life-threatening.

Like the broken record that we are, we're of course reminding you again to keep an eye on your furbaby when outdoors, and to keep their environment as sanitary as possible. As we said earlier, ingesting the feces of another animal infected with coccidia can lead to infection. Also ingesting debris or water near where such an animal defecated could lead to an infection with coccidia.

And, again, if your furbaby has diarrhea, seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Take a fecal sample to the appointment, so that your veterinarian can do a test for coccidia and other parasites. When a diagnosis is made, discuss with the veterinarian the treatment options. Give prescribed medications, which may include antibiotics, probiotics, or another, and do so for as long as the veterinarian prescribes. Stopping medications early, even if symptoms subside, can result in a recurrence. Then again, if a treatment plan is not working, discuss that with your veterinarian as well. Diarrhea, among any number of symptoms, is not to be taken lightly, so do your best to stay on top of it.

Happy Birthday, Evan! (...and the Letter M)

Let's start with...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EVAN!

Indeed, my sugary sweet (and sometimes sassy) boy Evan turns 12 years old today. As I've said so many times before, he's my little hero. Evan may be hind limb paralyzed, and he may battle urinary incontinence, megacolon, and a plethora of other health issues, but he's such a trooper, and I love him so much.

Those photos were snapped just this morning, and that's the birthday boy's new bed. The silver vine stick and little alligator toy behind him are also new for his birthday. The alligator is admittedly an inside joke, because especially when he was younger (and still occasionally to this day), Evan sometimes enjoys taking little (or big) nibbles of humans, other cats, and sometimes even pup Astrid, which has often gotten him compared to an alligator.

Evan, I hope you have the happiest 12th birthday! I love you so much!

I also just realized that I failed to scan his new birthday doodle for this year. So, he gets a little flashback doodle to celebrate.

***

Now we're ready to partake in today's edition of the April A to Z Challenge.

I'm a broken record and so am 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 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're at the letter M, which stands for "mom", as in Hobo's human mom. Her name also starts with M. I somehow can't remember exactly how I came to the name, but in the story I've been calling her Munroe. I've tried changing her name a couple of times, but now nothing seems to fit but Munroe. So, for reasons I don't even fully know, Hobo's human of a mom is named Munroe.

I scribbled up this doodle of Hobo's human something like a year ago, when I'd barely even started writing the story. I also drew her right after I got a bunch of new markers in various orange hues, which is in no small part why she ended up a redhead. I'd also never tried drawing hazel eyes, so her peepers were another experiment.

I mentioned earlier this month how drawing anything human honestly stresses me out. Drawing cats is the easiest and most enjoyable for me, closely followed by dogs. Humans, though, take me forever to draw, and the entire time I'm stressed beyond belief. Drawing anything humanoid just doesn't come naturally to me whatsoever, and especially since I was trying to make her more detailed than I'd ever drawn a human before, it took me a relative eternity to scribble up that there lady named Munroe.

***

Tip of the Day

For today's tip, of course in Evan's honor, we'd just like to remind you all that special needs animals—or specially abled, a term that I find far more accurate—can still live happy, healthy lives in which they thrive. Specially abled animals can include those of all wonderful types, such as those with physically special attributes, like Evan. In addition, special abled animals can include those with known medical diseases or anomalies, such as diabetes, kidney disease, disorders of the thyroid, deafness, blindness, and cerebellar hypoplasia, just to name a few.

That all being said, if you are ever thinking of adopting, fostering, or even sponsoring an animal, don't forget those who are specially abled. Many of these animals are passed over at shelters, or even, sadly, euthanized. They are often deemed "imperfect" or "unadoptable", when the exact opposite is the truth. These animals may be different, yes, and they are indeed special. That being said, they also have so much much life, love, and lessons to offer.

Of course, though, we also have to note that when it comes to adopting a specially abled animal, always do your research, take all factors into consideration, and decide whether it is wise or possible for you to bring home a specially abled furbaby. Especially depending on their condition, these special furbabies can often of course live happy, healthy, long lives. But, again depending on their condition, their care may take additional effort, resources, and financing.

So, all in all, don't forgot those specially abled furbabies out there. They have so much to offer, and they can teach us all so much.

Mancat Monday with a Belated K and an L

This weekend and time in general really got away from me and I failed to get Saturday's April A to Z Challenge post up. So, today you'll get two letters.

To begin, let's yet again repeat our A to Z prologue. So, some of my favorite things in life are cats, drawing, writing, and the fantasy genre. And so, my A to Z 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.

On our missed post on Saturday, we were supposed to share the letter K. So, it belatedly stands for K9. As in, a K9 unit of law enforcement.

You already met that dog there, whose current-but-maybe-not-actual name is Pyg. And on Friday you met Jerry the ogre, who is an officer of some variation of the law. Pyg is one of his co-workers, and Hobo considers this canine officer a good friend.

Now, how about the letter L? Today, it stands for landlord. Hobo's human's landlord happens to be a goblin, because why not.

As the state of Hobo and his human's home might give away, that there goblin isn't all that great of a landlord.

***

Now, how about some Mancat Monday goodness? Today, Evan is coming at you from his prison cell.

On Friday, Evan went to the vet for his regular sanitary cleaning and shave, and also for a urine recheck and some bloodwork since he's on an NSAID.

Luckily, everything came back looking good for Evan. His recent UTI is gone, at least for now, and his bloodwork looked great.

Those photos were taken after I picked Evan up at the vet to go home. He's always a sad, pouty little thing on the way to the vet. On the way home, though, he's always so very happy. He purrs, cuddles through the carrier, and all that adorable stuff.

Evan and all of us here wish you a magnificent Monday!

***

Tip of the Day

Today we're talking about another intestinal parasite. This time, though, it's not a worm. The parasite we're talking about today is Giardia, which is a single-celled protozoa. In short, Giardia causes diarrhea in cats and dogs, as well as humans. Diarrhea caused by Giardia is often very malodorous, sometimes somewhat green in color, and may contain mucus or blood.

How does a cat or dog become infected with Giardia? It is passed in the feces of infected animals. This means that eating the feces of an infected animal, or eating grass or other debris near where an infected animal has defecated, can result in infection with Giardia. Drinking water near where infected animals have defecated is another way that Giardia can be passed from animal to animal.

This all being said, many healthy animals can have Giardia present in there intestinal tract and not show symptoms. It more commonly becomes a problem in very young, very old, or otherwise sick animals. It is also more common in highly populated areas, such as in a shelter. If diarrhea resulting from Giardia is severe enough, the situation can become life-threatening, due to dehydration and other complications.

So, though we can't always put protective bubbles around our furbabies, do your best to help prevent Giardia from affecting your furbaby. Try to keep them from ingesting the feces of other animals, of course, or from ingesting grass or water in areas where other animals may have defecated. Also be sure to keep their feeding, sleeping, and play areas, especially those outdoors, sanitary.

If you do notice your kitty or pup has diarrhea, do not hesitate to take them and a fecal sample in for an exam by a veterinarian. Especially if your furbaby is very young, geriatric, or sick, do not hesitate to have them seen if they are displaying diarrhea. Your vet can test a stool sample for Giardia, as well as for other parasites. Of course, also be sure to administer medications and follow other treatments that your vet prescribes for your furbaby. Also, as we always say, never hesitate to ask your veterinarian about any concerns you have regarding Giardia and your furbaby's risk, treatment, or prevention.

It is also worth noting that, though nowadays is is believed not as prevalent as originally thought, it is still possible for humans to get Giardia from cats and dogs. For this reason, always be sure to wash your hands after cleaning up their waste, especially if they are known to have Giardia. Giardia is not something to take lightly, neither in our furbabies nor ourselves.

Friendly Fill-Ins, Adorable Eddy, and the Letter J

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


1. Once in a while, I manage to _________.

2. The weirdest thing in my home is _________.

3. I wish I had access to _________ so that I could _________.

4. It's never too late to _________.


My answers are below in bold.

1. Once in a while, I manage to check everything off of my daily to-do.
(My long-term to-do list is still thoroughly incomplete. But, I often make daily to-do lists for myself, and there are the occasional times where I manage to check everything off of it. I love those days. There's just something about checking off every box on a to-do list.)

2. The weirdest thing in my home is my sketchbook.
(I feel like my contributions to this year's April A to Z Challenge are evidence enough of this fact. Those drawings are based off of a story I'm writing, so the Word documents on my computer are also some of the weirdest things in my home.)

3. I wish I had access to a degree in veterinary medicine so that I could diagnose and treat my furry family myself.
(I'm really happy with our regular vet. That said, sometimes I wish I had a veterinary medicine degree so that I could fully take care of my kitties and pup at any given moment. Having easy access to all the medications they need and that sort of thing would be so very helpful. Sure, I could go back to school for that vet degree, but the reality is that would be an incredibly stressful and even more expensive endeavor that doesn't currently align with my ultimate goals. So, at least we have a wonderful vet.)

4. It's never too late to work toward your dreams.
(I almost put that it's never too late to panic, as I've heard that quote before and I sometimes feel that sentiment all the way down to my soul. But, let's instead go for it never being too late to work toward your dreams. Not everything will be perfectly attainable in every season of life, but it's always possible to reach for those dreams in some capacity.)

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.

***

Now, of course, we have today's edition of the April A to Z Challenge. 

I'm yet again here to explain that some of my favorite things in life are cats, drawing, writing, and the fantasy genre. And so, my A to Z 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.

So, we've reached the letter J, and that stands for Jerry. This is one of those perhaps especially odd doodles for this month, as Jerry is an ogre. That doesn't bother Hobo, though.

Jerry is an officer of some sort of law, hence his uniform and badge. And his badge is indeed shaped like a gravestone, for a reason. Oh, and Jerry the ogre is not the last unorthodox character you'll be seeing this month. This upcoming Monday's post will involve another different sort of someone, just to name one weird upcoming example.

***

Now, who's ready for their Eddy fix? Oh, you all are? Well, here go you.

Just look at that face. And those gorgeous eyes!

And that snaggletooth!

Not many people get to see Eddy outside of photos, as she's easily my most skittish cat and hides whenever anyone comes to my house. But, at least I can share her adorableness with others through photos.

Happy Friday, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

 

A couple days ago, we talked about ear mites. These mites are not the only kind that can infest our pups and kitties, though. As many of you likely already know, there are other mites that can affect the skin of our furbabies.

There are a number of different mites that can affect our pups or kitties. In dogs, mites that cause sarcoptic mange are perhaps most common, and are also highly contagious between dogs and also to humans. Mites that cause demodectic mange are perhaps a bit less common, as a healthy immune system can often suppress them, and they are also far less contagious. Cats have certain mites that more commonly affect them, such as cheyletiella mites and mites that cause notoedric mange. Both of these are contagious, similarly to the mites that cause sarcoptic mange.

No matter the species of your furbaby, they can potentially be affected by mites. Depending on the type of mite, as well as the pup or kitty's overall health and the severity of the infestation, you might see a variety of symptoms. When it comes to mites and mange, keep an eye out for itching and scratching, hair loss, scabs or scaly skin, and discoloration of the skin, just to name a few.

If you think you see any signs related to mites, or signs of any dermatological issue, have your furbaby seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Not only is itching and scratching uncomfortable, but lesions and secondary infections can result. Left untreated, mites and their side effects can become a risk not only to your furbaby's comfort and happiness, but also to their health.

All of that being said, keep in mind that treatment for mites will likely not only include medications prescribed by your veterinarian. Mites will also need to be eradicated from the environment. You may need to pitch bedding and rugs, or at the very least efficiently wash them in hot water. Do whatever it takes to ensure that your furbaby and their environment is as sanitary and safe as possible, so that they can live a happy, healthy life.