Monday, July 21, 2025
Another Mancat Monday with Megacolon
Friday, July 18, 2025
Friendly Fill-Ins and Festive Eddy
My answers are below in bold, alongside much needless rambling, as always.
(I really struggled with what to put for this one. Not because I couldn't think of an answer, but because I came up with too many options. But, I landed on The Hobbit. My dad read this to my sister and myself as a bedtime story when we were very young, and then I read it myself when I was a preteen. Given that it's one of my favorite books of all time, and that Tolkien is the king of my favorite genre, I'm horrified to admit that I haven't read The Hobbit since I was a kid. I really do want to reread it soon.)
(I created new kooky doodles for pup Astrid and my four kitties, and we've even shared them already. But our housemates Toby and Winky, who own my sister, haven't gotten a new spooky summertime doodle yet. I couldn't decide what to do for them, so I asked my sister, and she shot out a unique little idea. I've already outlined it, and it's an odd one, but I'll share it soon enough.)
Thursday, July 17, 2025
A Nosey Thankful Thimble Thursday
Hello, friends! It's time for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop, and Thimble is here and ready.
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Bushy Adventures with Astrid
Astrid seems to think vet trips are some sort of horror story, so this scary story time doodle I created a few summers ago seems apt enough for today.
Of course, whether a chew toy is for your kitty or pup, it is important to take into consideration the material out of which a chew toy is made, as well as whether it will withstand a particular furbaby's level of chewing. Some toy brands will label whether a chew toy is suitable for powerful chewers, for example. Even so, you know your furbaby best, and so you must decide whether a toy will be able to survive their chewing habits, and therefore whether it might be a hazard. There are a great many pet toys available these days, you simply have to consider a toy's benefits and safety for your furbabies.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Tonks Tuesday on the Window Throne
Tonks loves sleeping on the back of the couch by the window. She often requests a throne there, such as that pillow. She often sleeps on that pillow as well as a giant pile of blankets that she often insists I build for her. I'm surprised she settled for just the pillow in that photo above.
First, you can do a bit of a pre-bedtime play session with them. One of the last things you do before you go to bed can be a game of fetch, perhaps a little fun with a wand toy, or anything that your furbaby finds fun and that expends their energy. This will help tire your furbaby out, and will hopefully help satisfy their desire to play so that they can sleep through the night.
Second, in the case that your furbaby wakes you up in the middle of the night out of hunger, perhaps save their last meal of the day for right before bed. Fill their bowl just before you go to bed, so that they will go to bed with a full stomach. If needed and possible, you can also make this nighttime meal their largest of the day, to even further satisfy them and their stomach. In some cases, this is all it takes to help keep those hungry furbabies satiated until their breakfast.
Just like us, our furbabies are not immune to restless nights or a desire for a midnight snack. If a medical concern has been ruled out, then try to find a way to help both you and your furbaby sleep through the night. Satisfying the play or hunger drive just before bed may be all that is needed.
Monday, July 14, 2025
Just Another Manic Mancat Monday
Hello, friends! We're having a bit of chaotic Monday. My car died this weekend. I was able to jump it yesterday, but after it ran for a while and then turned off, it was dead again. Then this morning it decided it was happy to start on the first try, no questions asked, as if it hadn't refused to start for the previous 24 hours. I dropped my car off at the the shop anyway, as I'd rather not be left stranded whenever it decides to die again. But this isn't a car blog. This is a cat blog, so let's move on to some kitty shenanigans, shall we?
So, my poor boy Evan likely has another UTI.
Thankfully, Evan is actually acting pretty happy. He just got his second Solensia injection for pain relief on Friday, and these injections have been making him feel and act great. Though the injections are often given for arthritis, our vet had the idea to try it for Evan's pain related to his bladder cystitis. So far, it's working great. That said, over the weekend, Evan's urine developed a very pungent odor reminiscent of his past UTIs, and he was also urinating more frequently than usual. I emailed Evan's vet, and he agreed that given his urinary history and chronic issues, we should put Evan on a 10-day course of antibiotics. I'll be picking those up today, and Evan will be so thrilled.
Evan and all of us wish you a magnificent Monday!
Given that today's post is about Evan but also my car, how about this old Harry Potter-inspired doodle starring Evan (and Eddy) taking a ride in a magical car that flies? Makes total sense. So here you go.
Today's pet parenting hack of a tip is one to help you save on floor space. When it comes to storing some of your pet supplies—whether it be treats, canned food, medications, brushes, toys, or cleaning supplies, just to name a few—you can try using a shower caddy or other similar shelving system. You can even get shelving units that are meant to hang from a door, such as by a hook that goes over the top of door, to further save on both floor and wall space. Sometimes our furbabies come with a lot of supplies, and we have to find a place to put all of those items. So, as needed, think outside the box and find ways to use a variety of storage systems that will help save you on floor space or even wall space.
Friday, July 11, 2025
Friendly Fill-Ins and Elegant Eddy
Hello and happy Friday, friends! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.
My answers are below in bold.
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Another Thankful Thimble Thursday in the Sun
Hello and happy Thursday! It's time for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop, and Thimble is of course ready.
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Annoyed Adventures with Astrid
So, what could you put in a cat garden? First, of course, you could have cat grass and catnip. Also don't forget about valerian, which is a great alternative to catnip. Another option is cat thyme, which is known to make cats feel more content than plants such as catnip. Keep in mind, though, that some people find the odor of cat thyme to be rather unappealing. The traditional thyme herb is also non-toxic to cats, if you're looking to give your kitty even more variety. You can plant these goodies in separate pots throughout your kitty's favorite room, or you can plant them all together in one large pot, to give your kitty his or her own little jungle. An added bonus is that, if you have other plants in the home that are pet-friendly but which you'd like to keep safe from curious paws and teeth, offering a cat garden can help distract your kitty from these other plants.
It is worth mentioning that some sites online will mention adding other plants or herbs to a cat garden for more variety. If you are looking up such information online, always be cautious and careful to double check the safety of any plant you place in a garden for your cat. For example, lemon grass and chamomile are sometimes indicated as safe for pets, but such plants have been known to cause issues such as upset stomach and vomiting. Another example is parsley, which is typically harmless in small amounts, but which can lead to sensitivity to the sun and sunburn if consumed in large quantities. When in doubt, of course consult a veterinarian regarding safe plants, or visit the ASPCA's list of toxic and non-toxic plants.
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Tonks Tuesday: Coy and Cozy
Another option is to create beds or play areas out of artificial grass, which can again give off the idea of a more wild environment for your kitty. Most synthetic grass materials are safe for pets, but you should of course still always double check, or simply look for ones that are specifically designed to be pet-friendly. There are, in fact, artificial grass toys, scratchers, and beds that are specifically designed for cats. Did you know there are even artificial grass potty mats for dogs, or even cats? All in all, artificial grass is not only low-maintenance, but can also have beneficial effects for your kitty. It can offer them a place to play or snooze, all while mimicking grassy environments found out in the wild. If you think your cat might enjoy cat grass or synthetic grass in the form of a bed or play area, perhaps look into setting this up for them.
Monday, July 7, 2025
Mancat Monday: The Paw Pillow
You can purchase cat grass that has already been grown and is ready for your kitty's chompers, or you can grow your own. It is relatively simple to grow, and is also typically cheap. So, do consider looking into keeping cat grass in your home, both for your kitty's entertainment as well as for their health. Of course, do monitor your kitty, especially when first offering cat grass. If they gorge on the grass and/or vomit after eating it, then only offer it to them on occasion, or not at all.
Friday, July 4, 2025
Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Creepy Coziness on Independence Day
To all of our friends in the United States, we wish you a happy and safe Independence Day!
My answers are below in bold.
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Thankful Thimble Thursday with an Eight-Legged Friend
Hello and happy Thursday, friends! Thimble is indeed here and ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Adventures with Astrid and Creepy Company
Between the excessive heat as well as Astrid's arthritis and recurring vestibular disease issues, the old gal doesn't go for many true walks these days.