Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Adorable Face

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. I wish I could believe that _________, but I don't.

2. I am all _________ed out.

3. I'm very picky about _________.

4. I don't mind _________ as long as _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. I wish I could believe that most people are good, but I don't.

(I don't like saying this, but I think we've all seen evidence that would indicate a lot of people are not good. Many people choose evil, as we often see in the news or even firsthand. It's a choice far too many people make, and it's such a disheartening reality.)

2. I am all summered out.

(It's hot. It's humid. I'm not a fan of either. Is it autumn yet?)

3. I'm very picky about the texture of food.

(I feel like such a child saying this, but I do find myself struggling to eat foods with certain textures. I'm not a fan of a lot of sautéed foods, most especially onions, because I feel like I'm eating worms. I also cannot stand eating cooked oatmeal, as I find it too gooey and gummy, though I love overnight oats that have only sat soaking in milk. The texture of mushrooms is also a no-go for me.)

4. I don't mind hot days as long as I can stay in the air conditioning.

(I'm really not a fan of summer, as I mentioned in #2 above. Heat and humidity are simply not my thing, as I also said above. The only time I don't mind these hot days is when I can just stay inside where the air conditioning keeps it cool. I always end up outside at some point, though, whether it be going to and from work or taking pup Astrid outside. So, with that said, I'm really just ready for autumn.)

Now it's your turn!

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

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

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

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

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Today, your Eddy fix puts the adorable girl's adorable snaggletooth on full display. Actually, it puts her entire adorable face on display.

For anyone who doesn't know or might not remember, Eddy came to me as a kitten with neurological issues. When I adopted her, she would spin in circles, fall to the side when running, and she had a right-sided head tilt with right-sided facial nerve paralysis. With some drugs and TLC, Eddy recovered from the acute neurological issues she developed at the rescue from which I adopted her, which they believed were due to either an infection or an injury. She no longer spins or walks crooked, though she has maintained a mild head tilt and facial nerve paralysis. But, that gives us adorable shots like these.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I truly hope to hook up my scanner this weekend and prepare and upload a bunch of my newly completed but sorely neglected doodles. For today, though, how about an old one from back when I was painfully trying to improve my skills at drawing architectural elements.

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Tip of the Day

We're still in the midst of our series of tips on taking that kitty of yours to the vet. Today's tip on this topic is a plain and simple one, and that is to take with you to the vet your kitty's favorite toy(s) or treats. This might not work for all cats, but in some cases, toys or treats can make for great distractions or positive reinforcement during your cat's exam or vaccinations. That being said, though, do try to choose wisely when it comes to what you take as a distraction. For example, does your cat get hyperactive or even aggressive when under the influence of catnip? If so, try to avoid toys laced with catnip, and avoid taking anything else that might cause a problem rather than assist during the vet visit. So, all in all, consider whether a simple toy or some treats might help your cat make it through a vet visit. If so, pack those so that they can go along.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Fleece Blankets and Furrowed Brows

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

Today, Thimble is grateful for fleece blankets. She especially loves ones that are almost as cute as her.

This is another case where I don't know how or why Thimble looks so disgruntled. When this photo was snapped, she was purring and incredibly happy. Despite being one of the happiest cats I've ever met, Thimble is also known in our family for her furrowed brow. Either way, she of course looks downright adorable.

Thimble hopes you all have a fleece blanket on which to nap today!

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

1. I wish I could believe that _________, but I don't.

2. I am all _________ed out.

3. I'm very picky about _________.

4. I don't mind _________ as long as _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip for taking your cat to the vet is to consider using a pheromone spray, such as Feliway. A synthetic pheromone such as this can potentially have a calming effect for your cat. One idea is to spray the pheromone into your cat's carrier, or onto a blanket placed in your cat's carrier. This could potentially help make the experience of getting into the carrier more calm for your cat, as well as potentially make the car ride and time at the vet a calmer experience. Also consider taking the pheromone spray with you to the vet, where you can spray it in the air in the exam room, or again spray it on a blanket or toy you might have brought along to the vet for your cat. Of course a pheromone spray isn't always guaranteed to work, and it might not work the same for every cat, but it definitely wouldn't hurt to try it in case it might help your kitty feel calm and soothed.

A Slightly Less Wobbly Woof Woof Wednesday

Astrid's current vestibular disease flare is slowly but surely improving. She has days and times when she moves around pretty well, having only minimal signs of dizziness and unsteadiness. Other times, especially if she's moved around a lot and is tired, she has to be helped quite a bit when walking. But, for about three mornings in a row now, she's woken up and has been able to make it all over the house on her own without falling over. That's a huge improvement from last week. It gives me hope that perhaps we're finally approaching the end of this vestibular episode, and hopefully Astrid continues to improve and return to her version of normal. Hopefully.

Oh, and despite us having placed rugs all over the hardwood and other slick floors in the house, Astrid still has far less confidence when inside. But when you get her onto the concrete outside, which she knows she won't slip and slide on, she walks far more normally. See?

Astrid isn't always so great on feet in uneven grass right now, but when she gets on cement, she's unstoppable. Well, usually.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I honestly have a significant number of new doodles that I still need to scan and share here, going all the way back to some I scribbled up in the first couple months of the year. I finally got my laptop back from the repair shop for the fourth time this year, though, and so I will soon scan those new doodles. In the meantime, I've been going back in the archives and finding doodles I completely forgot about, like this one here.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip on taking that kitty of yours to the vet is about selecting the best kind of carrier for your cat. There are a number of considerations to make when it comes to carrier type. The size of your cat, the size of the carrier, how willing your kitty is to enter a carrier, your cat's behavior while in a carrier, and the material out of which a carrier is made can all play a role in the kind of carrier you might want to use.

To go into a bit more detail, let's start with the size of your kitty. For example, take into consideration the comfort of a large cat when selecting a carrier. A small carrier will of course be less than cozy for a large cat, not to mention that it might not be easy to get a large cat into a small carrier in the first place. At the same time, though, it is important to make sure that you can carry your cat's carrier with relative ease. This is especially crucial for emergency cases, when you might need to move quickly and therefore won't want to have difficulty transporting a cat-filled carrier.

Another consideration to make is how easy it is to get your cat into the carrier. Yesterday, we mentioned some tips on getting your cat used to the carrier. Those all being said, some cats may simply not be the easiest to coax into a carrier. With this in mind, consider what type of carrier will be easiest for you, your kitty, and your particular situation. If your cat is difficult to get into a carrier, for example, a top-loading one might be easier than a front-loading one. Then again, if it's possible and safe, you could set a front-loading carrier on its back end in order to load your kitty in through the door while it's standing up in that manner. Also keep in mind how sturdy a carrier is and how easily this might make it to load a kitty inside. Mesh or other flimsy carriers, for example, could collapse as you try to load a difficult cat inside, making the task even more challenging.

Yet another consideration to make is how your cat acts inside a carrier, and how details such as carrier material might be affected. For example, is your cat a digger while in their carrier? If so, a mesh carrier may not be the best option for them, especially if they are an insistent digger who might tear a hole in the mesh or dig at the zipper and escape. Also take into consideration if your kitty has a nervous bladder or nervous bowels. If your cat is known to urinate or defecate in the carrier, consider what type of carrier might be best able to withstand this and be cleaned afterwards. A plastic carrier might be a good option in this case.

There can be a great many considerations to make when selecting a carrier for your kitty. Those we mentioned above are just some considerations you might need to make. It all depends on your particular furbaby, their personality and behavior, as well as on you and your capabilities or preferences.

No Tech Tonks Tuesday

Tonks is still happily claiming my laptop cover as her favorite sleeping spot. After all, my laptop has now been at the repair shop for a week, and so Tonks has its soft and apparently cozy case all to herself.

Tonks will be very upset whenever I finally get my laptop back. I always let her sleep on the case when I'm using the computer, but she's currently enjoying having it as her own 24/7.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip on taking your kitty to the vet is one that we're sure all of you have heard, and that is to get your kitty used to the carrier. The first and foremost way to do this is to keep the carrier out, in sight, and accessible all the time. If the carrier is tucked away, then it very well may simply become a source of fear when it comes out once a year. Keeping it out at all times can help combat this.

What's more, try to make the carrier a place of comfort or fun. For example, place a cozy blanket in the carrier, so that it can perhaps be seen as a place to nap. You can also place toys in the carrier, as well as treats. Or, you can try to use the carrier as a feeding station, such as by putting one of your kitty's bowls of food in there. The carrier could also be where your cat is given treats. These methods can help your cat associate the carrier with things that are cozy, fun, or commonplace, in turn helping it to be seen as less of a threat. All in all, help your kitty get used to the carrier by turning it into a place where good things happen, rather than simply a place in which once a year they're locked up and taken somewhere unfamiliar. Associating the carrier with happy experiences can potentially make vet visits a bit less scary for the kitty in your life.

Up Close and Personal on Mancat Monday

It's Mancat Monday, and today we're getting up close and personal with adorable Evan.

It's been a busy few days, what with Astrid having a vestibular flare and therefore needing more help getting around than usual while she recovers. But, while the pup took a nice, long nap yesterday, I got a chance to read a book and watch some TV on the couch. And you better believe my boy immediately joined me for a cuddle session.

I couldn't get all that many photos, as Evan had one of my arms pinned, but that's okay. I at least got these snapped, and they prove just how adorable my cuddly boy is.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I stumbled upon this weird old doodle starring our housemates, Toby and Winky. I scribbled this up years ago for my sister, whom these two house panthers own.

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Tip of the Day

Since National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day is this week, we figured we'd go right on ahead and do a series of tips on how to get that kitty of yours to the vet. We'll start this series with the simple tip to socialize and get your kitty used to interaction at an early age, if possible. Getting your cat used to people is ideal for helping them cope with future outings to the vet. This of course may not always be possible, depending on a particular cat's age and personality at the time of adoption or rescue. However, when possible and safe, start socializing your cat around people, even simply visitors to your home, when they are young.

What's more, try to get your cat used to hands-on checks. If it's safe for both you and your cat, you can get in the habit of looking in your cat's ears, having a look at their mouth and teeth, and so forth. This of course can help them get used to all that goes on when they're at the vet's office, while at the same time also helping you check for abnormalities that might need to be addressed. All in all, starting early with socializing and hands-on interaction, when it's a safe option, can possibly help your kitty feel more comfortable about getting examined during their trips to the vet.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy in the Window

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. When it comes to making decisions, I _________.

2. _________ was the highlight of my week.

3. I wish there were a _________ in my local area.

4. Thanks to _________, I _________.


My answers are below in bold, along with my usual rambling.

1. When it comes to making decisions, I usually make up my mind pretty quickly.
(I don't tend to be very wishy-washy with most decisions. Sure, there are things here and there I have to ponder for a bit, but even then, I usually pretty quickly determine what I want or need and make the final decision. I've always been like this, which is funny, because my sister is the complete indecisive opposite.)

2. Astrid walking without my assistance was the highlight of my week.

(As I've mentioned at least once this week, pup Astrid is having another flare of her vestibular. Old dog vestibular disease is relatively common, and it causes all sorts of balance issues for geriatric dogs. They often recover from episodes after a couple or few weeks, but it seems to be so much worse for Astrid in the summer. She suddenly had a flare of it a little over 2 weeks ago, and after improving a bit from that episode, it flared up again early this week. Yesterday, though, Astrid was finally more able to walk without being constantly assisted. It's a small improvement, but it's an improvement nonetheless. It's been a very long week with poor Astrid being so wobbly and restless, and so seeing even a bit of improvement was truly the highlight of my week. Though still wobbly, this morning Astrid is far less restless and is acting a tad bit more like herself. Thank goodness.)

3. I wish there were a Dick Blick in my local area.

(It's a weird name, though I think it's called Blick Art Materials these days. It's a store that sells all sorts of art supplies, and it's one of the only art stores I've ever known to keep a full stock of my favorite markers, those being Window & Newton Promarkers and Brushmarkers. Dick Blick is prevalent in my home state of Illinois, but only in cities hours away from me. I'd love to be able to peruse the aisles of a Dick Blick in my hometown.)

4. Thanks to Astrid's current condition, I ended up with her bowl of food all over my clothes yesterday.

(Honestly, I'm so glad that Astrid's dizziness hasn't made her lose her appetite. As long as we feed her the food she wants, she'll happily eat. It's just a really graceless and messy activity. She doesn't like to eat lying down, but she's not very steady on her feet. Yesterday, she started to tip over while eating, and though I managed to keep her upright, the attempt resulted in her food bowl overturning on me. That's okay, though, because washing machines exist for a reason. And don't worry, I peeled the food off of my clothes, put it back in Astrid's bowl, and she ate it right up.)

Now it's your turn!

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

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

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

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

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Today, your Eddy fix might look a bit odd. After all, it stars Eddy, but from the viewpoint of me looking at her from the outside of a window. See?

The reason I snapped this photo is because this moment made me so proud of Eddy. This girl is easily the most skittish cat I've ever shared my life with. For years, if Eddy saw any person outside of the window, myself included, she'd run and hide under my bed. That's why, when I recently started seeing Eddy watch me in the yard from my bedroom window, I was shocked. I was even more shocked when she let me walk up to the window, say hi to her, and take her photo. This has now become a ritual of ours, and I love it. My scared little girl is showing tiny steps toward more confidence, and I'm so proud of her.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We recently re-shared some old doodles starring Edgar Allan Poe and his tortie Catterina. Another one of my favorite horror authors is H.P. Lovecraft, and I also happened to scribble up a doodle for him a few years back. So, why not share that again today.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday's tip involved helping give your kitty or pup a window view by putting a cat tree, couch, or chair beside the window. Today's tip takes this concept in another direction, and involves looking into ways to make your home even more accessible to and traversable by your feline furbabies. For example, there are cat shelves on the market that can be placed along your home's walls, and which can be placed in ways that allow your kitty to not only rest on the shelves, but to also to travel the perimeter of a room by way of those wall shelves. There are plenty of other similar features available on the market as well, including walkways, bridges, ladders, and all sorts of items that can allow your furbaby to travel throughout the house in this fun, unique way. If interested, you could intersperse such wall shelves or walkways throughout the house. Or, if you have the space and ability, you could dedicate one room in the house to this, so that said room is some semblance of a playroom or jungle gym for your kitty. In the wild, cats often travel or sleep on elevated surfaces, such as trees or mountains. That's why many cats enjoy setups such as wall shelves or walkways, as this can mimic the environment of their wild ancestors.

Thankful Thimble Thursday in the Sun

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! You better believe Thimble is ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, as has been the case before, Thimble is grateful for sunny naps in the window.

Also as before, Thimble is thankful for her adorably humongous ears. After all, they're how she hears her beloved baby food jars being opened at treat time.

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Now, let's share the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. When it comes to making decisions, I _________.

2. _________ was the highlight of my week.

3. I wish there were a _________ in my local area.

4. Thanks to _________, I _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I was looking through old doodles recently, and I was reminded of this one. It's a piece of concept art I scribbled up years ago for a story idea I had, this story idea involving a little girl, her well-loved teddy bear, her chubby calico friend, and her somewhat frightening imaginary friend. Except he's not so imaginary. Anyway, here you go.

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Tip of the Day

For today's tip on how to decorate your home around your furbaby, we're here to remind you to make sure your kitty or pup has a safe window view. Indoor cats and dogs are of course safe from the dangers of an outdoor life, but it is still important that they get the mental stimulation provided by a view of the outdoors. To allow for this window view, try putting pet-friendly furniture near the window. Placing a cat tree beside the window is a perfect option for cats, for example. Of course, though, you can even simply position a couch, chair, table, or other pet-safe piece of furniture so that a window view is possible for your kitty or pup.

There are a couple of other considerations to make when it comes to window views for your furbabies. First, if it's possible and safe, try to feed birds or squirrels in view of the window, so that your kitty or pup can have the added mental stimulation of having wildlife to watch. What's more, make sure all windows are securely closed and safe from potential escapes. Also make sure that any nearby window blinds or curtains do not pose a risk to the safety of your cat or dog. It is important to ensure your indoor cat or dog has a window view in order to keep them happy and sharp, but it's equally important to ensure their safety.

A Dizzy Woof Woof Wednesday

Last week's Wednesday post was titled "Not So Dizzy Adventures with Astrid". Today's is titled what it is because poor Astrid's current vestibular flare is, well, flaring up a bit more the past couple of days. She's better today than she was yesterday, but this particular flare is just far more noticeable and prolonged than the other ones she's experienced over the past 8 months. Flares of old dog vestibular disease can take weeks if not months to resolve, sometimes with permanent and/or recurring issues like Astrid already has from her initial flares months ago. I'm hoping that with time this particular, gnarly flare resolves enough that the poor girl can go back to moving around without feeling so dizzy and unsteady.

All that said, Astrid needs more assistance walking as well as using the bathroom during her vestibular flares. Astrid, however, does not really like being helped. Bathroom breaks with Astrid often look like this, with her trying to get away from me and my attempts to assist her so that she doesn't fall in her own excrement.

Astrid can't walk in a straight line, but she can still give me her stubbornness and sass.

I sometimes put Astrid's harness and leash on when taking her to the back yard. However, she often refuses to move if she's hooked up like that in her beloved back yard. I also just want her to have a bit of freedom like she's used to, but then I get moments like in the photos above. Luckily, Astrid moves better in the grass and on concrete than she does in the house, despite the hardwood and laminate floors currently being covered in rugs for her. Again, though, that gives Astrid the confidence to be give me a run for my money when outside, even if her run is a bit drunken right now.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

In case you haven't seen our past couple of tips, we're currently in a series all about decorating your home around the furbabies in your life. Today's tip on this topic is to use couch or chair covers, or even just regular blankets, on your furniture. This can help protect the furniture beneath from excess pet hair, as well as from all varieties of accidents that can happen in a home with kitties or pups. If needed, you can also look into the various moisture resistant couch covers and blankets that are out there, to indeed protect furniture from vomit, urine, and all that jazz. We also mentioned in yesterday's tip that you can use furniture covers or blankets to help protect couches and chairs from kitty claw, or even claws of pups. In addition, some cats or dogs might be a bit more on the greasy side, such as Sphynx cats or furbabies with certain ailments, and furniture covers can also help keep couches and chairs clean in this way as well. There are covers designed to fit and protect entire pieces of furniture, or you can simply place a spare blanket on your furbaby's favorite chair or on their favorite part of the couch. Either way, furniture coverings can help protect your couches and chairs from direct damage. Whereas it's not exactly easy to clean an entire chair or couch, if you use a cover, you can easily remove it and throw it in the wash.

Technological Tonks Tuesday

It's Tonks Tuesday, and today Tonks is getting technological. As in, she's expressing her love for sleeping on my laptop case.

This is a perfect day to share Tonks's love for my laptop cover, since my laptop is currently not in it due to it yet again being at the computer repair shop. Three times this year now I've had to take my laptop in for its hinges coming apart. I just got the laptop last year. It works amazingly well as an actual computer, but for some reason it has repeated physical issues. I treat this computer very well. I open it carefully and slowly and make sure not to torque it, it's never been dropped, it's always kept flat when in use or stored, I keep the kitties off of it, and all that jazz. I can't figure out why the hinges keep getting messed up, but when this happens, it doesn't open or close properly, and all the parts and pieces inside are at risk if I try to force it open or closed. My main frustration is that this laptop is the only thing on which I write my stories, including the main book I've been making really good progress in. I feel like I'm at such a standstill when I'm without my computer. I don't want to complain, though, and there are much bigger issues in the world than a broken laptop, so I'll stop there.

The above said, Tonks is very happy. After all, I only hand over my laptop and not its case when I take it to the repair shop. That means Tonks has the soft case all to herself all hours of the day when the laptop is on vacation.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is a very old one. But, it stars my calico angel Rosie and a laptop, which seems apt enough for today. So, here you go.

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Tip of the Day

We're still in the midst of our series of tips all about decorating your home around your furbabies. Today's tip on that topic involves protecting your furniture from kitty claw. After all, cats have claws. That's simply part of who they are. That being said, that doesn't mean there aren't safe, humane ways of protecting your furniture from those claws.

To begin, of course place cat scratchers throughout your house in order to give your cat appropriate places to use their claws. Cats often like to scratch as a more or less territorial display, so make sure that at least some of their scratchers are somewhere visible and in the open. You can also place a scratcher near any furniture to which your furbaby's claws gravitate. This way, your kitty can have an appropriate scratching location where you can immediately redirect them should they begin to use the furniture instead.

We recently mentioned this next idea in another tip, but we'll say it again. To protect your furniture from cat claws while also giving your cat a proper place to scratch, you can wrap sisal rope around furniture legs, rails of staircases, and other similar locations. Again, this not only protects those home features from cat claws, but also simultaneously gives your cat another appropriate place to use their claws. Another potential form of protection against cat claws for your furniture is a heavy-duty couch or chair cover.

As we said above, cats indeed have claws. While those claws can sometimes find their way to furniture, there are proper ways to combat this. Simply research types of scratchers for your kitty to use, create your own scratchers using sisal rope, or find another way to protect the furniture while also treating your kitty and their claws in a humane way. When your kitty scratches furniture, calmly redirect them to a proper cat scratcher, so that they can learn where they should and should not sharpen those claws of theirs. Of course, also don't forget to regularly trim your kitty's nails.

Majestic Mancat Monday

Evan is feeling quite majestic today. After all, our vet's groomer spruced him up with another sanitary shave last Thursday.

Don't mind Evan thinking he's on his bed in that photo. He's notorious for putting his front end on a bed, while letting his paralyzed back legs to do their own thing outside of the bed. If he's still awake, like he was here, I'll square him up in the bed so that he can properly curl up in it. If he's already asleep when I find him like that, I just let him sleep.

As a bonus, here's Evan in his carrier after he was groomed and I picked him up to take him home.

I know that looks kind of sad, but Evan was actually purring in that photo. Due to his hind limb paralysis, urinary incontinence, and various intestinal issues, Evan gets groomed by our vet's groomer every two weeks or so. Because of that, he's very used to being in his carrier and in the car. He pouts on the way to the vet, but when I pick him up and he knows he's going home, he's very happy, purrs, and watches out the car windows.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Our cats and dogs often more or less have free roam of our homes. Sometimes, though, that might become a bit difficult for them, for a variety of potential reasons. If your cat or dog is allowed on furniture, make sure that they can easily and safely access it. This is something to especially take into consideration for cats or dogs with mobility issues. Geriatric, arthritic, injured, and any other specially abled furbabies may require some form of help getting onto couches, chairs, beds, tables, shelves, and so forth. Sometimes all you have to do is put low stools or boxes next to the furniture, as long as said stools or boxes are safe and sturdy. There are also pet stairs and pet ramps available on the market, which can be placed beside beds, couches, and other relevant furniture. So, if your furbaby is allowed on furniture, keep in mind what might affect their ability to get onto said furniture. Age, injuries, and other such factors can make it difficult for your cat or dog to reach elevated locations. Take all such factors into consideration, and help your furbaby adjust as best and as safely as possible.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Adorable Eddy

Hello, friend! 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. Anyone who can _________ is a genius in my book.

2. I find _________ boring.

3. I wish I had _________'s ability to _________.

4. _________ often distracts me from _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. Anyone who can create something new is a genius in my book.
(Whether it be a scientific invention or a creative new spin on storytelling in a book or movie, I appreciate the genius it takes to invent something new. I've of course been in awe of life-saving scientific inventions, but I've also been amazed at the genius of some authors who create entire new worlds, my favorite author J.R.R. Tolkien being a major example of this.)

2. I find most sports boring.
(Golfing is one sport I find especially boring. And though I used to watch the occasional sporting event when I was a kid, I now find anything from baseball to basketball to football quite boring as well. And don't even get me started on curling.)

3. I wish I had Thimble's ability to be happy-go-lucky.

(I'm okay with not being a happy-go-lucky, let's-not-worry-about-anything kind of person in general. That's just not who I am. But, I know I sometimes worry and fret too much, and that always makes me think of my tabby girl Thimble, who is one of the most perpetually happy, unbothered creatures I've ever met in my life. Sure, she's not so happy when she has to go to the vet, but even there, while terrified, she rolls her belly up and makes friends. I admire that about her.)

4. My kitties and pup often distract me from anything and everything that needs done.

(Whether initiated by a furry baby or myself, these furry distractions are my favorite kind. I will try to extricate myself from distractions on my phone and such, but I let the kitty and puppy distractions go for as long as possible. I need to do laundry but a kitty just sat on my lap? That laundry's going to have to wait. It's time to vacuum the floors but pup Astrid wants me to hang out with her in the back yard? Outside we go. Of course, sometimes the kitty and pup distractions come in the form of piles of vomit on the floor and that sort of thing, but what's new.)

Now it's your turn!

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

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

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

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

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It's time for your Eddy fix. For this one, the tabby gal was a tad bit tired and so was resting in the one and only cat bed she likes.

It's not terribly visible, but Eddy's favorite bed in which she's lying there is a pink one. Despite having the name Eddy, she is indeed a little lady, and her pink bed is perfect for this adorable girl.

Also, behind Eddy there you can yet again see her beloved year round Christmas tree. If you look closely at it, you'll notice that this was one of the times when I had not yet put back all of the limbs Eddy regularly knocks from the tree. It looks quite sparse after she's done this.

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

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is a weird one. I scribbled it up during a heat wave last year, and now that we're in our third or so heat wave of this summer, why not re-share this melted cat? Because that's totally normal.

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Tip of the Day

In a home with a hind limb paralyzed cat, as well as other active cats and a clumsy dog with arthritis and vestibular disease, rugs on hardwood, laminate, tile, and other similar floor surfaces do not easily stay put. That being said, today's tip covers just a couple ideas on how you can try to keep rugs in place when you live with playful, active, or special needs furbabies who often just cannot help but move those rugs around. To begin, you can get rugs that come already equipped with a nonslip backing. There are also separate nonslip pads that can be placed beneath a rug. Even these options are sometimes not enough to keep rugs in place, though. For something a bit more heavy-duty, you can try something such as double-sided carpet tape. Similarly, you can use velcro strips, placing one on the rug's underside and one on the floor beneath it, thereby attaching the rug to the floor. I have even heard of people using something such as silicone caulking on the bottom of rugs, which, when dried, will have a nonskid effect. Sharing our homes with furbabies can mean that rugs throughout the house end up in all sorts of disarray. To combat this, you can brainstorm and test out which potential nonskid or adherent methods might work best for you, your furbaby, and your home.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Striking Poses in the Sun

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

Today, Thimble is grateful for how cute she is no matter what pose she strikes. Even when she does a belly roll and ends up with her face against the window, she's still downright adorable. See?

Thimble is of course also thankful for that sunshine. After accidentally landing that pose, she decided it was a perfectly good one for warming up her tummy. So, she stayed just like that for quite a while.

As always, Thimble welcomes you all to give her a little belly rub. She loves belly rubs so very much.

Happy Thursday, friends!

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Now, let's share the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. Anyone who can _________ is a genius in my book.

2. I find _________ boring.

3. I wish I had _________'s ability to _________.

4. _________ often distracts me from _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodles of the Day

For last year's April A to Z Challenge, I scribbled up all sorts of cat-shaped things. So, how about we re-share a few of those today?

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Tip of the Day

Today we have the last tip in our litter box series. This tip is to consider using some sort of litter mat or tray, in order to keep your home environment free of as much rogue litter as possible. Litter often comes out of the box when our kitties dig and dig in the litter, or on our kitties' paws when they leave the box. This can ultimately result in litter not only outside of the box, but also throughout the house. To combat this, try placing a litter mat or tray under or outside of the litter box. There are such mats and trays available on the market, which are specifically designed to catch stray pieces of litter so that it can't as easily travel throughout the rest of the house. For a cheaper option, though, you can also use a rug to catch litter, or you can even try something such as a boot tray. Another option is to place the litter box within a larger container, such as a giant storage container or a kiddie pool. This would allow for rogue litter to remain in that outer container, rather than spreading throughout the house.

All of the above being said, litter mats and trays may not always be able to trap every piece of litter. So, to further help keep litter at bay and your house clean, do be sure to sweep up stray litter as often as possible. It's not a bad idea to make a habit of sweeping up rogue litter each time you scoop the box.

There are a number of options for helping keep stray litter from spreading throughout the house. You can buy specifically designed litter mats or trays, you can try a similar makeshift option, and you can of course keep a broom at the ready in the litter area. Of course, do make sure that any mats, trays, or other methods you use do not deter your kitty from using the litter box in the first place.

Not So Dizzy Adventures with Astrid

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

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

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

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

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

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

Toesies and Tongue on Tonks Tuesday

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

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

Happy Tuesday to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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

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Tip of the Day

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

Sleepy Mancat Monday

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

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

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

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

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip in our litter box series is all about cleaning that litter box. A clean litter box is very important for keeping your cat healthy and happy. Cats are very clean and particular creatures, and so a dirty box might drive them away from using it. That is why an unclean litter box is one of the primary reasons why some cats begin urinating or defecating outside of the box.

So, as you all certainly know, be sure to scoop the litter box, or boxes, regularly. Scooping once a day is recommended, but more often, if possible, is of course even better. Twice or three times a day helps keep the litter box odors at a minimum, and of course helps your kitty stay healthy, happy, and with somewhere clean to use the restroom. You may also need to alter the number of times per day you scoop based on the bathroom habits of your particular cat, or cats. Some cats only go once a day, and so once a day scooping would likely suffice. For cats who go more frequently, though, more frequent scooping is of course a better option.

Cleaning a litter box doesn't just stop at scooping it, though. Doing a full clean of the box, which involves disposing of the old, dirty litter and scrubbing the box down, is also recommended on a regular basis. The frequency of a full litter box clean might vary, depending on your particular cat's bathroom habits, and even depending on which professional you might ask about this topic. If possible, try doing a full clean of the litter box once every one to two weeks, to keep the box squeaky clean and your kitty healthy and happy. If that's not possible, then try for at least once a month. After disposing of the old litter in the box, you can scrub it down with a safe cleaner. This might be warm water with dish soap, vinegar and water, baking soda and water, or another pet-friendly cleaner that you are certain will not leave behind any harsh or hazardous chemicals. Once the litter box is dried, you can add fresh litter, and even a bit of baking soda or other pet-safe deodorizer.

Litter box cleaning may not be a desirable chore, but it's a crucial one. To prevent your kitty from avoiding the litter box, or from simply having to suffer the discomfort of using a smelly bathroom, be sure to keep the box nice and clean. So, do at least daily scooping, and regular full cleans, and your kitty will likely be very happy with you.