An Unfortunate Update on Thimble's Brother Trapper

Hello, friends. I mentioned yesterday how my parents' kitty Trapper, who is my girl Thimble's littermate, was going to the vet for I believe the third or fourth time this month because of some health issues he's having.

That up there is sweet and handsome Trapper. Though the below photo of Thimble doesn't really show it well, these two look a lot alike.

Now, back to Trapper's vet visit. My mom took her sweet Trapper in yesterday, and the short story is that we didn't get the news we wanted. Though we're awaiting pathology results to know more, Trapper almost certainly has cancer.

Trapper's noticeable symptoms all started with skin issues on his head as well as ear infections. Despite treatment, the skin issues continued, and they spread and got worse. Then he began rapidly losing weight and muscle, and his fur became very unkempt. He also became more tired and subdued, though with moments of him trying to do his usual thing. Though his bloodwork overall looked good about a month ago, he did have some mild anemia.

We were hoping we were dealing with a treatable autoimmune issue, given Trapper's odd array of symptoms. The skin issues were the primary reason we thought that, but we now know those are likely hormonally-induced or otherwise secondary to the main problem. That's because Trapper has a 3 cm mass in the right side of his abdomen. His vet believes it is a malignant, aggressive neuroendocrine cancer, and that it's possibly on his pancreas or adrenal gland. Trapper's vet was able to get a fine needle aspirate, and our local university veterinary hospital will be looking at those slides and giving more info on it likely this afternoon.

At this point, until my mom hears back from Trapper's vet with more information following the pathology, we are not yet sure what the treatment or management of symptoms will be. The vet did do further imaging yesterday, and it does not appear that the cancer has spread anywhere else at this time. It's still likely an aggressive form, though, as Trapper lost 2 lbs in less than a month. He had plenty to lose and is still 17 lbs, but it's still not good.

Until we hear more, we don't know if surgical removal of the tumor is even an option or beneficial. If it's not, we at least hope that there are medications that could perhaps help slow things down, or at least treat the symptoms and give us some more time with sweet Trapper. He did get some pep in his step after getting subcutaneous fluids and a vitamin B12 injection at his appointment yesterday, so that's another option that can be done regularly.

Trapper is such a sweet boy, and this seems so unfair. Of course, that's always the case. Like all the kitties in my family, Trapper is considered a senior. He's 12 years old, but that still seems far too young. His and Thimble's littermate Talon passed away early last year, at the age of 10, from a rare lung cancer. The type of cancer Trapper's vet believes he has is also considered rare.

I'm sorry this is such a morose and also rambling post. I find it very cathartic to share this sort of stuff here, with fellow animal lovers. I love all of the animals in my life, of course including my parents' kitties, and I can only hope we still have plenty of good days left with Trapper. We shall see. For now, my parents and of course my sister and myself will be giving him lots and lots of love.

If you have purrs and prayers to spare for Trapper, my family would greatly appreciate it!

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We're of course still sharing the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. I plan to _________ and _________ in October.

2. _________ was the highlight of my week.

3. 'Tis the season for _________.

4. Though a lot of people like _________, I can't stand it.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Spooky Flashback Doodle of the Day

Happy October! Which pretty much means, well, Happy Halloween! We'll be sharing nothing but spooky and kooky doodles for the next 31+ days. I'm still working on my new doodles for this Halloween season, so for today I'll share this flashback of a feline version of my favorite nostalgic Halloween movie.

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Tip of the Day

Given how much we love Halloween here, we're going to make a series of tips on Halloween last all the way through October. We're going to start today with none other than the festive decorations. Most people might be more cognizant of their decorations and how they might affect the resident furbabies around Christmastime. However, also keep pet-safety in mind if you put up Halloween decorations. Halloween decorations can come in all shapes and sizes, such as wreaths, garland, and all sorts of trinkets and goodies in between. If you're anything like us, you have all sorts of black cats and pumpkins out on display this time of year. No matter what kind of decorations you put out, make sure that anything your furbaby might chew on is out of their reach. Small pieces of Halloween decor, or parts and pieces of off larger pieces of decor, could lead to choking, obstruction, or perforation of the bowel if ingested. So, while you don't have to refrain from being festive and decorating for Halloween (or any holiday), you simply need to take your kitty or pup's safety into consideration when placing all decor.

Woof Woof Wednesday with Astrid and Trapper

It's Woof Woof Wednesday, and today sweet angel pup Astrid allowed herself to take a bit of a backseat for the sake of her kitty pal Trapper.

Trapper is my girl Thimble's littermate, and he owns my parents. He loved Astrid, but he also trolled her. He was in charge, and Astrid knew it. They had a very special relationship.

That said, Trapper is headed to the vet today because he's been having some health issues. It started a little over a month ago with a bald, sore patch on his head beside his left ear, and he was treated for an ear infection as well as a skin infection. At the time, he also had bloodwork done that showed a bit of anemia, and he was a bit dehydrated. He's been seen twice since then, with what seemed like a stubborn ear infection, with hair loss around his ears.

Trapper's symptoms have now all gotten much worse. He seems to be having some oozing sores on his head, and now his paw pads are even cracking and flaking. The poor boy's anus even has an oozing sore as of last night. And he's itchy. Like, really, really, really itchy. While his vet will of course be the one to give any final diagnoses, if you look up pemphigus foliaceus, Trapper's symptoms look a lot like that. I saw this condition once at the vet clinic where I used to work, and it's an autoimmune skin disease that causes a lot of the exact issues Trapper is having, both dermatologic and systemic.

Again, Trapper's vet will examine him, do testing, and make any necessary diagnoses. But, though we of course don't want Trapper to have an autoimmune disease, this could be a better outcome than certain other illnesses. Trapper was diagnosed with diabetes 3 years ago, and he's on the pill Bexacat for treatment of that. I mention this because the main treatment for many autoimmune issues is steroids, a fact that doesn't really mix well with diabetes. Trapper's vet has already said that if Trapper does have an autoimmune disorder, steroids might be necessary, even if a low dose for a short time. There are also non-steroidal immunosuppressant options, though, so there's hope. Assuming that's what Trapper is suffering from, of course.

I will also note that Trapper has noticeably lost weight, as well as muscle, and his coat has gotten increasingly unkempt. That has me, and of course my parents as well as my sister, very worried. He clearly has something going on with his skin, but it could be a secondary thing because of something else going on. I want to be hopeful, but I also want to be realistic.

Is that enough rambling? I do indeed ramble when I'm worried about any of my furry family members, so my apologies. All that said, if you have some purrs and prayers to spare for Trapper, we'd really appreciate it. Tomorrow Thimble will give an update on how Trapper's vet appointment went. After all, Trapper is her twin brother.

Happy Wednesday to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Trapper and Astrid's relationship always reminded me a bit of Garfield and his canine pal Odie. For that reason, how about we share this here old doodle on the eve of Halloween month?

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Tip of the Day

Since September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, we'll be finishing out the month on this topic. Today's tip relates to how our furbabies might let us know they are in pain. This can be a bit difficult sometimes, as cats and even dogs can be very good at hiding pain. This is why we must be very observant of our furbabies on a regular basis, in order to know when they aren't acting themselves.

The symptoms of pain in our furbabies can vary greatly, depending on the source of the pain, as well as the individual animal. You might see decreased activity level, or even a decrease in your cat or dog's appetite. Another potential sign is an altered gait, or an unwillingness or inability to move or jump. A cat in pain might avoid or miss the litter box, and a dog in pain might have accidents inside the house. Aggression and hiding are yet more potential signs that your kitty or pup is in pain. The list of signs and symptoms of pain in animals could go on and on. This is why it's imperative that you know your kitty or pup's norm, and that you make frequent observations of their activities and behavior in order to catch when anything is out of the norm. Altered activity or behavior could mean any number of things, pain being one possibility.

What's more, if your furbaby does indeed have difficulty jumping due to an injury or arthritis, for example, you can put pet stairs or a pet ramp beside chairs, couches, or beds in the home. This can help your kitty or pup better reach elevated areas without having to jump, which could otherwise exacerbate pain associated with an injury or arthritis. For a cat, another way to help them combat pain and discomfort is to give them litter boxes with low sides, so that they can easily walk right in. Or, you can also give them a ramp or stairs leading up to the entrance of the litter box, if needed. If it helps reduce pain associated with certain injuries, arthritis, or other ailments, you can also elevate your kitty or pup's food and water bowls.

Another simple way to help a pained furbaby feel some relief and comfort is by way of their beds and blankets. You can offer extra soft and thick beds, and in easy to reach locations. Some forms of pain are also alleviated by heat, which means that safe, pet-friendly heated blankets or heated beds could also be of use. Of course, you would need to take all necessary safety precautions when using any heated or electric products.

In more extreme cases, your furbaby might be in need of direct assistance with their mobility. If need be, you can use various forms of slings to help your kitty or pup ambulate. You can use a towel or blanket to create a makeshift sling, for example. Another option is to purchase a sling, or a harness with handles, which are indeed available on the market.

It is not easy to see our furbabies in pain. At the same time, it is not easy for them to feel such pain. That's why it is important to do what you can to alleviate your kitty or pup's pain, even if that means a bit of redecorating within your home.

Tonks Tuesday with the Headless Horseman

I've been enjoying some Halloween horror books. After all, 'tis the season. For that reason, Tonks wanted to share an old photo from a few years back, when she posed with none other than The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.

I still need to reread that there spooky tale this season. Before I read it for the first time ever a few years ago, I was afraid it would be boring. Sure, it's not like reading a modern book, but I honestly really enjoyed it. That's why I try to reread The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at least every couple of Halloweens, and I'm indeed due for that reread.

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

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

This here doodle seems apt enough to share today. After all, it stars my angelic calico Rosie and none other than the Headless Horseman. Oh, and a cat-o'-lantern, of course.

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Tip of the Day

I very much so failed to create a Remember Me Thursday post last week, so today's tip is going to be to remember the importance of adopting shelter animals, so that they can indeed know the love of a forever home. Even if you are not looking to adopt, you can still spread the word to others about adopting a cat, dog, or other companion animal from a shelter. You can also help by volunteering time and resources to a shelter, as any little bit of assistance can help them adopt out more animals. Lastly, when adopting or spreading the word about animal adoption, please don't forget those animals who are special needs, geriatric, or in any other way often considered less likely to be adopted. Every single cat, dog, and other companion animal deserves the chance to feel comfort and love in a home of their own.

A Ghostly Mancat Monday

This weekend, Evan supervised me through the door as I mowed. While he watched me, he felt like someone was watching him as well. Weird, huh?

Remember that ghostly little fella? He makes an appearance, or two or a dozen, here on our blog every Halloween season. I actually haven't done our full annual photo shoot with him for each kitty this year, so I should really get to that. For now, though, the ghosty at least helped Evan spy on his mom and the neighbors outside.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Given some of the above commentary, how about this old doodle from a few years ago?

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Tip of the Day

Today is the last tip in our disaster preparedness series, and it is one that we have repeated many times, on many different occasions. This tip is to always ensure that your furbaby has some form of identification. We've mentioned this tip many, many times before, we'll gladly say it again. In the unfortunate event that your furbaby becomes separated from you in any form of disaster or emergency, some form of identification could more easily bring them back to you. A collar with an ID tag as well as a microchip are the most common forms of ID for our kitties or pups. In addition to ensuring this identification is on your cat or dog, also make sure that the information is up-to-date. If you have moved addresses or changed phone numbers, for example, make sure this is reflected on your furbaby's identification. No one ever wants to consider being separated from their kitty or pup, but should this happen in an emergency or any event, your furbaby is more likely to find their way back to you if they are wearing some form of identification.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Cat-o'-Lantern Photo Fails

Hello and happy Friday, friends! We're here and 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 am glad I live near _________.

2. I am glad I don't live near _________.

3. I didn't _________ until I was _________. 

4. _________ made me truly laugh.


My answers are below in bold.

1. I am glad I live near our regular vet as well as a 24/7 emergency vet.
(I can get to my kitties' regular vet in about 5 minutes, and in only about 10 minutes I can get to our local emergency vet. Said emergency vet is at the veterinary teaching hospital at our local university. I'll admit the emergency vet is not my favorite clinic, for a variety of reasons, but my family has indeed had to use it multiple times over the years, and I am grateful it's there in the event of true emergencies.)

2. I am glad I don't live near a river.

(There's a lovely little creek that runs through my neighborhood, which offers some lovely scenery around the area. I know rivers can offer lovely scenery as well, but I know some people in a neighboring town who live near a river, and because of their proximity to said river, quite a few of them had flooding in their homes after a recent rainstorm. One of my co-workers was affected by this, and even just an inch of water getting into his basement has cost weeks and thousands of dollars of repairs. Rivers are a wonderful thing, but I'll stick to just living near my neighborhood creek, as it's never flooded enough to affect anyone's home.)

3. I didn't move out of my parents' house until I was 26 years old.

(I lived with my parents all through college, as I went to the university in my hometown. Living with my parents rather than on campus saved me tons of money, and then my parents allowed me to continue living with them for a few more years as I worked my first jobs out of college. While I paid toward some of the resources and food I was using at their house, I was largely able to save up some money, which allowed me to buy a house 3 days before my 26th birthday. I moved into it a month later, as right after I bought it my angel Rosie started doing poorly, and so I didn't officially move into my new house until after she had passed.)

4. Tonks recently hunting a moth made me truly laugh.

(My front porchlight is like the beacon for all moths on our street. There are sometimes dozens of moths there, and it's impossible to get into my house when it's nighttime without a moth getting in, or sometimes 5 or 6 getting in. I try to catch them and put them back outside, as I don't really want them to fall victim to my kitties. And by kitties I mean Tonks, who is my tuny but mighty hunter. The other night, Tonks and I were battling over who could reach a particular moth first. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at her antics, because she was parkouring and doing all sorts of crazy moves to get to this moth before I did. Sadly for the moth, Tonks won.)

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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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.

Eddy found out that yesterday Thimble shared some flashbacks of her hanging out with their beloved cat-o'-lantern. Eddy wanted to the do the same, but, she also wanted to share some photo fails. So, here are some outtakes from a few years ago, when Eddy decided to do anything but properly pose with the cat-o'-lantern.

Just like the first photo Thimble shared yesterday, these were taken when the cat-o'-lantern was new and bright and had sustained little to no abuse. Those days are long gone.

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's disaster preparedness tip is actually instead related to what might occur after a disaster. Just as with humans, cats and dog might show signs of anxiety or other behavioral changes after going through something frightening or tragic. Especially if they are taken away from their home, separated from family even briefly, or in any other way experience a change in their familiar routine, a cat or dog might start displaying behavioral changes. After a disaster or emergency, even after you find yourself safe, always keep a close eye on your furbaby. They may begin showing signs of separation anxiety, or even uncharacteristic aggression. If you do notice any such signs, do not hesitate to discuss the issue with a veterinarian. Products such as calming synthetic pheromones might help an anxious furbaby, but sometimes more potent medications or treatments might be required to help them cope with their post-traumatic stress. Therefore, always keep a close eye on your kitty or pup, especially after they experience any emergency situation, and do not hesitate to seek professional assistance if they begin displaying any concerning behavioral or health issues.

Thankful Thimble Thursday with the Cat-o'-Lantern

We've reached Thursday, which means Thimble is here and ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is grateful for the cat-o'-lantern basket toy she and the other kitties love so much. Back in the day, this toy was so bright and clean. See?

These days, that there cat-o'-lantern is so used and abused well-loved that it's looking a little faded and rough.

Sorry, cat-o'-lantern, the kitties just love you so much. And it shows. One of the kitties' favorite things is for me to put catnip in the cat-o'-lantern, and then it gets kicked and licked and all that jazz.

Thimble hopes you all have some festive fun, just like she is!

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And 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. I am glad I live near _________.

2. I am glad I don't live near _________.

3. I didn't _________ until I was _________. 

4. _________ made me truly laugh.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Since Thimble shared a certain cat-o'-lantern today, how about we share this other big kitty pumpkin?

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Tip of the Day

Our current series of tips is about disaster and emergency preparedness for both yourself and your furbaby. Today's tip on this topic is to contemplate and decide on a proper caregiver for your furbaby, should an emergency render you incapable of caring for them. Thinking on such unfortunate hypothetical situations is never something anyone looks forward to, but it is nonetheless something important to consider. You will want to ensure that someone you trust might be prepared to care for your kitty or pup in an emergency. It is of course important to discuss this with the person in question, and to ensure that they are truly able and willing to take on the care of your furbaby, should the need arise. In some cases, this might mean including in your will that this person would become your furbaby's caregiver. Overall, though not an ideal topic with which to occupy your mind, it is indeed significant to have a safe and secure plan for your furbaby's care should something render you incapable of caring for them. Think of family or friends whom you trust, whom your furbaby knows, and whom have displayed an ability and willingness to take on the care of your kitty or pup.

Autumnal Adventures with Angel Astrid

Yesterday was the first day of autumn. We haven't seen a single leaf turning pretty colors yet, but hopefully we will soon. That said, today's memory of my sweet angel pup Astrid does indeed have some trees looking beautiful.

Astrid and I both loved going for loves in the autumn. Crisp, cool weather and gorgeous leaves? Yes, please.

Angel Astrid and all of us here wish you a wonderful Wednesday! Preferably with some lovely fall weather!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I've already started reading Halloween books for the season, so this doodle from a few years ago is very fitting.

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Tip of the Day

Today's disaster preparedness tip is a rather specific one, and it is to consider using a pet rescue alert decal or sticker at your house. These decals or stickers are meant to alert rescue response teams as to how many and what kinds of animals are in the home. They can be placed on a screen door, on a window near a door, or somewhere similar where rescuers can easily see it. This type of information on what animals are in the home can help in the case of a house fire or any emergency evacuation, especially in cases when you are in any way unable to inform response teams as to how many and what kinds of animals are in the home and in need of rescuing. There are a variety of these decals or stickers available online, but one easy way to get them is through the ASPCA, as you can visit their website and order free pet emergency alert decals for your home.

Alerting emergency personnel of the animals in your home can help them to more quickly rescue your companion animals in the event of a fire or other emergency. This being said, though, please do ensure that any such decals or stickers are kept up-to-date. Not only is this important for ensuring that all animals in the house are properly accounted for, but it's also important for the safety of emergency personnel. For example, if one of your furbabies has passed away but it is still included on any displayed pet emergency alert at your home, then emergency crews might put their lives at risk looking for an animal who is not even present. So, while these pet emergency alert bulletins can indeed benefit your pets' safety, also ensure that you use them properly in order to keep emergency personnel equally safe.

Tonks Tuesday: Happy Autumn!

It's the first day of autumn! To celebrate, little calico Tonks wants to remind everyone how much she loves the scarecrow I always set in my mini rocking chair every year.

These photos were snapped a few years ago. You even see sweet angel pup Astrid's paw on the left side of that photo above. That said, Tonks still sits on this scarecrow's lap like this every autumn. She also chews on his straw parts, but don't tell her I tattled.

Happy autumn!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Here's today's autumnal doodle, which stars my calico angel Rosie and her cat-o'-lantern pal.

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Tip of the Day

We're in the midst of a series of tips for National Disaster Preparedness Month. Yesterday, we discussed preparing emergency supplies or a travel kit, so that you and your furbaby will be ready to handle a disaster, evacuation, and so forth, should the need arise. Today, we're here to remind you to go yet another step further and to have a plan. In other words, in the event of a disaster or other emergency, how and what will you do in order to ensure the safety of both your furbaby and yourself? For example, if you live in an area where disasters might make evacuation a possibility, have a safe a safe destination secured, not only for yourself but for your furbaby as well. Do you know of a motel or hotel, or another similar shelter, where animals are allowed? Or, do you have friends or family where your kitty or pup will be allowed to stay? If necessary, research veterinary offices, boarding facilities, or other similar facilities out of harm's way, where your furbaby could be taken in the case of an emergency.

Emergency plans don't just relate to possible evacuations, though. For example, if you live in an area where tornadoes are a possibility, have a plan for what part of the house both you and your furbabies can safely hunker down. If you don't have a basement, pick a windowless room in the center of the house, for example, and have a plan for getting your kitty or pup there in a hurry. If needed, have leashes, carriers, or other necessary tools ready. Depending on where you live and what your situation is, always think ahead to how you will keep both your furbaby and yourself safe in an emergency situation.

One last comment we'll make on this topic is to, as needed and possible, practice your emergency plans. Make sure that everyone in your home knows the plan, and that everyone will know their part in the action. Doing a trial run or two can never hurt, to ensure that everyone is on the same page, and that everything will run as smoothly as possible in an actual emergency.

An Exhausted Mancat Monday

Hello, friends! We had ourselves a busy and tiring weekend. Adulting is just like that sometimes. Evan had to supervise this here human mom of his through all the chaos, and so today he decided to demonstrate just how exhausted he is.

Evan wishes you all lots of naps today!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today we have an autumnal doodle I scribbled up a couple years ago. It also happens to star a kitty in a plague doctor mask, because why not?

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Tip of the Day

As we mentioned yesterday, we're in National Disaster Preparedness Month. Our newest series of tips, therefore, relates to this. These are repeat tips, but perhaps it's a topic worth repeating. Today, we're here to discuss having emergency supplies and travel kits prepared, should you and your furbaby need to evacuate suddenly. After all, destructive hurricanes, tornadoes, and other such disasters can, sadly, put people and their pets in the line of danger, as well as without a place to live. Therefore, especially if you are in an area where disasters might lead to evacuation, but also of course simply to be prepared for an emergency, do consider having an emergency kit prepared for your kitty or pup.

When preparing an emergency travel kit, think of the things your pup or kitty might use or need on a daily basis, or even weekly basis. Anything that they need on a regular basis can, of course, be included in an emergency kit. For example, an emergency kit for your furbaby would do well to include a week or so worth of their food, water bottles, bowls, and any medications they require. That is often not all that can or should be included in a cat or dog's emergency travel kit, though. If you rack your brain for anything that might be useful in your furbaby's emergency kit, you might consider a blanket or two, a spare leash, a carrier, a transportable litter box, litter, toys, your cat or dog's medical records, pictures of your cat or dog, and even cleaning supplies, such as paper towels and dish soap. All in all, consider anything and everything your furbaby uses or needs on a regular basis, and then create a travel kit based on that. In the case of an emergency, having such supplies already prepared can allow for you and your furbaby to evacuate and get to safety in a timely manner.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Gorgeous Eyes

Hello and happy Friday, friends! We're here and 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.

1. I have been seeing a lot of _________.

2. _________ is a good way to make some extra money.

3. I think _________ was the decade with the best _________.

4. Lately, I've been avoiding _________.


My answer are below in bold.

1. I have been seeing a lot of '90s fashion coming back into style.
(As someone who grew up in the '90s, I'm not mad about this. I've always preferred the comfort of wearing baggier clothes, such as baggy jeans and t-shirts, and that was perfectly common in the '90s. As time passed, I often continued to wear such clothes even though they went out of style. But, I keep seeing such clothes on others out in the wild these days, so apparently that's back in style. If I was someone who enjoyed shopping for clothes, maybe I'd be happy to actually find clothes I like in stores again.)

2. Pet-sitting is a good way to make some extra money.
(I don't have a lot of tips or tricks for making extra money. While I'd love to some day do so with my art and writing, the main way I occasionally make a bit of extra money is pet-sitting. I don't do a whole lot of that these days, as my full-time job and my own sweet kitties keep me busy. But, there's one family I've been pet-sitting for for decades at this point, and they always have the sweetest kitties who are so easy to care for. To this day, I still watch their kitties one or two weeks a year. They still insist on paying me, and so that's the main way I make extra money on occasion. If ever I really needed a consistent side hustle, I'm fairly certain I could get back into more regular pet-sitting for that, and so that's the only answer I have for this.)

3. I think the 1970s was the decade with the best music.
(I was going to try to think of something other than music to put for this, but I just couldn't help myself in the end. My two all-time favorite songs are both from the '70s. Those two tunes are "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" by Blue Öyster Cult and "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen. Since those two faves of mine came out in 1976 and 1979, respectively, my musical answer has to be the '70s.)

4. Lately, I've been avoiding home repairs.
(I haven't actually been avoiding all the repairs and such. I recently had a problematic shower fixed, and I just got an estimate and will be scheduling for my main water shut-off to be repaired since it's dripping. But, I've been dragging my feet on some of the more basic things, like replacing an old fill valve in a toilet and fixing my broken doorbell. Sometimes being an adult is just an endless cycle of fixing things, so I shouldn't be surprised, but I sure have been putting off some of the repairs for much longer than I should.)

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.

***

Who's ready for an Eddy fix? I'm not sure you are ready for this. After all, this girl is so very stunning, and her eyes are so mesmerizing you might end up hypnotized by them. You've been warned.

I know I've said this so very many times here on our blog, but I love Eddy's eyes so much. I love her entire face and of course all of her in general, but her eyes are just some of the most gorgeous peepers I've ever seen.

Oh, and I just had to follow-up that wide-eyed look above with this photo below. After all, it shows Eddy's far more common, furrowed expression that she likes to give that obnoxious camera.

Eddy and all of us here wish you a wonderful day!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Since I mentioned the '90s in one of my fill-in answers above, I decided to share this particular flashback doodle today. I scribbled it up a couple years ago, after watching one of my favorite and nostalgic horror films, that being the 1996 movie Scream. So, here's a kitty version of that movie's villain known as Ghostface.

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Tip of the Day

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month. This is timely, as it's also still the season of hurricanes and other such natural disasters. Given that this month is dedicated to disaster preparedness, we'll be doing a series of tips on this topic. Our first tip in this series is a simple precursor to the more detailed ones to come. And this tip today is to please realize and understand that if a situation is not safe for you, then it's not safe for your animals. For this reason, please do absolutely everything in your ability to never leave your cats or dogs behind in the event of a disaster. If the only safe option for you is to evacuate, then that is also very likely the only safe option for your furbaby. For this reason, never wait until last minute to consider preparations and plans, as then it might be too late. Always have preparations and plans thought through or ready. We'll start discussing such preparations and plans in more detail in upcoming tips. For now, though, when it comes to potential disasters, please indeed keep in mind your furbaby's safety in addition to your own.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: A Whale of a Time

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

Today, Thimble is simply grateful that she's cute and has been so since she was a kitten.

I recently stumbled upon that old photo of kitten Thimble with her orca whale toy. We still have that toy to this day, though it's missing a fin and part of its tail, thanks to sweet angel Astrid. I decided to have Thimble pose with the whale for side-by-side photos, so here we are.

I know Thimble looks disgruntled in that second, new photo, but I promise you she's not. She's gotten into the habit of giving the camera her stern face, even when she's happy and purring. At least she's cute either way!

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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. I have been seeing a lot of _________.

2. _________ is a good way to make some extra money.

3. I think _________ was the decade with the best _________.

4. Lately, I've been avoiding _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm trying not to yet pick any of our flashback doodles that are completely in-your-face Halloween, but I you better believe I'm tempted to. I have so many old Halloween doodles I enjoy sharing each year, as well as quite a few new ones I'll be sharing in October, that I figure why not get a head start with them now?

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Tip of the Day

Today is the last of our autumn pet safety tips. This one is another about wildlife, in particular predators who increase their activity during cooler weather in search of food. In some areas, this might mean an increase in the activity of coyotes, wild cats, or other predators. To such wildlife, cats as well as small or even large dogs can be considered prey on which to feed. Therefore, especially if you are in an area where coyotes, wild cats, or other predators might be present, be very cautious letting your furbabies outdoors at night and unattended. If you and your furbaby make a trip outside, keep them close to you, such as on a leash. Be sure to not only monitor your furbaby closely, but also your surroundings. Always err on the side of caution in order to keep both your furbaby and yourself safe from hungry predators and other dangers.

A Not-So-Spooky Woof Woof Wednesday with Angel Astrid

Hello, friends! It's Woof Woof Wednesday, which means it's time for a memory with my sweet angel pup Astrid. I've shared this one multiple times on our blog, but I love this not-so-spooky shot I took of Astrid and a little friend.

As long as she got to enjoy her window view, Astrid was usually a pretty good sport about posing with whatever random stuff I shoved at her. She was such a good girl, and always will be.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I've watched a few Halloween movies over the past couple weeks. One of them was the children's movie Halloweentown. That was a movie made for the Disney channel back in the '90s. As a kid who grew up in the '90s and also loved Halloween, I of course loved that movie when I was younger. And I still love the nostalgia of it and, even now as an adult, I watch it multiple times every Halloween season. All that to say, here's a doodle I scribbled up a few years ago that was inspired by Halloweentown.

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Tip of the Day

Today's autumnal tip relates to grooming. As the weather starts to cool in the autumn, your furbaby might begin to grow their winter coat. Especially in double-coated furbabies, such as Persian cats and Husky dogs, you might notice the fur filling out and growing thicker as the weather cools. For this reason, do be sure to help you furbaby groom, such as by brushing them on a daily basis, or at least a couple or few times a week. If you are unable to groom your cat or dog, and especially if they are prone to mats or hairball issues, then you can consider taking them to a groomer. Some veterinary offices even offer grooming services, so, as needed, you can discuss this with your veterinarian. Regardless of if you do it at home or take your furbaby to a groomer, regularly grooming your kitty or pup can help prevent mats, and can help prevent the ingestion of hairballs, especially in cats. Mats can be uncomfortable and painful, so it's of course ideal to prevent these. It is of course also important to help prevent your furbaby's ingestion of too much hair, not only because this prevents the vomiting of hairballs, but also because, in worst case scenarios, ingestion of too much hair could cause a blockage in the intestinal tract. So, don't forgot about those grooming sessions.

A Boxed Up Tonks Tuesday

It's Tonks Tuesday, and the calico cutie is yet again spending the day in a box.

That there box has been sitting on the floor at our house for probably 3 months at this point. Tonks loves the thing. She also loves when I add more packing paper to it. I tried putting a blanket in the box for her a while back, but she didn't like that. She just wants paper in her box. So, paper she gets. You can kind of see some of it behind and under her in that there photo. There's even more paper in the box now, as I got a Chewy shipment yesterday that had lots of packing paper, and Tonks was so excited to have that added to her beloved box.

Tonks hopes you all have a box to enjoy! Happy Tuesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Halloween is just around the corner. Well, you know, sort of. That makes this old doodle seem fitting enough.

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Tip of the Day

Today's autumn pet safety tip is a short and simple one, and that is to consider keeping up with those preventatives. Even as the weather cools in the autumn, and even winter, it is possible for there to be days and conditions that allow for fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other parasites to survive. Bites or infestations of certain parasites can potentially lead to a variety of diseases or other medical concerns, some of them life-threatening. In order to better ensure that your kitty or pup remains healthy and happy, therefore, do consider administering those preventatives year-round.

Mancat Monday: Evan's Weekday Woes

It's Mancat Monday, and today my boy Evan is looking a little unhappy. Honestly, so am I. Don't worry, everyone is fine. We're just sad it's Monday, which means cuddle time will be truncated for another 5 days. That always makes both Evan and myself so very sad.

I always look forward to weekday evenings, when I can leave work and get back to my kitties. I think that makes my kitties happy as well, which makes it that much better.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is such an odd one. I've shared it and mentioned the history behind it before, but this time I'll just say that it's concept art for a certain scene in the story I'm writing. The scene of course involves the kitty character inspired by my boy Evan, as well as a lamp made of up a bunch of skulls. Weird, I know, but I saw it in my archives and thought, eh, why not share this weirdness again?

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday's autumn safety tip revolved around helping your kitty or pup stay warm by putting out more blankets or pet beds, and keeping said napping spots off the floor. Today's tip is also about helping your furbaby stay warm as the weather cools down, but this time in the form of food. It is possible that, as the weather grows colder, our furbabies might eat more in order to stay warm.  This is because eating spurs metabolism, which can help produce warmth for the body. As it grows chilly, therefore, your kitty or pup might indeed need more food. That said, this is more likely to be the case for animals who go outside. For that and other reasons, if you have any concerns regarding your cat or dog's weight, or if they have related health issues, then of course discuss food intake with your veterinarian first.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Not-So-Spooky Playtime

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. I tend to scrimp on _________.

2. I tend to save on _________.

3. I've nearly perfected _________.

4. I need to find a better way to _________.


My answers are below in bold.

1. I tend to scrimp on my wardrobe.
(I almost never buy new clothes. I've been able to get away with this not only because I wear the same clothes for years on end, but also because whenever I mention needing or liking a new item of clothing or shoes, my parents or sister often end up getting them for me for Christmas. I also recently got a new pair of jeans that I love because my aunt gave my mom some when she decluttered her closet, and one of them was the exact style and size I like and so my mom gave it to me. Oh, and when my jeans or other clothes tear or anything like that, my mom is a fantastic seamstress and fixes them. I hate shopping for clothes, so rarely having to go out and buy new ones is a win in my book.)

2. I tend to save on my kitties' medications.
(I will never scrimp on my furry babies' medications, but I have found ways to save on them. For example, I used to spend a lot more buying Evan's gabapentin already compounded, until I learned I could quite literally save something like $100 or more per month simply by buying the capsules. Evan won't eat it in food, but I make a flavored concoction with it myself rather than buy it already made that way. Over the past couple of years, I've also learned that pretty much all of Evan's medications are cheaper through my vet's online pharmacy rather than at the clinic itself, and choosing autoship saves even a bit more. I still spend a lot of money on my boy's meds, as well as Thimble's kidney supplement, but I'm still spending a lot less on them than I used to simply by changing where or how I buy them.)

3. I've nearly perfected Evan's bath time.
(Let's be clear, I will never truly perfect this, as my boy's baths are a mess. But, as for my part of actually scrubbing him down and getting him clean, I've finally gotten a system that works for both him and myself. He will still pee and often poop in my general direction during the process, but I always come prepared for that now as well. It'll never truly be perfect, but I think I've gotten just about as close to that as I can.)

4. I need to find a better way to organize Evan's medications.
(I feel like I've mentioned this before. I have a certain part of my kitchen counter that is dedicated to Evan's meds, and I even have a cute little kitty bowl that used to hold them all. "Used to" being the operative words there. The problem is that, over time, he's had medications added, the bottles for some of them have changed size or shape, and that sort of thing. He currently gets 11 medications on a regular basis, with lots of syringes and such also in the mix. What used to work for organizing them no longer does, so I need to sort that out so that, no matter what bottle the meds show up in and no matter if he has more meds added to the mixture, they'll still be somewhat organized.)

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 about time I chase my kitties around in order to get new photos of them for the Halloween season. That's become a bit of an annual tradition, getting my kitties to sort of pose with some of our Halloween decorations. Most of them are pretty cooperative, but Eddy is the one I often have to get creative with. Her spooky photoshoots often involves just taking photos of her playing with Halloween toys, for example, like I did in this photo here.

Eddy was far more interested in her crayon toy, which is oh so spooky, isn't it? Now that I think of it, I haven't seen that crayon in a few days. I'll have to dig around under my bed and dresser to rescue it for her.

Eddy and all of us are wishing you a not-so-spooky day!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Lately, Halloween is infiltrating my sketchbook as well as my writing projects. So, this doodle here just about sums that up.

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Tip of the Day

Today's autumn pet safety tip is all about those cool fall temperatures. When the weather starts to cool, take into consideration what steps you might have to take to ensure that your furbaby stays warm. Don't forget that cooler weather can be felt both outdoors and indoors.

If it's growing cold outside, monitor your pup or kitty when outdoors, and don't leave them outdoors for long periods of time. In addition, if you care for strays, ferals, or other outdoor kitties of pups, do your best to ensure they have some form of shelter in which to stay out of the wind and to stay as warm as possible. Even a storage container or a Styrofoam cooler turned upside, with a hole cut in the side as an entrance, can allow for some warmth on cool days. You can add blankets or straw to help strays, ferals, and other outdoor cats or dogs huddle up and stay warm in such a shelter. Do keep in mind, though, that blankets can become damp and cold if rained on, which is why straw might be an ideal option for helping outdoor furbabies stay warm in a shelter.

Of course, don't forget that even our indoor furbabies can feel the drop in temperature this time of year. Floors can go from being cool respites on hot summer days to being drafty and chilly in the autumn. For this reason, try to ensure that your cat or dog has somewhere off of the floor to sleep, especially in these cooler seasons. You can put out extra blankets or pet beds for them to warmly nap on. Especially as we get further into autumn, safe and pet-friendly heating blankets or heated pet beds could also be put out for your furbaby. Then again, you can also help your kitty or pup stay warm with some extra lap time.

Thankful Thursday with Catzilla Thimble

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! As always, Thimble is so very excited to be here for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is grateful that Halloween decorations have started appearing in our house. What's more, she's excited to reprise her role as Godzilla to the little Halloween village I have. Or shall I call her Catzilla?

Thimble is that kind of kitty that will bat at and knock down anything and everything she can. Thankfully, this Halloween village is made of wood, which means that even when she slaps it around like the Catzilla that she is, neither she nor the spooky village pieces will sustain any damage.

Thimble hopes all of our kitty friends find something to bat around and knock to the floor today!

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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. I tend to scrimp on _________.

2. I tend to save on _________.

3. I've nearly perfected _________.

4. I need to find a better way to _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'll admit that I'll probably start sharing outright Halloween doodles very, very soon. I'll start with flashback doodles while I complete my new Halloween drawings for this year, but that works out fine since I have dozens upon dozens upon dozens of Halloween doodles from over the years. All that said, today we have another seasonally confused drawing to share.

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Tip of the Day

Today's autumn pet safety tip is all about those windows. We've shared many tips on this topic in the past, but here we go again. After all, as the temperatures cool down this autumn, we might find ourselves craving some fresh air. Before opening any windows, though, be sure to inspect screens and take any and all precautions to ensure that no furbabies escape from any open windows. If you have an escape artist, perhaps block their direct access to windows, such as by putting something in front of the window that will prevent them from getting right next to the screen. Also never leave furbabies unattended with an open window, but instead monitor them closely when windows are open. Perhaps this all sounds like extreme measures, but a lost furbaby is a devastating thing, and it is always better to be safe than sorry.

That's not all we have on those windows, though. Also keep in mind the health of your furbabies, and yourself, when windows are open. Does your furbaby, or yourself, have asthma? What about allergies? If your kitty or pup has any such respiratory issues, open windows might not be an ideal thing. Allergens, dust, dirt, and all sorts of debris can enter through the window screen with the aid of the wind. This debris can lead to asthma attacks, itching, scratching, and other potential side effects in furbabies who do have asthma, allergies, or other similar medical issues. So, though open windows can be very enticing when the weather is cool and crisp, never forget to take into consideration all potential side effects.