Festive Memories with Angel Astrid on Woof Woof Wednesday

We're now past the Twelve Days of Christmas as well as Three Kings' Day, but I'll admit that you'll still be seeing some festive stuff here on our blog for at least a couple more days. I'll likely take down my Christmas decor this weekend, as much as that pains me, but until then I'm still watching Christmas movies and all that festive jazz.

That said, it's Woof Woof Wednesday, and I felt like sharing another Christmassy memory of my sweet angel pup Astrid. Today's memory comes from 2023, when I ordered some new Christmas squeaky toys for Astrid online. They ended up being some of her favorite toys in her last couple years. I think it's because, though I didn't know it when I ordered them, these toys were made of a squishy sort of plastic rather than hard, firm plastic, and Astrid and her sensitive teeth loved that.

For whatever reason, Astrid took an especial liking to the elf toy, and she often took him outside with her.

The elf once even went for a walk with us.

As was always the case if Astrid chose to take a toy on a walk, she carried it for about 5% of the walk, and I carried it for the other 95%.

I wasn't allowed to tuck him in my pocket, either. Astrid would regularly turn around and make sure I had her little buddy in my hand, and she couldn't proceed walking unless I held him in her sight. That there elf is one of many items of Astrid's that I have in her keepsakes and will forever cherish.

Angel Astrid and all of us here wish you a wonderful Wednesday!

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Doodle of the Day

Since we're on the topic of dog toys, how about the related doodle I scribbled up for my grandma and her husband as part of their Christmas gift? I always create a magnet out of a drawing for them each year, and this time around it was inspired by their Boston terrier's penchant for ripping apart her many Lamp Chop toys.

I actually do have one more festive doodle starring my angel Astrid to share, and you were supposed to see it today. But, when I tried to get that all finished up, scanned, and uploaded last night, some sweet kitties wanted cuddles. I was happy to oblige, and so the art got put on hold. We'll share Astrid's festive doodle in the next couple of days, before we start deconstructing Christmas at our house this weekend.

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Tip of the Day

Today's discussion on shelters for outdoor ferals in the winter is to make sure you regularly check said shelters, to ensure that they are in good condition. Such checks should include looking for leaks and making sure that the shelter is dry inside. It is also, of course, important to look for broken or loose parts and pieces. These sorts of checks are especially important after storms or high winds, in order to ensure that no parts of the shelter broke loose or are posing a risk to the cats using the shelter.

In addition to regularly checking outdoor cat shelters for damage, also check to make sure that the shelters are clean and as sanitary as possible. If you are using straw as bedding in the shelter, regularly check it for dirt or excrement, and determine if it needs replaced or replenished. If cloth bedding material is being used, regularly check to make sure that it is dry and clean, and remedy it if it is not. There are many factors that go into maintaining a comfortable and clean shelter for ferals, also of course including food availability. So, if you are caring for outdoor cats, try to regularly check shelters to ensure that all is well and safe for potential inhabitants.