Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Belly

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

1. My plans for June include _________ and _________.

2. _________ is the bravest thing I have ever done.

3. I swear by _________ as a cure for _________.

4. As if _________ wasn't bad enough, _________.


My answers are below in bold.

1. My plans for June include home improvements and working on my weird writing project.

(In addition to what you'll read in #4 below, my house has at least one showerhead needing replaced, I also need to get a new part for that same shower's handle since it no longer wants to turn the water off fully, my doorbell stopped working and needs replaced, and even the lamppost in my yard needs a repair. And that's far from my full to-do list. I do live in a house that's 60 years old. While that's nowhere near as old as some homes, it's far from new and it's showing. The second part of my answer is a lot more fun. I do indeed mention this often, but I'm still working on my favorite ever writing project. It's a weird and wacky fantasy that co-stars a kitty in a wheelchair, and I'm actually making good progress on it. I also have some new concept art I want to scribble up for it.)

2. Saying goodbye to my angel kitties and pups is the bravest thing I have ever done.

(I couldn't think of anything else for this, and I know this is a sad answer. But, it's what came to my mind. And honestly, the bravest thing I've ever done might truly be finding the strength to realize that my sick kitties and pups needed that final act of love, no matter how much I didn't want to say goodbye.)

3. I swear by cat purrs as a cure for just about anything.
(Despite the fact that I came up with this fill-in and was certain I'd have something to offer, I actually couldn't come up with any true "cures" I'd swear by. Except for, well, kitty purrs. Sure, purrs can't take away all of the symptoms of certain ailments. But, those kitty purrs will always at least make you smile and feel happy. In some situations, that's a complete and total cure for what you might be going through.)

4. As if my washer breaking wasn't bad enough, my fridge is now making some weird sounds.

(There are times when all of my household appliances are working great with none of them acting up. Every time even one does act up, though, at least one or two more follow suit within a couple weeks. Happens every time. My washer died recently, and while I'm ordering a cheap new part to see if that fixes the problem, I'm pretty sure I'll end up just needing to get a new one. On top of that, my fridge started making an extra weird sound lately. It's still working for now, but the thing is something like 15 years old and was left behind by the previous home owner, so it's not like it's a spring chicken.)

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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Did you know it's Friday? We bet you did. One of the best things about Friday is that it's Eddy's day to share her adorable self on our blog. Are you ready for the cute tabby girl? We hope you're prepared.

The low, amber lighting in these photos is a little deceiving. Eddy doesn't actually look quite that brown, but either way I assure you she's always adorable.

Also, that belly is a trap. While my girls Thimble and Tonks actually love having their bellies rubbed, Eddy does not. That's why, as cute as it is, I usually leave her belly alone. She likes to flaunt it, but she doesn't like it being touched, so I'll just admire it from afar.

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

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

To not get too longwinded in repeating myself, I'll just quickly say that I love spooky things, even in warm weather, and so we're sharing old doodles to fit that vibe.

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Tip of the Day

We're continuing on with our food tips, now focusing on eating and drinking habits. We've given tips in this vein in another recent series, but anything relating to our furry cuties is worth repeating. To start this off, we’re here to remind you to be cognizant of the material out of which your furbaby's bowl is made. When possible, steer clear of plastic bowls. This is in large part because plastic can be easily scratched, and these scratches can harbor all sorts of bacteria and other microbes. This can lead to issues such as feline chin acne. Stainless steel bowls, or even ceramic or glass, are often recommended. If you do use or have to use plastic bowls for any reason, be sure to clean them frequently, and to replace them as needed, such as if you notice scratches. This will help prevent bacterial growth and issues such as feline chin acne. Eating and drinking are of course crucial to our furbabies’ daily lives, so do be sure to pay attention even to details such as the types of bowl they are using.

In addition to the material of a bowl, we'll quickly note that size also matters when it comes to your furbaby’s bowls. As we’re sure you know, make sure the bowl is comparable to the size of the furbaby. A large dog will obviously require a larger bowl, while a small dog or cat might have difficulty eating from such a large bowl.

What's more, when it comes to those kitties, also keep in mind the concept of whisker fatigue. Whisker fatigue occurs when a bowl is too small and the whiskers brush the sides when eating or drinking. This can be uncomfortable for the cat, and can therefore lead to a reluctance to use the bowl. So, try to make sure that a cat’s bowl is wide and also shallow enough to allow for comfortable eating. Like us, our furbabies like to eat and drink in comfort.