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.

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.

Plumbing Repairs and Cat Beds

Hello, friends! I did not mean to skip yesterday's post. I had the day off work for Labor Day, but I wasn't on my computer much. Even more so, though, what really derailed me was the plumbing emergency that started on Saturday. It actually ended up not being anything truly major or requiring any wall-destroying repairs that were first anticipated, so I'm grateful for that. Even so, I had a repairman out this weekend and thereafter had a lot of cleanup following my shower's decision to spray water out onto my bathroom floor. Some baseboards still need replaced, courtesy of some opportunistic water, but the worst of the issue is remedied.

All that said, we're here! We're late, but we're here. Since it's the day Tonks usually gets to post, but Evan missed his post yesterday, how about something starring both of them?

Not too long ago, Tonks shared her newfound love for cat beds. She never really paid them much mind before, but these days she loves snoozing in the spare bed I put down for Evan every day.

In case you're curious, that photo above has a sort of ethereal glow because I didn't realize my camera lens was smudged.

For his contribution to this photo shoot, Evan decided to go the blooper route by taking a bath.

I have so few photos of Tonks in cat beds, so this here makes me so happy!

Have a terrific Tuesday, friends! Evan and Tonks hope you get in a good nap in a cozy bed!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

In between plumbing repairman visits and bathroom cleanup this weekend, I did get at least some of my Halloween decorations up. I also finally got my first Halloween movie watched last night. Given that we were having something 105°F heat indexes this weekend, though, this old doodle seems apt enough.

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Tip of the Day

Today's autumn pet safety tip is about none other than snakes. Depending on your location and the types of snakes, it might be baby snake season, or it might be the time when snakes are prepping for hibernation. In such cases, more snakes might very well be out and about and therefore pose a risk to furbabies and humans alike. Of course, not all snakes are dangerous. However, some snakes could indeed pose a risk or could be venomous. The types of snakes that are around of course depend on the area in which you live. So, it might be wise to a bit of research on the types of snakes in your area, and to also research which ones are dangerous to animals and humans. All in all, though, if in doubt, monitor your furbaby when they are outside to ensure that they don't run into any snaky danger. If you do see a snake, remove your kitty or pup from the area, especially if you know the snake is dangerous, but also if you are unsure of the risks it might pose. If your cat or dog is bit by a snake, do not hesitate to seek veterinary care to help ensure that no toxic reaction or infection results.

Mancat Monday: Beds and Books

It's Mancat Monday, and so Evan is of course here to grace you with his presence. Today he's again showing off his favorite bed, which he does admittedly love to have loaded with blankets.

The layer of blankets does spare Evan's poor bed, since my boy is indeed urinary incontinent. I got Evan that bed for his birthday last year. It's already pretty worn down from ample use and abuse, but he still loves it so much, and that makes me so happy.

Happy Monday to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

When Evan wasn't in his bed like above this weekend, he was cuddling me on the couch as I worked on my weird book-in-progress. I was really hoping to finish writing the first draft in August, but it doesn't look like I'll manage that. I'm honestly really close, though, so I'm not too upset. I should be able to finish the story in September. It's a wacky fantasy tale co-starring none other than a hind limb paralyzed kitty inspired by my boy Evan. And that's why last year I scribbled up this doodle of Evan with some sort of manifestation of our book.

Don't worry, because it's not just my boy Evan that inspired the book. All of the furry babies in my life, including my angels, have at least some sort of cameo in the story. This is made possible by a few animal loving characters, a cat café sort of restaurant in the story, and the kooky world's K9 police officers. Weird, huh?

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Tip of the Day

Today is our last tip relating to those feline vet visits. This tip is actually far more of a general one, though, and it's to remember your veterinarians, vet techs, and all of the staff at your vet clinic on special occasions. Whether it be Christmas, Veterinarian Appreciation Day (June 18th), Veterinary Technician Week (the third week of October), or another similar day, do consider sending some appreciation to those at your veterinary clinic. You can send a simple card, some flowers, a basket of goodies, or anything that demonstrates your appreciation for all they've done for your furbaby and yourself. Sometimes, being a veterinarian or veterinary staff member is a thankless job, or one that is forgotten in the shuffle. So, if you appreciate what your veterinary clinic has done for any and all of your furbabies, then do consider being one of those grateful customers who expresses their appreciation.

Mancat Monday with Adorable Evan

It's Mancat Monday, so here's my adorable, cute, sweet, best boy Evan. You're welcome.

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

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Saturday was my grandma's 80th birthday, and so we had a little bit of a shindig. She's my paternal grandmother, and she's my only surviving grandparent. My mom is the youngest of 5 kids and so both of her parents were much older and have passed. My dad is the oldest of 5 kids, and both he and his parents had children in their early 20s, so I have an 80-year-young grandma who has always been a pretty big part of my life.

All that to say, in honor of my grandma, here's a doodle I scribbled up for her a few years ago. She loves her Boston terrier dogs, her tabby cat named (Mr.) Bean, and her camera. So, here's this.

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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.

Another Megacolon Sort of Mancat Monday

It was another weekend with some megacolon struggles for Evan. But, he's since gotten all cleared out and is even passing stool every day, which is quite a feat for him. Is that TMI? Well, anyway, we'll call it a win, though, and Evan is resting now.

Don't mind his dirty left ear (though feel free to admire his adorably malformed right ear, because it just makes him look even cuter). He gets one of his medications as a transdermal in his "normal" ear, but he doesn't particularly like having it cleaned out in between doses. That's how far I got cleaning it last time before he got annoyed and I gave him a break. After all, Evan is in charge.

Wishing you all a magnificent Monday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is a very basic one. It was not only concept art for the story I'm writing, which indeed co-stars a kitty inspired by my Evan, but it was also one of my attempts at testing out some grey markers when drawing stone.

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Tip of the Day

Our previous 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.

Mancat Monday: Topsy-Turvy Toesies

It's Mancat Monday, and Evan decided you all need to be reminded how adorable his extra special back legs are.

That's how Evan's paralyzed back legs pretty much always look. No matter what, one is always upside down when he's at rest. I love his topsy-turvy toesies.

Have a magnificent Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Evan's toesies shot above reminded me of this concept art I scribbled up for my current writing work-in-progress. I drew this well over a year ago, and it shows the Evan-inspired kitty character in the story, and the drawing his human created for him.

If that there kitty and drawing were more accurate, one of those back legs would be upside down with the paw pads showing. I think I omitted that fact in part for sake of ease, though I kind of regret not drawing it in true Evan style. Actually, now that I think of it, I rarely even draw Evan with one back leg upside down. I really need to remedy that.

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Tip of the Day

In a home with a hind limb paralyzed cat, as well as other active kitties, 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.

A Kooky Mancat Monday

It's Mancat Monday, and Evan is having to put up with all sorts of Halloween nonsense even though it's only August. I have not yet decorated my house for the spooky occasion, though I likely will by or on September 1st. That said, we do have some Halloween bits and bobs that stay out year round, and Evan ended up posing with a kooky little pillow in the background of this here photo.

Though I try to save the more classic Halloween movies for September and beyond, I did watch Sleepy Hollow this weekend. Evan is my little shadow, which makes me so very happy, and so he cuddled me on the couch for the spooky movie night.

Have a magnificent (and perhaps slightly kooky) Monday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm still working on finishing this year's summertime spooky doodles, which I'm hoping to start sharing soon. For now, though, I went searching in my archive of old drawings, and I found this one that I forgot I'd scribbled up quite a few years ago. The background especially is in my older style and color palette, but it was still a nice surprise to be reminded of this old doodle.

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Tip of the Day

We're still in the midst of our series of tips on the topic of litter boxes. Today's tip in this realm of things is one that we might not always think on too much, and that's the litter scoop. You'd think a scoop is a scoop, but sometimes one scoop simply might work better than another. Depending on the type of litter you use, your particular furbaby's litter box habits, and other such factors, be sure to select a litter scoop that removes as much of the piles of urine, feces, and affected litter as possible. If too much of these bits of debris are left behind when you scoop, that can lead to lingering smells and less sanitary conditions. This could in turn mean that the litter box will need to be cleaned more frequently than might be expected. For the above reasons, when selecting a litter scoop, consider factors such as the number and spacing of the grates on the scoop.

In addition, you also might want to consider the material out of which the scoop is made. If there's a chance your litter scoop might get bunged up, for example, perhaps go for a metal scoop. This is because plastic scoops are far more likely to end up with scratches on their surface, and such scratches could harbor microbes, especially when used in an environment such as that of a litter box. So, don't forget to give even that scoop a bit of extra consideration and attention. Every little detail could potentially affect our kitties and their health and happiness, and that even includes the litter scoop, which helps keep that litter box as clean and sanitary as possible.

Mancat Monday: Megacolon and Kooky Toys

Evan had a rough weekend with his megacolon. But, he's very recently, finally cleared everything out and is now feeling much better. To celebrate, Evan is happily playing with one of his Halloween toys.

As a fan of all things spooky and kooky, I'm always so happy when my kitties choose to play with their Halloween toys.

I'm also of course so very happy that Evan is feeling better and is back to his usual sweet and sassy self.

I'm going to use Evan's toy of choice to pretend we're enjoying autumnal weather rather than the 95°F we're actually experiencing today.

Happy Monday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

In honor of Evan's Halloween toy he shared above, let's go through another flashback series of summertime spooky doodles. We'll of course start with Evan's drawing.

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Tip of the Day

If you ask our humble opinion, having kitties and a pup in the same home can be a wonderful thing. It's even better when they all get along. Sometimes, though, the biggest trick is getting a pup to leave the kitty food alone. There are some methods to try, though, if you find yourself in such a situation.

First, you can try placing the cat food somewhere the dog cannot reach, but of course where the cat can reach it. You can try a counter, cat tree, or shelf, for example, as a cat can often climb to these heights, while a dog typically remains land-bound. Another option is to get some form of sturdy box, setting it upside down on the floor, cutting a hole in it through which a cat can fit but not a dog, and feeding your cat within. There's even a chance that some pieces of furniture would allow for this form of feeding. Of course, this technique primarily works for larger dogs, as small dogs might still be able to access cat food with this method.

A more fail-safe way to feed a cat without a dog's intervention is by feeding them in separate rooms. You can keep the cat's food in a room where the dog does not have access, even if just during feeding time. You can also keep the cat's food in a room that is permanently closed off to the dog, but where the kitty can visit by way of something such as a kitty door. If a cat is good at and willing to jump, you can also block the dog with a baby gate over which the cat can jump. One more similar option is to feed the kitty in a separate room where the door is left ajar, but is kept that way with some sort of door attachment. There are such products available on the market, that allow for a door to remain stuck ajar, so that a cat can pass through, but not a larger pup. You can even rig your own sort of setup, such as by using certain types of brackets, just as long as the setup is still safe for the furbabies. Again, though, these last couple of options will work best if the dog is larger and therefore cannot squeeze through to reach the cat food.

It is more than possible to have both cats and dogs living under the same roof. Once you get past the introductions and everyone is one big happy family, sometimes the main issue then becomes keeping the dogs out of the cat food. This is an important thing to do, though, as eating food not intended for their species can potentially result in gastrointestinal distress. So, if you have both cats and dogs and food thieves run rampant, simply think on what type of feeding method would work best for you, your furbabies, and your overall home setup. It may take some trial and error, but it is doable.

Mancat Monday: Christmas in July

Evan found out about this little thing called Christmas in July. So, he wanted to get festive by sharing one of his favorite blankets that he uses all year long.

Do you see that man in red there? And we're not just talking about that handsome orange tabby. Santa Claus himself regularly keeps Evan company in this fleecy form.

Evan hopes you're all getting festive this week!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Sticking with the theme, how about a Christmas in July doodle for today?

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Tip of the Day

Today's pet parenting tip is one that relates to that dreaded vet's office. As you all certainly know, it is recommended that your furbaby be seen by a veterinarian at least once a year. But, if you're anything like me, all throughout the year you find yourself questioning this or that about your furbaby. Of course, if you notice any abnormalities that are a concern or that are in need of immediate attention, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian. Otherwise, sometimes we find ourselves with questions that we know are not emergencies and that are not truly in need of immediate attention, but that do pique our interest. That's why today's tip is to, if needed, keep a little notebook or note sheet handy, such as on a counter or on the refrigerator, where you can write down questions to ask your veterinarian at your furbaby's next exam. In this high tech world, you can also have a note sheet going on your phone. Whether it be a general question about food, exercise, grooming, behavior, or anything else, write it down when you think of it. That way, you can take your notes with you to your furbaby's next exam and sort out any questions you have in one fell swoop.

A Rare Tonks Tuesday in Bed

It's Tonks Tuesday, but we're starting this post with a comment on a certain orange boy. You see, yesterday Evan shared how much he loves his favorite bed. While seeing Evan in his beloved bed is a very common sight, seeing Tonks use a cat bed is very rare. Which made this photo shoot with not only Evan but also Tonks something special.

When I saw Tonks enjoying the other cat bed in the background there, I absolutely had to get a photo of her. This cute calico has never had much of an interest in cat beds, but perhaps she's changing her mind.

Tonks hopes you all get a cozy nap in bed today!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is a bit of an odd one, but it was part of a Christmas in July series of drawings I did a few years ago. I remember thinking it would be fun to draw a somewhat Wild West one, and that resulted in this.

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Tip of the Day

Today's pet parenting hack of a tip is one to help you save on floor space. When it comes to storing some of your pet supplies—whether it be treats, canned food, medications, brushes, toys, or cleaning supplies, just to name a few—you can try using a shower caddy or other similar shelving system. You can even get shelving units that are meant to hang from a door, such as by a hook that goes over the top of door, to further save on both floor and wall space. Sometimes our furbabies come with a lot of supplies, and we have to find a place to put all of those items. So, as needed, think outside the box and find ways to use a variety of storage systems that will help save you on floor space or even wall space.

Mancat Monday: Beds and Baths

It's Mancat Monday, and my boy Evan is yet again showing off how much he loves his favorite bed.

I do indeed put a blanket over his bed, as Evan has urinary incontinence. What I'm getting at is that the bed has a better chance of survival if it's covered in a sacrificial blankie.

Evan had one of his routine sanitary shaves last week, hence his bald bum. He gets groomed every 2 weeks, so he always looks a tad bit like a baboon. Oh, and don't mind how wet some of his fur looks, as these photos were taken right after his morning bath. He would like everyone to know that he gets disrespected like this every single morning. Bath time is easily his least favorite part of the day, but washing up his back end with antimicrobial cleaner every day is the only way to keep him from getting urine scald.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's pet parenting hack tip is a simple yet important one. Especially if your furbaby is a known chewer, do consider getting covers for power cords and other cables. I'm sure you all know the dangers that chewing on a cord can pose to our furbabies. So, to prevent this, cover up those cords and cables. There are a variety of cord and cable covers available on the market. There are covers that encase cords so that they are safe yet still able to be easily moved, and there are ones that essentially pin cords safely and securely to the floor. Of course, those are just two examples as to how you can make cords and cables safe around your furbabies. Perhaps do a bit of research, and, depending on your home and technological setup, determine what kind of cord and cable covers would best work for both you and your furbaby. As we always say, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Mancat Monday: Cuddle Time

This past 3-day weekend, I spent as much of my free time as possible cuddling my kitties. My biggest cuddle bug is Evan, as he's always been my little shadow. So, there were lots and lots of cuddles with my boy, and I am so very glad for that.

Just look at that face. Honestly, look at it! It's irresistible.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodles of the Day

A couple years ago, for the April A to Z Challenge, I drew a variety of sort-of-cat-shaped items. I found a bunch of them while I was yet again going through old doodles, so I decided to share a few of my favorite kitty-shaped things.

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Tip of the Day

We've been offering some pet parenting hacks, including ways to save money or space while also having a happy furbaby. Today's tip is another plain and simple one, and that's to consider making your own toys for your cats, or even your pups. For example, if you have an old shirt you no longer intend to wear, you can cut it up and use the cloth to create simple knot toys for your cat. If you have some catnip on hand, you can even include some of that in the knot itself, or let the toy soak up some catnip in a sealed bag prior to gifting it to your cat. You can also use old clothes to make knotted or braided toys for a dog, as long as the dog is not know to eat such items. Even a lone or unwanted sock could be used as a toy, such as simply by rolling it into a ball that a cat or dog could bat around or chase.

You could even try your hand at making an interactive toy for your kitty, or even your pup. One such idea is to take a Tupperware container, cut roughly golf ball-sized holes in its lid, put some of your kitty's toys or treats in the container, put the lid on, and let your kitty use the holes to have fun trying to access their goodies. Then again, a cardboard box might work just as well for this DIY interactive cat toy. Interactive toys such as this can be great for a cat or dog's physical as well as mental health, especially if they are spending extra time closed up indoors due to the weather. It's even better when you can save money by creating such toys yourself.

The options for making your own cat toys, or even dog toys, are endless. You can even take cardboard boxes to make a cheap castle for your kitty. So, if you're looking to save some money, or if you want to find a use for safe yet unused items such as clothing, then consider how they might be used to create something fun for your furbaby. If you want further ideas, there are an astonishing number of ideas online, so look into all of your options if you wish to. Of course, always make your furbaby's health and happiness your highest priority, and do not create any toys that might put them at risk.

Mancat Monday: Sunbathing...in a Cage

Last week Evan went to our vet's groomer for his routine bath and sanitary shave. I always love how, when he's done and knows he's going home, he is so happy and purrs all the way home. What's more, he also seems to really enjoy watching out the car windows and soaking up the sun.

I never thought Evan would look so happy to be sunbathing in a cage, but alas, there he is.

Evan and all of us here wish you a magnificent Monday! Though Evan enjoys the sunshine in the car after his grooming visits, he still hopes you all get to enjoy a day free of any vet visits and unwanted excursions.

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I've mentioned probably an obnoxious number of times how not only do I love to write, but I'm currently writing a weird and wacky fantasy book that co-stars a hind limb paralyzed cat like my Evan. Except this kitty's name is Hobo. And, unlike Evan, he lets his human put him in a wheelchair and enjoys going for walks outside. I was again going through old drawings, and I found the series I drew for last year's April A to Z Challenge, pretty much all of which starred this kitty named Hobo. Like this one here.

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Tip of the Day

We've decided to do a repeat series of tips on life hacks for pet parents, especially cat parents. These hacks may be all sorts of random, and most of them are indeed repeats of tips from the past. But, we hope these might offer some pet parenting tips for saving money, saving space, saving time, and, of course, keeping your furbaby happy and healthy.

Do you have furbaby hair on your sofa? What about in your car? Surely not on your clothes? Our pet parenting life hack for today is to keep some rubber gloves on hand. Why? Because, aside from the more commonly used lint roller or piece of tape, rubber gloves can be a reusable tool for removing furbaby hair from surfaces such as sofas and car interiors. You just put on a rubber glove and run it over the hairy sofa or other surface. The rubber glove and a little thing called static electricity will help lift the hair from the surface, and the hair will instead stick to the glove. When you're done using the glove to remove furbaby hair from your furniture, one easy way to get said hair off of the glove is by submerging the glove in water. The hair will float off of the glove, and then you can dip the hair out of the water and toss it. So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, reusable tool for removing your furbaby's hair from your furniture, consider giving the rubber glove trick a try.

Mancat Monday: A Rare Sunny Day

It's Mancat Monday, and Evan wants to show off some of the sun he got to enjoy in between storms over the weekend.

Saturday was our only day of full sun in roughly the past week or so, and Evan enjoyed it immensely.

Evan and all of us here wish you all lots of sunshine!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We're continuing to share spooky summertime doodles I've scribbled up in the past. This one was from a couple years ago and of course stars my boy Evan.

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Tip of the Day

We are working through a series of tips on how to keep strays, ferals, and other outdoor furbabies safe and sound in the summer heat. We began this series of tips by discussing the importance of offering shaded areas, where outdoor cats or even dogs can stay cool. In this same line of thought, today we want to remind you to put necessities for outdoor furbabies in said shade. Whether you have shaded areas beneath trees or bushes, a table that offers shade, a summer shelter that offers shade, or something else similar, be sure that you place food and water in those shaded areas. This will ensure that animals outdoors can have food and water that is as cool and fresh as possible, and that they can eat and drink out of the sun.

In addition, try to offer somewhere comfortable for strays, ferals, and outdoor furbabies to rest in their shaded area. For example, you can place bedding or even a chair in the shade, so that strays and ferals can get comfortable while also remaining as cool as possible. Then again, keep in mind that many furbabies will not want to sleep on blankets or other potentially insulating material in the heat. So, also take this into consideration, and make sure that shaded shelter truly allows for cool and cozy safety and relaxation. All in all, in the hot summer months, don't just offer shade to strays and ferals, but also food, water, and other necessities in that shade.

Mancat Monday: Evan and the Never-Ending Antibiotics

Sorry for the extra late post, friends! We were out of power for a good chunk of the weekend, just under 48 hours, thanks to a storm and some nasty wind. But here we are now. Finally.

Now, it's Mancat Monday, and today Evan is feeling pretty darn good. He didn't seem to notice or mind the power outage at all.

Though Evan really has been feeling good and hasn't been displaying any of the pain or discomfort that came with his recent UTI, he did start urinating blood again recently. I therefore contacted Evan's vet, and he eased my mind by telling me that he did an ultrasound while collecting Evan's urine recently and saw nothing on the imaging that would point to anything more malignant than cystitis and infection. He did, however, say that with Evan's chronic UTIs, we might have officially reached the point where Evan simply has to take antibiotics every day. Evan's hind limb paralysis and a variety of his other conditions predispose him to UTIs, and they've truly become a very chronic issue for him. So, he's going to get one more full round of twice daily antibiotics for 10 days, after which I'll start giving Evan one dose of antibiotics every single night.

Our vet and I did discuss the concerns with daily antibiotics, such as antibiotic resistance, but we came to the mutual decision that we're in a good spot to go ahead and start Evan on the daily antibiotics anyway. Evan just had a culture done a few weeks ago, at which point his infection was considered still susceptible to the usual antibiotic he takes. That makes sense, as within a few days of starting it last time, he was completely back to his usual happy, active self. He still is, actually, minus the whole urinating blood thing. What's more, should Evan's infections become resistant to this particular antibiotic, we still have a number of antibiotics that would work for Evan.

So, overall, Evan is doing great. He's not a fan of having to take antibiotics daily, as he thinks they tasty pretty darn gross, but both he and I are glad that they make him feel so much better. So, antibiotics it'll be.

Happy Monday to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm still in a spooky mood this spring and summer. That said, I still haven't gotten to any of the new spooky doodles I really want to scribble up. So, it's more flashback ones. Today's is one you've seen somewhat recently, as I used this image to create my cover for Pet Sematary in my bookish April A to Z Challenge this year. It's from when I drew Evan as a cute little zombie last summer.

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Tip of the Day

We are still discussing the ins and outs of bringing home a new cat or dog. Today's tip in this series offers some ideas on how to get a new furbaby acclimated to their new family and home. Especially when it comes to shy kitties or pups, be sure to be patient in helping them get to know you. In order to allow a shy or nervous cat or dog to learn to trust you or other family members, frequently visit with them or sit with them, and perhaps even give them an item or two of your clothing. Offer them food and sit with them while they eat, or offer them treats or toys if that does not stress them. Talk to them soothingly, or even read them a book. Make sure visits with them are calm, and always watch for cues that a furbaby is feeling nervous or stressed. Over time, if you remain patient and calm, a new furbaby who is nervous or shy can indeed learn to trust you.

It is not just you or other family members that a new furbaby will have to grow accustomed to, though. Every home and family has its own set of sights and sounds to which a new cat or dog will have to become acclimated. Think of the typical goings-on of your household, and, as needed, help your new furbaby become used to the new sights and sounds by slowly and calmly introducing them to new stimuli. Just as a couple of examples, some furbabies may have to get used to the sound of garbage bags or the sight of an open umbrella. Of course, don't bombard a new cat or dog with new sights and sounds all at once, but, as always, have patience and help them to acclimate to these things slowly over time.

That all being said, introducing a new cat or dog to other animals takes especial care and patience. Slow and proper introductions are of course best for both new and resident cats and dogs. We will further discuss these topics in the very near future.

Mancat Monday: Naptime Face-Plants with Orange Boys

Hello and happy Mancat Monday! Today, Evan wants to remind you all of one of his favorite sleeping positions.

Looks cozy, huh?

This boy loves to spend his naptime in a face-plant position.

Evan isn't the only orange boy who likes sleeping in a suffocating sort of way, though. My parents have a pale orange boy named Kipper, and look how he sleeps as well...

All right, boys. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.

Evan and Kipper wish you all a nap or two today! I would recommend not suffocating yourself during said naps, but these orange boys say it's really quite cozy.

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Since I'm a broken record, I'll yet again repeat that when summer rolls around, I always start feeling eager for autumn and Halloween. I'm just not a fan of heat and humidity, and at the end of the warm days is my favorite season of fall and my tied-for-first-place holiday that is Halloween.

As I've also mentioned, my eagerness for autumn and spooky season is just egged on by the fact that stores now often come out with Halloween merchandise starting in June or thereabouts. A couple years ago Cracker Barrel came out with a ghostly piece of decor that became very popular. While I didn't buy it, I did draw it, of course with the addition of a kitty.

This year Cracker Barrel came out with a piece of Halloween decor that is a similarly ghostly highland cow. I'm really tempted to draw that one as well...

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Tip of the Day

Keep in mind that, depending on factors such as a cat or dog’s size and health, some furbabies might require special considerations for the setup of their food and water bowls. For example, tall dogs, dogs with deep chests, older animals who have difficulty bending down, animals with short snouts, and those with conditions such as megaesophagus often do better with elevated bowls that are situated closer to the level of their chest or face. Food and water bowls elevated in this manner can allow for more comfortable eating and drinking, as well as easier chewing, swallowing, and overall digestion. Of course, on the other hand, do ensure that the bowl is not too elevated, especially for small dogs or cats, as having to reach up to eat would be uncomfortable for them as well. So, do be sure to take time to observe your kitty or pup’s dining habits, and to adjust their bowls to ensure they are able to dine comfortably.

Mancat Monday with Evan and His UTI

It's Mancat Monday, and Evan is doing okay. He's on his third and final week of antibiotics for his stubborn UTI. For the most part, he's no longer having major symptoms of said UTI. I'm grateful for that, but he did unfortunately start urinating blood again this weekend. It did occur right after he strained and struggled to defecate, courtesy of his megacolon. This has happened before, as in the past he's previously caused himself to urinate blood after difficulty defecating. It also doesn't help that he's fresh out of a flare of cystitis related to his UTI, and so his bladder is still a bit unwell and fragile. He did thankfully get a lot of stool out this weekend after his initial difficulty evacuating his bowels, so hopefully everything can now really get back to normal for him again.

All that said, though, despite the bloody urine, right now Evan is actually a very happy boy. He's active and cuddly and purrs and is just generally my sweet little guy. He also takes lots of naps, courtesy of the gabapentin that helps keep his bladder happy and pain-free.

Wishing you all a magnificent Monday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Probably because I'm not the biggest fan of summer and I'm always eager for autumn, I've been in a spooky sort of mood lately. There's also the fact that a lot of stores have started bringing out Halloween in June or thereabouts. I know that annoys a lot of people, but I don't mind one bit. I love me some Halloween. I'll stop rambling, though, and share this summerish yet also spookyish flashback doodle.

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Tip of the Day

At some point I'm going to research some new, fresh topics in order to share new series of tips. For now, though, I was going through old tips and found yet another repeat series that goes into detail about our kitties' and pups' diets. So, let's revisit that again.

Over the next couple of days, we'll give some tips specifically regarding pet food ingredients. As you all surely know, the ingredients that go into a furbaby's food and therefore into their body all play an important role. Let's start today with protein, which is of course a significant part of any diet. Just as with us, our cats and dogs need protein, which can be broken down into amino acids, which can in turn be used to build up new muscles and other tissues. This is why high protein is especially important in a kitten or puppy's diet, as it ensures that they can form the tissues they need to grow into healthy adults.

There are also some other special considerations to make when it comes to protein. For example, furbabies suffering from pancreatitis or diabetes often benefit from high protein diets. On the other hand, a cat with renal disease requires a low protein diet for the health of their kidneys. So, while protein is indeed an important part of any diet, do be sure to do your homework and certainly discuss with your veterinarian what ingredients you should consider for your furbaby's diet in order to keep them healthy.