A Nosy Woof Woof Wednesday

Today's memory of my sweet angel pup Astrid heavily stars none other than her adorable nose.

Astrid's nose was so very cute and kissable. I have many, many photos of it, and I'm so grateful for that.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's doodle is another one I scribbled up for Christmas in July many years ago. It's a bit more abstract in that festive realm, but it co-stars my angel pup Astrid, so I indeed wish to share it today.

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Tip of the Day

Many of us have furbabies who enjoy a cozy bed, and who also enjoy making a bed out of their human's clothes. That's why today's pet parenting hack of a tip is to use your old clothes to make a pet bed for your kitty or pup. You can take on old shirt, for example, and stuff it with a pillow or other type of filling. You can sew it shut, or even just safely and securely tie it shut. This could perhaps be a cheaper option than a store-bought bed, and it will also smell like you, something that many furbabies enjoy. There are a great many options for creating beds in this manner, using shirts, pants, robes, and so forth. The options are endless, and you can even find ideas and techniques online for creating a variety of such pet beds.

Angel Astrid's Birthday Wishes for Her Grandma

Today is the birthday of this here human's mom. As in, it's the birthday of the furry babies' grandma, or Gammy. Sweet angel pup Astrid would be more than happy to share one of her birthday goodies with her beloved Gammy, so today's memory of the sweet pup is indeed just that.

Happy Birthday, Gammy! Angel pup Astrid as well as all the kitties and us humans hope you have the best day ever!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Despite the fact that I've had my mom's birthday doodle completed for many days, I failed to scan it to share today. So, we're sharing one of her birthday drawings from the past. This one stars her fuzzy calico Gilly, and a couple of gifts she has to offer.

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Tip of the Day

Today's pet parenting hack of a tip is one to help you sleep better at night. Does your kitty or pup ever wake you up during the night, perhaps seemingly bored or hungry? The first step in a case such as this is of course to make sure there is no medical explanation. If your furbaby is indeed healthy, though, and they simply wake you in the middle of the night for some playtime or a midnight snack, then there are a couple of simple things you can do to try to combat this.

First, you can do a bit of a pre-bedtime play session with them. One of the last things you do before you go to bed can be a game of fetch, perhaps a little fun with a wand toy, or anything that your furbaby finds fun and that expends their energy. This will help tire your furbaby out, and will hopefully help satisfy their desire to play so that they can sleep through the night.

Second, in the case that your furbaby wakes you up in the middle of the night out of hunger, perhaps save their last meal of the day for right before bed. Fill their bowl just before you go to bed, so that they will go to bed with a full stomach. If needed and possible, you can also make this nighttime meal their largest of the day, to even further satisfy them and their stomach. In some cases, this is all it takes to help keep those hungry furbabies satiated until their breakfast.

Just like us, our furbabies are not immune to restless nights or a desire for a midnight snack. If a medical concern has been ruled out, then try to find a way to help both you and your furbaby sleep through the night. Satisfying the play or hunger drive just before bed may be all that is needed.

Adventures with Angel Astrid: Floppy-Eared Fun

It's time to share a memory with my sweet angel pup Astrid, and today I have yet another one from one of her walks. This one stars her floppy ears, and I love that so much.

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, we mentioned some of the benefits of growing cat grass indoors for your kitty. We wanted to offer a couple more tips in this same line of thought. First, you don't only have to grow cat grass in small pots from which your kitty can have a bit of a green snack. Another option is to create for your kitty a cat grass bed. For example, you could grow some cat grass in a larger pot, and some cats will enjoy this grassy environment for napping or playing purposes. Cats' ancestors out in the wild often live, sleep, and even play in this type of grassy environment, so why not our domesticated kitties?

Another option is to create beds or play areas out of artificial grass, which can again give off the idea of a more wild environment for your kitty. Most synthetic grass materials are safe for pets, but you should of course still always double check, or simply look for ones that are specifically designed to be pet-friendly. There are, in fact, artificial grass toys, scratchers, and beds that are specifically designed for cats. Did you know there are even artificial grass potty mats for dogs, or even cats? All in all, artificial grass is not only low-maintenance, but can also have beneficial effects for your kitty. It can offer them a place to play or snooze, all while mimicking grassy environments found out in the wild. If you think your cat might enjoy cat grass or synthetic grass in the form of a bed or play area, perhaps look into setting this up for them.

Adventures with Angel Astrid and Fried Chicken

Today's memory of my sweet angel pup Astrid takes us back to a few years ago, when we randomly found an abandoned tray of fried chicken while on a walk.

That chicken sat under that tree in someone's yard for days. Astrid pulled me past that house every chance she got so that she could see if it was still there, and for multiple days it was. The poor pup was devastated that I never let her take a taste of the chicken, but she still regularly checked on it until it finally disappeared.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I recently shared a flashback doodle that was concept art for the weird story I'm writing. It starred Hobo, a hind limb paralyzed cat in a wheelchair. I'm going to share another concept art flashback doodle today, but since it's Woof Woof Wednesday, this one stars a corgi named Bunny.

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Tip of the Day:

Are you interested in saving the money or space that comes with store-bought cat scratching posts? One simple option is to securely wrap sisal rope around table legs, chair legs, banisters, or other similar furniture or home features. This also can spare said furniture from damage from kitty claws. Therefore, this sort of DIY cat scratcher is not only simple and easy, but can also save you money, space, and damage to certain pieces of furniture or areas of the home.

Adventures with Angel Astrid and Her Trash Can

I love going through old photos of my sweet angel pup Astrid. Obviously I'd much rather still have her here with me, but since that's unfortunately not the case, it brings me bittersweet joy to go through these memories of her. Some of my favorite photos were from all of the fun walks we took.

On this particular day, I remember thinking it would be funny to get a shot of the trash can in that there park. After all, that's where I many, many times tossed Astrid's bagged up goodies.

That's probably such a random memory and photo to have, but I'm honestly glad I snapped it. It involves a trash can, but even that trash can has memories to offer of my sweet Astrid.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's spookyish flashback doodle was scribbled up a few years ago, and it was inspired by the fact that I enjoy watching horror movies in the summer, and all year round. I don't just enjoy a good scare at Halloween.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip is another one about water. Since water is such a crucial aspect of survival, especially in the heat of summer, we thought we'd give it one last hoorah. Today, we're specifically talking about water bowls.

Water bowl preference can of course play a part in any cat's life. We've talked before about whisker fatigue, for example, and how this often causes cats to prefer wider bowls, as these won't cause them to bump their whiskers while getting a drink. That being said, though, when it comes to offering water outdoors in the heat, keep in mind how the shape and size of the water bowl can play a part. For example, did you know that evaporation happens more rapidly when water has a large surface area? This is why water in wide, shallow bowls will evaporate relatively quickly in the heat. To combat this, try to offer water in bowls that are narrower and deeper. Of course, do try to ensure that the bowl is not so narrow that it makes drinking impossible or difficult, but also try to ensure that a bowl has a decent chance of combating evaporation.

In addition, consider the material out of which the bowl is made. This one can be a bit tough when it comes to offering water to strays and ferals to hot and sunny days. We've talked before about how stainless steel bowls are often a good choice over plastic bowls, since plastic bowls can get scratched and thereby more easily harbor microbes. But, as you all surely know, metallic surfaces can get pretty darn hot in the summer heat. Especially if a bowl is in the sun or on a hot surface, a metallic bowl might not only cause the water to become uncomfortably warm, but the bowl itself might also become painfully hot to the touch. This is best prevented if the bowl is placed in a cool, shaded area. You can also, if possible and safe, try using sturdy glassware as outdoor bowls. This is of course only reasonable if breakage is unlikely to occur, though, as broken glass is indeed a danger.

In short, take anything and everything possible into consideration when trying to help strays and ferals remain safe in the summer heat. This does indeed include their water bowls. Aim for bowls that will prevent rapid evaporation, but that will also be easy and safe out of which to drink.

Adventures with Angel Astrid: A Beloved Bridge

Over the years here on our blog, sweet angel pup Astrid showed off lots of the bridges that she loved so much. A creek runs through our neighborhood, and so just about all the walking paths in the area have bridges for crossing the creek. Astrid honestly loved the bridges, not only because they collected the urine of other local dogs, but also because they offered a great view.

Seeing that last photo reminded me of how excited Astrid would get when I'd say, "Do you see the water?" Every time I'd say that when we were on a bridge over the creek, she'd peer into the water, and she was always so happy if there were any ducks or other animals to see. I'm so glad I have these memories with her.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I've been sharing flashback doodles from old spooky summertime series. Currently we've been going through the ones I scribbled up just last year, and today we of course have Astrid's.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday we gave some tips on how to introduce a new cat to a resident cat. Today, we'll give a bit of an idea on what you can do to get a new cat used to a resident dog, or vice versa. Getting a cat and a dog acquainted with each other can, in some ways, mimic the methods used to introduce two cats to each other. For example, just as with two cats, you can start introducing a cat and dog to each other by getting them used to each other's scent. This can include blocking their view of and access to each other, while allowing them to smell each other through a door. You can also swap pieces of their bedding, so that they become used to each other's scent this way.

Once the new cat is used to their surroundings and to the scent of the resident dog, or vice versa, you can begin introducing the cat and dog to the sight of each other. This can be done through a baby gate, through a screen, or safely from across the room. As needed, you can keep the dog on a leash to ensure a safe introduction. Also try to ensure that the cat is able to be safely restrained, should signs of aggression arise. These first meet-and-greets are likely best done from a distance, with each furbaby being distracted and rewarded for good behavior with treats or toys. This exercise can be repeated for however many days it takes for the cat and dog to act non-aggressive or calm in each other's presence. As progress is made, you can slowly start to decrease the distance between the cat and dog.

Over time, a cat and dog can learn to become friends, to tolerate each other, or simply to ignore each other. Allow for the proper patience and time to get the furbabies safely acquainted. Until they are used to and safe around each other, ensure that their time together is supervised. Even if the cat and dog grow well acquainted and tolerant of each, though, still ensure that each furbaby has their own space to be alone as needed. For example, have cat trees or other similar areas to which the cat can retreat, and a bed or crate for the dog to go should they wish.

Woof Woof Wednesday: Dog Days of Summer

Our heat index is 100°F today. So, yeah, is it autumn yet? That said, my sweet angel pup Astrid didn't like summer any more than I do. Astrid was a dog who loved cold weather. Despite her general excitement for the outdoors, she would often choose to stay indoors when it was hot outside. That's why Astrid looked a lot like this on the dog days of summer...

Though she understandably didn't enjoy spending time outside on the hottest summer days, Astrid was more than fine snoozing on her couch in the sunny window.

I was always so grateful that Astrid and I shared a love for cool weather. We would take shorter walks in the summer, but our autumn walks were long and beautiful and I loved them. I was of course thankful for any walk I took with her, but I was indeed also thankful that Astrid wasn't a big fan of hot weather and so she didn't often ask me to walk her too far on those days.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's spooky summertime doodle was a piece of concept art for a story I was working on many years ago. It involved a sort of spooky cabin in the woods, so I found myself drawing this here.

I hope to get back to this doodle's writing project again in the future, but I never felt as attached to it as I am with my current writing project. Probably because my current writing project not only co-stars a hind limb paralyzed kitty like my Evan, but all of the kitties and pups in my life have even small cameos. It's a fantasy story, but you better believe it's overrun with furry, four-legged characters.

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Tip of the Day

Around this time in 2018, we were introducing kitten Tonks as well as her sister Winky into the home. Back then, we shared a series of tips on none other than the topic of introducing new furry friends into the home. So, let's go ahead and repeat that series, shall we?

We're going to begin these tips with a simple yet important one, and that is, before you bring any new furbaby into your home, no matter the species or age, always take into consideration all factors that might affect this decision. For example, do you have enough space in your home to bring home a new cat or dog? If you rent your home, how many animals does the landlord allow? Also consider finances, and whether the proper medical and general care of a new cat or dog will realistically fit in your budget. How about your health? Are you physically able to care for a new cat or dog? Do you have other animals? Do any of them have medical or behavioral issues that would make it unwise to bring home another animal? How about family or roommates with whom you live? Is it reasonable and safe to bring a new cat or dog to live with the other people in your home? Needless to say, there are great many factors to consider before bringing home a new furbaby, so be sure to thoroughly consider all those that apply to you and your home.

Adventures with Angel Astrid: A Walk in the Park

My sweet angel pup Astrid and I both always loved walking through the park that's near our house. It's just a big, open area of grass, around which spans the creek that runs through our neighborhood. Near the creek there are always lots flowers blooming in the spring and summer.

Quite a few years ago I also got these photos of Astrid posing with the beautiful blooms of a little tree in the park.

I'm really glad I got these pretty photo of Astrid, because for some reason that was the last year that tree ever bloomed.

Happy Wednesday to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

As I've mentioned multiple times recently, I've been in a spooky mood. This happens to me pretty much every summer, when I become eager for fall weather and Halloween. The fact that many stores now start stocking up for Halloween in June just spurs my spooky mood even more. I hope to get some new summertime spooky doodles done this summer, but for today here's one I scribbled up for my "Halfway to Halloween" series I did for an April A to Z Challenge a few years ago. This one is pretty tame and mostly just involves bats, but I'll share some more from this series over the next couple of days that are even more spooky.

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Tip of the Day

We're still in the midst of repeating a series of food tips from the past. We've so far talked about protein and fiber in pet food, and now today we're moving on to fat. Fat, like other nutrients, plays important roles for both us humans and our cats and dogs. Fats are yet another source of energy for the body and its cells, they aid in healthy skin and coat, and they are also important for growth overall.

In pet foods, some fats can come from the protein source, such as chicken and beef. However, there are also other potential sources of fats in our furbabies' food. Fats can of course come from oils, such as fish oils or plant oils. The important thing is to make sure that your furbaby's food includes good quality fat sources, and in a healthy balance. For example, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which often come from sources such as fish or plant oils or chicken fat, are very beneficial, but most importantly so in proper amounts. Less quality fats and oils would include lard and other similar ingredients, and therefore do be cautious if you see these on a pet food label.

Of course, any fats in too large of quantities could lead to health concerns. For example, obesity and pancreatitis can both potentially stem from or be worsened by diets high in fat. For reasons such as these, as we've said before, try to educate yourself on your cat or dog's health and the best nutrition for them, and of course discuss this with a veterinarian as needed.

Adventures with Angel Astrid

Today's memory of sweet angel pup Astrid is yet another one from a walk from a few years ago. It was a bright and sunny day, and we took a nice stroll along the creek that runs through our neighborhood.

Astrid always loved watching wildlife, both on walks and in her yard. I thought she was watching ducks in this photo, but I don't actually see any in the water there. Either way, something had her attention, and I hope she enjoyed watching whatever it was that piqued her interest.

Happy Wednesday to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm in a spooky mood and also recently watched the movie Frankenweenie, so here's a fitting flashback doodle I scribbled up for our "Halfway to Halloween" April A to Z Challenge a few years ago. Just as with all the other drawings from that old series, it stars my calico angel Rosie, and of course a little zombie dog.

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Tip of the Day

Today's summer safety tip is about your furbaby's care in the event that you are traveling this summer. We'll begin with if your furbaby is staying behind while you travel, in which case it is important to plan well in advance for their care. If your furbaby would do best being boarded, then be sure to schedule this well ahead of time, to ensure that they can stay at a veterinary or other boarding facility that you trust.

Another option is of course having your furbaby stay home and having a trusted pet-sitter come in to care for them, or to have your cat or dog stay with someone you trust. No matter what route you take for your furbaby's care while you are away from them, be sure that whoever is looking after them has all of the resources and information they might need. Make sure that your furbaby's food is stocked up, as well as their medications, litter, and anything else of importance. Ensure that their caregiver knows the details of their care, including what, when, and how much they are fed, as well as any medication administration instructions they might need. Don't forget other resources a pet-sitter might need, such as any pertinent details of your furbaby's medical history, as well as the contact information for their veterinarian.

Then there are the times that our furbabies travel with us on vacation, and it is also important to plan accordingly in this case as well. To begin, make sure that you pack all that your cat or dog might need. This would include food, treats, water, medications, leash, carrier, and anything that is significant for their daily care. It is of course also important to plan in advance for pet-friendly lodging at your travel destination. Are you staying at a hotel? If so, is that hotel pet-friendly? Or, are you staying with family or friends? If so, do they have a pet-friendly home? Are there other animals at this home, and if so, will it be safe for the animals to interact? Be sure that any such details are ironed out well in advance.

With all of the above planned out, there is then the actual act of traveling with your furbaby. If you are traveling by plane with a pup or kitty, this will of course require you to learn of the airline's requirements, and that you do so with plenty of time to spare. A veterinary visit and a certificate of health may be required by some airlines. Regardless of whether a certificate of health is required, it is important to discuss with a veterinarian whether your furbaby is safe for travel by plane, especially if they are sick, geriatric, or if they do not travel well. If it is by car that you are traveling, ensure that your cat or dog has a cage or seatbelt for safe restraint during travels. Make sure that your furbaby has a chance to eat, drink, and bathroom during long trips. At the same time, make sure that they are safe from escape anytime you stop and open any car doors.

Summer is a time for travels for some people, and perhaps even their furbabies. Whether you leave your furbaby home or take them with you, always plan well in advance. Always keep in mind your furbaby's health and happiness, and discuss any concerns with a veterinarian.

Adventures with Angel Astrid...and a Shopping Cart

I was going through old photos of my sweet angel pup Astrid, and I was reminded of how she and I more than once met none other than a shopping cart during our walks.

We live about a mile away from this store, and during this particular summer it became evident that someone in our neighborhood was transporting their groceries home indeed with one of the store's carts.

Astrid and I came upon one of these carts on at least three separate walks. Each time, Astrid would investigate the scene and give the cart a good sniff. Unfortunately, there was never anything tasty left behind in the cart and so the pup would continue on her way. 

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is one I scribbled up a couple years ago as concept art for the book I'm currently writing. There's a corgi in this weird and wacky story, and so I experimented drawing one of these pups.

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Tip of the Day

We spent the last two days addressing how to keep your furbaby cool and safe should they be spending time outdoors in the heat. Of course, staying cool indoors in the summer is far more ideal. That being said, though, extra care may still have to be used to keep some cats and dogs comfortable even when inside the home during the summer months. This is especially the case for those furbabies who have certain traits that might make it more difficult for them to stay cool even indoors. For example, on hot days, it is especially important to monitor the condition of cat or dogs with long or thick coats, those who are overweight, those with flat faces (such as Persian cats and Bulldogs), and those who are geriatric, sick, or for another reason may have difficulty regulating their body temperature.

So, how can you ensure that your furbaby remains cool and comfortable inside the home, even when it's sweltering outdoors? First, of course, you can run the air conditioning. Ensure that the unit's filter is regularly replaced. Also make sure that the vents throughout the house are open and unblocked, so that cool air can easily make its way throughout the home. In addition to the air conditioning, you can set up fans to help keep air moving and to keep your kitty or pup comfortable.

Some furbabies may even opt for lying on smooth, cool surfaces in order to stay cool. For example, hardwood or tile floors stay far more cool than carpet, and so you might find a kitty or pup sprawled out on the hard floor during the summer months. In this same line of thought, there are also cooling mats specifically designed for pets. These mats offer a cool surface on which to relax, and they can be placed on the floor, on furniture, or potentially even outdoors in order to keep that furbaby of yours cool.

Even if your furbaby is spending hot summer days inside, it is still important to monitor them and to ensure that they are staying cool. Then again, especially for those with short or no fur, it is also important to make sure that the air conditioning or fans are not too cool for them. As you all certainly know, keep an eye on those furbabies, and then make adjustments as needed to keep them happy and healthy.

Adventures with Angel Astrid

Today's memories with sweet angel pup Astrid are from one of the times we took her to meet up with some family at an outdoor gathering. We did this a couple of times with her, and it allowed for some rather majestic photos of the sweet girl.

Though she was never the most outwardly social dog, Astrid did enjoy being included in things. Her face would light up and she'd smile so big when she realized she was going on an adventure with her people. She loved to "go for a ride", which was one of her favorite phrases to hear.

When we were around others, Astrid would never opt to walk around asking people to pet her. That said, she was far from aggressive and would happily just hang out with myself, my sister, and my parents. She also absolutely adored my grandma and her husband, as well as a couple of my uncles and one of my cousins. Oh, and she always wanted petted by one of my neighbors. She was a very particular dog and only had a select few people she truly liked, but when she did like someone, they were her best friend. And if she didn't particularly like someone, she just ignored them.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

The final tip in our wildlife series involves some additional things you can do to help keep the wildlife safe in their environment. First, as you all surely already know, please refrain from littering. Do not toss trash willy-nilly, but instead place it in a secure trash bin, or a recycling bin if relevant. This includes any and all items, as any variety of things can lead to dangers for wildlife. For example, the handles of plastic or paper bags can get stuck around the necks of wildlife critters, or any variety of items could be swallowed and lead to a choking hazard. And that's just naming two potential examples.

To further protect wildlife, please cut the aforementioned handles on plastic and paper bags before tossing them into the trash or recycling. This ensures that wildlife won't get their heads or limbs stuck in the handles. This also goes for milk jug lid rings, plastic or other rings that multipacks of soda come in, and anything else of that sort. Please simply cut such things before tossing them out in order to prevent strangulation or other injuries to wildlife.

In addition, before tossing them in a bin, do your best to rinse out cans and other food or drink containers. For one, this can perhaps help reduce the likelihood of wildlife eating food that is potentially unhealthy for them. Also, rinsing food containers can help reduce the likelihood of wildlife sniffing out leftover debris and therefore breaking into and going through trash and recycling bins, something that we surely all wish to avoid.

We share this land with a great many critters, and it's important that we keep this land safe for all of its inhabitants. So, please refrain from littering or otherwise contributing to situations that can be dangerous to wildlife.

A Belated Halfway to Halloween with Angel Astrid

I know we're now mostly past the "Halfway to Halloween" part of the year, as that was more so the last day of April and/or first day of May. But, I was scrolling through photos of my sweet angel pup Astrid and was reminded of the mummy cookies I got her from our local pet store every Halloween season.

I've shared these photos many times, but I just love them. There were multiple Octobers in Astrid's life when she had surgery on her back right leg, such as to remove a cancerous tumor on her toe and then years later to fix a torn CCL (ACL). To add a little humor to those events, I would always get her a mummy cookie to enjoy while she was bandaged up.

I've always loved how in that photo above you not only can see Astrid's booted back right foot, but then she also removed the mummy's right leg. So very fitting.

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

All of the above also inspired the following drawing, which I created as part of my "Halfway to Halloween" April A to Z Challenge many years ago. It stars a bandaged up angel Astrid as well as my calico angel kitty Rosie.

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Tip of the Day

In yesterday's tip, we discussed keeping our furbabies at a safe distance from those bird feeders we put out for the wildlife. And now we're going to share a repeat series of tips on feeding wildlife, and interacting with wildlife in general. While we all certainly love animals and so might very well enjoy visiting with them and feeding them, this is something you nevertheless always have take into careful consideration. It is important to determine whether feeding wildlife in a certain area is wise, or even allowed. There are some areas where feeding wildlife is prohibited, for a variety of reasons.

One reason why it might not be wise to feed wildlife in certain areas is that, of course, some human food is not healthy for the wildlife. Some foods can even lead to sickness in such animals. In addition, feeding wildlife can cause them to lose their fear of humans or predators, and that can be dangerous for them. They can especially be put at risk if they are fed near roads or other high traffic areas, where they can lose their fear of cars and other such dangers. Also, feeding wildlife without caution and care can lead to disease transfer. For example, some wildlife carry diseases that can be contracted by us humans or our furbabies. This means that not only can we be dangerous for wildlife if not careful, but they can be dangerous to us.

In known, controlled environments, such as your own back yard, feeding wildlife is of course more safe. Then again, you still have to be cautious of what and how you feed these animals, so that they can remain healthy and safe and so that nearby humans and their furbabies can remain safe. We already mentioned yesterday putting bird feeders and food for wildlife out of reach of your furbabies, for their own safety as well as that of the wildlife. Over the next couple of days, we'll be discussing some tips on what to feed wildlife, so stay tuned if that is something that might interest you.

The Letter Y and Halfway to Halloween with Angel Astrid

Welcome to the penultimate day of the April A to Z Challenge!

Indeed, there are just two days left of sharing fan art covers for some of my favorite books. Today's stars both a cat and a dog. We're at the letter Y, and I absolutely took some liberties with this one. Today, for the letter Y, we have The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury. Why? Because both his first and last name have the letter Y.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. My name is also not Ray Bradbury, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and cats and dogs, and of course Halloween, and so I drew this unofficial version of the book's cover.]

As I've mentioned the past couple of days, late April and early May are celebrated by some (like myself) as being halfway to Halloween. So, for the last couple days of this month's challenge, I wanted the books I chose to have a little something to do with that. That's in part why I rigged Ray Bradbury's The Halloween Tree to work for today. It's a fun old book about some trick-or-treaters who learn some festive lessons about Halloween, and that seemed perfect for today

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Since it is indeed halfway to Halloween, how about a memory of sweet angel pup Astrid hanging out with one of our pieces of black cat Halloween decor?

That there black cat stays out year round at our house. Astrid wasn't too keen on posing with it, but at least she had her beloved window to distract her from this here human's nonsense.

Wishing you a wonderfully kooky day!

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Tip of the Day

As the weather grows warmer, time outdoors with your furbaby may very well increase. For example, you might walk your dog, or even your kitty, more often or farther. Or, time out in the yard might simply increase. That's why this is the perfect time of year to remind you all to take precautions to keep your outdoor furbabies safe. When venturing away from home, keep your furbabies on leashes, or otherwise keep them safely at your side. When it comes to safety in your own yard, ensure that leads and fences are secure and resistant to escape attempts. In addition, ensure that your outdoor kitty or pup is donning identification, such as by means of a tag on a collar and an updated microchip. All of these precautions are important for ensuring that your furbaby remains safe and sound with you, or that they can find their way back to you should the unthinkable happen and they become separated from you. A lost furbaby is certainly a nightmarish situation for all, so do all that you can to prevent it.

The Letter S and Stunning Angel Astrid

Hello and welcome to another day of the April A to Z Challenge!

I'm still sharing fan art covers for some of my favorite books as my contribution to the alphabetical challenge. My covers all star mostly cats, but also sometimes other animals.

Today we've reached the letter S. You'd think this letter would be easy to find a title to match. When I was rigging the alphabet in order to squeeze in all the books I wanted to share this month, though, I ended up making S stand for Scrooge. And so, today we have A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. Believe it or not, my name is also not Charles Dickens, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and animals and so drew this unofficial furry version of this book's cover.]

As I mentioned yesterday, in order to accomplish my neglected writing goals for this month, I'll now likely be sharing book covers mostly created from older doodles I completed over the past couple or few years. Today's cover uses part of my Christmas card image from 2024. It stars my now angel pup Astrid as Scrooge, and my extra special orange boy Evan as Tiny Tim. Our housemate Toby also made it onto this cover, while the other kitties unfortunately got (mostly) cropped out to make this image a book cover.

Also, I'll admit that I do find certain literary classics to be slow and boring reads. I worried that would be the case when I first read A Christmas Carol many years ago, but it wasn't. This story involves Christmas and spooky things, both of which I'm a big fan. I really enjoy reading this frightfully festive tale.

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And, of course, it's time to share a memory of my sweet angel pup Astrid. This one is from a beautiful walk a few years ago. I remember scrambling to get my phone out to snap this shot when Astrid stopped to stand in this stunning scene.

Wishing you all lots of sunshine of your own today!

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Tip of the Day

 

We've gotten into the habit of repeating series of tips from the past, but some topics are worth it. And so, just as we've done the past few years, we're now sharing a series of tips on pet safety in the spring. Today's springtime tip is one that we've shared far more than once before, and that is to always be aware and cautious of the plants you have both in your garden and in your house. Some of the springtime plants that can be highly toxic to our furbabies include certain lilies, daffodils, and tulips. The list most certainly does not end there, though.

All of the above is why, before you bring any plants anywhere near your kitty or pup, always do your research and understand any potential toxicity. One good resource for finding out the potential toxicity of plant types is by perusing the ASPCA's extensive information on plants, which you can find by clicking here. In short, to keep your furbaby safe this spring, of course be aware of any and all plants with which they come in contact. And, of course, if you have any concern that your furbaby may have gained access to a toxic plant, seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible.

The Letter G and Angel Astrid's Floral Find

It's time for another letter in the April A to Z Challenge.

I'm nothing if not a broken record, so I'll repeat that for this year's alphabetical challenge I'm creating my own, fan art versions of covers for some of my favorite books. What's more, my covers will all star cats, or occasionally a dog or other animal.

It just so happens that most of the books in my newest favorite fantasy series fall within the beginning of the alphabet. This series is the wild and chaotic Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. These books star not only a man named Carl, but also his talking Persian tortie cat named Princess Donut. And of course that means Princess Donut is the star of all of my covers for these books, including the one for today's letter G.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. My name is also not Matt Dinniman, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and cats and so drew this unofficial feline version of the book's cover.]

The Gate of the Feral Gods is the fourth book in this series, and it involves a dessert and camels and a floating house and a plane and of course a gate that releases feral gods. Like I said, this series is wild and chaotic, and it has brought me a lot of joy over the past couple of years.

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And now it's time for some memories with my sweet angel pup Astrid. We're starting to see some flowers blooming around here. There are lots of crocuses and of course dandelions, and the first tulip has bloomed in my yard. Seeing these flowers reminded me of a walk I took with Astrid last spring.

I went searching for these photos, and they were snapped almost exactly a year ago, on April 12, 2025. Astrid and I found that there pretty flower blooming in just a small patch of grass by the curb a couple blocks from our house. There's a bridge over the neighborhood creek right there, and that little bit of grass beside the bridge never usually has any plants. But, last year it gave us this pretty bloom. Astrid was quite intrigued by it.

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

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Tip of the Day

 

After yesterday's discussion on tapeworms, we thought we'd briefly discuss a couple of other similar intestinal parasites, these being roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. We won't go into all of the science for each of these worms, but we will touch on the basics of such infestations. So, if you're interested in these wormy parasites, read on.

Depending on the worm, cats and dogs can potentially become infected with the aforementioned worms as kittens or puppies, such as in utero or from their mother's milk. Worms can also find their way to a cat or dog's intestines by the ingestion of a rodent or other carrier of the parasite, or by ingesting the parasite in certain stages of its life cycle elsewhere in the environment. Symptoms of such an infestation can include diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, a potbellied appearance, and sometimes even worms in your furbaby's feces.

If you think your kitty or pup might have intestinal worms, such as if they are a young puppy or kitty with a potbelly, if you see worms in their feces, or if you see any other potential signs, of course take your furbaby and a stool sample to be examined by a veterinarian. Parasiticides can be used to eradicate these intestinal parasites. Just as with tapeworms, though, it is important to use preventative measures to keep your kitty or pup clear of them from then on. Keep their environment clean in order to prevent growth of the worms in the environment. In addition, if your furbaby goes outdoors, monitor them and try to ensure that they are not ingesting prey that are potential carriers of intestinal parasites, such as rodents. If needed, such as if your cat or dog is largely outdoors, discuss with your veterinarian the potential for keeping your furbaby on regular preventatives that cover intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.

The Letter A and Adventures with Angel Astrid

I am indeed doing my best to partake in this year's April A to Z Challenge.

I admittedly did not officially sign up for the alphabetical challenge this year, only because life has been chaotic lately and I didn't want to risk making it official and then having to shift things around. All that said, I'm going to do my best to share something on all 26 days of the challenge.

My theme for this A to Z month is a bookish one. I'll be creating my own covers for some of my favorite books, but with cats. Because of course. Actually, there will be a day or two when it'll be a pup instead of a kitty on the cover, but all in all it'll be an animal book cover sort of month.

I've mentioned far too many times how there's a new, still in-progress, absolutely insane series of fantasy books that I've been enjoying the past couple of years. What's more, this series will be taking up 8 book cover slots this month, most of them being in the first few letters. Thankfully, though, one of the main characters is a Persian tortie cat who can talk, so putting a kitty on the covers is quite easy.

The books in this series won't be in order during this challenge, because the alphabet wouldn't allow for that. I'll also note that I'll be taking some liberties this month to get a book I want for each letter. Rather than always basing it on the book title itself, I'll sometimes be using the author's name, a character name, or a concept in the book as the reason why it falls under that letter. In fact, I had to do just that for the very first letter, A. In truth, I tend to call this book The Anarchist's Cookbook, but it's actually called The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook. But, since something called none other than the Anarchist's Cookbook plays a big role in this book, I let it be the contribution for the letter A.

So, here's my unofficial, artistic recreation of the cover for The (Dungeon) Anarchist's Cookbook by Matt Dinniman.

[Reminder/Disclaimer/whatever you want to call it: This is not a real, true cover of this book. My name is also not Matt Dinniman, and so I am admittedly not the author of this book. I'm just someone who likes books and cats and so drew this unofficial feline version of the book's cover.]

This is the third book in this wild and crazy Dungeon Crawler Carl series that I enjoy so much. Some would say the main character of the books is Carl in his magical heart boxers, but I would debate the true star is Persian tortie Princess Donut. The particular book above involves lots of trains, the aforementioned Anarchist's Cookbook, and of course Donut in her tiara and sunglasses and other magical gear.

You'll be getting another cover with that their kitty Princess Donut yet again tomorrow. And the day after that. And I think the day after that as well. I promise there will be far more variety in books coming up later in the month. I've really been enjoying drawing Princess Donut, though, so I'm not complaining about the current streak of books starring her.

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Of course we now have a photo of sweet angel pup Astrid to share on this Woof Woof Wednesday. Or maybe it's actually an Adventures with Astrid sort of post, as I liked the look of this photo of my smiling pup on a sunny walk a couple years ago.

Happy Wednesday to all!

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Tip of the Day

April is Heartworm Awareness Month. For the next couple of days, therefore, we're going to repeat some heartworm tips we've given before. So, these tips may sound familiar, but we've decided to share them again for this significant month.

We'll start simple and remind you all that heartworms come from mosquitoes, and a dog or cat can become infected if they are bit by a mosquito carrying larvae. This can occur in either indoor or outdoor furbabies. For indoor animals, you can try to keep all windows and doors closed, in hopes to prevent mosquito entry into the house. However, they can enter through cracks, or simply when you open the door to enter or exit. What's more, it is possible for mosquitoes to be out and about year round, even in the winter. For this reason, our first, very significant tip is to simply consider keeping your dogs and cats on preventatives that include heartworm coverage, and that you do this year round.