Friendly Fill-Ins and a Rare Sighting of Eddy and Astrid

I want to again thank you all for the continued kind words and condolences after the loss of my sweet Astrid. Thank you all. I miss my girl Astrid so much, but I'll love her forever and I will never forget her.

And, of course, thank you so much to Ann of Zoolatry for this memorial image of my perfect pup.

This means so much to me. I'll be adding this beautiful image to my blog sidebar, right there with the memorial badge Ann created for my Rosie 10 years ago. My angels will always be part of our blog.

*I'm editing this post to add another beautiful image created for my precious angel Astrid. This one is from Ingrid of Meezer's Mews and Terrieristical Woofs. Thank you so, so much, Ingrid.

***

Now, I am still co-hosting and partaking in today's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.

1. Eating _________ makes me _________.

2. I don't mind paying extra for _________.

3. _________ was the best part of my summer.

4. I can't wait to _________ this autumn.


My answers are below in bold.

1. Eating gluten or lactose makes me feel a bit miserable.
(I won't go into detail. The short story is that I'm intolerant to both gluten and lactose. I didn't use to be, though. I had a treatable intestinal issue nearly a decade ago, and even after it was resolved, I was left permanently intolerant to gluten and dairy.)

2. I don't mind paying extra for my furry babies' care.
(My furry babies are often my most costly expense each month, or at least one of them. This is in no small part because of all the medications and other treatments my boy Evan receives, and the medicines my sweet girl Astrid was on. That said, I don't mind this fact one bit. I budget and spend very little on most other aspects of my life because my furry babies will always be my priority.)

3. Spending time with Astrid was the best part of my summer.
(Astrid did have good and not so good days this summer. Most of July was actually especially great for her, though, and that month she acted very much like her old self. We had some sweet little walks, enjoyed fun times in the back yard, and she also enjoyed indulging in chicken while I worked in the kitchen and all that wonderfulness. I will cherish all the days I had with her, from this summer and every day she blessed my life.)

4. I can't wait to get into the Halloween spirit this autumn.
(I'm usually in the Halloween spirit by now. I think I'm in the spirit a tad bit, in the back of my mind, but things have been rough with the decline and loss of my sweet Astrid. Putting up my Halloween decor on Labor Day and watching Halloween movies hasn't helped much. I have some artsy Halloweenish pieces that I'll be making in Astrid's honor, so I'm hoping that'll help. Once I finish creating those Halloween arts and crafts in memory of my pup, I'll share them here.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

***

Friday is usually the day on our blog that stars Eddy. Like yesterday, though, I also wanted to include my sweet girl Astrid. I don't have many pictures of Eddy and Astrid together, as Eddy isn't fond of a whole lot of other animals. What's more, she always seemed to enjoy chasing Astrid, and Astrid knew Eddy would use claws, so she always skedaddled when Eddy was in view.

All that to say, I knew I had at least a couple of photos of Eddy and Astrid coexisting in the window, and I found some of those. So, here are very young Eddy and Astrid enjoying some window whiffies together all the way back in March of 2016.

***

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I will now be taking a short blogging break until next Wednesday. On that day, I'll share a full memorial post for my angel Astrid.

Thank you all again for your kindness and comfort after the loss of my dear Astrid.

Thank You, Fill-In Statements, and Thimble and Astrid

Thank you for the kind comments and condolences after the loss of my sweet pup Astrid. I appreciate it and you all so much.

I'm just popping in today to share the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. I will be sharing a Friendly Fill-Ins post tomorrow, but after that I will likely be taking a blogging break until next Wednesday, when I share pup Astrid's full memorial post.

Below are the fill-in statements for tomorrow. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. Eating _________ makes me _________.

2. I don't mind paying extra for _________.

3. _________ was the best part of my summer.

4. I can't wait to _________ this autumn.

***

Around here, Thursdays are usually posts starring my tabby girl Thimble. So, also in honor of my sweet angel Astrid, for today I'm sharing a couple old photos of Thimble holding paws with Astrid. I've always loved these photos.

Mancat Monday with Evan's One True Love

Today, Evan would like you all to meet his one true love. Her name is Food Bowl.

Isn't she stunning?

Evan admitted that his beloved was looking a little scant in those photos, but don't worry, because I fixed that right away.

Happy Monday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

We still have flowers blooming while enjoying some gorgeous autumnal weather. Not to mention Halloween is just around the corner. Or something like that. All that to say, I'm in the mood for a doodle like this today, so here you go.

***

Tip of the Day

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

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

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Eerie Toys

Hello, friends! I'm sorry for yet another late post. My laptop is yet again at the repair shop. A different repair shop this time, though, because after four failed attempts at fixing the physical issues my laptop has been having since March, I gave up on the original repair shop. Though my laptop works great and functions faster than any computer I've ever had before, it's quite literally coming apart at the seams. It's actually even worse since I brought it home from the first repair shop just 3 weeks ago. So, I took it to a new repair shop, which I only learned about after they recently fixed my sister's phone. Within seconds, this new place had diagnosed my laptop's issue, explained it to me, and ordered the new parts required to fix it. I won't have my laptop back until the middle of next week, but I'm hoping at least this time it'll be fixed for real.

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


1. I define success by _________.

2. _________ was an awkward moment.

3. I learned to _________ when I was _________ years old.

4. I can only _________ so much _________ before I _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. I define success by happiness.

(Things like money mean nothing if a person is unhappy. So, I would say a person is successful if they've achieved happiness in life. If they get up every day and enjoy their life, what they do, where they are, and that sort of thing, then I see that as a successful person.)

2. Going to work with cat pee on my pants was an awkward moment.
(I once dropped Evan off at the vet on my way to work, but he peed on me as I handed him over to the vet tech. I needed to get to work, so I went as I was. Don't worry, though, my mom brought me a clean pair of pants to change into. I did have to explain the situation to at least one coworker who noticed before my mom arrived with the fresh pants, but I work in a small, chill sort of place, so it certainly could have been worse. It did still feel awkward, though.)

3. I learned to sew when I was about 7 years old.
(I was roughly 7 or 8, but somewhere in there, my mom taught me to sew. For a number of years, she showed me how to sew on buttons, make pillows, and all that jazz. Unfortunately, I didn't keep up with it and my sewing skills have all but left me. I could sew on a button or make a small repair if needed, but the reality is that since I failed to keep my skill honed, when I need clothing and such repaired, my seamstress of a mom fixes it for me. Bless her.)

4. I can only watch so much true crime TV before I start feeling anxious.
(I'm indeed one of the folks who watches true crime documentaries. It's probably a morbid curiosity sort of thing, as well as the intrigue of the forensics of it. That said, I tend to go on true crime TV binges, but then I'll suddenly hit a wall. I'll start feeling anxious watching them, after seeing so much murder and mayhem, and so then I won't watch any for weeks or months. I'm currently on one of my true crime hiatuses after watching a number of them in a row last month. The last one I watched was about a child abduction that was never solved, and it was heartbreaking, so I had to take a break.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

***

Eddy noticed that our Halloween decorations went up in the house. So, she decided to join in and pull out some of her spooky toys.

Don't mind the yellow crayon. She apparently deemed that creepy enough to join the tombstone.

Happy Friday to all!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

As I mentioned yesterday, we are having what feels like autumnal weather. I love it. Astrid loves it. The kitties love that it means lap time. I love that as well. It's just all around wonderful. It has me even more in the mood for true autumn and Halloween, so here you go.

***

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.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Sunbathing Blurs

It's Thursday, so you better believe Thimble is here and ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, as is often the case, Thimble is grateful for her favorite sunny window seat. She especially loves when that belly of hers can bask in the sun. It makes her so very excited, which is why today's photos are more or less bloopers.

This next one is even more of a blurry blooper, but I thought Thimble looked so very cute in it nonetheless, so here you go.

Thimble hopes you're all enjoying some sunshine just like she is!

***

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

1. I define success by _________.

2. _________ was an awkward moment.

3. I learned to _________ when I was _________ years old.

4. I can only _________ so much _________ before I _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

The weather here is gorgeous. It's like autumn, and I love it. I've also decorated my house for Halloween, and I'm planning out this year's Halloween drawings. All that said, I'm in an autumnal and Halloween mood, and so how about this flashback doodle for today?

***

Tip of the Day

Today's autumn pet safety tip is about those mushrooms we often seeing growing all over the place this time of year. The honest truth is that the majority of mushrooms that we see growing outside don't pose a huge risk to our furbabies. However, a small population of them are a real danger. What's more, it's often difficult to distinguish between the different types of mushrooms, especially if you don't know all that much about these fungi. Therefore, especially if you aren't familiar with types of mushrooms and the level of risk they pose to your furbaby, do be sure to monitor your furbaby when they are in your yard, on a walk, or anywhere mushrooms are growing. Prevent your kitties and pups from gnawing on and ingesting any mushrooms, so as to ensure they are safe from any hazards certain mushrooms might pose.

Woof Woof Wednesday: Cool Weather and Calming Drugs

Hello, friends! While pup Astrid isn't having nearly as many vestibular issues as she was a couple weeks ago, we're still trying to find a new normal for her. This last vestibular flare landed her with a lot of anxiety and restlessness. She's especially restless at night, and no longer wishes to sleep through the night without whining or pacing. Medications that cause sedation either make Astrid agitated or make her act like her legs are wet noodles, so they've been ruled out as options. She is on gabapentin for her arthritis, but the doses that could help calm her more also cause the aforementioned agitation and wet noodles for legs. And so, after another discussion with Astrid's vet, we're starting her on fluoxetine (Prozac).

All that said, Astrid is at least so very happy with the weather we've been having. She loves cool weather, and I don't blame her one bit for that. Tomorrow through this weekend, we're expected to have gorgeous weather. It's going to feel like autumn, and I can't wait to give Astrid lots of time outside.

Astrid hopes you're all enjoying cool days like she is!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

I'm planning out and working on some of this year's new Halloween doodles. In the meantime, here's a kooky something or other I scribbled up last year.

***

Tip of the Day

As part of our autumn series of pet safety tips, we recently mentioned keeping school supplies out of your furbaby's reach. In addition to this, there are further potential dangers that might pose a risk especially as the weather cools. One such hazard is, as you all certainly know, antifreeze. Without going into the chemistry of it, coolants such as antifreeze contain components that are highly toxic to cats and dogs. At the same time, it also can smell or taste sweet and enticing to our furbabies, making it all the more dangerous. For such reasons, try to avoid all emergencies by simply keeping antifreeze, and other similar products, hidden away where your cats and dogs cannot reach.

We'll also mention one more toxic group of products that is often more commonly used once the weather cools. We're referring to rodenticides. When the temperatures outside start to lower, critters like mice might very well try to find ways to enter our homes in order to find warmth. This might result in some people using rodenticides. However, these products can be highly toxic to our furbabies. Not only is it dangerous if a cat or dog finds and ingests the chemical itself, but they can also become sick if they ingest a rodent that has eaten the rodenticide. All of that being said, it is likely best to avoid using rodenticides altogether, to ensure that your furbaby is not affected by them at all. Of course, keep in mind that snapping mice traps can also pose a risk, especially if they contain  enticing cheese or peanut butter and are somewhere that your furbaby can potentially access. One safer option is to look into using humane mouse traps, such as catch-and-release types. Of course, it is still wise to place these somewhere hidden away to avoid complications with your furbaby.

As lovely as autumn is, it can still pose risks to our kitties and pups. As the seasons change, think of any and all new products that you might be using. Then, consider how such products might affect your furbaby and their health, and then only use and store them in manners that keep your furbaby safe.

A Mancat Monday and Tonks Tuesday Mashup

Yesterday's post was dedicated to our birthday angels, Rosie and Sammy. So, on this Tuesday post, you'll get a Mancat Monday and Tonks Tuesday mashup. And that comes in the form of this less-than-award-winning shot here:

What you're looking at there is Tonks sleeping in Evan's favorite bed, which he got for his birthday this past April. Evan loves all beds, but if his birthday bed is clean and ready for use, he prefers it. Tonks didn't take any of his hints to get out of his bed, which is why he's looking a little less than restful in that other bed. Don't worry, though, because Tonks rarely sits still for long, so Evan got his beloved bed not long after this photo was snapped.

Also, that cat toy beneath the chair is from A Christmas Story. It's the wooden barrel that says "FRAGILE", in which the main character's father received his infamous leg lamp. Said leg lamp is also in this photo. Do you see it?

Happy Tuesday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

Though it's not really autumn yet, unfortunately, I did indeed decorate my home for Halloween on my day off yesterday. So, how about something a little spooky—or at least a bit kooky—today?

***

Tip of the Day

Since we've reached September, we're all excited for autumn and are therefore doing a series of autumnal tips. Since autumn means the beginning of the new school year, yesterday we mentioned keeping school supplies out of your furbaby's reach. Today's tip also relates to those furbabies potentially affected by a new school year starting up. School starting up can mean a new routine, which can include a cat or dog suddenly being home alone more often, or for longer periods of time. For some furbabies, this type of change in their routine can lead to anxiety, which can in turn lead to destructive behavior, increased vocalization, and other behaviors that are out of their ordinary.

There are some potential ways you can help combat a cat or dog's separation anxiety, such as that which might result from the start of a new school year. First, you can try to introduce changes to your furbaby's routine slowly. If you are a teacher or have children with whom your cat or dog is used to playing, then leading up to the school year, transition your furbaby to being home alone by going out of the house more often slowly over time. In addition to this, you can set up interactive toys to help keep them busy when their humans are away. Of course, ensure that any such interactive toys are safe and will not cause any harm to an unattended furbaby. You can also try using diffusers with synthetic pheromones that can potentially help a cat or dog feel calmer. All of the above being said, in some cases, the safest thing might simply be to ensure that your cat or dog is kept secluded in a safe area where they cannot harm themselves, or the house. This might mean keeping them contained to a safe room or a crate of a sufficient size while you are away from home.

What's more, if your cat or dog does display signs of anxiety that do not relent, it is of course wise to discuss this with a veterinarian. First and foremost, it is important to ensure that there is not an underlying medical reason for anxiety in a cat or dog. Once medical issues are ruled out, anxiety in a cat or dog might require medication, which can help calm them or help balance out their mood and behaviors. Anxiety can lead to an unhappy and unhealthy furbaby, so if you notice any signs of anxiety in your cat or dog, do not hesitate to seek advice from a veterinarian, and to implement anti-anxiety techniques to help your furbaby feel happy and healthy.

A Rainbow Bridge Birthday Bash

This past Thursday, August 28th, was Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, initiated by Deborah Barnes of Zee & Zoey in 2015.

While I did indeed take more than a little bit of time to remember my angels on that day, and every day, I decided to push my full post until today, September 1st. That's because today it is the birthday of two of my angels, Rosie and Sammy.

Rosie and Sammy were the best friends a girl could have when growing up. My sister and I were beyond blessed.

On the left in that ancient photo is my sister sitting with Rosie, and I'm on the right sitting with Sammy. If you're curious, the eye patch childhood me was wearing was due to an eye condition called amblyopia. Rosie and Sammy never noticed the patch, and they loved unconditionally. They were also great reading buddies, and overall just wonderful furry friends for my sister and myself.

I admittedly have not yet put the final touches on Rosie and Sammy's birthday doodle for this year. I'll share it this upcoming week, but for today, I'll re-share the birthday doodle I scribbled up for them last year. I'll also give a bit more of an explanation for it below, but it does relate to how Rosie and Sammy were indeed the best reading buddies for my sister and myself.

To more or less repeat what I mentioned about my angels Rosie and Sammy in Friday's post, I've gotten into the habit of making their birthday doodles Harry Potter-esque, which explains the general content and color choices in that there doodle. After all, as mentioned above, Rosie and Sammy were my reading buddies. My sweet Sammy passed from an undetected heart condition when he was only 5 and I was only 10. I never got to read Harry Potter with him, but I started reading it soon after his passing, which helped me during my grieving process. My Rosie, though, lived to the blessed age of 21, and so she was often by my side as I read every single Harry Potter book from the time I was 10 until I was 18. What's more, in the Harry Potter series, the magical school known as Hogwarts always starts on September 1st. As a kid, it excited me so much that this date was shared with my Rosie and Sammy's birthday. I don't know if any of that made sense, but it's why I often incorporate magical whatnot into my sweet angels' birthday doodles.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROSIE AND SAMMY!

Thank you for all of the unconditional love and beautiful memories, Rosie and Sammy. I love you always and forever.

***

Since this post is indeed our Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day memorial, I also have to include my angelic childhood pups, Banjo and Shellie, who would keep me company and entertain me for hours on end.

This year, I am of course also including our sweet angel Talon. He owned my parents and was one of my girl Thimble's littermates. He passed this April. We love and miss him so very much, and we think about him every single day.

I can't fail to mention that I also remember my childhood feathered friends, Pippin, Robin, and Sweetpea. And of course I also remember my aquatic angels, such as Lieutenant Legs and Oscar.

Though I sometimes cannot help but feel sadness that some of my dearest friends have made the journey to the Rainbow Bridge, I will forever be grateful for the unconditional love and memories they gifted me. I will forever remember them. I will forever love them.

***

Tip of the Day

I apologize to anyone who does not yet wish to unofficially begin autumn. For me, though, September 1st marks the day when I can really start celebrating my favorite season of the year. That's why, starting today, we'll be doing a series of tips on pet safety during the season of autumn.

Since the fall semester of school is starting up for students, that's what our autumnal tip for today relates to. If any students live in your home with your furbabies, be sure that care is taken to keep your kitties or pups safe from any rampant school supplies. Pens, pencils, erasers, glue sticks, tape, scissors, and any and all sorts of school supplies could potentially pose a risk if left where a furbaby can turn them into a toy or snack. Ingested erasers or other supplies, for example, can result in gastrointestinal upset or even perforated or obstructed bowels. Obviously, this is not ideal, and so school supplies should be tucked safely away, out of reach of cats and dogs. Keep this in mind throughout the school year as well. Backpacks, for example, might contain some of the aforementioned potentially dangerous school supplies, or even lunches or snacks that contain hazardous ingredients. Therefore, again, be sure to keep all such school items well out of reach of your furbaby. As we always say, i's better to be safe than sorry.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Blurry Photo Fails

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

1. My to-do list for September includes _________ and _________.

2. _________ grade was my favorite year of school.

3. I have a lot of respect for _________ because _________.

4. _________ made me stop _________.


My answers are below in bold, of course accompanied by my usual rambling that no one is required to read.

1. My to-do list for September includes doing neglected yard work and scribbling up Halloween doodles.

(I didn't get nearly enough yard work done this spring. Then, when the summer heat hit, I had no interest in going outside to do anything besides the occasional mowing. Now that it's cooling down out there, though, I realize I really do need to get out there and cut back a lot of overgrowth in my yard and all that other outdoor jazz. Oh, and you better believe the Halloween doodles will be getting drawn very soon. Though I make no promises, I'd love to share 31 days of Halloween doodles again this year. Or at least close to it. We'll see how that goes.)

2. 16th grade was my favorite year of school.

(I know this isn't even a real "grade" in school. But, I really want my answer to be my senior year of college, simply because I was so ready to be done with school. I've always loved learning, and due to no one's pressure but my own, I always got good grades. Even so, I hated school. I never liked being forced to learn only this or that, and only in this way or that way. I hated homework, as most of it seemed needlessly time-consuming and silly rather than helpful. So, when I got to my senior year of college, I was ecstatic to be at the end of my school years.)

3. I have a lot of respect for animal rescuers because they're doing an honorable but difficult job.
(Especially because of some of the strays and ferals in my neighborhood, I've been in contact with multiple rescue groups in my area throughout the years. Even with just those instances here and there, it's obvious these rescuers are doing a draining job out of nothing but the kindness of their hearts. They love animals, and that drives them to work day in and day out for the innocent creatures of this world. I have so much respect for that, and I hope to someday be able to do far more volunteering with animal rescue groups.)

4. Evan's urinary blockage made me stop giving my kitties' Temptations treats.
(I have no clear evidence that Temptations cause urinary blockages. However, quite literally while Evan was hospitalized with a urinary blockage at the end 2022, someone posted an article online about how Temptations might be linked with urinary blockages in cats. I wouldn't have thought much of it, except for the fact that I had just started regularly giving Evan Temptations a couple months before. I had always given them Friskies Party Mix before that, but thought I'd change things up. After reading that article, though, and given the timing of Evan's blockage, I stopped giving Temptations and went back to Friskies Party Mix. Though he has a number of other urinary issues, Evan has not had a blockage since.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

***

And now it's time for the Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop, hosted by none other than Melissa and Mudpie of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows.

For today, blooper queen Eddy went all out. She is indeed an oft blurry gal, and she doesn't disappoint in today's outtakes.

And as if that one wasn't blurry enough, how about this one?

That's my girl Eddy. When I ask her for a cute photo shoot, I most often get that. But that's okay, because she's my sweet, sassy, adorable little lady, and she's in charge.

Happy Friday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

My angels Rosie and Sammy will be celebrating their heavenly birthday on Monday, September 1st. This weekend I will be drawing their birthday doodle for this year, but for today, how about their birthday doodle from a couple years ago?

If you're curious, I've gotten into the habit of making Rosie and Sammy's birthday doodles Harry Potter-esque, which explains the color choices in that there doodle. After all, as a kid, Rosie and Sammy were my reading buddies. My sweet Sammy passed from an undetected heart condition when he was only 5 and I was only 10. I never got to read Harry Potter with him, but I started reading it soon after his passing, which helped me during my grieving process. My Rosie, though, lived to the blessed age of 21, and so she was often by my side as I read every single Harry Potter book from the time I was 10 until I was 18. What's more, in the Harry Potter series, the magical school known as Hogwarts always starts on September 1st. As a kid, it excited me so much that this date was shared with my Rosie and Sammy's birthday. I don't know if any of that made sense, but it's why I often incorporate magical whatnot into my angels' birthday doodles.

***

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.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Blurry on a Blanket

Hello, friends! Things have been a bit chaotic around here lately, and while I intend on creating a post for Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, to honor all of the angels in my life, I haven't created that post yet. I don't want to rush it. So, that will come later, and today will be a typical Thursday post.

That means Thimble is of course here and ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

 Today, Thimble is grateful that she's cuter than cute even in blurry bloopers.

This cute girl found out that Eddy will be sharing bloopers for tomorrow's Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop. And so, Thimble wanted to partake as well. After all, she knows she's downright adorable even in these outtakes.

Thimble especially loves posing, blurry or not, on her beloved fleece blankets. This is one of Thimble's new favorite blankies, as she finds it to be just her style.

As always, Thimble says you are welcome to give her belly a rub or a tickle, or both. This tabby girl truly, genuinely loves her a good belly rub or tickle.

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Now, let's share the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. My to-do list for September includes _________ and _________.

2. _________ grade was my favorite year of school.

3. I have a lot of respect for _________ because _________.

4. _________ made me stop _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip relating to taking your cat to the vet is in regard to nonrecognition aggression. In relation to vet visits, nonrecognition aggression is typically when one cat goes to the vet, and when he or she returns home, one of the other resident cats does not recognize them. This is typically because the returning cat smells unfamiliar, with odors from the vet. Though it can be a disconcerting and scary thing to witness, nonrecognition aggression is not terribly uncommon. What's more, there are ways to potentially prevent it, and to help your cats recover from it.

One way to combat nonrecognition aggression is to take your cats to the vet together. This way, neither of them will come back home smelling differently than the other. This method is easiest if both cats travel well and can safely visit the vet together. So, if nonrecognition aggression is a concern in your home and it's a viable option, do consider taking your cats to the vet together to prevent future aggression between them.

There are other options to help prevent nonrecognition aggression. One is to use a synthetic pheromone spray, or a diffuser, to help keep all cats as calm as possible. Yet another option is to gently wipe down the cat returning home from the vet, in order to remove as much of the vet clinic smells as possible. Similarly, when a cat returns home from the vet, you can also wipe them with one of their usual blankets from home, to help transfer their usual scents back to them. Of course these are not fail-safe methods, but they can potentially help prevent nonrecognition aggression between cats.

All of the above being said, sometimes nonrecognition aggression might occur despite your attempts to prevent it. If it does occur, first and foremost, separate the cats who are involved in order to keep them both safe. Then, reintroduction might be similar to how you introduce two unfamiliar or new cats to each other. Slowly and safely allowing them to sniff, see, and then interact with each other might take some time, but your kitties can indeed return to one big happy family with time and patience.

Adventures with Astrid: Action Shots

Astrid's most recent episode of vestibular disease has improved quite a bit. She's far from the level of steady on her feet that she was even back in July, but she's at least not as constantly wobbly as she was the first couple weeks of August. She's especially steady on her feet when she goes for walks, as pavement seems to be what she's most confident walking on. She's also quite fast when she hits the pavement, which is why today's shots of Astrid are a bit blurry.

This Friday, Eddy will of course be sharing some bloopers for the Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop, so Astrid decided it was fine if I shared some blurry shots of her this week as well.

Walking too long, especially in the summer heat, causes Astrid's vestibular symptoms to flare a bit. So, we're giving the poor stir crazy girl some short little jaunts here and there. We also take her into the back yard quite a bit. The weather is finally cooling down, at least for now, which Astrid absolutely loves.

We don't know if Astrid will continue to improve even more, or if this particular vestibular episode has left her a bit more permanently wobbly. That can happen with some vestibular episodes, so we shall see what a couple or a few more weeks does for the girl. I especially can't wait for the weather to cool down even more. After all, not only does Astrid love colder temps, but her vestibular symptoms give her less trouble when it's cooler out.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is a rather random one from a series I scribbled up many years ago.

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Tip of the Day

Can you believe we're still blabbing on about taking your kitty to the vet? Indeed, we still have a few more tips to offer in this series. Some of our very recent tips have been about ways to safely get an anxious or aggressive cat to the vet. These tips included leaving the carrier out at all times, putting treats and toys in it, using Feliway spray in the carrier, administering sedatives to your cat if needed and prescribed by your vet, and using a towel or thick gloves to load a potentially aggressive cat into a carrier. Sometimes, though, even with all such measures being taken, a certain cat might still be difficult or unsafe to easily take to the vet. This might be the case for semi-feral or otherwise aggressive cats. In addition, some cats become so anxious that it's potentially unsafe for them to make the trip to the vet, such as if it causes them to open-mouth breathe or other respiratory distress.

If any of the above descriptors match your cat and taking them to the vet is extremely difficult or unsafe, then consider discussing with your veterinarian the possibility of scheduling an at-home vet visit. Some veterinary clinics do offer visits in your own home, especially if that reduces any dangers related to taking your cat to the veterinary clinic itself. In some areas, there are even veterinarians who specifically practice as mobile vets. So, if your cat becomes distressed or dangerous when it comes time to get in a carrier or travel to the vet clinic, consider the option of having a veterinarian come directly to your home. This might not always work, but it's worth a try if other options are not easy or safe for you and your cat.

Tonks Tuesday: Peek-a-Boo!

I've mentioned before how Tonks is my kitty who loves to burrow under blankets, towels, and just about anything under which she can hide. She's startled me more than once, when I've gone to grab a blanket or towel or something of the sort, only for it to move, or for a calico head to peek out. Tonks's favorite game is indeed peek-a-boo.

Don't worry. Tonks knows she's adorable. You're still free to tell her, though. You're also free to boop that nose. Tonks truly loves a nose boop.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I plan on starting on some new Halloween doodles soon, but for now, how about this old not-so-spooky summertime doodle?

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Tip of the Day

We hope you're not getting bored with our tips on feline vet visits, because we still have some more for you. Today's tip is to, if needed, take precautions for the safety of both yourself and your kitty, namely when it comes time to load a kitty up. We're primarily referring to how to safely get an anxious or aggressive kitty into a carrier. We've already given tips on using methods such as leaving the carrier out, putting treats or toys in it, using Feliway, and even using sedating medications if needed. That all being said, for some cats, some or all of the aforementioned methods simply won't work. Even sedatives can be overridden if a cat becomes agitated enough. In such cases, it is important to take precautions to keep you and your cat safe when it comes time to get said kitty in a carrier.

When getting an anxious or aggressive cat into a carrier, a simple towel or blanket could potentially be your best friend. Wrapping your cat in a towel, and putting them in the carrier when they are thus confined, can potentially keep those claws and teeth in check. At the same time, make sure that you have the sufficiently sized carrier placed in a way that loading the cat is as easy as possible. This may mean using a top-loading carrier, or placing a front-loading carrier on its back side so that the door faces up. If a towel or blanket is not enough protection, then you can also look into using thick gloves specifically designed to keep kitty teeth and claws from penetrating, thereby keeping your hands and arms safe.

Some cats are simply less willing to visit the vet and are overall less amenable than others. Differences in personality are part of what make kitties so unique, after all. That being said, if your cat is one who is anxious, aggressive, or otherwise difficult to handle, always take precautions to keep everyone involved safe when vet appointments roll around. When in doubt, of course discuss with your veterinarian the best options for handling your cat.

Mancat Monday: Evan and the Antibiotics

It's Mancat Monday, and Evan is spending the day in his favorite bed. It's the bed he got for his birthday this year, and he especially loves when I toss a blanket in it for extra coziness.

Evan deserves a nap in his favorite bed. After all, he had an eventful end of last week. Nothing horrible or new, but on Friday I noticed that he was starting to show early signs of a UTI. I also found a sore around his private parts that would indicate he has urine scald, which has happened more than once for this urinary incontinent little guy, despite all my efforts to keep him clean and dry. I emailed our vet, and within a couple of minutes he'd responded saying that he'd prepare some antibiotics for me to pick up. That would take care of any potential UTI, and would also take care of the sores from urine scald. Evan has been on those antibiotics since Friday evening, and he and his back end are already acting and looking much better.

I appreciate Evan's vet so much. Being a hind limb paralyzed cat with urinary incontinence and various other issues, Evan is at a significantly heightened risk of UTIs. His vet knows this and is willing to prescribe antibiotics without Evan having to be seen and checked every time he starts showing symptoms. We still have his urine checked periodically, but I feel blessed to have a vet that trusts me to monitor Evan and request antibiotics when he starts showing symptoms.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I recently re-shared a couple of doodles of my kitties and pup that served as fan art for one of my newer favorite series of books. I haven't re-shared Evan's doodle in this series, though, probably because I know it looks a little odd, what with Evan wearing a cape and heart boxers, siting on a rock surrounded by mushrooms.

The books series upon which this doodle is based is called Dungeon Crawler Carl. These books are in my favorite genre, that being fantasy. What's more, they star a man named Carl, who happens to wear magical heart boxers, and who's accompanied by his talking Persian tortie cat named Princess Donut. The series is wild and crazy and full of pure chaos, and I enjoy it so very much.

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Tip of the Day

We still have some tips all about taking that kitty to the vet. Today's tip is to, if needed, discuss with your veterinarian medications that might help calm a cat who becomes especially anxious, or even aggressive, when it comes time to visit the vet. Some cats are calm and collected, even at the vet. Other cats, however, simply become reactive when they see a carrier, when they get into a car, when they visit a veterinary office, or when they meet strangers. If you have tried the usual tricks—which of course include leaving the carrier out at all times, using Feliway, using treats to coax and distract, and so forth—yet your kitty still becomes anxious or difficult to handle, then there are some potential sedating medications that could be given when it comes time to visit the vet. Your veterinarian would be able to determine if or which sedatives might work best for your particular kitty, given said kitty's behavior as well as health. So, be upfront and honest with your veterinarian regarding the ease and safety of getting your cat in a carrier and to the vet. Your vet can of course also witness how your cat acts when visiting the clinic, and with all of those facts, the two of you can discuss potential options for making vet visits as easy and safe as possible for you, your cat, and the veterinary staff.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Adorable Face

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


1. I wish I could believe that _________, but I don't.

2. I am all _________ed out.

3. I'm very picky about _________.

4. I don't mind _________ as long as _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. I wish I could believe that most people are good, but I don't.

(I don't like saying this, but I think we've all seen evidence that would indicate a lot of people are not good. Many people choose evil, as we often see in the news or even firsthand. It's a choice far too many people make, and it's such a disheartening reality.)

2. I am all summered out.

(It's hot. It's humid. I'm not a fan of either. Is it autumn yet?)

3. I'm very picky about the texture of food.

(I feel like such a child saying this, but I do find myself struggling to eat foods with certain textures. I'm not a fan of a lot of sautéed foods, most especially onions, because I feel like I'm eating worms. I also cannot stand eating cooked oatmeal, as I find it too gooey and gummy, though I love overnight oats that have only sat soaking in milk. The texture of mushrooms is also a no-go for me.)

4. I don't mind hot days as long as I can stay in the air conditioning.

(I'm really not a fan of summer, as I mentioned in #2 above. Heat and humidity are simply not my thing, as I also said above. The only time I don't mind these hot days is when I can just stay inside where the air conditioning keeps it cool. I always end up outside at some point, though, whether it be going to and from work or taking pup Astrid outside. So, with that said, I'm really just ready for autumn.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

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Today, your Eddy fix puts the adorable girl's adorable snaggletooth on full display. Actually, it puts her entire adorable face on display.

For anyone who doesn't know or might not remember, Eddy came to me as a kitten with neurological issues. When I adopted her, she would spin in circles, fall to the side when running, and she had a right-sided head tilt with right-sided facial nerve paralysis. With some drugs and TLC, Eddy recovered from the acute neurological issues she developed at the rescue from which I adopted her, which they believed were due to either an infection or an injury. She no longer spins or walks crooked, though she has maintained a mild head tilt and facial nerve paralysis. But, that gives us adorable shots like these.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I truly hope to hook up my scanner this weekend and prepare and upload a bunch of my newly completed but sorely neglected doodles. For today, though, how about an old one from back when I was painfully trying to improve my skills at drawing architectural elements.

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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.