Snowy Adventures with Astrid

We're in the Midwest, and so we got ourselves some snow this week. Pup Astrid happens to love snow, and so she's been enjoying her winter wonderland walks.

That there walk was pretty early on in the snowstorm. You can even see the snowfall actively happening on Astrid's fur. She loved walking in the falling snow. I also like to let the old gal pick how long she walks, and where. So, I just bundle up and go along for the ride.

Warm wishes to all!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

As I mentioned in previous posts, we're extending the Christmas season for a couple more days. So, here's another festive doodle. This is one I scribbled up a few years ago in honor of the Christmas specials starring Snoopy as well as Garfield.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday's tip was to do regular checks of outdoor cat shelters, such as to ensure that the shelter is not leaking, broken, or dirty. Another tip in this same line of thought, but that we failed to mention yesterday, is to ensure that shelter doorways do not become blocked by snow or anything of this sort. If it snows, check the shelter and clear away any snow that might threaten to block the doorway. This will ensure that the feline inhabitants can enter and exit safely and without feeling trapped. Also check for anything else that might block the shelter entrance or cause a similar issue, such as if a thunderstorm or wind knocks down or blows around tree limbs or other debris. In such cases, of course ensure that the shelter entrance is not blocked, but also that the shelter did not suffer any damage. When you are caring for ferals and other outdoor cats, offering them shelter might mean you have yet another little home to look after, but it will be for a very good cause.

Facial Photobombs

Our housemate mancat Toby informed me that he wanted to snap some selfies for today's Sunday Selfies blog hop. The problem, though, is that he got photobombed, by himself. That may sound strange, but see for yourself.

Toby posed for a nice, clear, focused shot of his handsome face. But, his whiskers took over the shot. The camera simply decided those whiskered needed all of the focus.

And look there. This time around, Toby's nose photobombed the rest of his face. That darn camera took it upon itself to place all of its attention on that nose of his.

Sorry, Toby, but that's the problem with having such stunning whiskers and such an adorable nose. They'll steal all the thunder. They'll photobomb the rest of your face! I have a feeling that you friends of ours won't mind, though. So, feel free to bask in the glory of Toby's whiskers and nose!

Wishing you all a stupendous Sunday!

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Our Doodle of the Day:

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Our Tip of the Day:

Today's tip is one we've mentioned before, but that we're going to mention again for these cold winter days. Though of course living indoors helps keep our furbabies safe and sound during the winter months, it is still important to remember that extra measures can be taken to keep them warm and cozy. This is especially important for young or old furbabies, those with little to no fur, and any cats or dogs whose health is compromised. You can start by putting out additional soft and cozy blankets and beds for them. To take it one step further, there are heated blankets and beds on the market. Of course, be very careful when using anything heated, taking especial care to ensure that no burns or fires result. To be on the safe side, you can look into beds that allow warmth in a non-electrical way. For example, there are pet beds constructed of material that essentially reflects a kitty or pup's body heat back to them, warming them that way. Lastly, also take into consideration the location of blankets and beds. Place your kitty or pup's blankets and beds somewhere that is elevated off of the floor, and away from drafts, doorways, and windows, to ensure that they can remain as warm as possible.

A Cold Caturday

Just like last weekend, this weekend we're expecting another winter storm. It would seem this one is bringing all sorts of goodies, including not only snow, but also ice. Thanks, Mother Nature. At least the kitties around here will enjoy the winter scene outside. The youngest furbabies in the house, kittens Tonks and Winky, especially have a grand time watching snow fall. Perhaps that's why I felt compelled to doodle them in their very own winter scene.

Are you expecting snow? Ice? Sunny skies? We hope all of you friends of ours have a warm weekend!

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Our Tip of the Day:

Today's winter safety tip regards none other than frozen water. If you and your furbaby go out for walks, be careful of frozen ponds, lakes, and so forth. If you live or walk in an area where there is any sort of body of water, be very careful that you are aware of its location. Snow and ice can easily camouflage the frozen surface of water, beneath which danger awaits. To be better safe than sorry, simply avoid walking in areas where you know or think there are ponds, lakes, or any body of water. It is of course also safest to keep your walking pup or kitty on a leash and near to you, so that they cannot stray far and inadvertently find themselves on or in frozen water. A white winter scene can be beautiful, but also holds many dangers. Be aware of these dangers, and plan walks and other activities with your furbaby accordingly.

Would you like a bowl of Tonks stew?

Are you hungry? Yes? Well, have we got a treat for you!

 It's Tonks stew!

Doesn't that look scrumptious?

Oh so tasty?

Downright delicious?

Go ahead. Grab a ladle and serve yourself up a serving or two! We promise it won't disappoint.

Now that your bellies are full, how about a couple of notes on what you might have seen in this post? First of all, that pot is not, in fact, used for food. Strangely enough, my dad collects driftwood for his fish aquariums, and he boils the driftwood in that very pot before putting it in his tanks. We recently had the pot at my house because my sister needed it to boil none other than seashells that she gathered when she was in Florida. Why would we use a pot for food? That would be silly.

Second, the Christmas decor you can see in the background of the first Tonks stew photo is now, sadly, gone. Well, save for a few pieces that I quite honestly keep out all year round, because I literally can't help myself. Do any of you have any holiday decor that stays out year round? I have a few Halloween and Christmas pieces that have permanent places on my shelves.

Oh, and lastly, no Tonks was harmed (or eaten) in the making of this stew!

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Our Doodle of the Day:

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Our Tip of the Day:

Yesterday, we discussed wiping off furry feet and human shoes after going outdoors in the winter, in order to reduce exposure to products such as salt, or ice melt. There is another good reason to wipe off those furry feet after going outdoors, and that is to remove snow and ice from the paws and the toes they contain. When a dog or cat goes outdoors into the snow, their paw pads, the fur on their feet, and the areas between their toes can all collect snow and ice. This can of course be cold and uncomfortable, so when they come in from outdoors, be sure to wipe off their feet so that they can remain dry and warm. Especially if your furbaby is short or if the snow is deep, also wipe off their belly and anywhere on their body that might have collected cold snow. Also thoroughly wipe off your own feet when you come inside, or remove your shoes, in order to keep the floors dry and warm for your furbaby's paws.

In line with the above thoughts, if your pup or kitty goes on walks, consider taking a dry towel with you when there is snow on the ground. Snow and ice can clump up and get stuck between your furbaby's toes, and those with especially furry feet can attract extra snow and ice on their feet. So, if your furbaby is outdoors for an extended period of time, do consider taking a dry towel with you and removing snow and ice from on and between their toes throughout the walk. This will allow them to remain as dry and comfortable as possible when outdoors in the snow.

Selfies in a Snowstorm

Trying to get a distracted, excitable kitten to sit still and snap a selfie is like pulling teeth. I asked Tonks to star in a selfie today, and after more attempts than I'd like to admit, this bright and shiny and tilted and downright sad little selfie is all Tonks and I could manage.

Actually, we managed one more selfie that has not been fully demoted to the status of blooper. This other shot, as you'll see below, suffered greatly from my terrible, improper use of backlighting. Ready for some serious misuse of lighting?

Though my lack of talent in photography is largely at fault, there is one other reason why it was so tough to snap a selfie that was not bright and shiny and all shades of low quality. Though you can't tell from the images above, something very dazzling and distracting was happening outside. Indeed, this is what was happening on the other side of that door behind Tonks.

This is the first significant snowfall Tonks and her sister Winky have witnessed. And they sure were mesmerized by it. Those white flakes falling from the sky had them in all sorts of awe, and Tonks was going from window to window watching them fall. Come to think of it, perhaps I should have stopped chasing around the excited kitten and instead had a snoozing Evan or Thimble snap a selfie.I It's too late now, though, so you all get to enjoy the winning shots above.

Warm wishes to all of you!

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Our Doodle of the Day:

To the best of my knowledge, this here is the last doodle in our series inspired by instrumental piece known as "Wizards in Winter", by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

We could easily build a snowkitty today, given how much snow we got yesterday. Perhaps we should do that. Pup Astrid actually enjoys playing in snow, and she also loves kitties, so I'm thinking she'd be up for it.

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Our Tip of the Day:

Today's tip can relate to our own furbabies, as well as ferals, strays, and other animals who live outdoors. When ice comes into play during the winter months, be very cautious when using salt, or ice melt. Most traditional salts on the market contain ingredients that can be toxic and can irritate cats' and dogs' paw pads. Irritation can also occur in the mouth, as well as in the intestinal tract, which is a concern if the animal directly ingests the salt or licks it off of their paws after walking through it. So, for the sake of your furbabies as well as ferals and other outdoor animals, avoid using typical ice melts. Instead, do your research, or ask your veterinarian, for recommendations on pet-safe ice melts. There are some ice melts on the market that are far more safe than typical salt used for melting ice, but even some labeled as pet-friendly can still contain ingredients that might be questionable. For this reason, it is always important to do your research. You can also opt for other alternatives, such as tossing some sand or other other similar, safe substrate on top of ice that forms in the winter. Sand and other such materials can allow for better traction and reduced slippage on ice, while avoiding chemicals included in many ice melts.

Winter Whimsy

If you have visited us over the past couple of days, you might remember that I've been scribbling up some doodles inspired by one of my favorite instrumental songs, that being "Wizards in Winter" by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Today, perhaps unsurprisingly, I have yet another doodle in this wintry, whimsical series. This one stars a wizard performing a bit of sparkly magic with the help of his little assistant.

We hope you all have a magical, marvelous day!

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Our Tip of the Day:

Today's tip relating to the care of ferals and other outdoor cats is to be aware of where you store potentially dangerous products. Antifreeze, for example, is toxic to cats and dogs, as you all certainly know. Make sure that you are not only storing such products well out of the reach of your own indoor kitties and pups, but also well out of the reach of ferals, strays, and even wildlife. Even if you have it in the garage or shed, do consider keeping it tucked well away, such as in a cabinet, so that nothing can reach it. Especially if you have your garage or shed door open at times, there is the chance that a cat or wild animal will be able to make their way inside and thereby have access to any products that are not hidden away. Also keep this in mind with pesticides, fertilizers, cleaners, oil, and other potentially dangerous products. Think of whether even an unsuspecting outdoor visitor might make their way into your garage, shed, or other storage area, and hide away anything concerning or questionable just in case.

Cozy Caturday Art

Though our winter has been feeling rather mild these days, we are still only in January. Where we live, winter can easily strike in full force in February, and sometimes even into March or April. So, that of course means that we're still the mood for some winter art!

For today's Caturday Art blog hop, hosted by lovely Athena, we wanted to show how even a cold winter night can be perfectly cozy. The furbabies and I all love snuggling up on such nights, enjoying the company of each other, and that of a good book or TV show, and of course a hot cup of cocoa. Long story short, that all resulted in this:

How do all of our furiends out there like to spend their winter nights? Snuggling, we hope!

Wishing everybuddy a warm and cozy Caturday!

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Our Tip of the Day:

Always be cautious when leaving anything hot in a cat or dog's presence, including a drink such as hot coffee, tea, or cocoa. Just like our tip yesterday noted, our furbabies, especially those kitties, often not only have a high tolerance for pain but also hide it well. They also do not necessarily have the same understanding as we do with regard to an object being hot. So, in order to prevent your kitty or pup from dipping a paw or lapping their tongue in your hot drink, be sure to leave it out of their reach, and never leave them unattended with a hot item. Scalds from hot liquids and burns from objects such as a stove or open flame can turn into serious injuries, so always keep all hot items out of your furbaby's reach!

Caturday Art: Winter Reading

It seems like every time we share a post involving anything along the lines of books, I immediately feel compelled to draw, well, books. And that's exactly what happened after Thimble showed off our new fantastically feline bookends on Thursday, with a little supplementary help from Eddy on Friday.

So, if you guessed that our contribution for Athena's Caturday Art blog hop this week involves books, you guessed right. But, if you guessed that this bookish drawing stars librarian Thimble or her assistant Eddy, that is not the case this time around.

Evan recently brought it to my attention that he is the only furbaby who did not get to star in a drawing of his own this past week. My poor boy! I immediately had to remedy that. And so, here is my boy Evan, all snug and warm in his cozy little library:

Obviously, we still had to incorporate winter into our drawing for today. Because, well, it's sure feeling like winter out there right now. Brrrr!

Warm wishes to all of our furiends!

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Our Tip of the Day:

One of the ways furbabies stay warm in the winter is by increasing their food intake. This especially goes for kitties who live in colder environments, such as outdoors. This warming method works because increasing food intake increases metabolism, which produces energy and body heat. That being said, consider this when it comes to feral or other outdoor kitties in your area. They can certainly benefit from taking in extra food in the winter, so if possible, do consider putting out an extra bowl or two of dry kibble for those outdoor kitties. Of course, some of our indoor furbabies might display increased appetites in the winter as well. You might especially notice this in geriatric or ailing furbabies in a more frail state, as these such furbabies will be less able to maintain their body heat in cold temperatures. In such cases, these furbabies also might benefit from extra food in the winter, as long as there is no negative impact on their body weight and overall health. Of course, when in doubt over your furbaby's food intake and weight, do consult your veterinarian!

Leaping and Leering

We're going to do our post in a backwards sort of way today. Although it is usually at the end of our post, our drawing will kick things off. It is still a festive one, as it is the Tenth Day of Christmas, the day of the lords a-leaping.

In order to illustrate this, I went out on a tad bit of a limb. I decided to use our neighbor cat as the festive lord a-leaping. This kitty friend of ours does, after all, enjoy a-leaping, right up onto our window screen so as to leer inside at us.

That there a-leaping elf lord is Tickey. He's a super friendly mancat who lives across the street from us, loves to come over and be gifted treats, and of course quite enjoys ogling the likes of Thimble through the doors and windows. She's perfectly fine with that.

Since we somehow can't find any decent new photographs of Tickey to show you all today, we will instead now share a couple shots of our main backyard tenant. He is an intact tomcat (hopefully not for much longer) who is wary of humans yet knows where to come for food. We call him Hicks, and he has his own house in our back yard.

For the record, Tickey also makes use of that house. And that's just fine with Hicks, because they happen to be good buddies. Sometimes they even room together.

Also for the record, I keep shutting the little house's windows so as to better keep the interior warm. Each day, though, I find those plastic little shutters open again. I'm not sure whether to blame the wildlife, the wind, or those pesky poltergeists.

Happy Tuesday, and merry Tenth Day of Christmas!

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Our Tip of the Day:

How about another repeat tip today? As we've noted on at least one other occasion, if and when possible, please try to help keep comfy those kitties living outdoors this winter. This may include ferals, strays, or even neighbors' outdoor cats. In caring for such kitties during the winter months, there are some important factors to take into consideration. To help keep the kitties warm, try to offer a covered and/or insulated shelter, which can even be something as simple as a Styrofoam cooler turned upside down and with a hole cut out to serve as an entryway. Also, consider lining such a shelter with straw. Although you might first think to use towels or blankets, these can become wet or frozen this time of year, and can remain so, leaving them insufficient methods of keeping a kitty warm. Also consider the cold when leaving out food. Moist food can become frozen and thereby an inaccessible form of nutrition if left out in cold temperatures, so stick heavily to dry food, or feed moist only when you know a kitty is present to eat it. It also helps to keep to a feeding schedule, as that way an outdoor cat can learn when to expect a meal, so that they won't have to expend energy in the cold by making random checks for sporadically offered meals. Sadly, not all furbabies know the comfort of a home, but there are ways you can help keep outdoor kitties warm and comfortable this winter!

Dashing Through the Snow

We've finally reached that wonderful day known as Christmas Eve! That means Christmas itself is officially just around the corner, and we hope all of our furiends are having the merriest of seasons!

We ourselves have been keeping busy wrapping and cleaning and baking and wrapping some more (in other words, this here human has been trudging her way through all of the tasks that she's been putting off, with the furbabies doing lots of snoopervising). Even so, we always make time for one of our favorite blog hops, and that's Athena's Caturday Art blog hop.

This week, it being Christmas Eve and all, it seemed only right that we create something extra timely and festive. So, we channeled our inner Santa Paws and doodled our way to this:

Is anybuddy out there making dashes through the snow these days? Or, are you just dashing in general?

Also, don't forget to leave a comment on yesterday's post to be entered into our very first ever official giveaway! You have until 11:59 pm CST tonight to enter to win some festive kitty toys and a little bit of art created just for you.

That all being said, we'll be here tomorrow with a Merry Christmas post. What's more, it will indeed involve a festive selfie. Can you guess which kitty snapped the Christmas selfie that we'll be sharing tomorrow? Here's a hint: It may or may not be the last kitty you'd guess.

Merry Christmas Eve!

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Our Tip of the Day:

Today's tip is a simple one. Christmas is a busy time when we're so often dashing from here to there. But, please don't forget to take a moment every once in a while to relax and, of course, snuggle on those furry babies of yours. Especially at crazy and chaotic times like this, they need and crave that attention, and us humans need and crave that therapeutic love our kitties and pups have to offer. So, do be sure to take a breather and get those cuddles on!

The Magic of Christmas

Today is the last day in our series of Secret Santa Paws posts. It's Eddy's turn to show off that last bit of fun and festive loot we received from fantastic Jean and furbabies.

Those of you who know us well are aware that getting a viable shot of Eddy is like catching yourself a sighting of Sasquatch. More than likely, it's just not going to happen. That doesn't mean Eddy didn't receive any goodies to show off, though.

Just one of the fun gifts Eddy received (and which I barely managed to snap a shot of before Thimble swooped in) were these lovelies:

Although Eddy, always the elusive adventurer, was off scaling the Christmas tree while the rest of us opened presents, she indeed loves these! Like Thimble, she's a whapper and slapper, and these balls get lots of that. Eddy of course loves everything she received, including that wonderful duck wand toy she and Thimble were gifted!

The pawesome Santa Paws they are, Jean and her furbabies even sent something for this human here! Right on top of our box of goodies was a pretty white box with a lovely "L" sticker atop it.

Since L stands for Lorianne, I got perfectly excited. Honestly, the box itself was all I needed. For whatever reason, I've always been a fiend for stickers and pretty little trinket type things, which is probably why I sat there oohing and awing over this box for roughly an eternity.

See how pretty?!?

And then I actually managed to open the box.

Since I love me some owl, this lovely ornament was the icing on the cake. It was immediately hung, although not actually on the tree, because, well, Eddy.

Oh, and I failed to show you our adorable card from Jean and her furbabies.

Jean and her furry crew sure knew what they were doing. I love chickadees, so even down to this cute card our Santa Paws picked the most perfect gifts for us!

From Eddy and all of us, thank you, Jean and furbabies!


Now, don't worry, we didn't forget the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by our pals at 15andmeowing and McGuffy's Reader. (And be sure to visit 15andmeowing today to join in on their Festivus party!)

Our hosts created some more festive fill-ins for us this week, and that makes us very happy! Here they are:

1. I still need to _________ before Christmas.
2. My favorite episode of Seinfield is _________.
3. What I would really like for Christmas is _________.
4. My favorite part of Christmastime is _________.

And here is what this here human managed with those:

1. I still need to finish up my baked goods before Christmas.
(I have happily been in charge of bringing the pies to holiday gatherings for the past couple of years. I will be making 4 pies for our family Christmas gathering this year, and I plan on finishing them up tonight. I will also be making gingerbread men and the Nutter Butter Santas I mentioned last week. Don't worry, though, the fudge is already done!)

2. My favorite episode of Seinfield is the one with the soup Nazi.
(I'll admit that I don't watch a whole lot of Seinfield. My parents used to watch it, though, and I would sometimes watch it with them. Although I don't remember a whole lot of the episodes all that well, I do remember enjoying the one with the soup Nazi. I have no idea what the title of that episode is, or even what season it's from, but I do remember that soup Nazi.)

3. What I would really like for Christmas is to see all homeless furbabies in forever homes.
(Especially this time of year, when I see or hear of homeless furbabies out in the cold fending for themselves, I just wish there was something I could do to land them all in the forever homes they so very much deserve. Of course, this wish also extends to those furry babies in shelters awaiting their homes.)

4. My favorite part of Christmastime is the magic in the air.
(This is probably a strange answer to some, but to me there really is a feeling of magic and whimsy in the air this time of year. Everywhere you go, there are lights and festive decorations and so many fun things to see and do. Have you ever been outside at night on a street where nearly all of the houses are decorated and lit up for Christmas? That is pure magic to me.)


The festivities don't end there! We have something else festive going on today. In light of this wonderful season of giving, we are doing our first genuine giveaway. Included in this giveaway is a bundle of festive crinkle toys that my mother (the furbabies' beloved Gammy) created out of some leftover Christmas cloth.

I'll admit, Thimble discovered the hiding place of these giveaway toys (honestly, I can't win with that girl) and tested them out. She says they're great fun.

In addition to those festive toys, the winner of this giveaway will also receive a surprise piece of art from me. I'll be creating and personalizing this piece to suit the individual winner, which means I don't have a picture to show you, as I haven't created it yet. But, there will be a colorful doodle of a prize included in this giveaway!

To be entered into this giveaway, all you have to do is comment on this blog post sometime before 11:59 pm CST tomorrow, Christmas Eve. I will announce the winner in our Christmas Day post. (Don't worry, though. I know that Christmas is a busy day and should be filled with family and fun, so if you're the winner yet don't make it to our blog on Christmas Day, you will still get the goods! I will announce the winner again on Monday, December 26th, as well as contact the winner directly.)

And, as for our art of the day, here's a frosty little fox for you.

Merry eve of Christmas Eve to all!

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Our Tip of the Day:

We have another repeat holiday tip for you today. When your furbaby shows up at Christmas dinner, don't forget that while it's of course unhealthy for your furbaby to indulge in too much human food, there are also foods that are downright dangerous for them to consume. When it comes to your kitty or pup, steer clear of foods such as chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, and raisins, and of course alcoholic beverages. Due to the fatty content and potential risk of pancreatitis, it also perhaps wise to avoid feeding your furbaby turkey and even nuts, such as almonds and pecans. Instead, as long as if given within reason and as long not seasoned with potentially dangerous ingredients, give your furbaby a little taste of carrot, corn, or sweet potato. Of course you can give your furbaby the gift of a taste of Christmas dinner, so long as you keep it healthy!

Fireside Caturday Art

For the record, we do not have a fireplace at our house. And if we did have one, I doubt I would ever use it. I love the sense of warmth and peace that the image of a fireplace evokes, but with furbabies who chase lights like rabid moths, I would be a nervous wreck at the mere thought of a giant crackling ball of light burning in the wall of my house.

Regardless of all that, though, our drawing for Athena's Caturday Art blog hop this week is a bit of a fireside one.

Astird had some input on this one. She informed me that, since so many fireside art pieces show kitties curled up in the warm glow, it was time we changed that up. So, pup Astrid got the prime spot in front of this fire. That's okay, though, because the kitties around here love their puppy sister and were happy to give her the honor.

Do any of our furiends out there have a fireplace? Whether you do or don't, we hope you're staying warm on these cold winter days!

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Our Tip of the Day:
Remember not to take my drawings as good advice! Never leave furbabies unattended by an open fire or flame. If you have a fireplace, always take your furbaby's safety into consideration and block their access to it. If you light candles, keep them out of your furbaby's reach. And don't forget about the stove and other heated appliances or items, as well. Be sure to use stove top covers or other similar safety precautions as needed. It's not only important to keep your furbaby from burning themselves, but to also consider that open flames can be a fire hazard in general. Even if on accident, a furbaby can tip over a candle and catch nearby items on fire, or could knock or bat flammable items into a lit fireplace. So, please never leave open flames in the reach of your furbaby. And, to be safe, try to keep all potentially flammable objects away from candles and fireplaces. Safety first!

A Thankful Thimble Thursday

It's that time of year, when the furry cuties in our lives try their hardest to find those elusive sun puddles. Am I right? Well, Thimble is no exception to this.

Thimble says not to let that sun puddle fool you. It won't last long, she knows, and it sure doesn't feel like the warm sun puddles from this summer. Where did all that heat we were complaining about go?!?

Well, I guess that sun puddle isn't so bad after all.

It's good enough to snooze in, at least.

Has winter set in for all of our pals out there? If so, be sure to bundle up!

Despite the cold, we try not to complain, as we know we are blessed. That's why we are participating in Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, we are thankful for our home, where we can feel safe and warm. We know that not all furbabies, nor all humans, are so lucky, and we purr, bark, and pray for them every day.

We are also thankful today for all of you, our dear friends, and we send you all the warmest of wishes!

***

Our Tip of the Day:

Don't forget that winter air is not only cold but also dry. For both the sake of your furbabies and yourself, consider running a humidifier this time of year. This added moisture can help improve air quality and respiratory health, can help prevent dry skin, and can even possibly reduce the amount of static in the environment, thereby reducing the chance that you'll shock your furbaby during a petting session. Staying warm is important for your furbaby's health and comfort, but don't forget the role of humidity as well!

Mancat Monday: Where's that white stuff?

Just as his sister Thimble was doing the other day, Evan has been thinking lately.

And, like Thimble, it's that fluffy, cold white stuff that Evan's been pondering.

When Evan sits by his front door these days, it's much colder than it used to be. Even in the sun, it's cold. That's why Evan's been wondering.

If it's going to insist on being cold out there, then why not at least give him some of that white stuff to ogle and chase as it falls from the sky?

Well, Evan got his wish yesterday!

 

Did any of our furiends out there get snow?

A happy Monday to all!

***

Our Tip of the Day:

As winter starts to really set in, don't forget to provide your furbabies a couple of extra cozy and snug places to snooze. Even indoors, our furbabies can feel the chill of winter. Cats especially might appreciate somewhere special and warm to sleep, as they descended from ancestors more accustomed to warm climates. And, of course, older and arthritic or ailing furbabies especially benefit from warm places to stay comfy. Safe and monitored thermal blankets are great, but always be careful of fire hazard. Even just extra piles of blankies or some of your clothes can suffice, as your furbabies can burrow down into them. And don't forget the fun and warm coziness that blankie forts can provide!