Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

Hello and happy Thursday! It's a happy day indeed, for more reasons than one. To begin, we have some rhyming to do. We just love participating in the Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge, hosted by Angel Sammy and Teddy.

Each week, our hosts offer us a fun photo prompt to guide us on our poetic endeavors. The photo for this week is this lovely one here:

As per usual, I'm going to try to offer an explanation as to how that there image led me to the weird and random poem that I scribbled up. Let's see if I can make this one brief. So, this quaint image made me think of nursery rhymes like "Old Mother Hubbard" and "There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe". Don't ask me why seeing this photo made me think of those nursery rhymes, because I really don't know myself. In addition, that image also brought to my mind the children's book The Mitten by Jan Brett. Again, I don't know why. But, those are indeed the stories that came to my mind when I gazed at that charming photo. So, I simply went with that vibe and ended up with this rhyme here:

On the Line

Old Lady Jill lived on a hill,

Just next door to the town's old watermill.

Every day her pail she would seek,
And with it Jill would take a walk to the creek.

Doing the wash was Jill's favorite chore.
Of this task, never did she bore.
She would hang the clothes out on the line,
Where they would dry with the wind and a bit of time.

But doing the wash was not as simple as that.
It was more than just hanging out to dry her dresses and hat.
There was so much more on the line
Than just her coat and mittens that were the color of wine.

Jill could never wait for her clothes to dry.
Just the thought of it made her feel quite spry.
On one particular day, though,
Her usual plans were torn to and fro.

Jill had washed and hung her laundry,
When suddenly her neighbor appeared with a quandary.
Gertrude was her neighbor's name,
And her cows were anything but tame.

The cows escaped Gertrude's field day after day,
And she could not find a way to make them stay.
Jill really wanted to help Gertrude out,
But, at present, that was not what she wanted to think about.

"Let me contemplate this conundrum for at least a while,"
Jill told Gertrude with a most polite smile.
"You see, I really must go now, Gertrude,"
Jill added, hoping she did not come off as rude.

Gertrude frowned and she still looked quite worried.
"But, Jill, why are you in such a hurry?"
Jill did not think Gertrude would understand.
What Jill found grand, Gertrude might consider bland.

"My clothes are out hanging on the line,"
Was how Jill replied as she looked at the time.
"It won't hurt them to dry a bit more,"
Was what Gertrude said rather than head to the door.

To appease her neighbor, Jill served some tea.
She thought she might have to begin to plea.
Of this little visit Jill wished to be set free.
To go out to her clothes hanging on the line,
That was what for which Jill did pine.

After what seemed like a very long eternity,
Gertrude finally stood when the time she did see.
After hours and hours of talking of cows,
Jill was beginning to feel an ache behind her brows.

But she felt far better when Gertrude was finally gone,
For then out to the clothes on the line she could finally abscond.
She hopped, skipped, and jumped to the line,
And was glad to see that she was just in time.

Just as occurred on each and every day,
Dozens of cute and tiny critters came to her clothes line to play.
Jill did not know from where they did come,
Yet every afternoon to the clothes on the line they did jump.

Jill giggled at the sight of her mittens,
In which now perched two cute and tiny little kittens.
And, look, there was a tiny little fox,
Nestled in her favorite pair of purple socks!

There were kittens and foxes and pups of all kinds,
And even a mouse, and a rabbit, and, oh look, a porcupine!
In Jill's mittens and socks and hats they did climb,
Right up there on that sagging clothes line.
They filled the pockets of her many dresses and coats,
And she was pretty sure in one pocket there was even a goat.

Jill brought her tiny friends biscuits and berries and all sorts of treats,
And it was with excitement that Jill they always did greet.
These cute little pals were nothing but sweet,
All the way from their noses to their tiny little feet.

That day, a little squirrel waved at Jill from her favorite hat,
And then gave her a peck on the cheek just like that.
Jill considered these mysterious little critters her best of friends,
With them, as much time as possible she would spend.

Each and every day Jill looked forward to these guests,
Who, to her, were not even remotely pests.
They simply seemed to enjoy occupying her drying clothes.
Intentional or not, the little critters put on such wonderful shows.

And so, every day Jill would wash and hang up her clothes,
And with a bit of impatience she would wait for her tiny friends to show.
She looked forward to their visit every day, every time.
Jill would always be there for her friends on the line.

***

Of course, we did not forget to give you all your Thimble fix today.

And, of course, Thimble and the rest of us did not forget that today we are lucky enough to participate in Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

We are grateful to live a blessed life, with a safe home in which we can remain cool this summer, with windows out of which to gaze, and with friends like all of you. Every day, we are so thankful for each and every blessing. We know that not all are so lucky, and we purr, woof, and pray for all those in need.

Happy Thursday, friends!

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Are you all ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins tomorrow? Well, you can't be if we don't share the fill-ins with you! The fill-ins are below. Ellen of 15andmeowing crafted up the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. My favorite scent is _________.

2. I hope to _________ this weekend.

3. _________ is music to my ears.

4. Home is where _________.

We'll see you tomorrow!

***

Our Tip of the Day:

Today's summer safety tip for strays, ferals, and other outdoor furbabies revolves around water. Water is, as you certainly know, incredibly important for all life. It's especially important for staying hydrated and cool in the summer heat. That being said, today we have some quite logical albeit important tips for helping strays, ferals, and other outdoor furbabies stay hydrated this summer.

Not only is it important to keep water in a shaded area or shaded shelter, as we mentioned yesterday, but it's also important to keep fresh water available in abundance. Especially in the summer heat, it is not possible to offer too much water. Strays and ferals may very well drink, and need to drink, far more water in the heat. Not to mention, in the heat, water can evaporate very quickly. For these reasons, try to offer extra bowls of water.

Furthermore, try to keep those bowls of water as fresh and clean as possible. Refill them as often as you can, and clean them as needed. Bugs, leaves, and all sorts of other outdoor debris can find their way into water bowls. Sometimes, cats and other animals may be unable to or unwilling to drink from a bowl that has debris floating in it or that is in another way dirty. In some cases, it's also unhealthy and dangerous to drink water this has been contaminated by certain debris. So, do try to keep those bowls and the water inside them fresh and clean.

For extra chill in that water, and perhaps even to give it a bit tad bit more ability to combat evaporation in the heat, you can also try putting ice cubes in the water bowls that are available to strays and ferals. Of course, do keep in mind the furbabies' preferences when doing this. Some animals will not drink from water that has something floating in it, so if this is the case, then refrain from putting ice cubes in at least some water bowls.

All in all, never forgot that fresh, clean water can of course be crucial to comfort and survival in the summer heat. So, offer lots and lots of water for those strays, ferals, and other outdoor furbabies. What's more, keep an eye on those water bowls, and try to ensure that they remain full and free of debris.

Wednesday with the New Kids

We told you all that we'd soon be sharing more pictures of the new kids. In case you missed anything and have no idea what I'm talking about, I have added a cute little calico to my crew, and her name is Tonks. My sister adopted her black lady cat sister, Winky, and since my sister lives me us, so does Winky.

Before I go on, let me just be honest. These kittens are, somehow, even worse than Eddy when it comes to photo shoots. They aren't great at this thing called sitting still. Photos of them are most often frighteningly out of focus. I've decided they may be the kind of cats best captured in video, so I'll work on that.

That all being said, we did sort of manage a couple of photos of the newbies to share with you all. How did I finally snap these photos of the kittens? By having my sister wrestle them and hold them up off the ground until I could get even a half decent shot of each of them.

So, are you ready to see a couple shots of the newbies? Here they are.

That up there is the calico cutie known as Tonks. She is the most likely of the two new kitten sisters to sit still. She's also the most likely to eat all of the food in the house. Tonks the 3-lb kitten shoved Astrid the 70-lb dog off of her food the other day, and ate it right in front of her.

And that up there is Winky. Friends, I don't how many pictures of Winky I'll succeed at sharing. Not only am I pretty much the worst photographer of black cats to have ever walked this earth, but this little black lady cat thinks sitting still is the leading cause of death in kittens. You have no idea how long it took my sister and me to get even this underwhelming shot of her. Winky was not impressed, as you can probably tell.

Now, how about a little update on the integration of these young lady cats into the family? Let's start with what the boys think of them. After a few days of getting used to their insanely high energy levels, Evan now finally enjoys running and playing with the kittens. He's always seemed to enjoy playing with other cats, so I didn't think he'd be a problem. What's more, he is also very good at sternly yet harmlessly telling them when they're getting too rowdy and rambunctious.

As for Toby, he took to the kittens surprisingly quickly. His favorite thing these days is to just sit back and watch them play. I will also add that I think Toby is actually the best furbaby in the house at teaching Tonks and Winky when enough is enough, as he gives very gentle boops anytime they get out of line. Of all of their elders, the kittens heed Toby the best.

Now, what about Thimble? To be honest, she is still not too sure about the whole thing. She does not hide from the kittens, and she often even willingly visits with them (when the kittens are out running and playing, we put up baby gates, and the big kids get to choose whether or not they wish to join the kittens). The problem with Thimble is that she is not really assertive enough, and the kittens literally walk all over her. She does not like that, and I don't really blame her, because they are relentless about it. For some reason, the kittens just don't listen to Thimble when she tells them to back off. She has tried hissing, growling, and whining at them, but, perhaps because she is a small cat who looks a bit like a kitten, they seem to think she is a a playmate or even a plaything. I often have to redirect the kittens in order to give Thimble a much-needed break from them.

And then there's Eddy. Eddy has not had direct access to the kittens yet. Change and unfamiliar things really throw Eddy off and prompt her to go into hiding. She is a very timid, skittish cat, and the new kittens seem to instill a good deal of fear in her. If I'm to be honest, I don't know how she'd react if one of the kittens did to her what they do to Thimble.

The above all being said, Eddy has not even once hissed or growled at the smell or sight of the kittens. She seems to make small yet forward progress with the whole situation every day. She hid for nearly two days straight immediately after the kittens' arrival, but that is not the case anymore. She now watches the kittens from afar, and has even started getting closer and closer to the large cage in which they stay when they cannot be supervised. When the kittens are running amok and playing in the house, I put a baby gate up in my bedroom doorway (my bedroom has always been Eddy's safe haven), so that Eddy can watch the kittens play on the other side of it. Sometimes the kittens even run right up to the baby gate, and while Eddy does not get too close to the gate, she also does not run away. The sight of the kittens no longer immediately makes Eddy hide, but instead seems to finally stir some curiosity in her. I have hope, therefore, that somewhere down the line, she will at least be willing to coexist with the kittens.

Oh, and we can't forget about pup Astrid. The long and short of it is that pup Astrid loves cats. The kittens had never seen a dog before her, and so they were very unsure of her at first. They are far more accepting of her now, though, and that makes Astrid very happy. That being said, Astrid does not get any unsupervised time with the kittens, as they do excite her, and a 3-lb kitten is no match for a friendly yet excited 70-lb dog.

So, we're still very slowly but surely integrating the kittens into the family. Primarily because I need to ease Eddy into this, we may still be working at this for many more weeks. I'm okay with that, though. I can have patience, especially if it means we might eventually have one big, mostly happy family.

Wish us luck! And, we're wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday!

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Our Doodle of the Day:

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Our Tip of the Day;

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

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

Taste Test Tuesday (#ChewyInfluencer)

This here human finally got her act together and helped the furabies test out some new foods as part of the Chewy.com Blogger Outreach Program. Since the squeaky wheel gets the oil, pup Astrid got to try hers out first. After all, she found the Chewy box and pummeled it until her new food was freed from its confines. Clearly, I've got this whole parenting thing well under control.

So, what did Astrid find in that Chewy box when she thrashed and ripped it to shreds? She found Holistic SelectⓇ Adult Health Lamb Meal Recipe dry dog food.

If I'm to be completely honest, I almost didn't select this food for Astrid, as I wasn't too sure about it being lamb meal recipe. But, since Astrid typically enjoys lamb recipes, I figured I'd give it a go. After all, pup Astrid is just as finicky—if not more finicky—than the most finicky cats with whom I've shared my life. She is 70 lbs, and we have to buy her food bags in sizes better suited for toy breeds, as that is how quickly she gets bored of a food. She currently has something like five bags of different types of food going, most of which she currently won't even eat because, well, she's bored of them. But, I digress.

Besides it being a lamb recipe, one of the pros of this food for Astrid in particular is the size of the kibble.

Astrid is not a fan of this thing called chewing. Her teeth have been checked and checked again, and they've even been cleaned and polished. Still, though, she does not want to use those chompers to chew food. We would put her on a largely moist food diet, if it wasn't for the fact that that leads to some pretty gruesome side effects out in the yard that is her bathroom. So, we try to work around her distaste for chewing by searching for foods that come in small kibble size. Luckily, this Holistic SelectⓇ food meets that requirement.

Some other perks of this food include that it contains no meat or poultry by-products, no wheat or wheat gluten, and no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors. It is also formulated with digestive health in mind, and contains prebiotics and probiotics, natural fiber, live yogurt cultures, and digestive enzymes. Given that Astrid's digestive tract is not always the happiest environment, these factors were all certainly a plus.

I was pleased when Astrid showed interest in this new food as I photographed it. Any food that catches her attention is a good sign. After all, if the smell or sight of a food does not appeal to her, Astrid will give it the cold shoulder and throw it to the wolves, so to speak.

But the important question is, did Astrid eat the Holistic SelectⓇ Adult Health Lamb Meal Recipe dry food? The answer is yes, and no. She ate the first bowl, and even a bit of the second bowl. After that, she would no longer touch it. She has continued to refuse to eat it ever since those first two meals of it. To be honest, this isn't all that rare for Astrid. Some foods she takes to much better, and in those cases will sometimes actually make it through an entire 4-lb bag before tiring of the food. Sadly, though, Holistic SelectⓇ is not one of those foods.


(Disclaimer: As members of the Chewy.com Blogger Outreach Program, we received Holistic SelectⓇ Adult Health Lamb Meal Recipe dry dog food in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are our own. We only review products that we believe will be of interest to our readers, and we never recommend a product that we do not believe in.)


Finicky Astrid hopes you all have a tasty Tuesday!

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Our Doodle of the Day:

Since we're struggling a bit to enjoy the heat of these 90°F days we're having, we thought we'd start a series of tips to make summer look fun.

Who's up for a game of beach volleyball?

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Our Tip of the Day:

Not too long ago, we gave some tips all about summer safety for our furbabies. Given that we're currently in a heat wave, we feel compelled to give even more summer tips. These tips, however, will be more focused on how to help stray, feral, or other outdoor furbabies remain safe and healthy in the heat of summer.

Let's begin with a simple yet crucial way to help strays and ferals stay cool in the summer. And that is, please try to ensure they always have access to shade. Staying out of the sun is crucial for preventing overheating, heat stroke, sunburn, and all other such dangers. For this reason, try to make sure that strays and ferals in your area have somewhere shaded to stay in the heat of the day. This can be as simple as natural shade in a safe area, such as beneath trees or bushes that are away from the street and other dangers. Access to the area beneath a deck can also allow for shade, as well as areas beneath outdoor tables and other similar objects. You can even place a giant umbrella outside, under which strays and ferals can keep cool on hot and sunny days.

If you're feeling crafty or handy, you can even build a summer shelter. Then again, you can also purchase one, as there are many options available on the market. The important thing about any summer shelter for strays and ferals is that it should remain shaded but also cool, such as by being open and airy. Do not use an enclosed shelter that will insulate heat, like those better suited for winter weather, as a stray or feral would of course not be able to use such a shelter in order to stay cool on a hot summer day. So, to help those furbabies outdoors stay cool this summer, please ensure they have somewhere shaded to chill out!

Mancat Monday

Today is Mancat Monday. So, guess who's here to say hello?

Evan is here to say howdy to all of you friends of ours! He is of course sending his greetings from his sunny door.

Speaking of that sun, we have a bit of a sunny thought to share with you all today. Though Annie of McGuffy's Reader is taking a well-deserved blogging break, and therefore her Sparks blog hop is on hiatus, we still feel compelled to share some inspiring words with you all today. The thought we have for you today is this one right here:

"Keep your sunny side up."

I first saw that sentiment on a little art card years ago. What's more, to be honest, that little piece of art contained a drawing much like the one I doodled up there. Since I first saw it years ago, that image and its sentiment has always stuck with me. So, I figured, why not share it with all of you?

We hope you all have a happy, sunny Monday!

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Our Tip of the Day:

Today's tip regarding bringing home a new furbaby is about microchips. If you adopt a furbaby from a shelter or rescue, they sometimes will have already implanted a microchip in your new kitty or pup. If this is the case, ensure that you know how to register the microchip with your information, and that you of course actually do so. If a cat or dog adopted from a shelter or rescue does not have a microchip placed, then do consider having one placed by your veterinarian, and, again, properly registering it.

In the case that you directly rescue a furbaby without a third party, such as if the cat or dog is found as a stray, then first have it microchip scanned at a local shelter, rescue group, or veterinary office that has a microchip scanner. This can help ensure that the furbaby does not belong to someone who is looking for them. In the event that no owner is found and you choose to adopt the furbaby, then, again, certainly consider having a microchip implanted, and register it with your contact information.

Also be sure that you understand the renewal process of your furbaby's microchip. Many microchips require yearly renewal, but again, be sure to you do your research on the exact microchip that is implanted in your cat or dog. Also make sure that your information, as well as that of your furbaby, is updated as needed in the microchip company's records. If you move, update the address attached to your furbaby's microchip. The same goes for if you have a change of phone number, of any other detail that corresponds with the microchip.

Implanting and keeping a microchip updated can help ensure that, should your furbaby get lost, a microchip scan would still lead back them to you. Today's tip was technically part of our series about adopting a new furbaby, but microchips are relevant and important for any and all furbabies. No one wants to think about what could happen should their furbaby escape and get lost. Should that ever happen, though, a microchip would give them a far better chance of returning to you.

A Selfie for the Father Figure

We were going to share with you some selfies of the new kids today. But, then we remembered that today is Father's Day! Not that the kittens couldn't share some selfies for Father's Day, but one of the older furbabies, who really adores her grandpa, really wanted to share a selfie in honor of him.

The furbabies around here don't have a dad, but their grandpa is one of their most favorite people (I'm going to say this while pretending that Eddy doesn't hide from her grandpa every time he shows up at the door). So, to wish her grandpa a happy Father's Day, none other than Thimble snapped a selfie just for him. Grandpa has been known to ooh and aww over Thimble, and to tell her she's cute and pretty. Thimble knew, therefore, that her grandpa would just love to see an up close and personal glamour shot of her today for Father's Day.

There. Now Thimble's grandpa can ooh and aww over this Father's Day selfie that was snapped just for him. Enjoy, Grandpa!

All of the furbabies here wish their grandpa a happy Father's Day! Of course, this here human is wishing her dad a very happy Father's Day as well!

We are also wishing all of the dads out there a blessed Father's Day! Whether your kids have four legs or two, whether they're furry or humanoid, happy Father's Day to you!

P.S. Don't worry, you'll get to see some new pictures of the kittens soon!

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Our Doodle of the Day:

You might have already guessed that this is the doodle this here human scribbled up for her dad. My dad loves to grill. Now, though, don't let this doodle fool you. He really is quite a master with the grill, and he does not allow any meals on the grill to suffer tragedy such as in that doodle above.

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Our Tip of the Day:

We've talked about helping a new furbaby get used to resident cats and dogs, as well as children. In addition to all of that, of course also take into consideration a new furbaby's comfort and safety when you have guests over. Especially if the new cat, or new dog, is still getting acquainted with their new home, perhaps ensure they are somewhere safe, quiet, and secluded during a visit with guests. This way, they will not feel even more scared or try to escape when unfamiliar people enter their still new and unfamiliar surroundings. Of course, keeping a furbaby safe when guests come over is important whether the furbaby is new or a longtime resident.

Keep all of this in mind especially if you adopt a new cat or dog around a busy holiday, such as Christmas or Halloween. Knocks on the door, the doorbell ringing may, and guests coming and going may very well be more common during these times of the year. In addition, this also goes for if you are having home renovations done, or if any maintenance workers are frequently coming and going, or anything else of this sort. If visitors will be frequenting like this, and if a new furbaby is present and still acclimating to their new life, certainly take this into consideration and plan accordingly. Not only have a safe area ready for a new furbaby to spend their time, but, as needed, inform guests of your new furbaby and how this might affect their visit. The comfort and safety of a new furbaby in any situation is crucial to them adapting to a happy life in their new home. Again, though, take such care and precautions for any furbabies!

Eddy and the New Additions

Today's doodle is all about Eddy and her thoughts on the new kittens in our home, those kittens being Tonks and Winky. Can you catch Eddy's vibes in this doodle?

To be honest, I knew Eddy would be the most difficult furbaby in the home to help acclimate to the newest additions. She is not a fan of strange people, strange cats, change, anything unfamiliar, and, well, you get the idea. So, Eddy was and still is taking the longest to come to terms with Tonks and Winky's entrance into our home.

Don't count Eddy out yet, though. Though it's slow, she is making progress. Eddy went from hiding under my bed for a couple of days, to finally now at least being willing to stare at the kittens from a very, very safe distance. Unlike the other cats and pup Astrid, though, she still will not even remotely approach the kittens. But, she is making progress, slowly but surely, and I'll take it.

We're doing this in a step-wise fashion, and we'll do that as long as it takes. I don't mind if Eddy does not want to be best friends with the kittens, but I'd like her to at least accept their existence. I have hope that we'll get there.

Wishing you all a beautiful day!

***

Our Tip of the Day:

Over the past couple of days, we've discussed how to introduce a new cat to a resident cat or dog. On a similar note, also be sure to properly introduce any children to a new pet. Nervous or shy cats, or cats who are simply not used to children, may need to first get used to the idea of a small child before making any direct contact with them. Just as how cats and dogs will likely need time to get used to each other's presence, the same could very well go for a new furbaby and children. Allow a new kitty or pup the proper time and patience to first smell and see a child from afar, to observe them from a safe distance. Over time, a new furbaby will become more accustomed to a child's presence and antics. With the proper time and patience, it is possible that a new cat or dog will learn to enjoy the child's company, or at least to peacefully coexist with the child.

What's more, it is very important that the a child understands how to be gentle with and kind to an animal. Teach a child to give a cat or dog space as needed. In addition, of course also show a child how to nicely pet a cat or dog, and thoroughly teach them how it is never okay to pull on tails or anything of the sort. Such lessons go for all children, no matter their age, and both those that reside in the home with the new furbaby and those who are visiting your home

Friendly Fill-Ins

It's time to fill in some fill-ins! In case you missed the Friendly Fill-Ins statements yesterday, here they are. Ellen of 15andmeowing crafted up the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. My favorite Disney character is _________.

2. If I could stay any age for life, I would choose to be age _________.

3. _________ is my secret talent.

4. Life is like a _________.


I of course took a turn to fill these in. Here are mine!

1. My favorite Disney character is Gus Gus.
(I've always thought this cute and innocent little mouse from Cinderella was pretty darn cute. What's more, and what really helped solidify this answer of mine, was that at my grade school, there was a Gus Gus doll that would take a turn going home with each kindergartener for a week. My sister was in kindergarten just one year before me, and her turn with Gus Gus fell on the week when we were moving to a new house. I remember helping her keep track of Gus Gus, and nearly losing him a couple of times. In case you were wondering, some of my runners-up to this fill-in were Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Ariel as well as Flounder from The Little Mermaid, Merida from Brave, and something like 101 Dalmatians, just to name a few.)

2. If I could stay any age for life, I would choose to be age 29.
(I'm currently 29, and I kind of like this age. I finally feel old enough to have a tad bit of life experience and knowledge. But, hey, maybe I'll like being 30 or 40 or 50 even better.)

3. Attracting mosquitoes is my secret talent.
(I couldn't figure out what to put for my own fill-in, and when I asked my sister to help me out, she offered this. My scent, or perhaps my flavor, seems to attract mosquitoes without fail. This has been the case since I was a small child. My dad always tells me that if he brings me along to a summer outing, he doesn't have to worry about mosquitoes, because they'll all just swarm to me. Thanks, Dad.)

4. Life is like a camera.
(Have you ever heard this one? I don't remember where I first stumbled upon it and I can't find a source, but it goes like this: Life is a like a camera. Focus on what's important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negatives. If things don't work out, take another shot.)

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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We didn't forget to give you your Friday Eddy fix!

Eddy is turning into Astrid with her window watching déjà vu shots. This is indeed a new shot of Eddy, but in the exact same window and in the exact same pose as her other recent shots. I'll try to coax Eddy into snapping some new shots. That is, if she will even agree to sit still in the first place.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Our Doodle of the Day:

We're doing things a tad bit backwards. Today's doodle is Thimble's take on the new kittens in the family. Tomorrow you'll see Eddy's doodled up opinion of the kittens.

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Our 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.