Friendly Fill-Ins on Valentine's Day

We made it to Friday, friends. Do we get an award for that? We should get an award. At the very least, we have the fun Friendly Fill-Ins today. In case you need a refresher on what the fill-in statements are this week, I'll share them below. Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. I always carry _________ with me.

2. I would love to know why _________?

3. I express my love in the form of _________.

4. _________ makes me feel like the luckiest individual alive.


My answers are below in bold. Some of my answers have distressingly long explanations. Feel free to skip the long-winded explanations if you're short on time. It's amazing how much more I have to say when typing than when having a conversation with an actual human being standing in front of me.

1. I always carry lip balm with me.
(I have stubbornly dry lips. No matter how much water I drink or how much I moisturize my lips, they still just like to be dry. And I can't stand chapped lips. So, I always have lip moisturizer with me. I actually most often use just straight up petroleum jelly on my lips, because that has proven to work best for me. I also get hives from certain other types of lip balms, so it's generally just good ol' petroleum jelly that I carry with me.) 

2. I would love to know why Toby will eat the dog's canned food, but not canned cat food of the exact same brand and flavor?
(Lately we are struggling with 16-lb Toby stealing 80-lb Astrid's food while she's trying to eat it. The brand she eats has identical flavors in a cat variety, so we got that for Toby. No luck. He refuses the cat version and still steals the dog's. Why, Toby?)

3. I express my love in the form of gifts.
(I know that giving gifts probably seems like such a superficial way of expressing love. It is very superficial. I'll honestly admit, though, that I have never been one to easily express love verbally or physically. I am not a hugger, I am not touchy-feely, you get the idea. This isn't from any sort of dark or depressing past. I had a wonderful childhood with a mother who loves to give hugs. I'm simply more like my dad, though, and have a deep desire for personal space. So, giving gifts, even in the form of giving my time or help, is how I've learned to show love and appreciation to those in my life. All of the above being said, I will absolutely hug and love on cats, dogs, and any other willing furbabies at every chance I get. I am completely different around animals than I am around people.)

4. My furry family makes me feel like the luckiest individual alive.
(Of course, my human family makes me feel lucky, too. But, my furbabies make me feel extra special. My kitties and pup all express their love in such sweet and special ways, and I love it. I love when they choose my lap, and when they come find me just to cuddle. Many of my furbabies follow me everywhere when I'm home. They don't even make me go to the bathroom alone. Isn't that sweet of them? Privacy is a thing of the past, but I love my furbabies for that.)

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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Are you ready for you Friday Eddy fix? Today she wanted you all to see how much she enjoys her favorite treats. She often gets these for the purpose of getting her to sit halfway still for the camera. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Don't worry, Eddy will be getting lots of extra treats today for Valentine's Day.

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Speaking of Valentine's Day,

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Our Valentine's doodle above stars Astrid and Toby. Why? Because they're the primary love story at our house. Toby absolutely loves to shower pup Astrid with affection. She's not so into it, but she's a good dog and tolerates his advances. I'm not sure how much of a love story it really is if it's so one-sided, but there you have it anyway.

We hope your day is filled with love and lots of sweet treats!

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Tip of the Day

Today's National Cat Health Month tip is in honor of Valentine's Day. On this day of love, be sure to keep your furbaby's health in mind. For example, Valentine's Day often includes gifts in the form of chocolate or flowers, and it also might include a little alcohol and the like. All such items can be dangerous to our furbabies, though. As you all certainly know, keep chocolate, alcohol, any potentially hazardous food items, and lilies or any questionable plants well out of your furbaby's reach. Also consider items such as wrappers, ribbons, balloons, and cellophane. All of these can pose risks such as choking, intestinal perforation or obstruction, and other potential dangers. So, also keep these items out of your furbaby's reach. We're sure none of these tips are anything new to you animal lovers, but do still keep all such considerations in mind on days like Valentine's Day, and every day.

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

Happy Thursday! It's the day of Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge, which means we're ready to rhyme.

Our host always shares a photo prompt to guide us on our poetic endeavors. This week's prompt is this intriguing image here:

Since Valentine's Day is tomorrow, and since as a result I've been scribbling up some doodles revolving around sweet treats, I went that direction with this image. That seems like a strange topic to pick for an image of this nature, but I tried to make it work. I don't know if the result makes all that much sense, but here's my poem nonetheless.

Barnyard Bakery

There once were two best friends named Ruby Sue and Daisy Mae.

Ruby Sue was a human gal and Daisy Mae a tabby cat of grey.

Ruby Sue was an independent woman, you could say.

Equally set in her ways was furry and whiskered Daisy Mae.

The two gals lived happily together in the country,

In a cottage somewhat quaint and a tad bit funky.

They spent their time working and napping and reading and snoozing.

Some days, Daisy Mae would leave Ruby Sue worried.

After all, the little tabby had a penchant for sneaking out the door in a hurry.

One day, Ruby Sue was keeping a very close eye on Daisy Mae the escape artist.

After lunch, Daisy Mae brought Ruby Sue a ribbon of scarlet.

The tabby cat dropped the ribbon at the woman's feet.

Then, tilting her head forward, she let out a meow to speak.

"You want this ribbon in your hair?" Ruby Sue asked.

Daisy Mae's reply came in the form of the chirps and purrs of a happy cat.

Ruby Sue did exactly as Daisy Mae wished,

Tying the scarlet bow atop the cat's head with a couple quick twists.

Ruby Sue smiled and told Daisy Mae, "You sure look pretty."

In front of the woman now pranced a very happy and confident kitty.

Ruby Sue was soon thrown for a loop, though,

And it was Daisy Mae who made her feel just so.

It happened when Ruby Sue went to fetch the mail.

When she opened the door, what ran past her was a cat with a striped grey tail.

"Daisy Mae, you get back here!" she shouted.

"I told you that you're not allowed on any more outings!"

Ruby Sue ran after Daisy Mae in hopes of catching her,

But Daisy Mae proved much, much faster.

Ruby Sue shouted, "I don't like it when you leave!

Daisy Mae, you get back here and stay with me!"

Daisy Mae simply did not obey.
They ran through plains and fields with bales of hay.

A building suddenly appeared in the distance,
And Daisy Mae ran toward it with great persistence.
The building looked like it belonged in a tiny town with a population of 1.
It was dilapidated, secluded, and creepy, and then some.

As they approached, Ruby Sue saw that the building was an old barn.
Time and weather had done the thing great, grave harm.
As Daisy approached its door,
Ruby Sue felt a great deal of horror.
She shouted, "Good grief, Daisy Mae, don't you see?

This is the kind of place where people get murdered in the movies."

Ignoring Ruby Sue, Daisy Mae slipped inside.
Ruby Sue followed with a dreadful sigh.
Compared to the exterior, the interior of the place was really quite swell.

It was rustic and quaint, and full of delectable smells

On one wall hung a sign that read, Barnyard Bakery.
There was another sign that Ruby Sue then did see.
It was a menu advertising all sorts of baked goods,

From chocolate chip cookies to cakes with perfectly romantic looks.

Ruby Sue soon caught sight of Daisy Mae sitting at a table with another cat.
This other feline had a built-in tuxedo of white and black.
An old woman then suddenly appeared.
She said, "Oh, hello there, dear.

Is that adorable grey tabby your cat?

She's visited a couple times and formed a friendship with my boy Jack."

The tuxedo cat mewed at the sound of his name,

And then he and Daisy Mae ran off in a chase of a game.

"What would you like to eat?" the old woman asked.
"It's on the house, especially for a friend of a friend of my cat."
Ruby Sue thought that the old woman didn't look like a murderer.
She thought that, perhaps, she actually could trust her.
And from the inside, this place didn't look or smell like a death trap.
In fact, it appeared the complete opposite of that.

After scanning the menu that offered all sorts of delicious makes,
Ruby Sue finally asked for a cupcake.
The old woman retrieved a cupcake from a glass-covered shelf.
She also grabbed a slice of cake that she then began to eat herself.

At a table together, the old woman and Ruby ate their cakes.
The cats, of course, also got their tastes.
Ruby Sue found the old woman and herself having a delightful conversation,
All while Daisy Mae and Jack partook in all sorts of wild races.

Though Ruby Sue was not happy with Daisy Mae for escaping,

She couldn't imagine never again eating this delicious cupcake,
Or never again having with the old woman such a lovely conversation.

That's probably why thereafter Ruby Sue and Daisy Mae returned again and again.

At the Barnyard Bakery, they all feasted on sweets as a group of hungry and happy friends

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Thimble is now here to share a Thankful or two.

Thimble is always grateful for her window views. She's also thankful to be inside where it's warm on this snowy day. We purr and pray for all the homeless kitties and other animals and folks who are living outside on these cold days.

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Last but not least, we have for you the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. I always carry _________ with me.

2. I would love to know why _________?

3. I express my love in the form of _________.

4. _________ makes me feel like the luckiest individual alive.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Tip of the Day

Our current topic of conversation stems back to the fact that it is National Cat Health Month. Yesterday, in our tip regarding diet, we made a comment on the fact that your kitty's weight will indeed help determine the best diet for them. Today's tip is a continuation of that topic of weight. If your cat is overweight, for example, then portion control is of course important, as is the type of food, frequency of feedings, and other such factors. There are weight loss cat foods on the market, these often focusing on high protein intake, but do be sure to discuss with a veterinarian your kitty's weight and the best diet to help them live a healthy, fit life. Similarly, if a cat is underweight, such as due to an illness, diet can play a large role in increasing their weight and overall health. Again, discuss with a veterinarian what type and quantity of food to feed your cat in order to achieve an optimal weight.

Moving on from diet, though, we'll now briefly discuss activity level. We'll primarily discuss this in terms of overweight cats, as activity level indeed affects this greatly. So, especially if your cat is overweight, engage them in various activities and games each day. You can grab a toy and play chase or catch with them. Wand toys, as you all certainly know, are often great at getting cats up and moving. You can also enlist the help of more advanced interactive toys, which can keep your cat busy without you having to do all the work. Anything that is safe yet that also keeps your kitty's interest and prompts them to move around and participate in daily activity can be a great benefit to their body condition and overall health.

The above being said, if your cat is in any way ill or injured, such as with asthma or an injury, do be sure to discuss with a veterinarian what types of activity are safe for them. Diet and activity level will both of course play a large roll in keeping your cat's weight in a healthy range, but not all diets and activity levels are suited for all cats. So, if your cat is overweight, or even underweight, perhaps do some research, discuss your individual kitty's condition with a veterinarian, and then remain motivated and optimistic about getting your kitty healthy and fit.

Woof Woof Wednesday

Pup Astrid's photos for today might look like repeats. That's because she's yet again posing in the window. She's also still wearing her new Valentine's bow on her collar, which she showed off last week. These photos are truly not repeats, though. They're just déjà vu shots from a stick-in-the-mud sort of pup.

Astrid also wanted to share a flashback shot starring her Valentine's bow from last year. Does anyone remember this pretty floral bow of hers?

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Valentine's Doodle of the Day

My intention was to share only brand new Valentine's doodles this week. I'm going against that today, though, and sharing a flashback doodle. This is simply because work has been a bit crazy lately and so I didn't get today's doodle done in time to post it here. I looked back at past doodles for something suitable for Valentine's Day, and I found one from 2018. It was inspired by a certain little romantic animated movie.

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Tip of the Day

We're continuing on with our tips for National Cat Health Month, today's tip being all about diet. As you all certainly know, not all foods are created equal. Always be sure to do your research and read labels, ensuring that you are feeding your kitty food that is as high-quality as possible. Also remember that cats are obligate carnivores, so make sure that their diet largely reflects this. In addition, when it comes to feeding your cat, it is of course important to take a number of other factors into consideration, such as their age and health status. For example, kittens do best on foods formulated for kittens, as these diets will include higher protein and fat content, which helps aid in their growth and development. As your cat ages, consider how their health will affect their dietary needs. For example, does your cat have kidney disease or diabetes? Cats with kidney disease should be on a diet lower in protein, in order to help their kidneys function as well as possible. On the other hand, cats with diabetes are often better regulated when on a diet higher in protein. Other factors that could affect diet include of course food allergies, dermatitis, arthritis, dental disease, and weight, just to name a few. The most important thing is to understand your cat's dietary needs based on their overall health status. Of course, as needed, discuss your kitty's dietary needs with their veterinarian, and make sure you understand what type of food would be best for them.

Tabby Tuesday

It's Tabby Tuesday, and do you remember what Evan promised you all yesterday? He promised to show you all his stunning tabby stripes today. Evan's not one to break promises, so here you go.

Is anyone else showing off their tabby stripes today? Or are you showing off your toesies? Your tummy? No matter what you're showing off, have a happy Tuesday!

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Valentine's Doodle of the Day

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Our Tip of the Day:

Today's National Cat Health Month tip is one we already gave recently, but that we'll repeat yet again because it can be very important for your kitty's health. And this tip is to keep up with those preventatives. Typically recommended for monthly administration, different forms of prevention can, of course, prevent a variety of health concerns. For example, flea prevention can help keep your kitty free from flea infestations, flea bites and related dermatitis, bloodborne diseases that can be contracted from fleas, and other issues that arise from a kitty having fleas. Especially depending on your cat's lifestyle, such as if they go outdoors, administering prevention for parasites such as tapeworms and roundworms can also be beneficial. If infested, various intestinal worms can lead to issues such as diarrhea and weight loss, among others. Also don't forget the concern of heartworms, which can stem from mosquitoes. Heartworms can be a very dangerous parasite that can affect the heart and lungs, so preventing this is of course something significant to consider. Prevention is something to always consider for keeping your kitty happy and healthy. That being said, do always still discuss this with your veterinarian, who can help you determine your kitty's risk for certain parasites, and which preventatives might be best or safest for your kitty.

Mancat Monday

Yesterday Evan shared a selfie starring his adorably freckled nose. Now, today, he thought you might enjoy a couple views of his stunning eyes. Ready?

Evan isn't done showing off his fabulous facial features just yet. Tomorrow, for Tabby Tuesday, he'll be showing off those gorgeous stripes on his face. Evan hopes you're all enjoying seeing his handsome face and all it has to offer.

Have a magnificent Monday!

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Valentine's Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, our first tip for National Cat Health Month was to make sure your kitty is examined by a veterinarian at least once a year. Today, our tip is to also remember to be diligent of your kitty's health in between vet visits. You know your kitty best, and you spend lots of time by his or her side. So, be sure to do frequent observations and checks of their actions, behaviors, and overall health and happiness. For example, keep an eye on how much your kitty is eating and drinking, and make note of any changes in their food or water intake. In addition, check that litter box and take note of any changes there, such as the amount of urine or feces, or even the odor. Or, has your kitty become less active, or more active? What about the way they walk? Are they walking abnormally, such as favoring a foot? Do they still jump as often and as well as they used to? What about their vocalizations? Is your kitty more vocal than he or she used to be? Less vocal? Has the sound of their voice changed? Is your kitty hiding more often? Has he or she become more aggressive, or less tolerant of being petted or held? These are all just examples of things that you, as your kitty's companion, should keep an eye on regularly. Any such changes, even subtle ones, could be indicative of disease, injury, or any number of issues. So, be sure to make observations such as these, and report any concerns, no matter how big or how small, to your veterinarian.

Nosy Sunday Selfie

Evan agreed to snap a selfie for you all today. He decided to make it a nosy one.

Evan hopes you all enjoy seeing his nose and its freckles today. He's quite proud of them.

Happy Sunday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

I misspoke yesterday. We're not sharing our first doodle in our new Valentine's series today. Today we're sharing our last flashback doodle from last year's Valentine's Day series of doodles. Then, the rest of this week will be all new Valentine's doodles. Even our poem and its illustration on Thursday will have Valentine's Day vibes going on. For today, though, here's a special little doodle I scribbled up last year as a special Valentine's message.

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Tip of the Day

February is not only Spay/Neuter Awareness Month and Pet Dental Health Care Month, but also National Cat Health Month. We've already given tips on the first two, so now we're of course moving on to some tips for keeping those kitties healthy. Our first such tip is to take your cat to the veterinarian for a checkup on an annual basis at the least. In general, a health check is recommended at least every 6 to 12 months. More regular vet visits are of course recommended for any cats with known illnesses, such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and cancer, among others.

Visits with the veterinarian do not always just simply mean a quick exam, though. Depending on your furbaby's health, lifestyle, and any other important factors, you will of course have to take into consideration vaccinations, blood work, urinalyses, fecal exams, and so forth. Your veterinarian will be able to discuss and offer recommendations on how and when to proceed with these. For example, discuss with your veterinarian your cat's risk for certain illnesses, and discuss any related vaccinations. When it comes to blood work and urinalyses, these are often recommended at least yearly for seniors cats, such as those who have reached 7 or so years of age. This could allow for early detection of certain diseases. More frequent blood work is of course recommended for those with known kidney disease, diabetes, and a variety of other diseases.

The long and short of this tip is that your cat should be seen by a veterinarian at least once a year, or more frequently if needed. A veterinarian's exam, as well as blood work and other tests, can help reveal any issues that might be arising, whether or not your kitty is showing any signs of illness. Cats are professionals at hiding disease, so exams and tests could, quite literally, be lifesavers.

A Caturday Art Birthday Card

Today is the birthday of this here human's sister. My sister is the mom to our housemates Toby and Winky, and she is the other mother to pup Astrid. I always doodle up birthday cards for my family members, and it's pretty much tradition now that I share these doodles with all of you.

Just as has been the case with numerous past birthday doodles for my sister, this one was inspired by the Harry Potter series. Both my sister and I grew up reading and watching Harry Potter, and my sister is a pretty big fanatic of the series. This doodle was inspired by multiple scenes in Harry Potter, and I took some artistic liberties in blending together various aspects of those various scenes. Don't worry, though, because there is a kitty involved.

If I was being true to the scene from which I pulled that kitty character, it would be a tabby cat. But, my sister loves her some black cat, so black cat it is. That particular black cat is based on my sister's lady cat Winky, perhaps because Winky herself is named after a Harry Potter character.

Tomorrow will start our little series of Valentine's doodles for this year. As I mentioned the other day, be prepared for kitties, pups, and lots of sweet treats in honor of the day that is February 14th.

Happy birthday to my sister! And happy Caturday to all!

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday we discussed symptoms you might notice if your furbaby is suffering from any number of dental issues or diseases. Our tip for today is a bit of a long one, and it will wrap up our dental tips. We'll start with the recommendation of, of course, taking your furbaby to be seen by a veterinarian if you notice any dental concerns. Your veterinarian can take a look in your cat or dog's mouth to get a basic idea of what might be going on. They might be able to see a broken tooth, an abscess or infected tooth, gingivitis or other gum disease, or masses growing within the mouth. Of course, a simple exam may not reveal everything, and when dental disease is noted or suspected, it might very well be recommended that the animal go under anesthesia for a more thorough dental exam, dental x-rays, dental cleaning, or extractions.

If a dental procedure is recommended, of course discuss the necessary details, options, and plans with the veterinarian. Make sure that both you and your veterinarian are on the same page. If your furbaby has other existing diseases, such as those of the kidney or heart and lungs, of course discuss with your veterinarian if or how it is best to safely proceed with a procedure.

If a dental procedure is scheduled, make sure that you understand all preparations for it. Give your kitty or pup any prescribed pre-op medications, such as antibiotics, if applicable. Just as we recently discussed in one of our spay/neuter tips, also be sure to pull your furbaby's food at 10 pm or so the night before the surgery, or whenever you are instructed to do so, in order to reduce the risk of aspiration while under anesthesia.

Also make sure you understand all post-op care. For example, give antibiotics, pain killers, or other medications as instructed. Some dental work, such as tooth extractions, requires that your furbaby go off of dry food and exclusively eat moist food for at least a couple or a few days after the procedure. Be sure that you understand if this is required, so that your furbaby can recover and heal as quickly and efficiently as possible. After dental work is performed, also make sure that you understand if your veterinarian recommends at-home care from then on out, such as brushing your cat or dog's teeth or applying certain oral medications on a regular basis to help prevent future concerns.