Christmas Eve in July: Selfies with Santa Sloth

I guess you could call today Christmas Eve in July. Perhaps? Either way, today's selfies star a festive guest. You might have seen him before on our blog, but the truth is that this guest is a bit used and abused at our house. Therefore, these selfies are flashbacks to before this poor fellow was thrown around, slobbered on, and even puked on.

Santa Sloth sure does look bright and clean there. Those were the days.

Eddy's selfies with Santa Sloth are, of course, blurry. After all, no matter the season or holiday, this girl is our blooper queen.

Astrid and Eddy hope you enjoyed getting festive with them and Santa Sloth!

Happy Sunday, friends! And Merry Christmas Eve in July, if to that sounds to you like something fun to celebrate!

Tomorrow we'll have our last Christmas in July post, for the big day itself. We'll see you then!

***

Tip of the Day

We're still in the midst of our series of tips on the topic of litter boxes. Today's tip in this realm of things is one that we might not always think on too much, and that's the litter scoop. You'd think a scoop is a scoop, but sometimes one scoop simply might work better than another. Depending on the type of litter you use, your particular furbaby's litter box habits, and other such factors, be sure to select a litter scoop that removes as much of the piles of urine, feces, and affected litter as possible. If too much of these bits of debris are left behind when you scoop, that can lead to lingering smells and less sanitary conditions. This could in turn mean that the litter box will need to be cleaned more frequently than might be expected. For the above reasons, when selecting a litter scoop, consider factors such as the number and spacing of the grates on the scoop.

In addition, you also might want to consider the material out of which the scoop is made. If there's a chance your litter scoop might get bunged up, for example, perhaps go for a metal scoop. This is because plastic scoops are far more likely to end up with scratches on their surface, and such scratches could harbor microbes, especially when used in an environment such as that of a litter box. So, don't forget to give even that scoop a bit of extra consideration and attention. Every little detail could potentially affect our kitties and their health and happiness, and that even includes the litter scoop, which helps keep that litter box as clean and sanitary as possible.

Kooky Kitty Caturday Art

I saw a comment online the other day about how today, July 23, marks 100 days until Halloween. As someone who loves Halloween and all things autumn, this excited me very much. I'm sure you're all wondering what is wrong with me, but that's a loaded question I don't have time to answer. So, I'll instead share a campfire scene with ghost stories gone wrong.

That was just a small, quick, rather sloppy doodle I scribbled up in my notebook a couple weeks ago. But, it seems apt enough for today.

Happy Caturday, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

Today's (overly lengthy) tip in our litter box series is about selecting the type of litter. There are many, many kinds of litter out there. There's clay litter, corn litter, wheat litter, pine litter, litter made out of recycled paper,  and even litter crystals, just to name a few. There are even choices such as scented versus non-scented litter, litter for single-cat versus multicat homes, and clumping versus non-clumping litter. The options for litter seem to be endless, which can make the task of choosing one a tad bit of daunting.

So, let's go over some of the factors that will help you select a litter. To begin, first and foremost, let's go ahead and repeat ourselves like the broken record that we are—ultimately, your kitty will have the final say on what type of litter you buy. Cats can be very picky, particular creatures. Some have texture preferences, some have scent preferences, and some have any number of other preferences. If your cat doesn't like the litter you choose, they might avoid the litter box, which is in large part why they ultimately get to choose their litter.

The above being said, what are some of the main factors that might go into choosing the right litter for your kitty? Consider, of course, the type of material out of which a litter is made. For example, clay litter is often one of the dustiest, which may not be ideal for a cat or person with asthma. Also consider whether your cat has any other sensitivities or allergies. To give you an example, I once tried my angel cat Rosie on pine litter. Little did I know, pine was not a substrate Rosie's body tolerated well, and she ended up with hot spots that required steroid and antibiotic treatment. So, especially if you are trying a new type of litter, always keep an eye on your kitty to make sure they do not have an adverse reaction, and also that they do not start avoiding the litter box.

There are plenty of other random yet important factors to take into consideration when choosing litter, though. Do you have multiple cats? If so, perhaps look for a litter that is formulated for multicat homes. Does your kitty leave quite the stinkers in the litter box, and so you've chosen a scented litter? If this is the case and your cat uses the litter with no issues, then that's great. But, do keep in mind that cats' noses are far better than ours, and some cats might not like fragrance in their litter. Your cat might very well let you know if they do not like scented litter by avoiding the box, in which case you'll get the hint.

We're not done with this discourse quite yet. As we touched upon earlier, some cats have texture preferences. Since litter touches their paws, such texture preferences can of course play a large role in what type of litter your cat might use. For example, some cats prefer fine litter, and will not touch litter that is more coarse. I will also add here that I have some family members with cats who do not like litter at all, and so they use pee pads in litter boxes, which works great for those particular cats. Then again, my own Evan, in large part due to his hind limb paralysis, is towel trained rather than litter trained. So, litter texture can be a significant consideration for some cats, and in such cases there may indeed be some trial and error required. In such cases, just be patient, and you and your cat will find a litter, or even a litter alternative, that suits everyone involved.

Friendly Fill-Ins

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


1. I think _________ is a waste of money.

2. Lately, I spend a lot of time _________.

3. _________ is the craziest thing on my bucket list.

4. _________ is a holiday I'd like to create or see more celebrated.

My answers are below in bold. They're all about the furbabies today.

1. I think the paper bag cat toy I saw online the other day is a waste of money.

(There isn't much that's related to my furbabies that I consider a waste of money. They're easily the part of my life I splurge on the most. I love buying them cute little toys for special occasions, even if they don't always play with them all. That said, I saw an actual paper bag listed online as a cat toy the other day. It may have been on Chewy, but I'm not positive. I think it was catnip infused, but I have grocery store paper bags and catnip already coming out my ears here at home. I bet those are two things a lot of us cat lovers already have readily available at home. So, I guess there is one cat toy on the market that I won't buy. And it's a paper bag.)

2. Lately, I spend a lot of time at the vet.

(Not only are most of my furbabies due for their annual exams in the summer, but, as I've mentioned before, Evan goes to our vet's groomer for a sanitary shave every 2 weeks. This is because of his rather significant urinary incontinence, and because he won't let me shave him myself. Evan just went in for a shave yesterday, so he is one especially dapper boy today.)

3. Having what might be a true crazy cat lady house is the craziest thing on my bucket list.

(I've never sat down and really written a bucket list. Even so, I think I can admit it really wouldn't be all that wild of a list. It would include my basic goals and dreams, but even with that said, I'm not one of those who wants anything all that adventurous in life. I just want to be happy, and surrounded by my furbabies. That said, this answer relates to the fact that some day, I would love to live in a home more heavily built around the needs of my animals. My current home does its best with that, but I'll admit that I envision for myself a home with far more accommodations and accessibility for animals, including special needs animals. It would include a catio, I know that for sure, and a ton of other features for my kitties and pups that I haven't even fully thought through yet. I'd also love to have a bit of extra space specifically to be able to offer emergency foster space for animal rescues, as this is something that, at least in my area, I see requested often by rescues groups. I feel like I'm just rambling now, so I'll stop.)

4. National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day is a holiday I'd like to see more celebrated.
(I know this day, April 30, is recognized by some, like animal lovers and those in animal welfare. But, I think anything related to getting shelter animals adopted should be infinitely more popular than it is.)

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.

***

Are you ready for your Eddy fix? Good, because we've got one for you. The only unfortunate thing is that Eddy simply couldn't look at the camera, because we have new neighbors behind us that Eddy simply has to snoopervise 24/7. At least even the side of her face is downright adorable.

Happy Friday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

If you were hoping for another Christmas in July flashback doodle, you're in luck.

***

Tip of the Day

We're continuing on with our litter box tips today by discussing location. When deciding where to put litter boxes in your home, there are a variety of considerations to make. For example, you cat likely won't want to do their business in a high traffic area, where there are many distractions and little to no privacy. At the same time, though, many cats will also likely not want to be hidden away in a small, enclosed area, such as a small closet. Placing a litter box in a small, enclosed area such as a small closet will likely trap the smell, which some cats are averse to. What's more, using the litter box is one way in which cats often instinctively believe they are making a territorial display, and so hiding away the litter box, where no one can see them do their business, might lead to out-of-box behavior for territorial reasons.

All of the above being said, consider where in your home might work best for a box to be both away from heavy traffic, yet close enough to the goings-on for your kitty to still feel included. Dedicated litter box rooms, corners of bedrooms or living rooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or even large closets with their doors kept open, can all make for good litter box areas. It really depends on how your home is set up, and where your kitty might feel most comfortable. Just as we've mentioned before, though, it also might simply come down to your cat's preference. Perhaps your cat enjoys using the restroom right in front of you, or perhaps your cat actually prefers to go in a closed closet. In the end, if your cat displays a preference for litter box placement, try your best to stick with that.

We'll also now mention that, when selecting litter box location, also take into consideration how many cats you have. In homes with many cats, it is often ideal to spread litter boxes throughout the house, as best as possible. This is especially the case if there is any bullying amongst your cats. If all of the boxes are in one room, a bullied or timid cat might prefer to steer clear of using the restroom with other cats nearby, and therefore might begin out-of-box behavior elsewhere in the house. They even might simply hold their urine, which can lead to a variety of medical issues. So, especially in multicat homes, do consider the number of and comfort of all cats when deciding how few and far between to place the litter boxes. Then again, this consideration also might be important for even a single cat who is geriatric or has issues with mobility. For such a kitty, having multiple litter box options, in areas of the house where they most often hang out, can help them more easily urinate and defecate when and where needed.

There sure are a lot of considerations to make when it comes to that litter box. You of course have to choose a type of box, as well as how many. Once you have that settled, it's all about deciding where to place the litter boxes in your home. Fear not, though, as you and your kitty, or kitties, will figure it out. If nothing else, trial and error will often lead your kitty to letting you know what he or she prefers.

Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! Let's get right to Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge, shall we?

As always, our host shared a photo prompt to help guide us. This week's prompt is this one here:

This is one of those times when I'm going to have trouble explaining how I got from that image to my resulting poem. Let's see if I can't make this succinct. Probably not, but I'll try.

As I've mentioned before, I'm a huge fan of reading, most especially the fantasy genre. I'm of an age that resulted in me growing up in the middle of the Harry Potter craze, and truth be told, I was part of that craze. I eagerly awaited each new book's release, and I truly enjoyed them, and I still do. That said, there's one issue big I have with those books—an issue of the feline sort—and that's what I address in this poem.

Oh, and I should probably actually explain how I got from that image above to my poem. In the Harry Potter series, kids attend a school to become proper witches and wizards. They get to that school by way of a sort of magical train. So, I saw railroad tracks, and that was that.

If you'd like to read my weird and wacky poem, here you go.

A Tale of Missing Cats

This is just a quick little rhyme to say,
That I wanted to attend a school for witches back in the day.
I read about it in some books once a upon a time.
Getting to this magical school took nothing but a magical train ride.

But, you see, even as a child I had one main qualm regarding those books.
In them, to find a cat you had really closely look and look.
Can you imagine reading a witchy story,
Only for it to barely touch on the feline glory?

It's not that there weren't any creatures at all of the feline kind,
And it's not that I minded the owls and other critters inside.
In this book about witchy children, the confusion was that,
They were allowed to bring to school with them an owl, a toad, or...a cat!

If you were allowed to bring a cat with you to school,
Are you telling me that you wouldn't take full advantage of that rule?
It's not that I didn't think all the owls in the book were cool,
But how did the magical children rarely choose a cat to bring with them to school?

If had the option of learning alongside my cat,
You better believe that would be an easy decision, just like that.
And, well, that is the weird tale of my childhood self reading a book about magical children,
And wishing all the wishes that to a magical school both myself and my cat would be sent.

Truth be told, that's a flashback doodle from a couple of years ago. I of course scribbled it up as a result of my longtime appreciation of the Harry Potter series. I actually scribbled up a brand new, somewhat similar doodle for this poem, but, as I mentioned yesterday, I have yet to scan a number of new doodles I've finished. Once I scan all of those in the next day or two, I'll start sharing them, including the new silly doodle for this poem.

***

Now, how about Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop? That sounds like a plan to me.

Thimble is of course here to share some gratitude.

This little tabby is thankful for window views.

Thimble sure does love being able to supervise the neighbors.

But, goodness, it sure is a tiring job. Before she goes off to nap, Thimble wants to wish you all a wonderful day!

***

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

1. I think _________ is a waste of money.

2. Lately, I spend a lot of time _________.

3. _________ is the craziest thing on my bucket list.

4. _________ is a holiday I'd like to create or see more celebrated.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

As we mentioned yesterday, we're doing a series of tips dedicated to none other than the litter box. Yesterday, we talked about choosing a type of litter box. Today, we're going to talk about the number of litter boxes you might need.

We're going to begin this discussion with a bit of an equation:

(# of cats) + 1 = (# of litter boxes)

That up there is the general rule for how many litter boxes a home should have, for the comfort of the kitties living there. Since we're a broken record, we'll say it again: the number of litter boxes should equal the number of cats, plus one. This general rule helps ensure that all of the cats in a home have plenty of options, something that is especially important in a multicat home. Finding a clean litter box, and not being bullied out of it, is more easily done when there is a sufficient number of boxes. As for single cat homes, the equation above still typically applies. Why? One reasons is that some cats don't like to urinate and defecate in the same box. Another reason is that, again, it gives them more options for a clean box, and can thereby reduce potential out-of-box behaviors.

Now that we have that little equation out of the way, we'll also mention that it's possible that not all of the litter boxes in a home should be or will be the same type. For example, do you have one cat who likes covered boxes, and another cat who prefers uncovered boxes? If so, then you should probably have litter boxes of both of those types. This ensures that each cat has a choice that suits their preferences. So, it's not only important to ensure that there are enough litter boxes, but that the boxes suit the needs of all cats present in the home.

Adventures with Astrid

Over the past couple months, I've been taking random photos while walking pup Astrid. I mostly take these when we're going through one of her favorite parks near our house. So, I thought we'd start sharing these photos so that you can see some of the little adventures pup Astrid goes on.

Today's photo comes from an adventure that occurred at the end of spring. Back then, one of the trees in Astrid's favorite park had some beautiful blooms on it. I know next to nothing about plant life, which means that, sadly, I don't have the foggiest idea what kind of tree this is. (If you know what kind of tree it is, please enlighten me. I'd much appreciate it.) Even so, the tree was beautiful and so I asked the pup to pose in front of it for me.

Astrid hopes you all have get to have your own fun adventures today!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

Not only have I been sharing flashback Christmas in July doodles and working on a new festive doodle for this year, but I've also been working on doodles inspired by another holiday. I've mentioned many times before how I myself am a fan of Halloween. In truth, I'm fond of anything with a sort of spooky, gothic vibe, and you get the idea. As I eagerly await autumn and the macabre holiday it brings with it, I'll be sharing some new doodles in that vein very soon, and they'll be a little something like this flashback doodle.

***

Tip of the Day

We've given tips here and there on cats and their litter boxes. The litter box plays such a crucial role in not only your cat's daily life, but also their health and happiness. That's why we've decided to do an entire, comprehensive series of tips on that box of litter.

The first tip in this series is all about selecting the type of litter box. You wouldn't think a litter box could come in all that many varieties, but the litter box aisle at the pet store begs to differ. Litter boxes come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and configurations. That means there are a lot of considerations to make when selecting that litter box.

So, let's start with size. Is your cat of the larger variety? Especially in the case of a large cat, it is important to make sure the litter box is big enough. Out-of-box behavior, even if in the form of accidental misses, can occur if the box is too small for the cat. Sometimes, you'll even need to make sure to get a box that is not only large enough but that also has tall enough sides. Some cats are more prone to raising their rear end when urinating, for example, which would mean that a box with tall sides is a far more ideal option.

The above being said, also take into consideration if your cat is small. If you have a petite cat or a kitten, you might at least have to start with a small box. Being able to climb over the edge of the box in order to get inside is of course important. A kitten might very well outgrow their first litter box, but when they're small, they of course need to be able to comfortably climb into the litter box. In truth, though, no matter the size of your cat, stick to whatever size of box they seem to prefer and do well with. Some cats might be large, but also might prefer and do just fine with a small box. Take any such preferences your cat has into consideration.

There are also different shapes of cat litter boxes. There are rectangles, squares, circles, ovals, and even some triangular ones that can fit into corners. When selecting the shape of the litter box, you can base your decision on concepts such as how the shape might affect your furbaby's ability to get comfortable when in the box, or how the shape might affect the way it fits in your home. Then again, as mentioned above, your cat might reveal a preference for litter box shape, and if so, go with that.

Next up is an oft debated litter box detail. And that is, do you get a covered box? Or, do you get an uncovered box? Let's go right ahead and touch upon the fact that, ultimately, the cat gets to pick. Some cats prefer a box that is covered, such as for the sake of privacy. Other cats do not like covered boxes. That being said, covered boxes can harbor smells far more easily than uncovered boxes. Imagine walking into a portable toilet, one in which all of the smells just sit and fester. No one enjoys using a portable toilet, and that might be how some cats feel about a covered litter box. Again, though, the truth of the matter is that the cat should get to pick what kind of toilet they use. If your cat will not enter or use a covered box, but will willingly urinate or defecate in an uncovered box, then an uncovered box it is. If your cat urinates or defecates outside of an uncovered box, but will willingly go into a covered box and use it, then no matter what your thoughts on this topic are, your cat just gave you their answer.

So, when it comes to selecting the type of litter box your cat will use, of course take into consideration their size, whether the box will harbor smells, and other such details. That being said, though, just like us, our cats often have preferences and opinions on various matters. The litter box might very well be one of these matters. That's why, when it comes to any of the details of the litter box, if your cat shows a preference, take note of that and run with it.

Bothered Tonks Tuesday

It's Tonks Tuesday, and this time around we have for you a bothered little calico.

Tonks was minding her own business, enjoying the sun on her cat tree, when this obnoxious human that is her mother showed up with that darn camera. Despite the calico telling this pawparazzi to go away, it did not. Hence, we have bothered Tonks on this Tuesday.

Tonks hopes you all have far more peace and quiet than her today!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

I promise I actually have been scribbling up some new doodles to share. I just need to scan them, but since I haven't done that yet, here's yet another festive flashback for Christmas in July.

***

Tip of the Day

Do you want or need to monitor your furbaby, even when you aren't with them? Items such as baby monitors don't have to be used for only children of the human sort. Baby monitors, security cameras, and similar products can be used for our furbabies as well. Depending on what type of monitoring you need, you can look into monitoring devices that allow you to hear, see, or locate your furbaby. For example, there are monitors and cameras that you can place in your home that allow you to view your furbaby and what they're up to, even if you're away from home, such as by using the internet, apps, or other similar means. There are even devices on the market that can be attached to your furbaby's collar and that take video of what they've been up to. Another method of keeping track of your furbaby includes more or less putting some form of tracking device on them. For example, there are GPS or other similar devices that can go on your furbaby's collar. This is something that might come most in handy if you have a dog or cat who goes outdoors.

All in all, if you want or need to keep an especially close watch on your pup or kitty, such as when you're away from home, there are ways to do this. You might wish to keep an eye on a new puppy or kitten, a sick or geriatric furbaby, a cat or dog with separation anxiety, or something else along those lines. In such cases, determine whether monitoring, such as when you're away from home, might be beneficial, and then research the best types of monitoring systems for your particular situation.

Mancat Monday

Hello, friends! We apologize for our absence yesterday and for now yet another late post today. Life has really been happening all over the place these days.

Now, shall we move right on to a handsome mancat on this Mancat Monday?

Evan is enjoying a wonderful sun puddle, and he hopes you all get to enjoy a nap in the sun today as well!

Happy Monday!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

I've been working on this year's Christmas in July art. I have to admit, it's really difficult to get in the mood to scribble up a festive doodle when it's over 90°F outside. And that sentiment alone reminded me of one of the Christmas in July doodles I scribbled up many, many years ago. So, here's an ancient doodle that both does and doesn't look like the current art I share. This oldie fits the current sweltering season we're in, though, so here you go.

***

Tip of the Day

As you probably know, it's not always that easy to get still and calm photos of the kitties and pups in our lives. That said, there are some ways to at least attempt to get your furbaby to sit still for a photo shoot or to get them to look at the camera. You can try the technique of getting on their level, such as sitting on the floor with the camera if that is where your kitty or pup is playing or spending time. It may take lots of patience and sitting and waiting for a moment to snap a shot, but it is often doable. You can also situate yourself where your kitty or pup is sleeping, as a sleeping furbaby is a still furbaby.

Then again, you can also try distraction techniques. As you can probably guess, and as you have likely tried on an occasion or two, you can grab one of your kitty or pup's favorite treats or toys and hold that up or sit it on top of your camera. If this grabs your furbaby's attention, then you might very well have a split-second chance to snap a shot while they are gazing at the goods. If you're really eager to get a photo or two of your furbaby and you're having trouble getting them to cooperate while also manning the camera, you can also try to recruit a second pair of hands, such as to hold the furbaby or to help better distract them. 

Sometimes, photographing our furbabies is simply not the easiest task. But, we all love having photographs of our furbabies to forever hold those memories. So, sometimes you simply have to find the photo shoot technique that works best for your furbaby. Whether it be waiting to photograph them while they're sleeping or grabbing their attention with treats, find what works best and have the camera at the ready.