Ghostly Mancat Monday

Our weekend hiatus was not really intentional, but a good amount of our unplanned time off was used prepping for some future blog posts. Not only did I finish and actually scan some of our new, upcoming doodles, but the furbabies even agreed to some early Halloween photo shoots. Given that it's Mancat Monday, none other than mancat Evan is here to give you a quick little preview of what we were up to this weekend.

Does anyone recognize that ghostly little friend of ours? It's pretty much an annual tradition for him to pose for some photos with the kitties and pup around here, and this year has proven to be no different. You'll be seeing a lot more of that friendly ghost coming up very soon.

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month. And so, we'll be doing a series of tips on this topic. Our first tip in this series is a simple precursor to the more detailed tips that will begin tomorrow. And this tip today is to please realize and understand that if a situation is not safe for you, then it's not safe for your animals. For this reason, please do absolutely everything in your ability to never leave your cats or dogs behind in the event of a disaster. If the only safe option for you is to evacuate, then that is also very likely the only safe option for your furbaby. For this reason, never wait until last minute to consider preparations and plans, as then it might be too late. Always have preparations and plans thought through or ready. We'll start discussing such preparations and plans in more detail tomorrow. For now, though, when it comes to potential disasters, please indeed keep in mind your furbaby's safety in addition to your own.

Friendly Fill-Ins

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


1. _________ news is _________. 

2. Sometimes I _________ to amuse myself.

3. _________ is the reason that I _________.

4. _________ would be my superpower of choice.

My answers are below in bold.

1. No news is not always good news.
(I've never really liked when people say that "no news is good news", because I'm pretty sure everyone has lived through a time or two when this has proven to be nothing but false.)

2. Sometimes I watch kids' TV shows and movies to amuse myself.
(There are days when I'm just in the mood for some really lighthearted entertainment. One second I'm watching a gory horror movie, and the next I'm happily sitting through How to Train Your Dragon.) 

3. My furry family is the reason that I do what I do.
(I didn't know how else to word this. I work jobs that I sometimes don't enjoy to give my furbabies the best life I can, I decorate my house in all sorts of weird ways to fit their needs, and all that usual jazz related to being a cat and dog mom. My world revolves around my kitties and pup, and I wouldn't have it any other way.)

4. Healing would be my superpower of choice.
(I almost put speaking to animals as my superpower of choice, but then I realized that being able to speak to animals could potentially be a very sad experience. Being told in animals' own words what they've experienced at the hands of cruel humans would be devastating. So, I'd perhaps rather be able to heal, and that of course includes healing the furry friends and family in our lives.)

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 your Eddy fix? You kind of get one. Sort of. You see, Eddy was yet again a bit distracted by window whiffies during this photo shoot.

The only photo in which Eddy looked at the camera was when she gave the window a cute little rub with her head in this blooper here:

Eddy and all of us here wish you a fantastic Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of they Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's autumn pet safety tip is about candles. As the weather cools and holidays begin to approach, many folk feel compelled to light some cozy, deliciously-scented candles. That being said, always be careful with candles, and any open flames, around your furbabies. If you do light candles, keep them only in areas where your furbaby cannot reach. For some furbabies, putting lit candles up on a high shelf might suffice. Many cats, though, might still be able to reach candles on shelves and other similar surfaces. If you do have such a furbaby capable of this, yet you also wish to light a candle, then consider measures such as keeping your kitty or pup out of the room where the candle is lit. The long and short of it is to never leave lit candles anywhere that a furbaby can reach, and certainly not unattended. Otherwise, a kitty or pup might find themselves burnt, or might knock a candle over and increase the risk of fire. If you cannot ensure the safety of your furbaby and home, then simply refrain from lighting candles.

It's also worthwhile to note that certain items associated with candles should also be considered dangerous and off-limits to furbabies. This would include matches and lighters, for example. These items should be kept tucked safely away, just as lit candles should.

Thankful Thimble Thursday

To begin, we are sending our most heartfelt thoughts, condolences, and prayers to Ellen of 15andmeowing and her entire family. Heaven gained a beautiful angel when Ellen's sister lost her battle with breast cancer on Tuesday. May she rest in eternal peace.

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I am sorry for yet more late and lacking posts this week, friends. My allergies have left me with some vertigo this week, and staring at a computer screen is definitely not the cure. This is all just small fries compared to what others are going through, though. Now let's get right to Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble is of course here to share her gratitude for today. Can you tell what this tabby girl is thankful for?

Sunshine! After a few days of rain and gloom, we're having lots of sun now. Thimble and the other furbabies could not be happier.

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

1. _________ news is _________. 

2. Sometimes I _________ to amuse myself.

3. _________ is the reason that I _________.

4. _________ would be my superpower of choice.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback is in honor of the pumpkin patch in my parents' back yard, which is gracing us with lots of autumnal goodies.

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Tip of the Day

Today's autumnal tip relates to grooming. As the weather starts to cool in the autumn, your furbaby might begin to grow their winter coat. Especially in double-coated furbabies, such as Persian cats and Husky dogs, you might notice the fur filling out and growing thicker as the weather cools. For this reason, do be sure to help you furbaby groom, such as by brushing them on a daily basis, or at least regularly. If you are unable to groom your cat or dog, and especially if they are prone to mats or hairball issues, then you can consider taking them to a groomer. Some veterinary offices even offer grooming services, so, as needed, you can discuss this with your veterinarian. Regardless of if you do it at home or take your furbaby to a groomer, regularly grooming your kitty or pup can help prevent mats, and can help prevent the ingestion of hairballs, especially in cats. Mats can be uncomfortable and painful, so it's of course ideal to prevent these. It is of course also important to help prevent your furbaby's ingestion of too much hair, not only because this prevents the vomiting of hairballs, but also because, in worst case scenarios, ingestion of too much hair could cause a blockage in the intestinal tract. So, don't forgot about those grooming sessions.

Adventures with Astrid

Today's edition of Adventures with Astrid takes us to the park. Yet again. This time around, though, feel free to take a seat if you need a break.

In the heat of summer, Astrid and I sometimes stop to take a rest on that bench in the park. These days, though, it's actually pretty cool outside and so Astrid never wants to sit long, if at all. That might change in a couple days, though, when the temperature is back up to 85°F.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is a perfectly crooked autumnal one from a couple years ago.

My, what a tilted kitchen those kitties and pup have. You'd think all my crooked doodles like this one would inspire me to use a ruler. But, alas, that's not the case.

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Tip of the Day

Today's autumn pet safety tip is a short and simple one, and a broken record sort of repeat, and it is to keep up with those preventatives. Even as the weather cools in the autumn, and even in winter, it is possible for there to be days and conditions that allow for fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other parasites to survive. Bites or infestations of certain parasites can potentially lead to a variety of diseases or other medical concerns, some of them life-threatening. In order to better ensure that your kitty or pup remains healthy and happy, therefore, do consider administering their preventatives year-round.

Tired Tonks Tuesday with Toesies on the Side

It's Tonks Tuesday, but Tonks is admittedly sleeping on the job.

There are some toesies to admire, though, so here you go.

Tonks is wishing you all lots of naps today. Happy Tuesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday's autumn safety tip revolved around helping your kitty or pup stay warm by putting out more blankets or pet beds, and keeping said napping spots off the floor. Today's tip is also about helping your furbaby stay warm as the weather cools down, but this time in the form of food. It is possible that, as the weather grows colder, our furbabies might eat more in order to stay warm. This is because eating spurs metabolism, which can help produce warmth for the body. As it grows chilly, therefore, your kitty or pup might indeed need more food. That being said, though, this often relates more so to outdoor animals. Kitties and pups who live in temperature controlled homes might not, in fact, need a change in food intake during the cold months. And so, if you have any concerns regarding your cat or dog's weight, or if they have related health issues, then of course discuss food intake with your veterinarian.

Mancat Monday

It's something like 60°F outside right now. We're loving it, and we're going to pretend it won't be over 80°F for at least a week after today. Instead, let's enjoy the window whiffies while we can.

Evan and all of us here wish you a magnificent Monday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's autumn pet safety tip is all about those cool fall temperatures. When the weather starts to cool, take into consideration what steps you might have to take to ensure that your furbaby stays warm. Don't forget that cooler weather can be felt both outdoors and indoors.

If it's growing cold outside, monitor your pup or kitty when outdoors, and don't leave them outdoors for long periods of time. In addition, if you care for strays, ferals, or other outdoor kitties of pups, do your best to ensure they have some form of shelter in which to stay out of the wind and to stay as warm as possible. Even a storage container or a Styrofoam cooler turned upside, with a hole cut in the side as an entrance, can allow for some warmth on cool days. You can add blankets or straw to help strays, ferals, and other outdoor cats or dogs huddle up and stay warm in such a shelter. Do keep in mind, though, that blankets can become damp and cold if rained on, which is why straw might be an ideal option for helping outdoor furbabies stay warm in a shelter.

Of course, don't forget that even our indoor furbabies can feel the drop in temperature this time of year. Floors can go from being cool respites on hot summer days to being drafty and chilly in the autumn. For this reason, try to ensure that your cat or dog has somewhere off of the floor to sleep, especially in these cooler seasons. You can put out extra blankets or pet beds for them to warmly nap on. Especially as we get further into autumn, safe and pet-friendly heating blankets or heated pet beds could also be put out for your furbaby. Then again, you can also help your kitty or pup stay warm with some extra lap time.

Caturday Art

Today's Caturday Art is a flashback autumnal one. It's actually one of my favorite doodles I scribbled up from the past, and I'd love to recreate it this autumn.

Happy Caturday, friends!

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Tip of the Day

We're still in the midst of our series of autumn pet safety tips. Today's such tip is to take precautions if you are walking your pup or kitty on autumn evenings. This time of year, it starts growing dark earlier in the evening. Therefore, if you head out with your furbaby on a walk in the evening, such as after getting home from work, be sure to wear bright colors, and make sure that your furbaby's collar, leash, and/or harness is adorned with reflectors. This way, if your furbaby is out on a walk with you after it has grown dark for the night, both your furbaby and yourself can be more easily seen and avoided by potentially dangerous traffic. Of course, when walking your furbaby in the dark, also do your best to select a route that is the safest one possible.