Caturday Art: Here Lies My Sanity

Before I give my rambling explanation for today's Caturday Art doodle, let me just throw it right here.

And now we'll move on to the rambling. Truth be told, this doodle was inspired by an image I saw online, which included a tombstone boasting much more vulgar language. As in, the image of which I speak had a tombstone that said something along the lines of, "Here lies my final f@$#." Another truth be told, I intentionally left the tombstones blank before scanning the doodle so that I could digitally make multiple versions of the final outcome. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't create one version with the same sentiment on the tombstone as the original artist did. It was one of those days and I just couldn't help myself.

The above version of this doodle is actually brought to you mostly by not a kitty, but a pup, and you all know her as Astrid. Her surgery to fix her torn CCL is on Tuesday. It's the 6-10 weeks of Astrid's crate rest thereafter that is really going to bring the above tombstone's sentiment to life. Pun unintentionally intended.

That said, I want to thank Ann of Zoolatry for creating this image for Astrid.

I appreciate this so much, just like I appreciate all of the kind words, thoughts, purrs, woofs, and prayers you wonderful friends of ours have been sending Astrid's way. I'm always nervous when any of my furbabies has to undergo surgery, as any furbaby parent would be, but knowing you're all in Astrid's corner helps alleviate some of that anxiety. Thank you all so much.

Happy Caturday, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

We've been discussing potential dangers and toxins associated with Halloween. Today, we're going to finish that topic with a couple of slightly random yet still relevant Halloween products with which to be cautious. We're referring to items such as glow sticks and fake blood. These items sometimes make appearances on holidays like Halloween, and they might very well contain ingredients that can potentially be toxic to kitties and pups. Glow sticks can especially be dangerous if they are bitten or otherwise punctured, and fake blood can also pose a risk if ingested. Be cautious, therefore, of using these items, as well as any other items that might be dangerous to your furbaby. If you do have any of these items at your home, keep them securely hidden away, so as to prevent any emergencies.

Friendly Fill-Ins

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


1. When I turned _________, I _________.

2. My favorite breakfast is _________.

3. I'm so glad I live in a world where _________.

4. _________ is not complete without _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. When I turned 30, I didn't care about age anymore.

(As they say, age is just a number. I'm a couple years into my 30s now, and I'm really not too worried about 40, or 50, or any of those upcoming numbers. While obviously some things are beyond our control, in more ways than one, I'm as young or as old as I let myself feel.)

2. My favorite breakfast is waffles.
(Let's be honest, I don't eat waffles very often. They're not necessarily the quickest breakfast to make, and there's also the fact that I don't currently have a waffle iron. That doesn't mean I don't love waffles, though. I enjoy any breakfast food in the realm of waffles, pancakes, French toast, and you get the idea, but waffles win because their little squares keep the syrup from running rampant, and I appreciate that effort they put forth.)

3. I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.

(This is actually a quote from Lucy Maude Montgomery's classic novel Anne of Green Gables. And I very much so agree with this sentiment.)

4. October is not complete without a candy hangover.
(I just bought a bunch of candy for trick-or-treaters as well as for myself and my family, so that may or may not have influenced this answer. Even so, at least in my house, this is a true statement.)

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.

***

Eddy took a turn to pose with one of our not-so-spooky guests. Sort of.

As is probably obvious, Eddy wasn't exactly the most considerate host to this black kitty.

Sorry, plush kitty who is supposed to be Halloween decor but stays out in our house year round. Eddy just wasn't that into you.

Have a fantastic day, friends!

***

Festive Doodle of the Day

Today's new Halloween doodle isn't anywhere near as Halloween-y as some of our upcoming ones. In truth, this was actually this year's birthday doodle for my angels Rosie and Sammy, who were born on September 1, 1993. But, I had failed to finish this doodle in time to share it on their birthday and instead opted to share a flashback doodle to celebrate them. Then I somehow forgot to share this doodle altogether. Shame on me. That all said, here it is now.

***

Tip of the Day

Today's Halloween tip relates to Halloween parties or other festivities of that nature. There are a number of potential dangers that such gatherings can pose. First, parties mean that guests are arriving, which means the door will be a busy place. When guests are arriving, keep your kitty or pup away from the door, such as by secluding them to a safe area away from the door, so that there is no chance of them escaping the house. Sometimes it might also be best to keep your furbaby secluded to a safe area during the duration of Halloween or other similar party, for their continued safety. There will be extra foot traffic in the house when there are guests, which could potentially lead to your furbaby getting stepped on or otherwise injured.

In addition, there could be toxic foods present at a Halloween party, such as alcohol or chocolate. If your furbaby steals a taste of such foods, or if unwitting guests feed your kitty or pup treats of chocolate or other foods, there could be dangerous side effects. There is a variety of dangers to your cat or dog that can be present at festivities. Therefore, always do what you must to ensure your furbaby's safety during Halloween or other parties. Even if your kitty or pup is friendly and enjoys the company of others, there are still many dangers for a kitty or pup when gatherings are hosted at their home. If there is any doubt for their safety, or simply to prevent any accidental dangers, keep your kitty or pup confined to a safe area of the home during festive gatherings.

Thankful Thimble Thursday

First and foremost, we are sending our purrs, thoughts, and prayers to Ellen of 15andmeowing, whose sweet and handsome Drake gained his angel wings.

Fly high and free, Drake.

***

It's Thimble Thursday, and today this tabby girl is here to give you a PSA. She wants to warn you all that it's spooky season, and apparently that means 'tis the season for weird friends to show up.

And sometimes those freaky friends sneak up behind you and scare a scream out of you.

Since it is Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop, Thimble wants to share her gratitude that at least she's adorable even when she's spooked.

***

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

1. When I turned _________, I _________.

2. My favorite breakfast is _________.

3. I'm so glad I live in a world where _________.

4. _________ is not complete without _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

***

Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Yesterday's Halloween tip was the obvious recommendation to keep candy away from your furbaby, since chocolate and other such goodies are indeed toxic to kitties and pups. Today, we're going a tad bit further and reminding you that even the inedible parts and pieces of candy can pose a risk to our furbabies. We're referring to candy wrappers, sucker sticks, and other candy-related bits and bobs. These remnants of a scrumptious piece of candy can smell and taste good to a pup or kitty, and might therefore end up in their mouth. If ingested, wrappers, sucker sticks, and the like could result in gastrointestinal distress or more serious bowel obstruction or perforation. So, needless to say, don't only keep candy out of your furbaby's reach, but also wrappers and other leftovers after the candy itself is gone. Put any trash left behind by candy in a secure trash can where your kitty or pup cannot get to it, in order to keep your furbaby happy and healthy.

Not So Adventurous Adventures with Astrid

We're 6 days out from Astrid's surgery to fix her torn CCL. She's still getting only minimal, very short walks to spare her one functioning back leg. After all, we don't want 2 legs with torn CCLs.

To make up for her almost nonexistent walks, Astrid's getting to spend lots of extra time in our back yard. That said, Astrid can sometimes get a little bored of that. What's more, though our back yard is fully fenced in, most of it is see-through fencing, and one of our neighbors has a dog who dislikes other dogs just as much as Astrid does. Those two love to run up and down the fence screaming and yelling at each other from their respective yards. Though Astrid seems to enjoy the wild interactions, it's really not great for her already malfunctioning legs. So, I've been taking her to my parents' back yard (that being her beloved Gammy and Pawpaw's back yard), since its fencing doesn't allow her to see or wildly interact with the neighbor dogs.

All that rambling to say, here's pup Astrid enjoying a gorgeous day in her Gammy and Pawpaw's back yard.

If you look past her giant tail, in that photo you can see Astrid's back right leg lifted off the ground. That's pretty much her permanent stance these days, whether she's still or moving, because that's the leg with the torn CCL. Astrid's on the pain meds carprofen and gabapentin, and she overall seems completely unbothered about hopping around on 3 legs. She's actually quite a pro at it. Even so, I can't wait for her to be fixed up. Though, as I've mentioned far more than once, the 6-10 weeks of cage rest thereafter is going to be a real battle with this wildly active 9-year-old pup.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, friends!

***

Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle was inspired by the old TV special Garfield's Halloween Adventure, of course starring Garfield and his buddy Odie.

***

Tip of the Day

We're just in the early stages of our October-long Halloween tips. Today, how about we get one of the most common Halloween tips out of the way? That's right, today we're talking about candy. The long and short of it is that you should never leave candy sitting out where your furbaby can find it and help themselves. Whether it be candy you're saving for yourself, or the candy dish you've prepared for those trick-or-treaters, always keep it well hidden from the kitties and pups.

As you all certainly know, chocolate can very toxic to our furbabies. Another candy danger includes artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which can be found in sugar-free candy, among other foods and goods. This candy discussion can also include raisins, and the double whammy that is chocolate-covered raisins. After all, raisins are toxic to kitties and pups just like chocolate is. To be on the safe side, no matter what kind of candy you're handing out this Halloween or have around the house, keep it hidden away from curious paws and maws.

In the event that your furbaby finds the candy, know the potential signs of toxicity. These can vary, and might include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or even neurological symptoms. Should you think or know that your furbaby has gotten into your candy stash, or should you observe any signs of toxicity, do not hesitate to seek veterinary assistance. It also does not hurt to have on hand a poison control number, such as the ASPCA at 1-888-426-4435.

Haunted Tonks Tuesday

Hello and happy Tuesday, friends! Like Evan did yesterday, Tonks is here to give another little preview of what's to come this spooky month. Though, as you'll see, Tonks is providing her preview in the form of bloopers.

That poor little ghost, as well as at least one other spooky little friend, will be co-starring in a lot of our photos this month. We hope you guys don't mind the haunting photo shoots.

Have a wonderful day, friends!

***

Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

***

Tip of the Day

Our month-long Halloween tips continue. We've been mentioning the importance of being aware of what decorations you use, and of course keeping in mind your furbaby's safety. Today we're expanding on that even further. We're here today to remind you to also keep in mind wildlife, as well as stray and feral cats, when decorating outdoors. Cords to light strands, for example, can be just as dangerous to outdoor animals as they can be to indoor animals. The same goes for candles, such as those in jack-o'-lanterns that you might set up on your porch. So, for the safety of animals outdoors, make sure you use cords that are approved for outdoor use, and keep them as safely and securely hidden as possible. As for candles in jack-o'-lanterns, just as we mentioned for indoor furbabies, you can use battery-operated or other artificial candles. This can prevent burns or fires should an animal outdoor become curious of a lit jack-o'-lantern. Again, though, do keep in mind that batteries and plastic pieces can also pose threats to animals, so do still monitor them.

One other particular outdoor Halloween decoration we want to address are artificial cobwebs. Please use these with caution. These fake cobwebs could lead to animals outdoors becoming dangerously tangled. In addition, ingesting them can lead to issues such as bowel obstruction. Decorations such as artificial cobwebs might be fun and festive, but always keep the safety of both indoor and outdoor animals in mind when using any such products.

A Ghostly Mancat Monday

It's Mancat Monday, and Evan is here to give you all another preview of what's to come this spooky month.

As you can see, and as happens every year, we have a ghostly visitor that loves posing with the furbabies. You'll be seeing lots of him this month.

Happy Monday, friends!

***

Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's festive flashback is a pretty old one, from at least 3 years ago. It's yet another one that I'd really like to recreate in my more modern style, as I can see many, many improvements I could make on this one. Anyway, here you go. 

***

Tip of the Day

In the first of our Halloween tips, we reminded you of the potential hazards of Halloween decorations. As we mentioned, wreaths, garland, and festive trinkets can pose dangers. We also can't forget items like candles, such as those we put in or out of jack-o'-lanterns. And, of course, don't forget cords for strands of lights or other decor. Today, relating to potential Halloween home decor dangers, we're going to mention some ways that you can indeed put out decorations, but in a safe manner.

First, of course, keep any and all potentially hazardous items high off of the ground, or out of the reach of your furbaby in any other way necessary. This might mean putting decorations on shelves that are high off of the ground, or in display cases that have doors. When it comes to cords, it is best to find a way to safely tuck them away or tape them down. There are even pet-safe and child-safe cord covers, under which cords can be tucked away from curious paws and mouths. And what about candles? Aside from refraining from burning them, or keeping them out of reach or in a room your furbaby does not have access to, you can try battery-operated or other similar artificial candles. You can use these types of safer options in festive candle holders, or even to light your jack-o'-lanterns. Of course, though, do keep in mind that batteries and plastic parts and pieces can also pose their own risks to furbabies. So, while fake candles might not burn your furbaby, it is still wise to keep an eye on your furbaby around such items, especially if your kitty or pup is a chewer.

Caturday Art: Halloween Pre-Game

It's finally October, home to one of my most favorite holidays. I of course want to start sharing Halloween doodles, but for today we have the final sort of spooky summer-ish doodle that I failed to post before now. I hate for it to go to waste, and at least it does actually star a very Halloween item. It's just the background colors that make it more summer-ish, as it's not the bright oranges and such of my usual autumnal doodles. I guess it's sort of a Halloween pre-game doodle. Sort of. Anyway. Enough rambling. Here you go.

Happy October, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

For the past couple of years, I've really enjoyed sharing tips centered around Halloween all throughout October. So, we're going to share those tips again. So, are you ready for the first Halloween tip of the season? We're going to start with none other than the festive decorations. Most people might be more cognizant of their Christmas decorations and how they could affect the resident furbabies. However, also keep your furbaby's safety in mind if you put up Halloween decorations. Halloween decorations can come in all shapes and sizes, such as wreaths, garland, and all sorts of trinkets and goodies in between. If you're anything like us, you have all sorts of black cats and pumpkins out on display this time of year. No matter what kind of decorations you put out, make sure that anything your furbaby might chew on is out of their reach. Small pieces of Halloween decor, or parts and pieces of off larger pieces of decor, could lead to choking, obstruction, or perforation of the bowel if ingested. Be aware of cords that might come with certain decorations, and realize the various hazards those cords can pose to a curious kitty or pup. While you don't have to refrain from being festive and decorating for Halloween (or any holiday), you simply need to take your kitty or pup's safety into consideration and do your best to prevent injury to your furbaby when putting up your decor.