Thankful Thimble Thursday: Warm Spots and Shiny Things

Happy Thursday, friends! You better believe Thimble is here and ready for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop. 

Today, the little tabby girl is grateful for warm spots her furry siblings leave behind. Specifically, Evan gets special blankets just to himself since he has urinary incontinence. Thimble has little to no self-preservation, and so she loves to sit in the warm, sometimes wet spots Evan leaves behind on his blankets.

Oh, and Thimble is also thankful for reflections and other shiny things that are sometimes cast on walls and ceilings, which is what she was staring at in this photo. I happen to think her big eyes are pretty darn adorable.

Have a wonderful day, friends!

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And now 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. A word I have trouble pronouncing is _________.

2. A word I usually spell wrong is _________.

3. If _________, my life would be very different.

4. _________ is the best way to _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is kind of a spooky one in a way. A couple years ago I got a new color of my favorite art marker, that being a pale grey. I thought it would be a perfect color for drawing a ghost, and so I drew a friendly ghost lady making friends with a kitty in a house that she may or may not haunt. Whether or not that makes sense, here you go.

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Tip of the Day

We still have some tips all about taking that kitty to the vet. Today's tip is to, if needed, discuss with your veterinarian medications that might help calm a cat who becomes especially anxious, or even aggressive, when it comes time to visit the vet. Some cats simply become reactive when they see a carrier, when they get into a car, when they visit a veterinary office, or when they meet strangers. If you have tried the usual tricks—which of course include leaving the carrier out at all times, using Feliway, using treats to coax and distract, and so forth—yet your kitty still becomes anxious or difficult to handle, then there are some potential sedating medications that could be given when it comes time to visit the vet. Your veterinarian would be able to determine if or which sedatives might work best for your particular kitty, given said kitty's behavior as well as health. So, be upfront and honest with your veterinarian regarding the ease and safety of getting your cat in a carrier and to the vet, and then the two of you can discuss potential options.

Almost Autumn Adventures with Astrid

Today's edition of Adventures with Astrid involves a hint of autumn. After all, Astrid found a red maple leaf on the ground the other day. See?

It's not a great shot, and I didn't stick around to get a better one because construction was going on and we needed to get out of the workers' way. The construction workers are the ones who named that there manhole cover SAM, but I digress. The short story is that pup Astrid and I found a red leaf in the midst of this August heat wave, and so now we're even more eager for autumn. Are any of you friends of ours seeing hints of autumn?

Happy Wednesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's doodle is a summertime flashback involving Halloween baking. We saw a red leaf, so it has to happen.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip in our series on taking your cat to the vet is to be prepared. This may seem strange or vague, but being prepared prior to loading your kitty up in the carrier and taking him or her to the vet can help everyone avoid extra and unneeded stress and anxiety. Being prepared even involves the moments when you're getting ready to head to the vet. For example, before you get your cat into the carrier, have everything ready to go so that your kitty doesn't have to wait in the carrier longer than necessary. Have anything loaded up that you might need at the vet, such as treats, toys, or even goodies such as your cat's fecal sample. Also think of what might need prepped in the car, such as if it's hot outside and the car needs pre-cooled, if it's cold outside and the car needs pre-warmed, or even if you need to pre-prepare a safe seat in the car for your kitty's carrier.

Of course, being prepared doesn't just end with what needs done prior to arriving at the vet. For example, if you have questions to ask or notes to share with the veterinarian, have those written down or otherwise ready to be addressed prior to arriving. This can ensure that the appointment does not last longer than necessary, which is especially important for anxious cats who grow increasingly nervous the longer they're at the vet. So, for the sake of your cat and to reduce any anxiety they might feel during a vet visit, do your best to be fully prepare prior to arriving at the vet for your kitty's appointment.

Throwback Tonks Tuesday

Today, your dose of Tonks comes in the form of a throwback. After all, I was going through some old photos on our blog and found these. And they made me smile. So, I had to share them again.

Do you remember a couple years ago when I showed you a certain package I received?

Do you remember what was in that package? Well, do you?

A Tonks! There was a Tonks in that package.

Tiny little Tonks can fit into pretty much anything. It's more or less a personal goal of hers to climb into any bag or box she sees. And so when she found that package I'd opened up, she accepted the challenge.

 

Tonks and all of us here wish you a happy Tuesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is yet another one starring Edgar Allan Poe and his tortie Catterina. This one was inspired by my favorite shorty story by Poe, that being "The Fall of the House of Usher".

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip in our series on taking your cat to the vet is yet another plain and simple one, and that is to be and act calm. As you all certainly know, our furbabies can feed off of our own emotions. That's why, if you are anxious, your cat's anxiety could be heightened. So, as best as possible, remain calm and collected both before and during your cat's vet visit. Even speaking calmly and soothingly to your cat could help to make them indeed feel calm and soothed during their excursion to the vet. You can praise your cat for good behavior, of course remaining calm and quiet when doing so, as that can also help them feel more calm. The long and short of this tip is to try your best to keep any anxiety you have in check, and to remain calm for your cat's sake.

A Hot and Humid Mancat Monday

Evan has been enjoying his window time before we close things up for this sweltering week. Today is supposed to be the coolest day of the week at 90°F.

Honestly, I think the humidity is worse than the heat at this point. Last I checked it was 92% humidity outside. What's the weather like in your corner of the world? Evan and all of us here hope you're staying cool!

Happy Monday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Here's yet another flashback doodle that was heavily inspired by my summertime desire for autumn and Halloween.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip for taking your cat to the vet is to consider using a pheromone spray, such as Feliway. A synthetic pheromone such as this can potentially have a calming effect for your cat. One idea is to spray the pheromone into your cat's carrier, or onto a blanket placed in your cat's carrier. This could potentially help make the experience of getting into the carrier more calm for your cat, as well as potentially make the car ride and time at the vet a calmer experience. Also consider taking the pheromone spray with you to the vet, where you can spray it in the air in the exam room, or again spray it on a blanket or toy you might have brought along to the vet for your cat. Of course a pheromone spray might not work the same for every cat, but it definitely wouldn't hurt to try it in case it might help your kitty feel calm and soothed.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Window Whiffies

Hello and welcome, friends! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and 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. A sight I would like to unsee is _________.

2. I plan to _________ before the summer is over.

3. I sometimes forget that _________ isn't considered normal by most.

4. If my life were a book, the current chapter I'm in would be titled _________.

My answers are below in bold.

1. A sight I would like to unsee is Evan's frightened face when I left him at the emergency vet when he had his urethral obstruction.
(Evan is the first furbaby I've adopted as my own as an adult that I've had to leave at the emergency vet for hospitalization. This was this past December. It was heartbreaking watching them take him away. He looked back at me with such terror in his eyes. I also felt immense heartache when I'd go visit him his first days in the hospital and I'd have to say goodbye those times as well, and he'd again look so scared when they'd take him away. I'm so glad my baby boy is home with me and doing well these days. He's on lots of medications to ensure that, but he's a happy boy and I'm so grateful for that.)

2. I plan to do some Halloween decor window shopping before the summer is over.

(A lot of Halloween goodies are put in stores in the summer. I've learned that by the time Halloween itself rolls around, the spooky stuff starts selling out or getting replaced by Christmas. I don't know that I'll be purchasing much in terms of Halloween decor this year, but I'll still for sure be doing some perusing and admiring before it all disappears from the shelves for good. After all, I love me some Halloween.)

3. I sometimes forget that seeing a kitty drag his back legs behind him isn't considered normal by most.

(I once had a maintenance worker at my house, and Evan was walking in front of him in his little hind limb paralyzed way. I'm so used to it that I didn't think to explain it until I saw the look of confusion, or possibly horror, on the poor man's face.)

4. If my life were a book, the current chapter I'm in would be titled Bless This Mess.

(This could relate to so many things in my life right now. Home life, work life, my boy Evan's urinary incontinence and bowel issues, you get the idea. Things are often simply a mess, in more ways than one, but a lot of the mess is still a blessing.)

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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Eddy is of course here to give you a dose of her adorableness. She's sorry she didn't look at the camera, but she's just so busy enjoying some window whiffies while it's less than 80°F outside.

When it hits 90°F this weekend and next week, this mean mom of Eddy's won't be opening the windows. Eddy finds that very rude.

Eddy hopes you all have window whiffies weather! Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We have another flashback doodle today starring Edgar Allan Poe and his tortie Catterina. Oh, and a certain black bird.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip on taking that kitty of yours to the vet is, if safe and feasible, getting your cat use to car rides. This is something that might work best if started at a young age, but can also potentially be done with older cats who are not too stressed by the experience. You can simply try taking your kitten or cat out on short car rides. Of course, make sure that these short practice rides end in a non-vet location, so that your kitty can learn that car rides don't have to be associated with going to a veterinary clinic. If your cat is willing to and can safely eat while traveling, use treats as positive reinforcement during short practice rides in the car. Toys and other positive items can also be used, when possible. That all said, be sure to keep your kitty safe, such as by keeping them in a carrier securely placed in the car.

Just as with anything, car rides can take some getting used to for our kitties. Of course, not all cats will be calm during car rides, sometimes not even with practice. This is why it is important to always monitor your cat while they are on a car ride. If it is not safe to take your cat on even leisurely, practice car rides, such as if you see rapid or open-mouth breathing from them, then do not attempt unneeded car rides. You can discuss options with your veterinarian for making car rides easier for your kitty, and at least one of our tips in the near future will also touch on the topic of helping your kitty feel calmer in the car.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Sunshine and a Cute Snout

Thimble is ready and raring to go for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, this little tabby girl is yet again grateful for the bright and shiny sun. And of course her adorable little nose.

Thimble hopes seeing her cute little face made your day a good one!

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Now, let's share 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. A sight I would like to unsee is _________.

2. I plan to _________ before the summer is over.

3. I sometimes forget that _________ isn't considered normal by most.

4. If my life were a book, the current chapter I'm in would be titled _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Apparently a few years ago I turned mowing into a spooky summer doodle. I barely remember scribbling this one up, but since it's mowing season and yet I'm ready for autumn, this seems like a good time to share this flashback.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip on taking that kitty of yours to the vet is about selecting the best kind of carrier for your cat. There are a number of considerations to make when it comes to carrier type. The size of your cat, the size of the carrier, how willing your kitty is to enter a carrier, your cat's behavior while in a carrier, and the material out of which a carrier is made can all play a role in the kind of carrier you might want to use.

To go into a bit more detail, let's start with the size of your kitty. For example, take into consideration the comfort of a large cat when selecting a carrier. A small carrier will of course be less than cozy for a large cat, not to mention that it might not be easy to get a large cat into a small carrier in the first place. At the same time, though, it is important to make sure that you can carry your cat's carrier with relative ease. This is especially crucial for emergency cases, when you might need to move quickly and therefore won't want to have difficulty transporting a cat-filled carrier.

Another consideration to make is how easy it is to get your cat into the carrier. Yesterday, we mentioned some tips on getting your cat used to the carrier. Those all being said, some cats may simply not be the easiest to coax into a carrier. With this in mind, consider what type of carrier will be easiest for you, your kitty, and your particular situation. If your cat is difficult to get into a carrier, for example, a top-loading one might be easier than a front-loading one. Then again, if it's possible and safe, you could set a front-loading carrier on its back end in order to load your kitty in through the door while it's standing up in that manner. Also keep in mind how sturdy a carrier is and how easily this might make it to load a kitty inside. Mesh or other flimsy carriers, for example, could collapse as you try to load a difficult cat inside, making the task even more challenging.

Yet another consideration to make is how your cat acts inside a carrier, and how details such as carrier material might be affected. For example, is your cat a digger while in their carrier? If so, a mesh carrier may not be the best option for them, especially if they are an insistent digger who might tear a hole in the mesh or dig at the zipper and escape. Also take into consideration if your kitty has a nervous bladder or nervous bowels. If your cat is known to urinate or defecate in the carrier, consider what type of carrier might be best able to withstand this and to be cleaned afterwards. A plastic carrier might be a good option in this case.

There can be a great many considerations to make when selecting a carrier for your kitty. Those we mentioned above are just some considerations you might need to make. It all depends on your particular furbaby, their personality and behavior, as well as on you and your capabilities or preferences.

Adventures with Astrid: Green Grass Snack Attack

After a drought earlier this summer, we're getting plenty of rain now. Astrid is happy about that, as she loves her some green grass.

It's a lovely sight, and the pup also finds it quite tasty. She knows it's important to get in your greens.

Astrid of course always gives the grass a sniff first, though, to make sure she's not gnawing on another dog's donations to the land. The girl has standards.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip on taking your kitty to the vet is one that we've mentioned before, and that is to get your kitty used to the carrier. The first and foremost way to do this is to keep the carrier out, in sight, and accessible all the time. If the carrier is tucked away, then it very well may simply become a source of fear when it comes out once a year. Keeping it out at all times can help combat this.

What's more, try to make the carrier a place of comfort or fun. For example, place a cozy blanket in the carrier, so that it can perhaps be seen as a place to snooze. You can also place toys in the carrier, as well as treats. Or, you can try to use the carrier as a feeding station, such as by putting one of your kitty's bowls of food in there. These methods can help your cat associate the carrier with things that are cozy, fun, or commonplace, in turn helping it to be seen as less of a threat. All in all, help your kitty get used to the carrier by turning it into a place where good things happen, rather than simply a place in which once a year they're locked up and taken somewhere unfamiliar. Associating the carrier with happy experiences can potentially make vet visits a bit less scary for the kitty in your life.