Tonks Tuesday: The Real Star of the Christmas Tree

Some of you probably already know how much calico girl Tonks loves the Christmas tree.

Tonks has informed me that I don't even need a star on the tree, because I have her to play that role.

Notice the absence of ornaments on the tree? I wonder why that's the case.

Wishing you all a terrifically festive Tuesday!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is yet another one inspired by a certain Christmas movie, or at least the home in which the movie takes place. This one is for Home Alone, of course with an obligatory kitty added to the scene.
 

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Tip of the Day

Our past couple of tips covered what you can do to keep your furbaby happy and safe if you are traveling during this holiday season. On the other hand, what if your family is coming to your house for the holidays? First, as we've said many times before, practice door safety when guests are coming and going. If need be, block your kitty or pup's access to the door, or give them a safe room in which to stay. Consider whether your guests are staying for a short or long visit, and consider your individual furbaby's personality and behaviors when determining if, how often, or for how long they can safely intermingle with guests.

Of course, it isn't just your furbaby you have to worry about when guests arrive. Make sure that all guests know any important rules when it comes to your furbaby. If your kitty or pup is staying in a safe room while guests visit, for example, then make sure guests know if they are to refrain from visiting that room in the house. On the other hand, if your furbaby is a social butterfly and is out and about with guests, make sure that your guests understand what they should and should not do to keep your kitty or pup safe. For example, make sure guests are aware of the potential for escapes if the door is kept open. In addition, guests should know whether you allow your furbaby treats, and what human foods are dangerous and should not be fed to your kitty or pup. Also take safety precautions if guests are staying overnight. For example, make sure guests know to keep all medications or other potentially dangerous items well out of reach of resident cats and dogs.

It is possible for your house to be inhabited by your furbabies as well as guests during this holiday season. At the same time, it's also important to make sure that all precautions are made to ensure that guests' stays are safe for everyone, including the furbabies of the home. So, simply think ahead, and prepare both your furbabies and guests for a safe Christmas.

A Merry Mancat Monday with Evan and Astrid

It's Mancat Monday, and today mancat Evan decided he's willing to share the festive spotlight.

Behind Evan there is indeed his canine sister, Astrid. The pup sort of loves cold weather and constantly begs to go outside during the winter, which is exactly what she was doing in that there photo.

Evan and Astrid generally get along really well. They were raised together, after all. That said, sometimes Evan gets a bit ornery with Astrid, but the truth is, sometimes she gets a tad bit invasive.

Doesn't Evan look good and cozy there?

Not to overshare on behalf of the pup, but Astrid can sometimes be a gassy little lady. For Evan's sake, let's hope that wasn't the case during that there photo shoot.

Evan, Astrid, and all of us here wish you a merry Monday! Oh, and don't worry, because Astrid got to enjoy some time in the back yard after those photos were snapped. And Evan got his personal space back.

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Previously, we mentioned how to prepare your furbaby if you are leaving them home in someone else's care while you travel for the holidays. On the other hand, today we're here to remind you to also think ahead and be prepared if you are traveling with your furbaby during the festive season, or any time of the year. Some considerations to make include your kitty or pup's health status, whether they might need sedation to remain calm and safe while traveling, and other such circumstances you would need to discuss with your veterinarian. Those aren't the only factors to consider, though. Also consider whether you're traveling by car, train, plane, or other means, and make sure you're knowledgeable on how the method of transportation would affect your kitty or pup, and what preparations and precautions you would need to take in order to keep your furbaby safe during those travels. In addition, keep in mind your ultimate destination and what accommodations will or won't be available for your furbaby once you arrive.

All of the above said, don't forget the crucial basics. Make sure you have a proper carrier and/or leash, food, litter and litter box, medications, and anything else needed to properly travel with and overall care for your furbaby while traveling with them. It is also a good idea to have a copy of their records, in the event that your kitty or pup needs to visit an unfamiliar vet while away from home. Also know whether how or where you're traveling would require you to have proof of certain vaccinations for your furbaby, or anything else of that sort. A lot goes into safely traveling with your kitty or pup, so do your research and properly prepare in order to keep them happy and healthy.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Eddy's Red Ribbon

Hello and happy Friday, 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 Christmas pet peeve I have is _________.

2. I don't like spending money on _________.

3. I eat my fair share of _________ this time of the year.

4. I _________ when wrapping Christmas gifts.

My answers are below in bold, and are accompanied by my usual rambling.

1. A Christmas pet peeve I have is warm weather on the big day itself.

(I live in Illinois. Generally, it's decently cold in December, as in roughly the 30°F range or so. I admittedly like when it's cold on Christmas, because that makes it truly feel like Christmas, at least here in the Midwest. Every couple years, though, we have us a warm Christmas. I remember walking Astrid on Christmas morning in 2019. We wore matching sweaters, because why not, but it was nearly 70°F and so I ended up carrying Astrid's sweater while melting in mine. Last year it was about 15°F on Christmas, which felt frigidly festive, whereas this year it's forecast to be 50°F or thereabouts. That's better than it being 70°F, but I still wish it would be colder so as to feel more festive.)

2. I don't like spending money on water.
(I know not all countries and people are lucky enough to have easy access to water, but when you live in a country that blesses you with that option, I don't particularly care to pay for it. Obviously we pay water bills for our homes and so of course we are indeed paying for water, but certainly not at the rate that certain venues and bottled water companies charge. The only concert I've been to in the past decade of course didn't allow you to bring your own drinks, but I got thirsty and so ended up paying $5 for a small bottle of water. My jaw probably dropped to the floor when I saw the price.)

3. I eat my fair share of cookie dough this time of the year.

(I enjoy making a lot of different kinds of cookies during the Christmas season, such as gingerbread, shortbread, and even peanut butter cookies, which get turned into Rudolphs. I feel compelled to take even a small taste of cookie dough for every batch I make. I was one of those kids who grew up tasting cookie dough every time we made cookies, and I've never gotten sick from it, so I'm not about to stop the habit now.)

4. I get lots of feline help when wrapping Christmas gifts.

(When I wrap Christmas gifts, I gather up all the supplies, put on Christmas Vacation to watch for the gazillionth time, and immediately start battling so very helpful kitties as I wrap away. And I obviously would be so lost without their help. I could lock myself away to wrap gifts, but I'd rather sit in the living room watching Christmas movies and spending time with my furbabies, so I just accept their help, of course while keeping their curious paws away from scissors and the like.)

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 Friday Eddy fix? We bet you are. Today, the festive little tabby lady is again posing next to her beloved Christmas tree. 

Though I haven't gotten any great photos of her in action, Eddy beats the living daylights out of that ribbon that I use as the tree topper. This is nothing new. I put the same ribbon on that tree every year, and it's covered in teeth marks and slashes, and Eddy has partially undone the ribbon as well. From far away it doesn't look too bad, but if you really inspect it, the abuse is evident.

I'm going to try to get some shots of the boxing matches Eddy regularly has with the ribbon, which usually occur at about 2 o'clock in the morning or so. Until then, though, enjoy cute little Eddy looking perfectly innocent here. Oh, and just look at her adorable snaggletooth!

Have a festive Friday, friends!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Tonight, when I get off work, I plan to go home and wrap Christmas gifts. As I mentioned in the fill-ins above, that means I'll yet again be watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. In honor of that, here's a flashback doodle that was inspired by none other than that favorite Christmas movie of mine.

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Tip of the Day

If you are traveling for the holidays without your furbaby, be sure to plan for their proper care while you're away. Be sure to book a pet-sitter or space in a boarding facility well in advance, to ensure that your kitty or pup has scheduled care with a trusted caregiver. Then, of course, also make sure that your furbaby's caregiver has everything they will need for the comfort and safety of your kitty or pup. Whether a pet-sitter is coming to your home or whether your furbaby is staying at a boarding facility, have plenty of their food in stock, and make sure that their leash, litter, and other necessities are readily available. Also make sure that any medications they take are refilled, and that instructions for medication administration as well as feedings and other care is written down or understood by the caregiver. Other important information to leave for a caregiver is your contact information, their veterinarian's contact information, and their medical records, as needed. It is always better to be more prepared than less prepared, so be sure that sufficient preparations are made for your furbaby's care in the event that you leave for the holidays, or any time of the year.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Christmas Tree Company

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! Thimble is of course ready for angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is again grateful for this season, and for the festive photo shoots in which her cute little self can partake.

Thimble loves this Christmas tree that it's in my bedroom. She doesn't climb it like Eddy does, and she doesn't abuse that red ribbon tree topper like Eddy does, but Thimble loves keeping this Christmas tree company nonetheless.

Wishing you all a festive day!

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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 Christmas pet peeve I have is _________.

2. I don't like spending money on _________.

3. I eat my fair share of _________ this time of the year.

4. I _________ when wrapping Christmas gifts.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Though we're guessing you all don't need reminded of this, don't forget to include your furbabies in the Christmas festivities. Getting them gifts such as new toys is of course one way of doing this, as well as getting some new treats for your furbaby to try while you have your Christmas dinner. For those kitties out there, a fresh baggie of catnip, silver vine, or valerian root can make for lots of festive fun. You can even get little stockings in which to put treats and toys or paraphernalia, so that your kitty or pup can rummage through their very own stocking on Christmas morning, of course as long as they're not eating the stocking. For those furbabies who are perhaps older or simply less active, a new bed, blanket, or even a new box to call their own can help make the holiday more fun and festive. Thinking outside of the box, though, you can also give gifts to shelter or rescue furbabies in your furbaby's name. If your furbaby already has plenty of new toys and treats in their happy forever home, then in their name you can opt to spread the love to an animal still awaiting their forever home.

Woof Woof Wednesday: Astrid's Festive Friend

Astrid has a little friend she'd like you all to meet.

That was actually an early Christmas present. As in, Astrid wasn't supposed to get until Christmas.

That festive little fellow came in a 3-pack of Christmas squeaky balls. The other two are Santa and a reindeer. Astrid was supposed to get all 3 throughout Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but I accidentally squeaked them when putting them away in their hiding spot after they arrived. Despite being outside in the back yard at the time, Astrid heard the squeak. She looked so excited that I let her have the elf early. That was a couple weeks ago, and Astrid still regularly plays with him. He's gone on a couple walks with us, at Astrid's insistence, and he's often tossed around and gnawed on in the back yard.

Astrid hopes you all get to enjoy some early festivities as well! Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today, we thought we'd discuss some options for making Christmas merry and bright for shelter and rescue furbabies. To help brighten their holidays, you can make any number of donations to your local shelters and rescue groups. Toys, beds, blankets, cat trees, scratching posts, and anything that might help to enrich the shelter environment is one great option, even if these items are gently used ones that your own kitty or pup no longer uses or needs. You can also donate dry and canned foods and treats, as well as chew bones or other chew toys. Of course, also don't forget other items that could help to make the animals' and shelter workers' lives a bit easier, including carriers that you no longer need, and a variety of cleaning supplies. Many shelters and rescues have wish lists established online, or can inform you by phone or email of what they are most in need. Some shelters even simply ask you to save up newspapers or old towels and blankets to help make cages more comfortable for the animals. Of course, if you are able to make a monetary donation, no matter how big or small that may be, that can also help tremendously.

In addition, you could opt to volunteer your time, or even your home. Fostering a furbaby, even if simply to give them a temporary home in which to enjoy the holidays, can make a world of difference for both the animal and the staff who would otherwise need to be available to care for the furbabies over the holidays. If fostering is not an option, you can also sign up to help at the shelter, such as by caring for and interacting with adoptees over the holidays. This extra care and kindness could mean a great deal to a furbaby who is still waiting for their forever family to find them, and of course can also help relieve the shelter staff.

No matter how small or grand, anything you might be able to gift to a shelter or rescue this Christmas could make all the difference. So, if possible, don't forget the furbabies awaiting their forever homes this holiday season.

Tonks Tuesday: Christmas Tree Hypnosis

Tonks loves her Christmas tree so much. Sometimes it even hypnotize her a tad bit.

Have any of you kitty friends of ours ever been hypnotized by a Christmas tree? It happens to Tonks quite often. Once she breaks out of the spell, she usually tackles the tree and gives it a good climb.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

This time of year, we often enjoy having our homes smell festive. Candles are one way some of us create lovely scents in our homes, but of course be careful of the fire hazard these can create. If you use candles in your home, keep them and their flames well out of your furbaby's reach. You can also consider going the flameless route with candle or wax melters, but these can also be hot to the touch and so still need to be kept away from furbabies. Also keep in mind that some candle scents, such as in the form of the oils or other fragrance sources they use, can negatively affect some kitties and pups with asthma and allergies.

In addition to candles, there are also scented items like potpourri or essential oils that can be used to fragrance a home. However, if you use liquid potpourri or essential oils to make your home smell like Christmas, or if you use them year round, be extremely cautious using them around your furbaby. Both ingestion and skin contact with some of these scented items can be extremely dangerous and toxic to your kitty or pup, causing anything from skin irritation to symptoms such as vomiting, difficulty breathing, and weakness. Just some of the essential oils and other similar products that can cause illness are those derived from cinnamon, pine, peppermint, and citrus. Therefore, if you holiday season includes using oils or potpourri to make your home smell festive, be extremely careful to keep all such products safely out of your furbaby's reach.

Another Merry Mancat Monday

Hello, friends! I truly didn't mean to go missing yet again this weekend, but it was for merry reasons. I visited some extended family at an early Christmas gathering, I worked on and finally finished drawing the image for our Christmas card this year, and I shopped for and finished drawing the card for my dad's birthday this week.

Now, all that said, it's Mancat Monday.

Like I said last week, that there is indeed my favorite gift under the Christmas tree.

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

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

We previously mentioned being cautious when using lights on your Christmas tree, due to the various hazards they pose, such as electrocution or a kitty or pup getting tangled. That being said, also be sure to keep this same concept in mind when putting up lights, or other decorations, outdoors. After all, outdoor animals, such as squirrels, birds, or stray or feral cats, can also potentially be put at risk by Christmas decorations. Try to prevent dangerous situations by taking precautions, such as never leaving any parts or pieces of decorations loose, as both indoor and outdoor babies could get tangled up or ingest something dangerous. When it comes to cords, whether indoor or outdoor, try to find a way to safely secure them, such as by taping them to a wall or the ground. You certainly don't have to forego decorations and all things festive, but do keep in mind the safety of both indoor and outdoor critters.