#PetPhotoFails

Meows from Mudpie!

Thank you for joining us for this month's edition of the Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop! It's hard to believe April is right around the corner. I can't wait to enjoy some window whiffies, and for the very first time Mommy says she's looking forward to spring too. It's been a dark and dreary winter, in every way imaginable, and she's hoping the sun will make the world look a little brighter. 

MOL! We just took our Christmas tree down on Monday! Mommy took the ornaments off in January but she left it up with just the white lights. She contemplated decorating it with Easter eggs but decided instead to take it down. It was a very hard day for her because Grandma loved Christmas just as much as we do.

My photo fails this month were taken the other morning when we were making breakfast. Mommy noticed I was pawing at something under the stove and decided she'd better investigate. I had found a grape stem and proceeded to bat it all over the kitchen and dining room. She told me I was a very silly girl. One would think I have absolutely nothing to play with! Unfortunately the pics turned out lousy.

Those are my bloopers...let's see yours! 

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On the Road Again

Meows from Mudpie!

Yesterday I had to go back to the vet for my second (and hopefully final) dose of ear medication. I told Mommy I've been feeling so much better that it wasn't necessary, but she wouldn't listen to me. 

I'm proud to say Mommy told me I'm the bestest kitty she's ever had in the car or at the vet. On the ride there I barely made a peep this time. I didn't soil myself in any way. In the exam room I waited patiently for the vet tech to come in. Mommy helped hold me while the tech applied the medicine. I was told I had a beautiful coat and colors. In 5 minutes we were in and out.

Since the visit was so fast and I was being so good, Mommy decided to stop at the bank. She didn't want to leave me alone in the car while she went inside so we used the drive thru! I took the opportunity to ask the teller about opening a squeezie account. He said something about needing ID, a Social Security Number, and a minimum opening deposit amount, none of which I had. 

Oh well, I tried to find a way to support myself and it didn't work out. Guess I'll have to continue depending on Mommy.

Smug #SundaySelfie

Meows from Mudpie!

Friday after lunch Mommy started working on a decluttering project. I wanted to cuddle, but she left me all alone on the cold couch. Can you imagine? While I'm still recovering from feeling puny too. Talk about neglect!

Then the phone rang. It was Mommy's aunt calling to see how my grandpa is doing. Mommy sat down on the couch to chat with her, and I sprung into action! The phone call only lasted a half hour, but I held her down for the next TWO hours! 

I snapped my selfie for the week while on Mommy's lap. I think I look quite smug, but do you blame me?

We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop! 

My Furry Universe #CaturdayArt

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our weekly answers (all answered by Mommy this week) for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and Four-Legged Furballs!

1. My favorite character from a film, TV, or book is Nancy Drew. This was so hard to narrow down to one, but I chose Nancy because she's kick-started my love for mysteries way back in grade school.

2. The one word I would use to describe myself is loner.

3. If I had to give you my best piece of advice, I would tell you don't follow the crowd. Be yourself.

4. Today's country music will never compare with classic country. (My favorite era is the '70s and '80s.)

Thankful Thursday: My Surprise Vet Visit

Meows from Mudpie! 

Monday afternoon I was napping innocently on the bed when Mommy scooped me up, brought me into the bathroom where my cat carrier was waiting, and out to the car we went. I sang the song of my people throughout the 10 minute ride, and in spite of my hopes she was taking me on a field trip to the squeezie factory, we ended up at the V-E-T.

We had to wait in the parking lot until an exam room was ready for us, and the entire time Mommy promised me she would never leave my side, and we would be going right back home as fast as we possibly could. That helped to calm me down some.

Truth is, I haven't been feeling great for a couple weeks. Even longer than that my right ear has been driving me nuts. I've had many episodes of it being super itchy over the past several months, but usually after Mommy cleans it out with a cotton ball it feels better. Lately nothing has brought it any relief though.

Then two weeks ago on Sunday night I was meowing at Mommy before bed, and my voice had changed! It was no longer sweet and melodious, it was deep and raspy! For the next week I coughed and gagged. Chatty tortie that I am, I became very quiet. Then I started sneezing, and my eyes and nose became runny. 

All of that cleared up in a few days, but my ear kept itching. Then over the weekend I started retching up a little of my food like I was feeling something in my throat. 

Mommy kept hoping it was my asthma, allergies, or a URI that just needed to run its course, but I was making her a nervous wreck, which is why I landed at the vet.

This was my first time seeing this doctor as my previous vet retired, but she was very nice. She said my heart and lungs sounded good - she couldn't even hear any wheezing from my asthma - and thinks my nose and eye issues stem from a herpes flare up. I was likely exposed when I was a stray, and all the stress in our home right now reactivated it. She swabbed my ears, ran some tests, and discovered I have an ear infection. She put some medicine in them and I have to go back next week (UGH!) for a second dose of it. (As we write this on Wednesday they're already feeling lots better.) She isn't sure why I'm regurgitating pieces of food, except maybe the ear infection has affected the Eustachian tube between my ears and throat.

I also had to get my rabies vaccine, even though Mommy was opposed to it. Thankfully it was in my chart that I had a bad reaction to a previous one (a lump formed for a month at the vaccine site) so the vet understood our hesitancy, but we were happy to know they now use the non-adjuvanted Purevax vaccine.

All in all Mommy was very relieved by the end of the visit, but was horrified to learn that I now weigh in at 20 pounds!!! The vet said my teeth are pretty bad, but I'm not a good anesthesia candidate because of my weight, so we need to get serious about taking some pounds off (slowly, of course). The good news is the vet is happy I love squeezies so much because they're excellent hydration, and said it would be okay if I ate more of them and cut back on my kibble! SCORE!

That's a diet plan I'm truly thankful for!

Tortie Tuesday: Snowflakes on Mudpie

Meows from Mudpie!

This picture was taken a week ago today, when we got a foot of heavy, wet snow. Yep, March 14th was our biggest snowstorm of the year. I had to stick my head out to take a better look when Mommy came back in from feeding the birds.

Talk about a bad case of dandruff!!! 

Just seconds after this picture was taken, I decided to try sauntering right out the door, for the first time ever! The snow didn't feel so great on my paws. Mommy was stunned because I've never shown any interest in stepping outside. She had to fling her phone on the ground to grab me. I received a bit of a lecture too.

Maybe I sensed what was coming. Some of you may have seen on Mommy's personal Facebook page yesterday that I had an unexpected trip to the V-E-T. I'm fine. We'll tell you all about it later this week.

The Excitement Never Ends #SundaySelfie

Meows from Mudpie!

Nearly every day Mommy wonders, "what next?", but she's gotten to the point she's afraid to ask because she knows the next problem is right around the corner.

On Thursday Grandpa was discharged from the hospital and went back to rehab. Medically he's doing better, but he still has a long way to go.

That morning Mommy and I were in the living room when she started hearing some weird noises from down in the basement. After lunch she decided to investigate, and discovered the duct cap on our (now unused) chimney had popped off. When she put it back on she heard...SNORING!!! Something was in there!!! 

Convinced she was hearing things, for the next hour or so she kept putting her ear to the chimney and consistently heard cute little snoring noises.

She didn't know who to call, so she went to Google for help. She found an article on a lady who works at our local humane society as a cruelty investigator, and has her own business as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Thankfully she was able to come out that night and discovered a mother raccoon in there with one of last spring's babies. She wasn't able to get either of them out - the mom ran right back out and stayed up on the roof, the baby kept running between the clean out and the duct cap - so she advised that we set up a radio by the chimney, tuned in to talk radio, so they'll hear human voices and hopefully decide to move along.

We've kept the radio on 24/7 and haven't heard any strange noises since. Come summer we'll have to add getting the chimney capped to our never-ending "to do" list.

It was a very stressful day but thankfully everything turned out alright. But honestly, we're tired of all the problems that just won't stop. We need a break.

St. Catty's Day #Caturday Art

 

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our weekly answers for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and Four-Legged Furballs!

Mommy's answers:

1. If one doesn’t treat their pet like a member of the family then one doesn’t deserve to have one.

2. One day I will feel "normal" again, but for now everything just feels so different. And it is.

Mudpie's answers:

3. What happens at the vet's office stays at the vet's office. When we don't feel well there's nothing wrong with acting differently from when we're at our best.

4. If you ask me how pets should be treated, I say spoil them like crazy. We deserve it!

Unboxing February's CatLadyBox

 The theme of February's CatLadyBox was Must Love Cats...here's what was inside!

Featured Cat Lady Artist: Krista Woodcock May "Field of Flowers"

I think this is one of the sweetest art cards yet...

and on the post she sat

that sweet little cat

in a field of flowers

sitting for hours and hours

Must Love Cats Shirt:

Such a pretty color combination, and I love the cat silhouettes.

I Hope You Like Cats Doormat:

This will need to be used inside at the back door, because it's way too cute to leave outside! 

Watercolor Cats Zip Pouch:

I'm in love with the sweet, colorful little faces on this pouch. 

And the zipper pull as the CatLadyBox logo on it! 

Kitty Keychain Card Wallet:

I've seen keychains that double as a coin purse, but never one big enough to also hold cash and cards. Very clever! 

Cozy Slipper & Wacky Wonky Mouse:

I didn't even notice until typing this that the slipper is pink animal print! 

And that crazy little mouse is too adorable for words. 

Mudpie agrees!

Not a subscriber yet? Visit CatLadyBox today!

Interested in purchasing individual items from past boxes? You can do that too!

Disclosure: I receive a discount on my CatLadyBox subscription as a thank you for my monthly review. Regardless of compensation received, we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers.

Grandma's Chair #SundaySelfie

Meows from Mudpie!

I've been spending a lot of time this week in Grandma's chair. Mommy put one of Grandma's sweatshirts down on it for me to sleep on. I'm keeping it warm for her. I miss her.

We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!

Mudpie Toast #CaturdayArt

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our weekly answers (all answered by Mommy this week) for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and Four-Legged Furballs!

1. Be sure to always say "I love you" because another chance is never guaranteed.

2. I would never give my heart to anyone who dislikes animals.

3. I got my great love for cats from my mom.

4. Just because I prefer the company of animals doesn’t mean I am unfriendly.

Strange Bedfellows

Meows from Mudpie!

Earlier this week Mommy was browsing through our camera roll and discovered this photo she took a whole year ago and never posted! 

I was laying on Mommy's pillow, waiting for her to come to bed. I'm sure you're not surprised with who I'm surrounded by. 

That Conway pillow was picked up at a yard sale by a dear friend of Mommy's. (I've gotten a claw caught in the thin fabric once or twice and she has a mini meltdown!)  The felt Conway & Loretta dolls she bought on Etsy. The artisan lives only 15 minutes away from us! 

I'll refrain from making any snarky comments about her obsessions. I know she's just barely holding it together these days, so if these things bring her joy, I'll happily co-exist with them.

We're CatLadyBox Supurrstars!!!

Meows from Mudpie!

Yesterday when Mommy brought in the mail there was a package from CatLadyBox. We weren't expecting anything from them so it was a real surprise! 

Inside the package we found this cute shirt, and a card thanking us for being one of their longest family members. Mommy has actually been with them since the very first box in July 2015! It arrived the weekend before Angel Truffles left for the Rainbow Bridge. They're such a pawsome company that truly cares about their customers. 

Mommy did say it really hurts to open her CatLadyBoxes now without Grandma. CatLadyBox day was always something Grandma enjoyed just as much as Mommy and I do. It's just one more thing we'll have to get used to doing without her :( 

Hoping for Brighter Days #SundaySelfie

 

We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!

The Purrfect Snow Globe #CaturdayArt

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our weekly answers (all answered by Mommy this week) for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and Four-Legged Furballs!

1. Staying home with Mudpie is always my preferred way to spend the day.

2. Did you ever wish you could turn back the clock?

3. I know how to clean up cat puke/hairballs all too well. I became an expert with Truffles who yakked multiple times per week. Recently I was taking care of my neighbor's cat, and one day she lost her wet food all over a sparkling clean cranberry rug in the basement. My neighbor said she couldn't even tell it had been there, so I guess I cleaned up pretty well! 

4. I can’t explain how I'm feeling right now. I keep hoping the past 3 months have been a bad dream I'm going to wake up from.

A Purr Before Dying by T.C. LoTempio - Blog Tour with Author Guest Post and Giveaway

 

No one’s who they seem in the thrilling new Nick and Nora Mystery, and someone’s playing the part of a clever killer . . .

When a nighttime soap opera comes to town to film an episode, no one’s more excited than Nora Charles, who’s landed the contract for catering the shoot. But if she thought the show’s plotlines were full of drama and intrigue, that’s nothing compared to what she witnesses among the cast and crew. With half of them sneaking off for secret liaisons one minute and at each other’s throats the next, it’s all a titillating behind-the-scenes look for Nora—until she stumbles across the body of the show’s slain director.

It’s not long before the local authorities finger the brother of Nora’s good friend for the evil deed, and it’s up to Nora and her sidekick Nick to get him off the hook. As she begins to sort out the cast’s romantic entanglements and professional rivalries looking for a motive, she also discovers that the victim was involved in the mysterious death of the show’s previous director. And then another member of the crew is found murdered, and Nora knows she’ll have to act fast to figure out who’s playing the part of the killer, before she’s cast in the role of the next victim . . .

Author Guest Post:

One of the best things about writing the Nick and Nora mysteries is trying out different lunch and sandwich recipes! Below are two good air fryer recipes that will definitely deliver a quick, easy and delicious lunch! Nora and Chantal give it two thumbs up, and Nick gives it four paws!!!!!!!!

Air Fryer Pizza

Ingredients:

1 ball pizza dough

4 12 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Desired pizza toppings (pepperoni, sausage, etc)

Jar of 15 oz. Pizza sauce

Instructions:

Using Pizza Dough:

1. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. Roll crust out really thin (less than ¼ inch). Prick all over with a fork, (this will help it bake flat). Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket. Lift up crust and carefully place in the basket.

2. Cook in air fryer at 400 degrees F for 1 minute, then flip to the other side and cook an additional minute. (check on the crust after 30 seconds to make sure it hasn’t flipped/folded in half.) Repeat with remaining crusts.

3. Add toppings to pre-baked crusts.

4. Lower air fryer temp to 370 and cook pizzas for 1-3 minutes or until warmed through and cheese has melted. (You can open the basket to check).

If you want, you can substitute store bought pizza crust instead of pizza dough. Just add toppings and cook at 370 degrees until cheese has melted and crust is crisp.

Air fryer Chicken Nuggets

Ingredients:

2 lb raw chicken tenders

½ cup pickle juice

½ cup milk

One large egg

One cup flour

One half cup milk

Breadcrumbs

Salt, Pepper

Directions:

Marinate Chicken Tenders in pickle juice for 20 min.

Add milk and egg in bowl and mix.

Preheat air fryer to 350

Remove chicken from pickle marinade and coat each tender in the egg mixture. Roll in breadcrumbs.

Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray, lay down parchment paper. Place tenders on paper. Air fry at 350 for 7 minutes. Then flip tenders over, increase air fryer temp to 400 an cook for 3 minutes, or until you see the tenders golden brown. Cooking time depends on the strength of your fryer and the size of the tenders or nuggets, so check to make sure they are cooked thoroughly.

Remove and serve with your favorite dipping sauce or French Fries. Or both!

And to go with:

Homemade Mocha Coffee

You will need:

Sugar

CocoaPowder

Water

Brewed Coffee (Leftover is good)

Milk

Combine sugar, cocoa powder and water in mug. Heat for 2 minutes in Microwave. Stir till sauce is smooth.

Add coffee and milk and heat until mixture is steaming. Top with whip cream if desired!

About the Author: 

While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She and her cat pen the Nick and Nora mystery series originally from Berkley Prime Crime and now with Beyond the Page Publishing. They also write the Cat Rescue series from Crooked Lane and the Pet Shop series, originally published by Midnight Ink and rebranded last year as “Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries.” Book six in the Nick and Nora mysteries, A PURR BEFORE DYING, is released this February from Beyond the Page. There is also a new series, Tiffany Austin Food Blogger, coming out in April.

You can cat-ch up with them at ROCCO’s blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com or her website, www.tclotempio.net

Blog Website Facebook Twitter: @RoccoBlogger

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dr. Seuss Day 2023: Mudpie & Grandma

Meows from Mudpie!

I think we chose the purrfect Dr. Seuss quote this year to reflect how I feel about the time I spent with Grandma. I loved her to pieces, and she thought I hung the moon. 

Things didn't start out so great when Mommy adopted me though. I was so crazy pants that more than once Grandma said she thought maybe Mommy had made a mistake. I ended up being such a purrfect angel that she changed her mind fast! 

One of the last things Mommy told Grandma before leaving the ER the night she passed (not knowing that it would be) is that she would give me an extra kiss for her. I wish we'd been able to have one last cuddle at home, but I'll never forget the happy hours I spent curled up on her lap.

Can you see how much I'm smiling in this photo?