Monday, August 31, 2015

PeeMail #581: Day 4 of our Abandonment




Boosh. Nothing can stand against The Farinator.

"The Farinator."



***






 


Sunday, August 30, 2015

PeeMail #579: Day 3 of our Abandonment



Maxwell: You think it's working, Allie? I mean, if she feels guilty enough she'll come back early, right?


...maybe I'd better go check the front door again...



***






Saturday, August 29, 2015

PeeMail #577: Day 2 of our Abandonment



*hrmpf*

***






Friday, August 28, 2015

PeeMail #576: Day 1 of our Abandonment



*primal scream!*




***






Thursday, August 27, 2015

Did Someone Say Black Cats? #sponsored

This post is sponsored by petMD and ARM & HAMMER™, and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about The petMDCat Care Center, but A Tonk's Tail only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Arm & Hammer and petMD are not responsible for the content of this article.
_______________
 
Over the past few months, I've shared with you some of the many reasons I like petMD's Cat Care Center. Another reason I like them? They asked me if I would like to write a fun, crafty DIY post, all about black cats. Geez, twist my arm, why don't you...

Given that last Monday was Black Cat Appreciation Day, and the fact that black cats are known to be less adoptable, I was pretty excited to do this. Besides, black cats are über fashionable during the fall season, especially during Halloween time.

So today I'm tossing two ideas your way:
a fun way to decorate, and a yummy way to celebrate Le Chat Noir.

Ready?

Crafty Cat #1: Black Cat Oreos

Here's what you'll need:
  • Oreo cookies (duh)
  • Sprinkles (round, heart-shaped or if you're making for Halloween, pumpkins)
  • Chocolate chips
  • Edible Food Marker

I chose the mint Oreos, mainly because I'd never tried them before!


The chocolate chips are ears, m&ms are eyes, and the sprinkles will be the nose.
I chose the heart shaped ones (too early in the season for pumpkin!).


The food writer marker is a great way to turn the back of an m&m into a cat's eye. You can buy them on Amazon at this link here. (It's an affiliate link, which means I do get a small amount if you choose to buy these).

Step 1:
Scrape out the insides of one of your Oreos.
(No need to waste perfectly good chocolate, so go ahead and eat the wafers. Just sayin'.)
This makes great food glue! HINT: add a spritz of water to make the filling a bit "stickier".

Step 2:

Use the black food marker to draw a slitted pupil on the back side of a blue or green m&m. The front is where the logo is stamped so be sure to turn it over.

Step 3:
Use a dab of icing from that sacrificed Oreo to glue on the eyes, then glue two chocolate chips on for the ears.

A tiny dab of icing will adhere the sprinkle on as a nose.
Hearts are adorable, but if you want to hold off until the pumpkins have arrived in your store, they look very cat-like when turned upside-down. And hey - Halloween!

Step 4:
Well, I would say "eat and enjoy" but I haven't been able to bring myself to eat one - they're just too cute!

Note: While cats aren't always as curious about people food as dogs are, it's worth a quick warning that chocolate and kitties don't mix. To learn more about chocolate toxicity in cats, check out what PetMD has to say about it.


Want to see exactly how it's done? (please excuse the inky fingers - turns out food markers don't come off any easier than Sharpies do!)


Tah dahhhhhh!


Blue eyes for my two boys, and a green eyed girl with a pink heart nose. Purrfection! 


Crafty Cat #2: Black Cat Pillow

Admittedly, this might be stepping it up a notch, but hey - why not give it a try?

For this, you'll need:
  • a plain black throw pillow
  • fabric paints (Here is the set I bought on Amazon - again, it's an affiliate link)
  • a template that you can download here (if it looks like Faraday, yes - he was the model ;-)
  • a soft cotton rag to use as your "paintbrush" (I used a scrap of t-shirt material)
  • a glove if you don't want paint on your fingers (I did not to use one. I discovered I had a bit finer control of the lines without it)


Step 1:
Set a junk towel or rag on top of your work surface to catch any paint drips
Find a scrap piece of material to test your fabric paint so you'll know how fast it comes out of the tube, and how thick the line will be.

Step 2:
Examine your pillow and determine where and how large you want your cat to be.
You can outline your cat with chalk or a sharpie if you'd like. Just be sure you cover the line with the fabric paint once you get started.

Step 3:
Apply your paint sparingly, little dollops at a time, then work the paint in with your cotton rag.


Want to see how I did it?


So what do you think? Ready to give it a go?


Thanks to much to petMD, the petMD Cat Care Center and ARM & HAMMER™ for sponsoring such a fun post!
______________________________________________________________





We also thank the folks at ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™  LightWeight Cat Litter for sponsoring the great information found at petMD that is so helpful for our four-legged family members!









***



Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Wednesday's Waif: Everest

"Hi, I'm Everest! I was brought to Wayside because my last owner couldn't take care of me anymore, but that's okay! I've been given another chance at the life I deserve and I've been having a blast as a Waif!"


"Even though being at Wayside is so much fun, I'm ready to find my new family and go to my forever home. As you can see in my photos, I'm a gorgeous feline with a soft, fluffy coat you'll love to cuddle with.
My big, beautiful eyes are sure to catch your attention.

I'm a little shy and timid at first but once I'm more comfortable with you I'm as sweet as can be. Since I can get a little scared in busy or new situations, I need a home with children over the age of 5.

I love playing with my toy mouse and I'll be a great companion to sit back and relax with.

Do I sound like the perfect fit for your family?
If so, come to Wayside Waifs soon, I'd love to meet you!

Purrs,
Everest"

Everest is available today at Allie's Alma Mater, Wayside Waifs!

http://www.waysidewaifs.org/


*** 





Wordless Wednesday






***






Tuesday, August 25, 2015

'Toon Tuesdays: uh...Puppy Love?



*** 


_____
Toon Tuesdays feature animal (and sometimes human) humor created by the peeps over at Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) - where our mom works, too!


We have a Winner!





Concatulations to Annabelle at Manx Mnews, winner of the free Cat Lady Box!


Monday, August 24, 2015

Monday's Mime: More James Cagney

Maxwell:  Ya dirty rat....


Faraday: *shakes head*  Seriouslies, Maxie. You think all rats are dirty.  



***


Sunday, August 23, 2015

Glam #SundaySelfie



Allie: Is this pose glam enough for my fabulous pearls? They were made expressly for me by the wonderful @MizzBassie!


***





We're entering this in the Sunday Selfies blog hop, hosted by the kitties over at The Cat on my Head.

Head on over and see all the other great entries!







Shelter Sweetie #SundaySelfie: Flopsy

"Hi there! I'm Flopsy. I'm pretty darn adorable, aren't I?
I know, I know. I hear it all the time. It hasn't gone to my head though.
I'm as sweet as anycat could be."



"You'll no doubt notice that I start my purr motor the second you say hello to me.
No one knows how I got separated from my family, but I was obviously very loved by someone. I have such great lovey kitty skills!

I've been through a lot of challenges, but I'm so grateful that I wound up here at Great Plains where they take such fantastic care of animals."



"What you'll notice first is I'm missing one of my hind legs. It was badly injured and the docs here knew I'd get along better without it.

Us tripods learn to get along just fine though. Unfortunately, due to some other conditions (that have all been treated by the great docs here), I wasn't able to get as much exercise as I should have after my surgery.

I need to find a family who will be patient with me and help me gain my strength back.

I promise that I'll pay you back with lots and lots of love. And cuteness.
Did you notice how cute I am?!?!
Come visit me soon and let's get acquainted!

Purrs,
Flopsy"

Flopsy's available at the Merriam Campus of Great Plains SPCA today!


http://www.greatplainsspca.org/

***






Saturday, August 22, 2015

{52 Snapshots} Week 34: School




"B-b-but Mommy..."
*shocked look*






"Obedience School is for doggies. Isn't it?"

Looks like Allie disagrees with you, there, little guy....


*** 

We're participating in the {52 Snapshots of Life} themed photo challenge, hosted by the Lazy Pit Bull. Click here to see all the participants!


Friday, August 21, 2015

Fangs on Friday

Um...
Goofy Fangs?




***

Thursday, August 20, 2015

A Girlcat and her Yard

Mother says I shouldn't be out in the side yard without supervision....


So she snapped this photo and immediately bundled me back inside (in a most undignified manner, I might add).

Treating the boys like this, I would completely condone.
But honestly...
Doesn't she understand I'm an Independent Girlcat of Means?


***





Wednesday, August 19, 2015

National Aviation Day

"Unidentified aircraft approaching
Foxtrot-Alpha-Romeo-Alpha-Delta-Alpha-Yankee..




...prepare for interception...repeat...



Prepare for interception!


***





Wednesday's Waif: Samantha

"Did you know Monday was Black Cat Appreciation Day? *squeee!*
That means this week is Black Cat Appreciation Week!  My week!

Oooooh, I sooooo hope this will be my week - wouldn't it be awesome if I found my forever home today, or tomorrow, or the day after?"



"Do you need a fearless sidekick who's not afraid to take down the fluffiest toy mouse or tackle the tickliest feather wand? That's me! I'm Samantha, and I want to be your gal Friday, Saturday, and the whole rest of the week. I love being petted almost as much as I love to play.
What happened to my ear, you ask? Well, let's just say the sidekick life can be dangerous sometimes. Don't worry, though. I can still hear you just fine when you tell me what a gorgeous girl I am.

If you're looking for a face with character, you've found your match. Oh and -  rumor has it that I love to have my face scratched: check scritches are the BEST! And please, won't you join me down here on the floor so I can wind myself around your legs and hang out?

Oooh, I just can't wait to meet you!

Purrs,
Samantha"

Samantha's available at Allie's Alma Mater, Wayside Waifs!


www.waysidewaifs.org


***





Tuesday, August 18, 2015

'Toon Tuesdays



*** 


_____
Toon Tuesdays feature animal (and sometimes human) humor created by the peeps over at Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) - where our mom works, too!




Monday, August 17, 2015

Brotherly - ahh - Advice?

Maxwell:  *chomp!*
Faraday: You're not doing it right, Maxie.


Maxwell:  Gahhhhhh---rawwwwwr!
Faraday: *sigh* Seriouslies, Maxie, your technique---


Maxwell:  *slobber-slobber-slobber*
Faraday: For realz? You're just gonna lie there and wait for it to come to you?


Maxwell: *more wet slobbery chomping noises*
Faraday: oh wait. I forgot about that Special Coating you're adding to it....


Maxwell: *cheery voice* YOUR TURN!
Faraday: Ewwww, not til that thing dries!



***


Sunday, August 16, 2015

Sunday's Shelter #Selfie: MUNCHIE!

"Do you like to get great kitty kisses? I sure hope so, because I love to give them!!!"



"My name is Munchie and I am a super-sweet kitty who needs a true forever home. Seems like my former people moved and forgot to take me with them! Don't know how that could happen because I'm such a loving little girl and cute as a button too!"



"I would love to hang out with you, play some kitty games and snuggle lots and lots! Oh, and give you lots of kitty kisses, too, of course! I also love to look out the window and watch the world go by! But I like to stay indoors where I know I'm safe and loved.

So, if you're looking for a girl who will make you feel happy and loved too, I hope you'll come to meet me! I'd love to be your new BFF if you'll be mine!!! "


*shy look* So...how did I do with my very first Sunday Selfie? I think this last one is the one I'll enter today!

Please let everyone know how sweet I am (and a faithful, loving companion, too!). I'd love to find a new home very soon....

Sweet little girly purrs,
Munchie"
Can you believe anyonewould simply abandon this gorgeous girl?
Let's show her not every human is like that, what say?

She's available at the Merriam Campus of Great Plains SPCA today!

http://www.greatplainsspca.org/