Don’t Fry Friday

COMMENT-A-THON WRAP-UP

We are sending out a huge, heartfelt thank you to all those who commented on one or both of our recent comment-a-thon posts. We had really hoped to pick a lot more green papers out of mom’s pocket, but we know that any donation, no matter how small, will be appreciated by these worthy organizations.

We received 42 comments on our Red Nose Day campaign post. This would equal a $21 donation, but Mom has agreed to round it up to $25.

Don't Fry Day

We received 46 comments on our Don’t Fry Day post. This would equal a $23 donation to the Animal Cancer Foundation, but it too will be rounded up to $25.

Savannah’s (Savannah’s Paw Tracks) mom, Linda, will be making a matching contribution to the Animal Cancer Foundation. She plans to make her donation in honor of Harvey Button (Dash Kitten) who recently underwent surgery to remove his ear tips and cryosurgery on his nose due to his squamous cell carcinoma. We will make our donation in his honor as well.

Thank you again to all those who made these donations possible.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

CHICKEN CHARLIE’S SELFIES

We were curious if last week’s guest host, Lizzie Lizard, tasted like chicken. This week, we are sure our guest does. Back off Ashton and Waffles! This guy isn’t your dinner.

Chickens wander everywhere on Tortola, including the beach. Who knew that kitten season is also baby chick season? All over the island, hens could be seen with flocks of minuscule chicks following along behind them.

Several chickens befriended us at the beach and would gather around each day. Charlie, who is our featured host today, had the most glorious tail feathers when we met him. One morning he greeted us sans feathers but one. He had a couple rival roosters on the beach, and we don’t know if it happened in a squabble or if a dog might have gotten him.

Here are Charlie’s selfies.

Bet you are wondering how our humans convinced Charlie to take those selfies. Let’s just say, Mom had him eating out of her hand. And we have the photographic proof.

The humans were not surprised that the chickens liked corn nuts. That they liked Cheerios was a big shock. Charlie liked them so much and ate them so quickly, Mom noticed him belching.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone’s selfies this week. We did get around to visit all of our entrants last Sunday, and we promise to do so again this week. Please understand that it may take us a few days. We are so appreciative of those who participate in and promote our blog hop. You are the best friends Kitties Blue could ever hope to have!

We encourage you to get the link below and post the hop on your blog. We only ask that you include a link to The Cat on My Head and/or display our badge.

Have a terrific Easy Sunday and a happy Memorial Day.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

P.S. with regard to our Comment-a-thons:

Kitties Blue are currently holding two comment-a-thons. For each one, Mom will donate 50 cents per comment (no maximum) to these very good causes. The first is for the Red Nose Day campaign.

Don't Fry Day The second is for Don’t Fry Day. That contribution will be going to Animal Cancer Foundation. We are excited to let you know that Mom Linda (Savannah’s Paw Tracks) has offered to match our donation to Animal Cancer Foundation in honor of Harvey Button (Dash Kitten). Harvey recently had to have his ear tips surgically removed due to squamous cell carcinoma. Thank you Mom Linda, Savvy and TKS.

Once posted, you will be able to see Harvey’s selfie here, but please visit his blog through the link above and give him your purrs and prayers.

Click the links in the above paragraphs if you haven’t yet left comments.

May 24, 2015 by Janet Blue Comment-a-thon Don't Fry Friday Easy Like Sunday Kitty Written Blog Red Nose Day Sunday Selfies 41

DON’T FRY DAY COMMENT-A-THON

Don't Fry Day

Today Kitties Blue are supporting another very important event: Don’t Fry Day.

When our mom was a young girl she had several very bad sunburns. She was not a sun worshiper. She found lying and baking in the sun boring. In the 50s and 60s, parents didn’t understand the damage the sun was wreaking on their children’s skin or that they would pay for it later in life.

Since high school, Mom has tried to be very protective of her skin by staying in the shade and wearing sun block/screen. Even though she does this now, the damage was done. She’s had basel cell carcinoma. Additionally, in 1997, she lost her two best friends to malignant melanoma.

But, as we stated in yesterday’s teaser, skin cancer is not only a disease affecting humans. Animals are susceptible as well, especially those with white fur and pink noses as well as hairless breeds. Mom and Dad learned about this first hand with our angel brother, Madison.

When our humans adopted Madison as a stray, they’d never had an all-white kitty and had no idea that their sun lover was at danger. Then one summer, they noticed that the tips of Madison’s ears were crusty. Being good kitty parents, Madison was whisked off to the vet. That is when they learned about feline solar dermatitis.

As Madison’s ears were covered with fur, Mom and Dad never even considered that Madison could get a sunburn. But that’s exactly what was happening every summer. Madison had solar dermatitis caused by long-term exposure to sunlight and UV rays. This often clears up over the summer, as it did with Madison. Continued exposure, however, can lead to cancer of the outer layer of the epidermis (skin). This outer layer is made up of cells called squamous epithelium.

A squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in the squamous epithelium. It may appear to be a white plaque or a raised bump on the skin. Often the raised area will become necrotic in the center and develop an ulcer, which may bleed. This cancer is fast growing, invasive and usually malignant. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical as this cancer can easily metastasize to your cat’s organs.

Older cats with white or light-colored fur and living at high altitudes are most susceptible. The most common locations for tumors are the front of the nose, eyelids, lips, and ear tips, but lesions or growths can be found anywhere on your cat’s body.

The course of treatment will depend on the size and number of tumor(s). When lesions are diagnosed early before turning to cancer, it is possible to treat with topical medications. If only a small tumor is found and it has not spread to your cat’s organs, three methods exist for removing it:

Cryosurgery (freezing)
Light (photodynamic) therapy
Surgery

Larger tumors will need to be removed surgically and skin grafting may be required. Some tumors may require amputation of ear tips, part of the nose or other body parts depending on the location of the tumor(s). Chemotherapy and radiation also may be required if the tumor cannot be removed completely.

Recurrence is possible making regular veterinarian exams critically important. A full recovery is dependent on size and location of the tumor(s).

To prevent development of solar dermatitis and squamous cell carcinoma, limit your cat’s exposure to direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you do allow your cat outside during daylight hours, a waterproof sunscreen should be applied to the cat’s ears and nose.

For additional information regarding diagnosis and treatment, visit Vetstream.com and/or PetMD.com, the sources for this post.

Comment-a-thon

For Don’t Fry Day, Mom will donate 50 cents to the Animal Cancer Foundation (with no maximum) for each comment on this post received prior to 12:01 a.m. EDT Monday. So please spread the word among your friends. The more comments, the greater the donation.

Also, please don’t forget to comment on yesterday’s post: Red Nose Day Commentathon. Mom will donate 50 cents per comment (no maximum) made prior to 12:01 a.m. EDT Sunday to the Red Nose Day campaign.

Thanks for helping us Pay It Forward!

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

May 22, 2015 by Janet Blue Comment-a-thon Don't Fry Friday Kitty Written Blog 53

YOU
For Fiona

It seems like only yesterday…
You were just a kitten.
When I saw your pleading look,
I was completely smitten.

Now at only six years old,
You are getting ready to leave,
Soon you will have your wings.
I’ve already started to grieve.

You’ve fought hard for the past year,
And I’m not ready to say good-bye.
I can’t imagine you not in my life
I am so sad…today I had to cry.

I am grateful and blessed
For my six years with you.
You’ll live in my heart forever.
You’re one of the best ever Kitties Blue.

YESTERDAY

Many yesterdays have passed since
You gained your angel wings. Today
Is six months since you left us behind
To remember and mourn. Our hearts
Continue to hurt, and we miss
You as much as the day you left.
Giulietta whined from the catio
Yesterday as I worked in the yard.
I know you put her up to it. That
Was your way of getting me to,
Allow you to join me as I
Gardened. You were there with me
In spirit. With every meow
I thought of you and how much I miss
Your sweet face and disposition.
In these past few months, many friends
Have traveled your same path in your
paw-steps. I am certain you were
Waiting to greet them with purrs and hugs.
I pray you and your friends are laughing,
Frolicking and having fun together.
Picturing that makes me smile, but
Does not lessen my sadness at your
No longer being here to snuggle
And receive our love, care and kisses.
Fiona, please do not ever forget
You are still and always will be loved.

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

One year has passed since you flew away,
And I still think of you everyday.
I see your sweet face in my mind’s eye
And wish we’d never had to say good-bye.
It’s nice you’ve sent us kitties needing a family,
But my dearest love, we are now at capacity.
You thought it would take more than one cat
To take your place in our habitat.
We love Cooper Murphy and baby Sawyer dearly
But thinking either could replace you makes me teary.
You were one-of-a-kind and will stay in my heart
Until the day I join you and we’re no longer apart.
When once again I can hold you in my arms
And revel in all your love and feline charms.
Together with you and all who have passed.
I will spend eternity contemplating how blessed
I was to share my life with my furry children,
Each and every one of you one-in-a billion.

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

ONE OF A KIND

I don’t know how to say good-bye.
I thought you were invincible; though,
You used up many of your nine lives.
You ruled us all with an iron paw;
Never took “no” for an answer
And always got your way.
If not, you’d bark to signal your
Displeasure and sometimes raise a paw.
I always joked that you were bi-polar.
When I told people you were a calico
They immediately understood what I meant.
Today was unnaturally quiet in the house.
Can a home seem empty with eight cats?
I will miss waking up at night to find you
Sitting next to me and staring at me.
I will miss you yelling at us as you did
When you wanted breakfast and dinner.
I will miss watching you lounging and snoozing
On the porch settee on a warm afternoon.
But most of all I will miss your kisses!
When kitten Sawyer befriended you,
We suspect you were imparting your
Wisdom and secrets for controlling us.
Time will tell if he was a good listener.
But whatever he may have learned,
Neither Sawyer nor any other cat
Can or will replace you in our hearts.
Lily Olivia, you were one-of-a-kind.

December 2023
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