Mew Year's Resolutions

"What do you mean midnight is still six hours away? I've already drunk all the sparkling cider!"

It's nearly 2013. As the new year rings in, people will join together to celebrate, eat strange foods (strange to Finny, anyway), and make new year's resolutions. The history of making resolutions at the beginning of the new year can be traced back all the way to ancient Babylonians.

What has become a newer tradition, however, is pet owners making up resolutions for their cats, or cats making resolutions for themselves. Some of these resolutions are funny, while others are more serious.

Following are some resolutions cats have made for themselves on Joke Archives:

"I will not puff my entire body to twice its size for no reason after my human has finished watching a horror movie."

"I will not fish out my human's partial plate from the glass so that the dog can 'wear' it and pretend to be my human. (It is somewhat unnerving to wake up, roll over in bed, and see the dog grinning at you with your own teeth.)"

"I will not use the bathtub to store live mice for late-night snacks."

"I will not walk on the keyboard when my human is writing important emiognaioerp ga3qi4 taija3tgv aa35 a."

and Finny's favorite, "I will not eat large numbers of assorted bugs, then come home and puke them up so the humans can see that I'm getting plenty of roughage."

Catster.com also lists a few resolutions for cats, but they are actually good advice for cat-owners. The list includes four changes to implement in your kitty's life to make it happier and healthier. Lose weight, exercise more, eat better, and always go for vet checkups. If "vet" were changed just to "doctor," this list sounds a lot like most peoples' new year's resolutions are. That just goes to show that living healthier is always best for pet and owner alike.

Inspired by these internet findings, Finnegan has decided to make his own new year's resolutions.

"I will not sleep with my eyes open and freak out my owners anymore."

"I will not stuff myself into soda can boxes then roll around the floor like a snake."

"I will sit still when Aunt Elizabeth is trying to take pictures of me."

"I will not help myself to treats, even when they are left out on the coffee table."

Even though he's made these resolutions, something tells me that Finny won't be following them for long!

Finny's final resolution should have been, "I will not nibble on the Christmas tree next year."

Happy "Mew" Year from Finnegan and Rebecca Jane!

~RL

Oh, Christmas Tree

Cats love Christmas trees--there's no doubt about that, and Finnegan and Samwise are no exception. Ever since we put up our tree, it has been a daily battle to keep the cats from climbing into it, chewing on the branches, playing with the presents, and knocking off ornaments.

Wikihow.com provides cat owners with some helpful tips to cat-proof their Christmas trees during this holiday season.

1. Pick the right sort of tree. Artificial trees are safer around pets than real ones--especially if your cat is prone to chewing on the branches. Living pine trees' needles can make pets sick if they chew on them or actually puncture their stomachs if they ingest them. Also, smaller is better--for Christmas trees anyway. If your cat climbs into the tree, it's safer for them if they fall from the lower height and shorter trees are less likely to tip over and harm pets.

2. Choose the right tree base and location. Use a heavy, sturdy stand for your Christmas tree so it won't fall over. Place the tree away from locations cats like to climb up to. This will discourage them from climbing into the tree. If possible, keep the tree in a room with a door you can close at nights to keep cats away.

3. Don't decorate the tree immediately. Allow the cats to get used to the tree being put up before you decorate. This will give them time to explore it and time for you to teach them not to mess with it before the decorations go up. Keeping a spray bottle of water handy will help encourage cats not to mess with the tree (unless your cat likes water, that is). When you finally do decorate the tree, do it when the cats are not around, or put them in a separate room.

4. Cat repellant. Putting certain objects (like orange peel, citrus spray, Citronella spray, or Citronella-covered pine cones) around, or under, the base of the Christmas tree will discourage cats from going near it.

5. Chose and place decorations carefully. Don't choose to use ornaments that are exceptionally shiny, have ribbons or catnip on them, are edible, or are harmful (like candles). When decorating the tree, place the majority of ornaments higher up on the tree, out of the cats' reach. Having fewer decorations on the bottom third of the tree will keep cats from playing with them. Even so, come cats are determined to play with ornaments (like Finnegan). If you have a cat like this, do not put breakable ornaments on the tree. Also, attach all ornaments securely with wires or clamps.

6. Keep wires secured. Tape down wires or tuck up hanging wires so cats will not play with them. Make sure to always turn off Christmas lights when there is not an adult to watch over them. Wikihow also suggests using cords that have a built-in safety to turn off when they are damaged.

Keep all of your family, especially the little four-legged furry ones, safe this holiday season, and have a Merry Christmas!

~RL

Finnegan Chase: Siamese at Large

Finnegan's blog is undergoing a metamorphosis! After only being live for less than three months, Finny has gained over 700 views. Inspired by other cat-related sites like Simon's Cat and un-felined-related blogs like Cake Wrecks, this blog is turning into a book--that's right, a paperback, full-color interior book.

Besides including every post from the blog, the book will include images of Finnegan Chase and Samwise, and original content.

As more information is available, more posts will be made about the project.

The book will be available at Rebecca Jane's website and her bookstore at Lulu.com when it is published.

~RL

Remember to Wash Your Paws

After cats eat, they oftentimes will wash their paws and faces with their tongue. Cats' little "hands" are very important to them, so they have to keep them clean. This is why cats groom their feet so often, to clear away pieces of food, specks of dirt, shed hairs, and anything else that gets lodged in the fur between the little pads on their feet.

Although cats are notorious groomers, sometimes they need help keeping their feet and coats properly cared for.

The ASPCA made a list of ten paw care tips for cat owners to follow. The tips I found the most relevant and important are as follows:

1. Once a day, wipe off your cats paws with a damp rag. Wiping off their feet will hopefully remove any chemicals they might have encountered during the day.

2. Check between their toes and around the pads for anything stuck that might hurt them, or for any cuts, splinters, sores, or swollen places that need cared for. The ASPCA says to "Remove splinters or debris gently with tweezers and clean any small cuts. If you notice any blood, pus or an unusual odor, please take your cat to the vet to check for infection."

3. Hot and cold weather can be hard on a cat's sensitive paw pads. Use a vet-recomended moistener on their pads to keep them safe in extreme cold and hot weather that can dry and crack their little paws.

4. Watch how your pets groom. If they seem overly obsessed with licking their feet, check their toes for any of the problems already mentioned.

Animal Planet on Discovery.com suggests ways for cat owners to help pets groom if they are having trouble doing it themselves.

One suggestion is to brush your cat daily to help remove old, shed fur and help the cat feel refreshed. 

Sometimes cats will stop grooming themselves as they grow older, gain too much weight, or become ill. If any of these things happen, take your cat to the vet for professional grooming help and advice.

~RL

A Picture is Worth One-Thousand Words

It's true, a picture is worth one-thousand words. So, what sort of picture could tell a blog post by itself? An infographic. What's an infographic? An infographic is a graphic visual representation of information, data, or knowledge.

So, this blog post is going to be told by the following infographic (remember to click on the image to enlarge it to read it better).

Enjoy!

~RL

The Cat's Chef

There are many recipes on the web instructing cat owners how to cook homemade cat food for their pets. I-Love-Cats.com includes an extensive list of cat treat recipes, many of which are based off of human meals.

While many of these sites provide tantalizing tidbits that cats will love, veterinarian Lisa A. Pierson warns cat-owner chefs to do their homework before whipping out the culinary "delights" sites post online. She says that many of these recipes are not balanced and feeding pets only these dishes will leave them needing other nutrients.

Dr. Pierson's online book "Making Cat Food" teachers cat owners what they need to know about cat's nutritional needs and how to best prepare dishes for them that will keep them healthy and happy. In the section about making cat food, she explains how easy it is to make cat food and that anyone who can follow a simple recipe can make cat food.

I usually just buy Finnegan's food and haven't tried cooking his food for him yet (It's hard enough to get me into the kitchen to make human food, let alone pet food), but after reading some of these recipes, I might have to try some of them out!

~RL

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas? Part 2

[Part 1]

During the holidays, there are many hazards that pet owners do not always think about. During all the celebrating and festivities, the pets might be overlooked or forgotten about. Don't forget about their safety so that they can have a happy holidays as well!

There are nine more things that owners should be cautious about around pets--especially cats.

1. Bones. Beware of the bones left over in the holiday turkey, chicken, or even steak. Bones can splinter and choke pets or cut into their tender mouths and throats.

2. Fat. Although cats and other pets will love to slurp up the leftovers, don't give pets extra fat off of meat. It'll taste good going down, but fat causes gastrointestinal problems.

3. Holiday plants. Holly, poinsettia (although not poisonous, it causes stomach problems), and mistletoe are extremely poisonous plants to pets if they eat or chew on them.

4. Electrical cords. Cats love to play with anything that resembles string, but don't let them play with cords that are plugged in and can electrocute them.

5. Candles. Never leave candles unattended around pets. They can easily knock burning candles over and harm themselves or the house.

6. Pine needles. Try to keep shed pine needles vacuumed or swept up. Animals like to eat them and they can puncture their stomachs.

7. Christmas trees. Secure the tree so that there's no chance it can fall over on a pet and hurt it. Cats in particular like to climb into Christmas trees and they can be seriously injured if the tree falls on them.

8. Breakable ornaments, tinsel, and garland. If pets knock of ornaments and break them, the shards can be harmful to owner and pet alike. Cats like to play with tinsel and garland, but if they eat pieces, it can choke them or cause stomach problems.

9. Company. Watch out for guests as they enter and exit the house. Cats like to run under people's feet and they might escape or trip unsuspecting guests. Company also can stress pets out, so provide areas for them to rest in away from the festivities.

~RL

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas? Part 1

At Finny's home on December 3rd, 2012, the weather forecast is overcast . . . with a high of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Christmas is coming in twenty-two days, and it feels like Spring outside.

"I'm ready for Christmas--where's the snow?"

The Weather Channel hosts a page called the "Cat Care Guide" that provides general care information for domesticated cats and also special information for cat care during the holiday months.

In cold weather, pets have particular needs and must be taken care of in specific ways. The American Animal Hospital Association states on the "Cat Care Guide" that,

"Cold weather can be hard on pets, just like it can be hard on people. Sometimes owners forget that their pets are just as accustomed to the warm shelter of the indoors as they are. Some owners will leave their animals outside for extended periods of time, thinking that all animals are adapted to live outdoors. this can put their pets in danger of serious illness."

"Presents for me?"

There are ten tips for keeping pets healthy during the cold months.

1. Get pets a check up at the veterinarian before cold weather sets in. This can help to catch any medical problems that might make living in the cold harder for the animal.

2. Keep pets inside as much as possible once the temperature drops. For Finnegan, who is a year-round inside pet, this is not a problem.

3. Health, fur length, and other factors contribute to how the cold will affect pets. Generally speaking, animals with health problems and short fur will not manage as well in the cold as animals with long fur and no health problems.

4. Cats like to curl up to warm objects to get warm--including dangerous objects. Watch out around car engines, heaters and fire places. Cats can get caught and harm themselves or knock over heaters, which is a fire hazard.

5. If they play outdoors near ice on a lake or pond, watch out for animals that will run out onto the frozen water. Small animals easily can break through the ice and won't be able to escape without help.

6. Keep a carbon monoxide alarm working at all times. Heaters, furnaces and other electrical devices can let off the dangerous gas, which is just as deadly to pets as it is humans.

7. If pets go walking outside on roads that have been salted because of ice, make sure to wash the pads of their feet to keep them from drying out, cracking, and bleeding.

8. Make sure that outdoor water bowls do not freeze over. If they do, break up the ice or dump it out and provide pets with fresh water.

9. Older pets suffer more during the winter, so be gentle with them. Cold weather can stiffen their joints so they will be more prone to falling and injuring themselves.

10. Dress pets up. Although they might not enjoy it, go ahead and put sweaters on outdoor pets. It will keep them warmer and they might learn to enjoy looking like a little human.

~RL

[See Part 2 for more]

Lactose Intolerant

Peanut butter and jelly, cookies and milk, peas and carrots, fire and wood, mice and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, elephants and peanuts, and cats and milk: they all go together, don't they? Pet nutritionists and veterinarians say otherwise--about cats and milk, that is.

Most cats are actually lactose intolerant, and drinking cow's milk will make them sick. Nutritionally speaking, cats don't need milk once they are no longer kittens. Water is all cats need to drink to be healthy.

"Bleh, I don't like milk."

Some cats can drink milk, but this is rare. Veterinarians suggest that if cat owners want to give their cat milk for a special treat, first give him just a few spoons of it and wait a day to see if it will make him sick. If there are no ill effects, then the cat is safe to digest cow's milk.

Another alternative choice is feeding cats special catmilk, which is mostly lactose free.

The safest route however, to keeping your cat healthy and happy, is avoiding milk altogether.

~RL

Be Flexible

Anyone who is around cats long enough will realize a trait that all cats have: amazing flexibility. Jokes have been made about amazing "boneless cats," and that instead of their skeletons being made of bone, it is cartilage like in sharks. Although that's not true, cats really are some of the most flexible domestic animals.

Animal Planet online at discovery.com explains what it is exactly that makes cats so flexible. Cats have thirty vertebrae in their spines, which is five more than humans. In between each of these bones is a very thick section of fibrocartilage, which bends easily. These two factors allow cat's backbones to curve and bend in amazing ways without injuring the animals. Cat's shoulder blades are also only attached by muscle, which allows for a lot more movement.

Sometimes I look at Finny and wonder, "How in the world could be comfortable like that?" And then I remember: he's a cat.

~RL

Got the rumbles?

From across the room from where Finnegan lays, it can be heard--a low rumble that has been debated and speculated on for years. It's a sound that most people associate with a cat's happiness. Finny is purring.

Why do cats purr? This question is usually answered: because they are content. That is not the only reason cat's purr, however. Studies now show that cats also purr when they are in pain or distress.

All cats (besides a few large cats like Lions, Leopards, Jaguars, and Tigers) learn to purr from their mothers when they are still kittens. The purring continues as the kittens grow up into cats and indicates both comfort and discomfort.

When cats are injured, they purr to heal faster. Purring is a very low frequency vibration that aids in healing. According to to research section on the Library of Congress' website, Dr. Elizabeth Von Muggenthaler reported that "Purring may be linked to the strengthening and repairing of bones, relief of pain, and wound healing."

Just because a cat is purring, it doesn't mean he is happy. In fact, he might be in pain and using his purring as massage therapy. Even so, the most common reason for a cat to purr is to show everyone that he is happy--just like when he first learned to purr while close to his mother.

~RL

Camouflaged

Finnegan likes to sleep or lay on objects that are white or cream-colored. For some reason, he seems to think that he blends in and I can't see him, even though he's hiding in plain sight.

"If I can't see you, you can't see me!"

According to howstuffworks.com and other sources, animals camouflage themselves to hide from their predators or their prey. Sometimes, animals try to become invisible so their prey can't see them, or they try to appear more fierce than they are so they will not be attacked.

Animals blend in to their surroundings in multiple ways. Some have developed colors that match their surroundings over the years, and some change colors during their life span. Other animals have certain patterns on their body or fur that camouflage them or make them look like something else.

When he was younger, Finnegan was completely white. As he's grown up, however, his rusty-colored tips have shown up. Finny has discovered that he blends in well on his cream bed, our white leather chair, and our off-white carpet.

The only question is: is he hiding from us thinking that we are his predators or his prey?

~RL

I'm Cutesie and I Know It

Out of all the quality characteristics of Flame-point Siamese cats, humility is not one of them. Finnegan is cute, and he knows it. He flaunts his good looks. When a camera is brought out, he's not shy.

"I'm ready for my closeup!"

Kittenwar.com is a site dedicated to pictures of adorable kittens and cats. Visitors to the site can click on the images and vote for which cat they think is cuter. A page of the "winningest kittens" shows which cat pictures have been picked the most times.

Finnegan, you're cute, pretty, and a good model, but I'm not sure you're the winningest kitten of them all. How about we let the viewers decide?

A picture of Finny sleeping with his toy hedgehog has been added to Kittenwars. Check out the site and vote for him if you see his picture!

~RL

EDIT: Kittenwars has also created a random kitten generator to view cute kitten images and has published a kittenwar book.

Turkey Day

Today is Thanksgiving, a day to spend time with family and friends, be thankful for what we have, and eat a lot of good food!

Finny would like to share this holiday with you today.

Although he is not yet three years old, Finnegan understands the important of giving thanks for what he has. He's thankful for a nice warm home, loving family, and food.

The family together: Finny, "mom" Rebecca, and "dad" Haydon.

Finny enjoys his Thanksgiving meal with his family: turkey and ham for the humans . . . cat food for him and Sammie. Does this seem unfair to anyone?

After eating, it's time for the next Thanksgiving tradition--a nap.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

~RL

Finny Goes to School

Many feline fans have heard of famous internet cats like Maru, Lil BUB, Simon's Cat, and you have heard of Finnegan, of course. Not Many people, however, have heard of Oreo C. Collins. What's so special about Oreo?

Oreo C. Collins is the first cat to earn a high school diploma online.

From Macon, Georgia, little Oreo earned her diploma at Jefferson High School Online. Her owner,  Kelvin Collins, helped her with the questions and essay required for her diploma. Although Oreo is a rescue kitten, much like Finnegan, Kelvin says that she is a very smart cat.

"No homework for me! This computer is strictly used for heating my tummy."

Although Finny does not have a proper education like Oreo, he has been the main topic of projects that I have turned in for some of my college classes. In fact, many posts on this blog are read by my professors and fellow students.

~RL

Bath Time

Finnegan hates baths--like most cats do. Although cats are generally known as being afraid of or hating water, some cat breeds actually enjoy playing in it.

Vetstreet.com has an article called "6 Cat Breeds That Love Water To Play With Water." The article includes a slideshow that features an image and description of each of the aquatic-loving felines.

"If I can't see you, you can't see me or make me take a bath."

The first breed of cat that likes water is the American Shorthair. American Shorthair cats enjoy playing in water especially by pawing water out of their drinking bowls and making a mess.

Second water-loving cat is the Turkish Van. Turkish Vans are nicknamed "swimming cats" and enjoy swimming in shallow water, although they dislike actually being bathed.

Bengal cats are the third breed that enjoys water. Bengal cats don't actually play with water as much as they enjoy playing with things in water.

The Turkish Angora is the fourth water-loving cat. Turkish Angoras enjoy splashing water out of sinks and hopping into the shower with their owners.

The fifth cat known for loving water is also known for being the largest house cat: the Maine Coon. Maine Coon cats enjoy dunking their favorite toys into water.

The American Bobtail is the sixth and final breed that Vetstreet.com lists as liking water. Similarly to Maine Coons, American Bobtail cats like tossing their toys into water and playing with them that way.

Finny likes the bathtub, but only when it's void of water.

~RL

Catshark Attack!

Sometimes Finny seems to think he's a shark. He's white like the great whites, has sharp teeth, is a fast hunter, and likes to sneak up on people and get their toes.

"This is my shark face!"

Unknown to many people, there are a family of sharks known as catsharks, and no, tiger sharks are not included in this family group. A popular internet video has taken the term "catshark" literally by photoshopping the face of a cat onto a great white shark as it leaps up out of the water.

Finny and these catsharks have a lot in common, even though sharks are fish and cats are mammals. Catsharks are usually less than three feet long, are carnivorous, enjoy tropical and temperate regions, have cat-like eyes, enjoy eating fish, and are usually tan, brown, or orange-ish in color.

Practicing his "angry shark face."

Even though Finny will never get to be a real shark, he will keep trying. Maybe he can have a shark Halloween costume next year!

~RL

Finny's Fantastic Fedora

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat turned 55 this year. Nearly everyone remembers the classic story about two children who are cured of being bored by a strangely human-like cat wearing a tall red and white hat.

Wikipedia image.

The Cat has inspired movies, TV shows, and sequential books. Besides the media, The Cat in the Hat has inspired culture. There are Cat in the Hat costumes, events, and memorials.  Additionally, of course, the book inspires children to read--which was Dr. Seuss' initial purpose in creating The Cat.

Finny, with a bit of help from his "dad," has also been inspired by Dr. Seuss' cat. The Cat wears a tall, red and white stripped hat. Finnegan Chase has a hat--a short, tan hat (that suspiciously resembles an invisible ankle sock).

Pampered Whiskers began in 2007. Their blog states that the organization was created "with the goal of bringing smiles to the faces of pet owners while helping out animals." Pampered Whiskers sells collars, holiday items, picture coffee mugs, note cards, and hats for pets and pet owners.

Finnegan wants the "little devil" hat.

Part of the money from each sale goes to help animal rescue groups. The list of charities Pampered Whiskers supports is listed on their website. If you choose to order an item for yourself or your pet, you can choose which organization you want Pampered Whiskers to donate to.

Think Finny could be the next Cat in the Hat?

~RL

The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side of the Window

Every day, multiple times a day, Finnegan tries to convince me to let him outside. Whether he is lurking at the front door meowing his head off, jumping at the back door, or staring earnestly out the window, Finny does his best to slip outdoors when we are least expecting it.

Since his front feet are declawed, Finny does not have a good way to defend himself if he were to be attacked by another animal outside. Where we live is also close to a busy highway, and it would be easy for Finny to wander off and get lost or be hit by a car.

With so many dangerous variables against him, Finny is not allowed to traverse outside without a human accompanying him. Thankfully, other animals share these same problems and retailers have discovered an item to solve the issue of taking pets outside safely: leashes.

Yes, Finnegan Chase walks on a leash. Surprisingly, Finny does not mind wearing his leash and harness since it allows him to visit the outside world and nibble on some fresh grass.

There are many different types of harnesses and leashes to choose from for your pet. Petsmart sells a variety of pet walking accessories, so I will use their stock as examples.

Leashes:
- Nylon leashes. These are light, versatile leashes that are very affordable. Nylon leashes are appropriate for both dogs and cats because they come in various sizes and lengths for small or large pets. This is Finny's leash of choice.
- Leather leashes. Leather makes a strong leash, but it is significantly more expensive than nylon.
- Retractable leashes. Retractable leashes are nice because they do not get tangled up easily and they allow animals to roam further than traditional leashes would allow them to. However, these leashes are not as strong as leather or nylon leashes and the mechanics of the retractable handle can be broken easily (especially if you are trying to walk a very strong animal that jerks against the leash a lot).

Harnesses:
- Strap harnesses. These harnesses are highly adjustable and inexpensive. This type of harness works best with a pet that does not pull or try to run away while on a leash because it is easier for an animal to wriggle out of a strap harness.
- Padded harnesses. Padded or mesh harnesses are better for cats and small dogs to use because it is nearly impossible for a pet to escape from them. They are less adjustable and cost more than strap harnesses. This is Finny's harness of choice.

"Okay, take me back inside now. It's cold out here."

~RL

Green with Envy

On June 23, 2012, I got married.

While my husband, Haydon, and I were still dating, he and Finny had a good relationship. Finnegan would climb up onto Haydon's lap and purr contentedly, happily enjoying the attention and treats he recieved. However, this all changed the day his new "father" came home to permanently live with us.

It was during this time that I learned that my precious Finnegan had a jealous streak. Whenever I was spending time with my husband, Finny would demand my attention as well, usually by jumping up onto my lap or yowling until I left what I was doing and paid attention to him. I had heard of cats becoming jealous upon the arrival of a new baby or another cat, but over a husband?

As you might remember from my first post, Meet Finnegan, Finny is a Flame-point Siamese cat. FPS cats have a very distinct personality, which includes a strong desire for attention and socialization. This explains why Finny became so jealous when I was paying more attention to my husband than to him.

Eventually, after months of forced interaction, Finny and Haydon eventually made nice--just like Finny and Samwise eventually did.

~RL

Halloween!

Moose hat.

Today is Halloween, a holiday most widely celebrated by dressing up in costumes and giving out (or collecting up) lots of candy. How better to celebrate the day than by a post about Finnegan dressing up?

My earlier post on October 20th, Finny Flair, also featured images showing Finnegan in different outfits and told about the trend of "breading," a new, edible cat-clothing fad. Today's post, however, will take a different approach to cat costumes.

Sammie's Santa Costume.

Nearly every costume site now features outfits specifically made for pets. Some of the more popular halloween costume sites include Halloween Express, Party City, and Spirit Halloween. Even retailers not known for costumes will break out the pet-wear during this season. Examples of these sites include Petsmart, Target, and Toys R Us.

When I go shopping for Finnegan a new outfit, I usually have to look at the dog costumes, although Finny is clearly a feline. The reason for this is the fact that Finny weighs fourteen pounds and is over three feet long when he lays stretched out. For other cats that are considerably larger than the typical house cat, small and medium dog costumes will work very well.

This halloween, include every member of the household in the festivities. Some pets actually enjoy getting dressed up (especially if it's cold outside). Just remember to keep candy, especially chocolate, out of pets' reach. It can make them very sick if they eat it.

~RL