Dec 6:
It was quite an honor to broadcast #OTLFP Live from the stage at the Mistletoe Magic Holiday Party 2025. We learned that Millie & Pixie both have small, low-key Christmas celebrations. Pals talked about how they celebrate, and there was a lively discussion about favorite Christmas movies.
Dec 13:
Elvis @Uskdwellwer had a great time in his first-ever appearance on the #OTLFP stage. We discovered his embarrassed daddy had to sit in the naughty seat in the front row of the doggy training classes! Elvis is busy planning his Cloud Warming Party for January 17th, and it sounds pretty exciting!
Dec 27
#OTLFP closed out the year with a holiday party at #Furrytails. Lots of pals joined us for delicious food, festive beverages, and fun & friendship. We shared about our holiday gatherings and celebrations. We shared helpful tips for keeping pets safe and comfortable in cold weather.
Tag: cats
Island Time
Mele Kalikimaka from the beautiful island of Pawgaritaville. Our location is on the many islands composing French Polynesia. Life here is paradise. Warm weather, a gorgeous beach and a great little bar that is home to our bi-monthly pawties. We have a friendly vibe and a chill atmosphere, perfect for getting together with friends. On Pawgaritaville, you will never be a stranger for more than one day.
On December 20th, we held our annual Christmas pawty on our beautiful beach. As always, the pawty began with our traditional toasts. The initial toast honored Over the Rainbow companions, following which, absent companions received a toast. We also had a special toast to the animals still waiting for their forever homes.
Our Quiz Mistress, Sassy, @3phibotticelli, began with one of her trademark holiday quizzes. All the participants had a great time. What followed was a wonderful evening of holiday music provided by our talented DJs and island-influenced food and drink served up by our barktenders and created by @Kittehboi. Friends came and soaked up the atmosphere of our Christmas in paradise. When the last note left the p.a. system, the last of our guests either made their way home or slept in one of our villas on the beach.
If you desire to experience Pawgaritaville, the next pawty occurs on February 21st. We hope to see you there.
Quote: Christopher Hitchens on Cats
Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are God. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are God.
— Christopher Hitchens
Anipals Read
Hi pals! Pumpkin here. I have something fun to share with you. Did you know we have a book club? It’s called Anipals Read (#readpawty).
Around 2011 or 201212, @MaggieTKat started #Readpawty. We’d all read the same book and meet once a month to talk about it. Of course, sometimes we strayed from book talk and caught up with each other, but mostly we really talked about the book. We’d meet on Twitter and use the hashtag #readpawty to keep the conversation together.
Well, it’s been many years, and #readpawty has evolved. We now meet on the second Tuesday of every other month (February, April, June, August, October, and December). We still meet on Xtwit, but since Xtwit’s gotten harder to use, we meet in a DM group. Sometimes, we don’t pick a book for all of us to read and discuss, but talk about what we’ve individually read since we last met.
We also use it as a set time to meet up. We’re all very busy anipals, and are online at different times, so we rarely get to connect. This way, we know we’re going to see each other at least once every other month.
We also have a group on Goodreads called Anipals Read. I keep a bookshelf there that lists everything we’ve read as a group since 2013. There are also suggestions there of books to read.
If you’d like to join #readpawty, even if it’s just to hang out with us, email me your Xtwit name. I use email to send out announcements, and I’ll need your Xtwit name to add you to the DM group. Hope you join us!
You can find me on Xtwit as @pumpkinpuddy. I’m also on FB (Cheryl Katz), Bluesky (pumpkinpuddy.bsky.social), and Discord (pumpkinpuddy), but I’m mostly on FB. The easiest ways to reach me and be sure I see it are email or FB Messenger.
Nipclub, December 18, 2025 Sekurity Update
Thursday, Dec. 18th, Nipclub. It was a Brunchmas Pawty theme, which was the purrfect pawty for all the weary souls trying to get everything done before Christmas! The pawty had a somber beginning as Pearl (@Tinypearl) beloved fluffy orange cat, Butterscotch, had gone over the rainbow bridge. They dedicated the party to her memory. Panfur Louis (@psiangelic) is filling in at the bar for Pearl so she can be with her family.
Upon parking the spaceship, I caught an intruder close to the parking zone entrance. DJ K-Boi @Kittydaboi has the night off, so Gator (@RealFakeGator) said we might have an open mic. Moo (@moothemousecat) was feeling a bit harried, and P and Jeego (@SeattleP) were watching the Seahawks play the Rams in the Sports Lounge, hoping the Seahawks would win, of course. Apparently, the Seahawks aren’t playing well. (They ended up winning!)
Moo and I are having a cocktail together while I watch through the window, ever diligent in my search for security risks. I spotted an interloper right outside. It’s been a silent evening so far, with not much to report. Raven (@Indulgedfurries) showed up with a gorgeous photo of Cosmo the pup and Butterscotch together. Cosmo went OTRB recently as well. It’s tough to lose two anipals so close together. We’re sending Pearl good energy. We’re just hanging out, not talking much, while I watch the Sekurity system video feed on my phone, just in case a spammer shows up. My taser is ready just in case the need arises, but I’m feeling subdued tonight.
Caught another sekurity risk right after the toast to Butterscotch and Pearl. Got him with my taser, and he folded like a cheap Temu lawn chair. I put him in our jail cell and went back inside the bar. There were luscious chocolate mousse cakes and vibrant red poinsettia cocktails waiting, while a few friends came in and out.
Finishing the evening, Louis presented a spectacular Brunchmas buffet; I sought a to-go container as I departed. Leftover noms for tomorrow! Sekurity risks captured tonight: Three.
Until next week.
Slinky (@Slinky_the_Cat)
Quote: Heinlein on Cats
There is no such thing as “Just a cat.”
― Robert A. Heinlein
How A Cat Shows Their Love, Part 2
Shy felines display affection in numerous subtle, endearing ways. Shy cats may not be loud or cuddly, but their affection is gentle and deeply trusting. Willow and I were shy cats, especially with strangers.
- Shy cats make small, polite requests for attention. They may do this by a quiet meow, sitting near you, or leaning towards your hand. I used to enjoy standing next to Daddy, and he would stand with me. Willow used to make little meows, but she only gave silent meows at first.
- Shy cats rub against objects such as doorways, walls, and furniture when you enter a room to mark the area with their scent to show they belong there. Willow loved to rub against things.
- Shy cats sometimes like to do gentle head bumps or nose kisses. It is a big compliment from a shy cat. Willow was an enthusiastic head-bumper.
- Shy cats communicate through their tails. With a slow-swishing tail and relaxed posture, the cat shows that it’s comfortable and content. A cat that holds its tail held upright with a small hook at the end is giving a friendly greeting. A cat that has its tail gently wrapped around your leg, or touching your foot or leg, is giving the equivalent of a cat hug. Daddy witnessed that action often. I used to touch his foot or leg with my tail.
- Shy cats show that they feel safe with you by quietly following you around the house, being in the same room, or sitting near you (even if not touching). Willow and I would do those things.
Each shy cat has its own special way of showing its love for you, which is both sweet and subtle. Quietly observing and letting the shy cat approach you on its terms will build the bonds of love
Cooper
Animal Holidays and Observations December 21 – 27
The only December Animal Monthly Observation is:
National Cat Lovers Month
Daily holidays during the fourth week include:
• Dec 27: Visit The Zoo Day
Flying With Lucky
Flying with Lucky#TheAviators Festive Flight Turns into a Rescue Mission!
Hello everyone. Welcome to flying with Lucky, where I keep you up to date on happenings with #TheAviators flying club. I have been a club member for 12 years; 5 of those years as the leader.
On Sunday, December 14th, #TheAviators took off on their annual festive flight from Toddy Furrington Airport in Bearford.
The flight began with Captain Rocky nicking my flask of tequila for a little liquid courage. (I taught him right). A large group of doggos and meowers took to the skies over Bearford and jetted 10 days into the future. The Christmas Eve tour headed southeast to London. The lights of Piccadilly were spectacular.
The tour went to Dublin, where people spotted leprechauns hanging Christmas lights along the streets. The Little People sure know how to paint the town green. One supersonic flight over the Atlantic Ocean, and #TheAviators were in New York City.
Once in New York, the distress alarm sounded off in Captain Rocky’s cockpit. Santa Claus, the jolly old elf, was trapped, which put Christmas in jeopardy. The brave pilots of #TheAviators converged on Santa’s last known position to find him stuck in a chimney. #TheAviators saved Christmas by pulling Santa and his sack of toys out of the chimney.
The next scheduled flight for #TheAviators is the quarterly tribute flight in January. Search #TheAviators hashtag for more flight details.
Raphael the Gray Tabby
A gray tabby named Raphael lived in a house during the winter polar vortex. He was a creature of habit, and his most pressing winter habit was finding the precise location of warmth.
One particularly frigid afternoon, Raph discovered a new kitty perch: the top of the heat unit. It wasn’t just warm; it was the warmest spot. As he curled up, a moment occurred: a face-warming trend. To any observer, his face glowed with blissful heat. The external heat source created feline contentment.
His human, James, noticed the trend. He knew this warmth was normal, a sign of comfort and security. But being a diligent cat owner, he also kept a watchful eye.
One evening, James observed a subtle shift. The warmth was present, yet quiet stillness, uncharacteristic of Raph, also existed. He declined his favorite salmon snack and moved with a lethargy that sent a small chill down James’s spine, colder than the winter air outside.
A quick trip to the vet confirmed his suspicions. The face-warming trend, when coupled with a loss of appetite and unusual listlessness, was not just about seeking comfort; it was a fever.
Raph, via medicine plus rest, recovered again, mastering thermal comfort. The face-warming trend returned, but this time, it was a healthy glow of a happy, warm, and well-monitored cat, who knew the difference between a cozy sunbeam and a call for his human’s gentle attention.
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The Anipal Times 