Tag: lady blue

A New Year Mews Letter from the Bahamas

By Pecan Pie & Blueberry Biscuit

Hello friends,
Reporting live from somewhere warm, breezy, and extremely flattering to our whiskers. 🌴😼

Dis New Year, we traded sweaters for sunshine and decided to ring in 2026 the proper way — by following the sun.

Pecan Pie here.
I would like the record to show that I went out on the boat.
Yes. A boat.
Floating. Sparkling. 

I assumed my rightful position as Boat Cat, stretched long, and sunbathed like it was my full-time job (because it is). The breeze ruffled my fur just enough to say, “He summers.” I supervised the water, blinked slowly at the horizon, and considered my reflections on the year ahead. Mostly: more naps. More snacks. Same excellence.

There were Purr-tinies involved — ours, obviously. Served in the sunshine, enjoyed slowly, and followed by an immediate nap. A New Year’s tradition we highly recommend.

Blueberry Biscuit chiming in.
I focused on the art of sunbathing. Strategic angles. Optimal warmth. Maximum relaxation. I rotated sides like a rotisserie chicken of leisure. The Bahamas understood me immediately.

We spent our days doing very important things:
☀️ Sunbathing
🌊 Watching da water sparkle
🍹 Enjoying purr-tinies
😴 Resting between rests

No resolutions.
No pressure.
Just warmth, togetherness, and starting the year exactly how we intend to continue it — present, peaceful, and a little bit spoiled.

From our sunny laps to yours,
Here’s to a New Year filled with soft light, slow mornings, and finding joy wherever the sun lands. 🤍

With love and warm whiskers,
Pecan Pie & Blueberry Biscuit 🐾✨

P.S. Pecan Pie would also like it noted that he stepped off the boat at a beach bar, put his paws directly in the sand, and can confirm the vibes were excellent. 🏖️🐾✨

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Paws, Presents & Holiday Traditions

 A Pet-Friendly Guide to the Merriest Season

By Pecan Pie & Blueberry Biscuit (with Meowmie, Dr. Azure Holland)

The holidays at our house start with one sound:
tissue paper. 

As soon as we hear that crinkle, we arrive on the scene — nose-first into the gift wrap container.. Pecan Pie handles ribbon inspection. Blueberry Biscuit is dis head of “quality control,” which mostly means sitting on everything that needs wrapping.

If you share your home with pets, you know we don’t just live in your traditions… We help shape them. Here’s how to keep those sweet moments safe, cozy, and calm for all of us.

1. Pet-Safe Greenery & Holiday Plants

Holiday greenery looks beautiful — but some plants are not our friends.

Plants to Avoid or Place High:

  • Poinsettias – can cause mild tummy upset
  • Holly & Mistletoe – can cause more serious GI issues
  • Amaryllis – can cause vomiting, drooling, tremors
  • Lilies – extremely toxic to cats; even a tiny amount is dangerous

Safer Greenery Options:
✔️ Faux garlands
✔️ Rosemary topiaries
✔️ Pet-safe evergreens placed out of reach
✔️ Simple winter branches or dried oranges

Your home still feels festive, and we stay healthy — a Purr-fect combination.

2. Wrapping Gifts Without Worry

Gift wrapping is… thrilling. So many sounds! So many textures! So many things we think must be toys!

For cats like us:
Ribbon, tinsel, string, and yarn can be very dangerous if swallowed — they can cause serious intestinal problems.

Please:
✔️ Keep them stored securely
✔️ Pick up scraps right away
✔️ Consider fabric ribbons, decorative twine, or simple tissue instead

Pet-safe gift bags mean you still get the “pretty” without the hazards.

(Pecan Pie says: “If it wiggles, I boop it. Plan accordingly.”)

For dogs:
Dogs are gift detectives. They can sniff out food through wrapping paper.

Please keep out from under the tree:

  • Chocolate
  • Sugar-free items with xylitol
  • Raisins, nuts, jerky
  • Food-scented candles or soaps

Store edible gifts higher until it’s time to share them with humans only.

️ 3. Creating a Holiday Zen Space for Pets

We love the excitement… but we also need a break.

Guests. Packages. New smells. Music. Rearranged furniture. It’s a lot for paws and whiskers to process.

That’s where a Holiday Zen Zone comes in — a special, cozy spot where we can retreat, rest, and reset when the festivities feel big.

Build Your Pet’s Holiday Zen Zone:

  • A soft bed or crate in a quiet room
  • A favorite blanket that smells like “home”
  • Fresh water
  • A long-lasting chew or puzzle feeder for dogs
  • A simple toy or scratcher for cats
  • Calming music or white noise
  • Soft or dimmable lighting

For the extra spoiled pets who want to be part of the theme (hi, that’s us), these cozy hideaways make it feel like we’re decorating too — just with more napping.

A holiday scratcher house (like the Target Christmas-themed ones) for us to hide, nap, and scratch

Perfect for:
✔️ Senior pets
✔️ Anxious or noise-sensitive pets
✔️ Pets who need a break during gatherings
✔️ Puppies & kittens who get tired quickly
✔️ Any pet who loves a snuggly hideaway
✔️ The “I deserve my own holiday suite” crowd

A Zen Zone helps us feel grounded and safe — truly one of the best gifts you can give.




Decorate With Us!

Creating a Safe, Cozy Holiday Home for Pets

By Pecan Pie & Blueberry Biscuit (with a little help from Meowmie, Dr. Azure Holland)

Hello, friends! It’s us — Pecan Pie and Blueberry Biscuit.
We are the official holiday decorating supervisors in our house. The holidays begin the moment the storage boxes appear… and so do we.

We know your pets are probably just as curious as we are. So we wanted to share a few tips — from a pet’s-eye view — on how to decorate for da holidays in a way that feels safe, calm, and cozy for everyone.

1. Begin With a Calm, Cozy Environment

Before you hang even one ornament, your pets are already taking it all in. Boxes. Tape. Furniture moving. New smells. It’s a lot.

For cats like us:

  • We love a designated perch nearby — a soft blanket, window seat, or cat tree where we can watch the action unfold..
  • A favorite toy or scratcher helps us redirect our zoomies away from the tree.
  • Let us supervise from a safe distance; we’re very good at su-purr-vision.

For dogs:

  • A long-lasting chew or snuffle mat keeps them happily busy while you rearrange things.
  • Let them stay where they can see you but not be underfoot (or under-tree).
  • Senior or anxious pups may appreciate a quiet, cozy corner.

A calm setup helps us feel safe before the big, sparkly tree even arrives.

2. Bringing the Tree Inside — Without Pets Sneaking Out

When the tree comes through the door? That’s chaos… and we love it. But it’s also the perfect moment for a cat or dog to slip outside.

Here’s how to keep us safe:

Create a Pet “Holding Zone”
Before opening the door, tuck us into a comfy room with:

  • A favorite bed or blanket
  • A familiar toy
  • Maybe a treat puzzle or chew
  • Soft background music

Use Barriers Wisely
A baby gate or exercise pen adds an extra layer of security between us and the open door.

Give Us a Job (Enrichment) Before Tree Time

  • Dogs: snuffle mat, frozen Kong, or chew
  • Cats: a quick play session, lick mat, or our favorite a Churu snack

Tired brains = less interest in door-dashing.

Teamwork Helps
If one human carries the tree and another keeps an eye on us, everyone wins.

Keep ID & Microchips Updated
More visitors, more deliveries, more open doors — updated tags and microchips are an important backup.

When the tree is finally inside and the door is closed, don’t forget to tell us we’ve been dis very good helpers. Treats appreciated.

3. Christmas Tree Safety Once It’s Inside

The tree is up. The room smells different. Everything is new. We notice.

For cats:

  • Please anchor the tree so it doesn’t tip if we investigate.
  • Avoid putting chairs or tables right next to the tree — they become perfect launch pads.
  • If you have a live tree, cover the water or skip additives; we shouldn’t be drinking from it.

For dogs:

  • Many dogs love to sneak sips of tree water — a secure cover is best.
  • Tuck away dangling cords so they’re not chew toys.
  • Sweep up fallen needles often so they don’t get stuck in paws or tummies.

Whether the tree is real or artificial, stability + supervision = happy, safe holidays.

4. Ornament Safety: What to Use & What to Skip

We admit it: shiny, dangly, jingly things are… irresistible and sometimes our paws can’t help but play.

Safer Choices:
✔️ Shatterproof ornaments on lower branches
✔️ Lightweight decorations that won’t hurt if they fall
✔️ Secure hooks that don’t pop off easily

Best to Avoid at Pet Height:
✖️ Tinsel (especially dangerous for cats if swallowed)
✖️ Fragile glass ornaments at tail-level
✖️ Edible ornaments like salt dough or popcorn garlands

Put heirloom and delicate ornaments higher on the tree, where they can sparkle safely out of paw’s reach.

️ 5. General Holiday Décor Safety

Once the tree is done, the rest of the house starts to sparkle too — and we notice all of it.

Flameless Candles, or Real Candles Out of Reach
Real flames are scary (and dangerous around tails, whiskers, and curious noses). Flameless candles give the same cozy glow.

Hide or Secure Electrical Cords
Especially if you live with a puppy or a cat who likes to chew, tucking cords away keeps everyone safe.

Go Easy on Strong Scents
Potpourri, simmer pots, and some essential oils can bother our airways or make us feel sick.

Place Tabletop Décor Out of Reach
If it’s glittery, chewable, or breakable, assume we will investigate. Higher shelves and secure placements help us all enjoy the décor without accidents.

From our paws to yours:
Decorating doesn’t just make things beautiful — it makes your home feel like a purr-fect nest. With a little planning, you can keep it festive and safe… so we can all curl up together and enjoy the glow.

Love,
Pecan Pie & Blueberry Biscuit





Improving End-of-Life Care for Pets: A Collaborative Approach with Dr. Azure Holland

This week, I had the privilege of visiting two incredible veterinary hospitals—Animal Hospital of Brier Creek and Paws at Play Veterinary Hospital. During my time there, I had in-depth discussions with their teams about providing better end-of-life care for pets. As someone who is deeply passionate about this aspect of veterinary care, it was both heartwarming and humbling to share insights and offer guidance to help these hospitals navigate the challenging yet essential process of helping families make tough decisions when it’s time to say goodbye to their beloved pets.

At the heart of what my team and I do at Azure Holland is helping families decide when it’s time for their pet to pass on peacefully. It’s an emotional and challenging decision, but with the right support, tools, and language, families can feel confident that they are making the best choice for their pet’s well-being. We explored how veterinary teams can better communicate this decision-making process with pet parents, helping them understand their options and the benefits of making end-of-life care a compassionate experience.

While at these two hospitals, I had the opportunity to coach the staff on enhancing the end-of-life experience within their facilities. From fostering open, empathetic conversations to improving the physical environment, there are many ways we can ensure that the final moments are as peaceful and dignified as possible for both the pet and their family. These small changes in approach can make a big difference in the overall experience, ensuring that families leave feeling supported and at peace with their decision.

One of the key aspects that sets Azure Holland apart is our commitment to providing the highest level of care within the home environment. We believe that pets and their families deserve a comfortable, familiar, and loving space during such an intimate time. Our team works to ensure that the pet’s final moments are peaceful, pain-free, and surrounded by the love of their family. By offering this in-home care, we help families avoid the stress and uncertainty of a hospital setting during this emotionally intense time.

We are always looking for ways to collaborate with veterinary hospitals to ensure that pets and families receive the best possible end-of-life care. If you’re a veterinary professional looking to improve your hospital’s end-of-life approach, we’d love to get to know your team and provide training on the language, tools, and techniques that can help make this difficult time easier for families to navigate. Together, we can offer compassionate care and support to every family that entrusts us with their pets.

End-of-life decisions are never easy, but they are a natural part of every pet’s journey. At Azure Holland, we are committed to walking alongside families through this process with understanding, compassion, and care. If you’re interested in learning more about our services or would like to partner with us to enhance your hospital’s end-of-life care, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can make these final moments as peaceful and loving as possible.