A photography session

We took some photos of Xiao Li and Bandit, to put up at petfinder.my 

It wasn't easy because you can't even find a moment when they are still, but here they are...

Doesn't she remind you of little Suki?

Our dear little Suki

I find myself calling Xiao Li, "Sooks", which was my nickname for Suki.

And here are Bandit's photos:

And, together...

Bandit and Xiao Li are up for adoption.

Please contact me at 012-6935870 if you'll like to give them a home. 

A chicky feast for Bandit and Xiao Li

Bandit and Xiao Li had boiled chicken today.  I thought I would need to do everything possible to beef them up since both appear to be still quite emaciated.  Yesterday, they had two meals of AD, and kibbles in between. 

Xiao Li, enjoying her food.

Little Bandit, enjoying it even more.

I had to separate them both because Xiao Li tends to snatch food.

They couldn't finish the amount I gave them....

So, waste not, want not, Bunny polished it all up later.

This is the mess Xiao Li had created this morning in their cage. 

Both are happily playing in the room now.  At least that's a good sign.  Bandit also looks much healthier today.  I was really worried about him when he first came.  A loving home and suitable food, that's what animals need, the vet had told me.  If you can do this for any animal, all else is secondary.  Never mind if you cannot afford other things - just give them a safe home and feed them.   

Kittens come with their own temperament.  Wolfie and Simba were so, so well-behaved, they did not mess up their cage at all and would do their business outside.  However, they chose to do it on the top of the cage!   

Xiao Li is now trying very hard to get out of the room to explore outside.  She is very adventurous.

 

Still a little cock-eyed, though.  But as active as ever!

Bandit and Xiao Li

I stopped by at the clinic today as I was very concerned about Bandit and Xiao Li.  The two have distended tummies although they had already been dewormed. 

So I got them both dewormed again today. 

And I found out today that Bandit and Xiao Li are actually not from the same litter.  That accounts for the fact that they are of a different size. 

Bandit and Teddybear (now with Ramzee) are from one litter.

Xiao Li, Bobtail (now with Ramzee), Wolfie and Simba (now adopted by Daniel) are from Khine's own mother-cat. 

The clinic had paired them according to their state of health.  Both Bandit and Xiao Li had eye discharge.  Hence, they were put together.

Anyway, they seem quite comfortable being together now.

Both are up for adoption - but I'll take better photographs next week. 

I'm dead tired right now. 

The nocturnal twosome

Bandit and Xiao Li started playing after Daniel took Wolfie and Simba home with him.  I guess they needed time to adjust to the new environment and also may have felt a little intimidated by the two bigger kittens.

Xiao Li's behaviour is very, very much like Suki's - boisterous and adventurous.  Perhaps that's the typical behaviour of Calico princesses? 

The two of them looked a little emaciated and malnourished, so I gave them some Fussie Cat fish, which they polished!

Bandit looks quite emaciated.

And after the delicious meal, the two played nonstop in the room, from then, till now...

Meanwhile Daniel text to say that Bella (aka "Datin") has welcomed Wolfie and Simba into the fold.  However, Pucci (the former "Mrs Towel") started hissing, and this in turn made Wolfie and Simba hiss as well.  So, he had three hissing kittens while the Datin looked on, probably quite amused by it all.  Daniel said Simba is quite territorial too.  The two seemed so mild-mannered while in my house, but I guess it's also the uncertainty in the change of environment.  I'm sure with Daniel's tender loving care, they would settle in and live harmoniously in no time.

I can't thank Daniel enough for taking the both of them and giving them a loving and caring home.  Bless you, Daniel.   

Bandit and "Xiao Li" come home with me

Here are the two remaining kittens that we have pledged to foster for Khine (sorry, I misheard her name as "Khi" earlier), the lady from Myanmar.  Both has an eye infection, hence, they both look a bit "one eyed Jack" right now. 

I brought them home today, and decided to call the black and white one "Bandit".  My husband and son insisted that the Calico one is to be named "Xiao Li", no two ways about it.  Xiao Li it is!  (Xiao Li was Suki's original name.)

The photo above is very misleading as Bandit looks big.  Actually, Xiao Li is much, much bigger, and Bandit is still very tiny, slightly longer than the palm of my hand.

Xiao Li is the typical Calico princess, as active and boisterous as ever.  Actually, she looks very much like Suki, in her markings.

Hmm...where is this?

Simba was the first to say "hi" and to welcome the two new kittens into the room.

He even went into the cage to make friends.

Big sister, Wolfie, also made friends.  In fact, I missed a priceless shot where Wolfie "shook paws" with Xiao Li! 

Bandit and Xiao Li will be up for adoption as soon as they regain better health and better looks (!!).  Both are actually alright even now, though Bandit looks a little fragile.  The Calico princess is fine and dandy and ready for adoption now. 

My two lieutenants and our tshirts

Wolfie and Simba seem to know that this is not going to be their permanent home, and that they are just "passing by".  Both have been keeping to themselves in the room, and even when we open the door, they do come out to the kitchen, but quickly scuttle back to safety. 

I wouldn't really mind if they kept to themselves within the confines of the room and the kitchen.  If only that could be possible, it would save me loads of headache and worry about them going into the garden.  As it is now, I'm closing all the windows when they are free. 

My husband felt sorry for them because they were behaving like "stepchildren", so he let them go out into the living room to play, but they would both scuttle back to the room for safety.  He led them to the common water bowl too, so that they don't feel so left out. 

My other cats don't mind them being around, but I guess they have grown out of playing now ("been there, done that, how many more baby kittens are you going to bring home?"), so they too aren't too interested in making friends. 

Eating by themselves

Our new batch of tshirts have arrived, it was supposed to be in time to serve as gifts for the Chinese New Year, but I had been so terribly busy, I couldn't even find the time to collect the consignment and label them.  I finally did it yesterday.

Labelling tshirts made me miss Suki so much.  Remember how she would act at quality control supervisor?  The tshirt design itself was inspired by her.  But now, I have these two lieuenants helping me. 

Er...they were too busy playing to supervise.

Playing with toys around the room. 

Today, Daniel will pick up Wolfie (the white one).  And Simba will be all alone. 

I want to say a big thank you to Mary Yap, for helping us sell our tshirts to her friends and relatives for Chinese New Year.  Mary says she always encourages her loved ones to do a good deed on Chinese New Year, so this year, it's to support AnimalCare.  Mary came to collect 50 tshirts last night. 

A big thank you, too, to Kristina, for helping us take orders.  Kristina bought 16 tshirts from us last week. 

The tshirt sales is a source of funds for us.  So, if you'd like to support us in fundraising so that we can continue doing our work to help animals and their rescuers, please help us promote our tshirt.  We have a new shipment of 200 pieces (in 13 sizes). 

We will come up with a new design in the near future and are now looking at possible designs that would carry our message and mission (AND can sell!).  If you would like to help us in the design, please do contact me. 

Rub-a-dub-dub

Wolfie and Simba have gone all over my house today, exploring every nook and corner. 

They are now fast asleep.

Goodnight, everyone. 

Visiting Sean and Tara

It's been almost two weeks I last visited Sean and Tara because I have been running around nonstop with our own rescued and sick animals. 

I was giving a talk in my mum's neighbourhood today, so I managed to drop in after the talk. 

Sean and Tara were so excited when I arrived.

I am completely amazed at Tara's recovery.  Her eyes are so bright now, and she really looks much younger than before!  Mum says she has just two more days of medication.  And ever since returning from hospital, her appetite has been as good as Sean's.  Sean has been off medication for a few weeks now, and mum gives him Crystal Enzyme to boost his immune system. 

Sean and Tara are clearly very happy dogs. 

They are completely devoted to mum, and they listen to her too.

Mum says both play together very well, and Sean even uses Tara as a hurdle. 

The two clamber for attention.  If mum were to pat Sean, Tara would immediate ask to be patted too.  She's quite possessive.

That's Tara clambering for attention and affection.  She really looks so much more youthful now.  This is such a big improvement from the time she fell really ill from distemper.

We're putting some ointment on Sean's bite sores.  He is so, so incredibly strong.

A complete baby.

This is the difference that love and affection can do to any animal.  Sean and Tara both had distemper.  We got them treated and mum agreed to adopt Tara because she felt a bond with her.  Then, Tara deteriorated to the point of not eating and looked very weak.  We sent Tara in for treatment and boarding and I asked mum if she could temporarily foster Sean while waiting for Tara.

Mum agreed and took in Sean.  The moment I brought Sean over, mum said he could stay provided he behaved himself.  After a week or so, Tara came back.

Tara is definitely staying with my mum.  Sean can stay as well, but if there is a good and loving home, Sean can be adopted.  A few people have asked for Sean.  In fact, they have asked for Tara too.  But mum felt they might not be able to look after Sean, so she has not been able to find a suitable home for him yet.

If you are interested in giving Sean a loving home, please contact me. 

Please note that Sean is a distemper survivor.  We cannot guarantee if the disease might flare up many years down the road (old dog distemper can happen).  But for now, he is very fit and healthy.  And most importantly, he is a very happy and playful dog.  He must be just a puppy because he still squats to urinate.  But he is growing by leaps and bounds.  We will get Sean neutered as soon as the vet thinks it is safe to do so. 

Suki sent a white butterfly, in a most unique way

Suki did send a white butterfly, but in a most unique and practical way.

It was Saturday night, and I was going up and down my street looking for her, without knowing she had already passed away.  I must have spent close to five hours when Ainey finally came.

Ainey told me much later that a white butterfly had settled on her windscreen when she stopped to reply my smses.  The white butterfly fluttered around her windscreen for sometime before it left.  Ainey knew her help was needed.  Suki had sent her a message.  You don't often see white butterflies at night. 

Indeed, it was Ainey who found Suki for me.  Suki must have said, "My owner is too distraught, she can't find me.  She needs help."

Strange, isn't it?  Some things just cannot be explained by science and logic alone.  You just have to believe when you see it. 

And I believe it was Suki who sent Babykit to me to foster for a few hours and to find a mum-cat as fosterer.  It's her way of saying, "hey you, get on with your work!".  Terry remarked too, that Babykit is 2 days old.  Suki passed on 2 days ago. 

Stranger? 

Well, Suki had always been so special.  And she always got things done her way.  Now, even from Rainbow Bridge!  Even from heaven! 

So, Suki sent a white butterfly to Ainey with a specific message, and she sent a baby kitten to me, also with a specific message!  She must have said, "What butterfly?  No butterfly for you.  You get a whole kitten!" 

Our girl had always done things in style, with pomp and galore. 

My dearest Suki, you are immortalised on our AnimalCare tshirt.  You are now our official guardian angel.  And you will always be my guardian angel. 

Thank you once again, to everyone, for your kind messages of condolences, the emails and smses.  I am ok now, Suki has decreed that I must get on with my work here.  I hear you, Suki.  I'm on my feet again. 

And now I have to get some sleep.  There is work to be done tomorrow. 

Thank you very much for all your messages

I wish to thank all my friends and readers of this blog for your messages of condolences and comfort on the demise of little Suki.  It is difficult to cope because it was unexpected and sudden. 

When I am awake, I would reason to myself that death is a part of life, and it is a natural thing to happen and that we have to accept it.  Yet, sometimes, the emotion takes over, and it becomes difficult to bear because I miss her so, so much. 

Psychologists tell us that it is alright to cry and grieve, as long as we are still in control of our emotions.  Crying and grieving help us heal and come to terms with our loss.

Many have written to me saying they would miss Suki's coup de tat stories.  Incidentally, I have not published her last coup de tat which happened just a few days ago because my son took the photos and it was in his hp. 

This would be my last photo with Suki.  I'm glad it is a happy photo.   

All your messages, smses and emails have helped tremendously.  Thank you so much for being with me in this difficult period.

I would like to reproduce here, to share with all of you, words of wisdom sent to me by two friends.  For all of us who have lost our beloved pets (a recent one being Miko's feeder and rescuer), and for those of us who know we may have to face such inevitable losses one day, I hope these words of wisdom would help us cope better when the time comes.

This is a lovely poem sent by Wani of MDDB.  It tells us to remember that relationships are not just physical but also spiritual in nature.  Though we do not see our departed loved ones anymore, they are still with us in spirit. 

And God asked the feline spirit
Are you ready to come home?
Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul
And, as a cat, you know I am most able
To decide anything for myself.


Are you coming then? asked God.
Soon, replied the whiskered angel
But I must come slowly
For my human friends are troubled
For you see, they need me, quite certainly.


But don't they understand? Asked God
That you'll never leave them?
That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity?
That nothing is created or destroyed?
It just is....forever and ever and ever.


Eventually they will understand,
Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever.
 
 
And this is from my friend, Dr Tan Chek Wee, from Singapore Community Cats.  His work and advice inspired me to start AnimalCare and I will always be grateful to him. 
 
It was a "good" (quick) death for Suki and her physical pain is no more. The pain is ours of loss.
Do not regret. It brings no benefits for Suki or ourselves.
She had a good life, receiving far more loving-kindness than many sentient beings living long long lives.
The positive imprints on her consciousness will be conditions for a good rebirth and many years down the road, another "Kah Yein" will do the wonderful work of compassion for our animal sentient beings.
 

As I am writing this now, Bunny is sleeping right behind me, on top of Suki's cage.  I think my cats are definitely taking turns to look after me.  They have not left me alone all day yesterday.  And of course, Bobby, as always, is beside me.  Animals are so full of love and kindness - it must be inborn and they also learn from us. 

Thank you, everyone, for your kindness.  There is work to be done today.  We have a potential adopter for Roger and Russell and I will take him for a viewing.  Wendy's spiritual healing is ongoing - thank you to everyone who has offered to visit Wendy regularly this week. 

My cats are taking care of me

On Saturday, after my son and I came back home (little did we know Suki was already gone by then), Cow had come into my room nudging me many times.  I did not know what he wanted at that time.  I think he was trying to tell me the news. 


Then, when I went out to look for Suki, Indy and Cow both brought me to that same spot on the road, and it was Cow who went across the road and stayed there for a long time.  That was precisely where Ainey had found Suki at midnight.  Cow knew.  Indy knew.  I just did not understand them.  Or rather, I sensed something not right, but I wanted to keep my hopes up.


The whole of yesterday, Cow kept me company.  He normally does not sit with me this way, but he is doing it now.  It was always Suki who would sit with me.  In fact, it was always the baby girls of the family who would sit on my lap while I do my work.  Previously, it was Cleo.  Then, Vixey and then, Suki.

Cow, is often misunderstood as being aloof because he has an unpredictable temperament and a short fuse, but I know ever since he was a baby, Cow had always taken on the position of "big brother" in the family.  He still takes on the responsibility now.  Sometimes, we think he behaves crankily because the responsibility poses too much stress for him.  Poor Cow. 

I know he is trying to console me. 

Bunny, too.  Bunny is FIV+, but looks very fit and healthy. 

Cleo is also here with me now.  Bobby, as always.  For 13 years, he has never left me out of his sight, even now, when we think he is almost (or already) blind. 

This is Tiger, also FIV+ - acupuncture did wonders for his confidence and health problems. 

It looks as though my cats are taking turns to accompany me in the room.  They don't want me to grieve alone.   

Animals can be so caring in their own ways.  I am blessed to have such faithful furry friends in my life. 

Suki is now on Rainbow Bridge with all my departed pets

Dear Friends,

I apologise for delaying this posting.  I know there are many of you out there who are praying for Suki's safe return since last night's posting.  But I had to inform my daughter of the news first before publishing this in the blog. 

***************
Sunday, 6.45am

After hours of search last night, I finally discovered, from two neighbours, that Suki had probably been hit by a car yesterday evening, shortly before the rain when I was out with my son. 

I had already feared the worst when I began looking for her because Indy and Cow kept sniffing on one spot on the road, about 1 1/2 houses away from mine.  Then, Cow went across the road and sniffed on the grass.  I already had a very uneasy feeling then. 

But I wanted to keep my hopes high even though I had sensed the worst.  Suki had never gone far.  She had always been either inside the house or on top of my son's car in the porch.  I've been locking her inside the house (closing all the windows) for 5 months to train her to stay indoors.      

Then, at midnight, Ainey came by and helped me locate Suki, based on where Cow had sniffed.  We found Suki. 

All of us are completely devastated by this sudden loss.  Suki was very precious to us, and so well-loved by everyone who knew her.

I can only console myself that being born an animal is not "fortunate" because an animal endures much suffering (even though we try to give them a comfortable life and all the love we can), and Suki's lifetime as an animal was destined to be a short one.  She came back as a cat to pay her karmic dues, and it's all been paid now.  She is off to a better existence where there is less suffering.  The same reasoning applies to us humans too.  We are also not very fortunate because we do experience suffering in various degrees.  After we pay our karmic dues, we will also go on to a better existence.  Life spirals upwards until we finally attain a state of everlasting peace and happiness.  

Suki had a short life, but it was filled with so much love, joy and laughter.  And she definitely brought us so much happiness too.  People (and this includes all our furry friends) come into our lives for a reason, and we only have but moments with them.  We have to make these moments happy ones because we will never know how long our lives would last.  We cannot fight destiny.  The universe decides.

The realisation of the impermanence of every life is precisely what makes it precious.  And that is why we have to take care of moments. 

I console myself now that Suki is in a better existence and she is free from pain and suffering. 

Thank you, Ainey, Mandy and Yen Ling, for keeping vigil with me all night.  Thank you, Ainey, for coming all the way to help me in my hour of need.   

I went through shock and denial last night because it happened so unexpectedly, and can only cry my heart out now, as I write this.  Crying heals.  Writing heals.  Knowing that there are caring friends heals.     

I need some time to mourn this loss and to come to terms with it.

I will miss Suki with all my heart, but I know she is now on Rainbow Bridge with Vixey, Mac, Kimba, Pans, Puffin and Remirth.  And, I will be reunited with them again soon. 

In loving memory of our beloved Suki

Suki, a few months ago, when she was little and Indy was looking after her.  

    
I have to give a talk this morning, and life has to go on. If any of you can help out with visiting Wendy and bringing her food for the next few days, please let me know. I need to keep an eye on Indy - I can see he is quite devastated too.  He has been going out to that spot on the road.  He takes it quite badly whenever there is death in the family.

My husband is equally devastated as well.  He said I should not adopt anymore kittens because an urban housing estate is just not safe for cats and kittens.  We have noticed a few fast drivers on our road too.  I too decided I should not take in anymore kittens when Kimba passed away but I accepted Suki because her rescuer was really desperate at that time and no one could foster her.  A cat's life is not meant to be lived out in a cage, he/she needs to roam - that is the nature of cats.  They decide on their territory and they would only roam within these boundaries, but they decide, not us.  Yet, urban housing estates are just not safe enough for our furry friends.  And even if we live in the countryside, there would be other dangers and risks.  This is reality, the nature of our life - there is suffering, and life is not perfect.  We can only do the best we can. 

Suki is missing

Dear all,

Suki is missing.  The last I saw her was at 5pm before my son and I went out.  After we came back, there was very heavy rain.  I went out in the rain to look for her but could not find her anywhere.

It is now 9.26pm and she is still missing.  My son and I, and all our cats, have checked the entire road, down the drains as well.  She was no where to be seen.

I have gone out into the back alley with a torchlight as well, and I cannot find her. 

All my cats are back home now, and I think they sense that something is not right.

There has been no territorial problem between all my adult cats and Suki.  They all love her and have accepted her as a member of the family.  In fact, the territorial problem is with Wii where Cow and Bunny are trying to chase him out.  But Wii is fine, and he lives in the back alley and my backyard. 

Suki's favourite places are the rocking chair and on top of my son's car in the porch.  She has never gone anywhere far at all. 

I hope Suki is safe and will return home soon.

Please spare a kind thought for Suki, and wish her a safe return. 

I am going out to look for her again now.

This is where Suki would be every single night, on my lap, as I write my blog.  It isn't like her to disappear.  She has never gone anywhere far.   

Sean, ready for adoption

I've always said we only have moments, and we can only take care of moments. 

If you remember, my mum agreed to foster Sean while he was recovering from distemper.  She said she would consider adopting him provided he behaved himself in the house.  At that time, we did not know Sean was still a puppy and was still growing.   

Well, this morning, I received a phonecall from my father while I was at work.  He said Sean has twice destroyed the headlights on his car, and asks if I can find an adopter for Sean.

Sean is a puppy, and puppies normally do such things.  But granted, two dogs is a bit too much to handle for my 76 year-old parents, especially when Sean is only a puppy and according to my mum, he has grown to twice his size when he first went to them, and is incredibly strong now.  Also, a bit too boisterous for my father. 

So, I'm putting Sean up for adoption now.  Or, fostering. 

Sean is a distemper survivor.  He recovered very quickly from the disease (cough and diarrhoea), and was up and about in no time.  His fast recovery probably indicates that he has a very strong immune system.  It has been 1 1/2 months since he was first diagnosed and treated for the disease.  In another 2 weeks, he should not be shedding the virus anymore. 

Sean has not been vaccinated or neutered because he was undergoing treatment for distemper. 

If you would like to adopt or foster Sean, please contact me.  Please note that Sean is still a puppy and is still very playful and curious.   

Sean and my mum (he is a little bigger than this now).