O Sole Mio at 4.30am

Ming-Yi did the midnight shift last night as I was totally exhausted by then..... From the time I brought them back, I only had bananas....until dinner!  Bananas are good, by the way, it's energy food.   

Indy wasn't too happy with the new kittens.

I thought it would be safer to keep them inside the carrier while I was at work as Rex and Fox can already scale the cardboard box all the way to the top.  But this is an old carrier and the door is rusted.  We wanted to sandpaper the metal frame and spray-paint it, but Ming-Yi thought the paint would be toxic. So, she wrapped all the metal parts with cellophane tape. 

Rex and Fox did not want to be confined in the carrier, but Honeybear was absolutely contented inside and did not want to venture out.  Honeybear is definitely the weakest of the three.  As of last night, he had thrown a total of seven seizures.  I noticed a pattern when the seizure comes: He would let us a loud crying sound (like a warning alarm, which we could hear even from outside the room), and then he would go into seizure, stiffening his whole body, claws all out as though he had to hold on to something, his ears would be twitching, eyes blinking, and this would last for about 1 minute (at most).  We'd tap him on the body (as shown by the vet), just in case there is any form of choking happening.  Then, he would calm down, his body would relax and that's it....one episode ends. 

Honeybear also could not really suck his milk yesterday.  I had to put some milk on my finger to let him suck.  At other times, he would just bite and chew the syringe.  Feeding him had to be done very, very slowly.  I think he only managed to suck on his own about 3-4 times yesterday and that was only for a few seconds.

Rex and Fox - absolutely no problems with anything.  Both of them are ok. 

This morning, at 4.30am.....

Honeybear could suck on his own this morning!!  He drank almost 4ml of milk this morning, too.  So far there has been no seizures since 4am this morning. 

Ming-Yi had been playing the Metta Chant all day non-stop ever since the three came in.  I believe it helps.  Well, it has helped in the last few years, every time any animal has been sick or has needed some spiritual help.

I used to use Milcodog previously, but the vet said he has had good success with Pets Own Milk and since I had started them on it, it's not wise to change brands for kittens this young.  The advantage of Pets Own Milk is that it's not powdered (hence, reduces the error in the powder:water ratio).  But the cons would be that it had to be kept in the fridge and an opened packet has to be finished within 3 days (er...not a problem at the rate Rex and Fox drinks!  I've almost finished one packet now), but I have to warm the milk up each time.  I use a hot water bath to do this.   

Expressing urine on the little one.  I've decided to use a wet cloth instead of cotton-wool.  It works well.  This is to stimulate the mother-cat's licking tongue.  In newborns who have their mom, the mom licks their private parts to make them urinate and defecate.  They are too young to do it by themselves without the stimulation.

Hey, Honeybear....grow up and be a big bear, ok?  When newborns come to me, I usually give them BIG names (like Cow, Polar, Bunny started off as "Yeti", Tiger, and Indy Jones; Indy was the most resilient survivor I had ever, ever nursed!  He had come from the drain with pus in his bladder, ears and eyes and he could barely move.  The vet thought he would not be able to survive, but being Indy Jones....well, you know - Indiana Jones, the hero!)

Bobby is always there.

Tiger seems to like Rex.  Tabbies, Inc.

Tiger greets Rex.

Join the neighbourhood Tabby Club?

Fox (female) has the most voracious appetite!

Bobby, although blind, is quite concerned about Honeybear.

I want to train them to stay in the carrier while I am at work.  Honeybear absolutely loves the carrier, but not the two more adventurous ones....

Honeybear sleeps after every feeding.  He doesn't play.  Guess he is still very weak.  I see a slight improvement today, compared to yesterday. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed now.... Please say a little prayer for Honeybear, folks....

But we want to play!!

Honeybear ventures a few steps out of the carrier, but decides he would be safer inside.

Hey Bobby, can you play with us?

I remember I used to play Josh Groban's Italian songs for Joanie when I nursed her for those 20 days after she went through surgery for obstructed labour. 

So, I thought I'd introduce Rex, Fox and Honeybear to the 3 Italian boys (Il Volo) who have recently taken the whole world by storm....

Kitties, here's O Sole Mio, from Il Volo! 

Che bella cosa na jurnata 'e sole,

n'aria serena doppo na tempesta!

Pe' ll'aria fresca pare già na festa...

Che bella cosa na jurnata 'e sole.

 

Yes, it's going to be a sunny day!

 

O Sole Mio!

 

Have a great day, folks!

 

 

P.S.  If you like Pavarotti and Elvis Presley, I think you'd definitely enjoy these three boys....!!  Very much more youthful!

 

Rex, Fox and Honeybear (the 3 kittens)

Last night, Sze Kei found 3 kittens abandoned inside a box.  This morning I blogged for fosterers/adopters.  Sze Kei said her mother wouldn't allow her to keep the kittens.  I was also worried as Sze Kei said they kept crying all night.   

So, Jason helped bring them to our panel clinic at noon today, and by then, no one had come forward to foster yet, so after our vet dewormed them, I took them home.

They are with me now. 

It's been almost one year since I last fostered Peanut, Butter and Jelly.  And five years ago, when I first nursed 2-day old Cow, Bunny and Pole.  A kind officer from PAWS taught me exactly what to do.  It was based on his advice, which I had followed to the letter, that Cow, Bunny and Pole survived and are five years old today.  Ever since then, there had been many other kittens, each time, always a challenge. 

Here they are....as adorable as all kittens are.

We've called this one Rex (male).

Honeybear (the white one, male) and Fox (the apache-calico, female)

This is Fox.

And the littlest of them all - Honeybear. 

This was their first feeding and they were SO hungry.

However, Honeybear did not drink much. 

After the feeding, he had a seizure. 

It was followed by another seizure again while I was away at another vet's.  Ming-Yi quickly brought Honeybear to the vet's and even while in the car, he threw another seizure for about half a minute.  Then, at the vet's he threw yet another fit.

I met Ming-Yi and Honeybear at the vet's and he explained it is probably some congenital problem, or due to immature development.  It could even be choking if the various channels are not properly developed.

In short, there was nothing much we or anyone could do about it.  Honeybear would have "grow up" and hopefully, grow out of it. 

We brought Honeybear home and he appeared to be hungry again.  So we fed him, and this time, there was no seizure. 

He again did not drink much, so I resorted to letting him suck the milk on my finger.

Finally, after resting, he wanted more milk and this time, he drank from the syringe.  He could suck very well. 

All three in a row.

Ming-Yi with Rex.

Rex drinking milk...the 3rd round.  His appetite is so good.

Rex and Fox are so playful and active.

Bobby is on guard, as always.

The guard also has to sleep.

Rex and Fox huddled up together.

Honeybear, all wrapped up to keep warm.

Extra warmth for Honeybear.

The kittens have to have their mouths wiped to prevent milk rash and also their tummies massaged to stimulate urination and defecation.  So far, they have been urinating. 

I am giving them Pets Own Milk.

Bunny says hello to Honeybear.

From a Tabby to another Tabby - Tiger welcomes Rex to the household.

Tiger wanted to see all his new friends.

Bobby, as old as he is, stays on guard. 

Many thanks to Punitha, who offered her mother-cat, but her mother-cat has the flu, so we can't take that risk. 

Nurul from Balakong offered to adopt Honeybear, but I told her Honeybear has seizures, so she says I'd better look after Honeybear until she is in a better state.  Nurul also has to go back to her hometown sometime next week. 

Sze Kei has also received another offer of a mother-cat but we need to know if the mother-cat is willing to foster kittens that are not her own and if the mother-cat still has enough milk.  Apparently, this mother-cat had just delivered one month ago, and two of her own kittens had died.  Sze Kei needs to find out more first. 

Meanwhile, I'll look after them.

All three are up for adoption.

If you'd like to foster them, please continue using Pets Own Milk (the vet advised not to change the milk), and please be informed that Honeybear has had five seizure attacks from 12pm until now (6.40pm).  I held him close and tapped his body when he had the fits.  It lasted for not more than 1 minute before he relaxed his body. 

He is sleeping now.

Photo taken at 6.47pm.  Honeybear has just thrown a fit, then calmed down, I fed him 2ml of milk and he is asleep now.

Help needed urgently for 3 kittens

Sze Kei (019-2602884) is Powie's cousin who found the box with 3 kittens last night.  Someone had probably abandoned the poor kittens.  Sze Kei has attempted to feed them kitten milk since last night, but they were reluctant to drink.  They are also crying. 

Now, Sze Kei's mother would not let her keep the kittens, so she needs a fosterer or adopter urgently to look after these kittens.

Can you help?  Do you know of anyone who can?  If so, please contact Sze Kei directly on her hp above. 

We will subsidise the medical treatment of these kittens.  An initial check-up by a vet is necessary. 

Thank you.

The 3:3:3:1 ratio in helping animals

Here's sharing something else that I've learnt recently, which I think, makes sense and might be useful for us to consider.

Many rescuers have their own thoughts and beliefs about how best to help animals. 

I think the opinion below, which I learnt from a vet, makes a lot of sense.

There is this 3:3:3:1 ratio involved when it comes to helping animals.

30% - what the vet can do.

30% - what the caregiver can do (and this includes lots of love and tender loving care).

30% - what medicine can do.

10% - "faith", "belief", "guardian angels", "the universe", "sheer luck", "pure chance", etc.  (whatever we want to call it!).

For those of us who are not vets, here's where we can help in that 30% - caregiving.  The best is, of course, to find the time to personally nurse the animal, failing which, we source for willing help, but we should never dump the animal on someone else, or worse, emotionally-blackmail someone into taking the animal.

Examples of emotional-blackmailing: 

1.  If you don't take this animal, I'll leave it on the street to die.

2.  If you don't pay in full, I'll just throw it back on the street.

3.  If you don't take in my animal, I'll get it euthanised.

I've heard plenty of such tunes.  To such people, I've now learnt to say: It's your call and your conscience.  Are you interested in working together for the animal or not? 

So, caring for animals is not quite about rescuing the animal and dumping it on the vet or on another caregiver (that definitely does not constitute 30%, does it?).  It's about doing that little bit more, walking that extra mile...even if it is about making the effort to source for another reliable caregiver (should one is unable to do the job herself). 

In short, it is NOT about dumping. 

In these few weeks after the Petfinder.my event, I've been dealing with a sudden "influx" of people requesting help for their animals. 

I've had to deal with all sorts.  It's been very trying, yet, "enlightening". 

It brings to mind what my friend, Amanda, shared with me recently, about what her father, who was a vet, had told her.  I hope Amanda doesn't mind me quoting her verbatim here as I feel these words of wisdom would benefit many others:

He used to get so weary of young people telling him that they wanted to become vets because they loved animals but couldn't stand people.  My father would remind them that the animals don't call for appointments, describe their own symptoms, or pay their own bills.  A vet who cannot deal effectively with people cannot practice well.  It's really hard to find the vets who are equally skilled in both realms.

I thought this really made so much good sense. And it serves as a reminder to me that no matter how difficult the human, we'd still have to deal with him/her as diplomatically and graciously (and patiently!) as we can if we have the animals' best interests at heart. There is really no point in lambasting the human (not that I do that, of course!), but it is a good reminder for me that in order to help the animal, we have to learn how to deal with the human effectively in order to garner the best possible help for the animal.

Most humans do not like to be criticised.  Critique, on the other hand, is more proactive, provided the said human is open to learn and change.  There is a clear difference between criticism and critique.  The motivation is totally different.  The former is fault-finding, the latter, serves to improve and share the problem.    

I know I used to say, "animals first, humans second".  Perhaps I should revise that to "animals first, humans too."

Life is short, we could all do better with more kindnesses and pleasant encounters. 

I shall now take my leave and get back to marking my final exams papers. 

Cheers!

Visiting Wii

Ref: http://www.myanimalcare.org/2011/03/wiis-double-adoption-story.html

Long story cut short, Wii's adoption did not quite work out, so Roselin has taken Wii back to her house. 

I went to visit Wii today, with 8 cans of Fussie Cat in tow.  Roselin says Wii is having problems adjusting back to eating kibbles as his adopter had only given him canned food. 

As I was driving to Roselin's, I did wonder if Wii would remember me....it's been 8 months.  I know dogs will remember for life, but do cats remember too?  I really didn't know because my experience with cats has only been for 5 years. 

As I stepped into the kitchen where Wii was, he saw me and started mewing!  Then, I went near and Wii came towards me and let me cuddle him.  He even touched noses with me!

YES, Wii remembers me....!!

Roselin says Wii had not mewed ever since returning to her house.  Cats mew when they want to communicate. 

Yes, Wii...I hear you.  I may not understand exactly what you want to say, but I hear you, and you are safe in Aunty Roselin's house. 

Wii jumping down to nuzzle at my leg.

Wii letting me rub his belly.

Wii has put on weight too.  Apparently, he is pampered to the core at this adopter's house and he is the only cat (which is exactly what Wii wants, based on his personality).  Wii gets to sleep on the bed and gets showers every week, an even wears cat clothes.  But, the adopter goes overseas for long periods of time and there is no permanent babysitter for Wii.  So Roselin thought it's better Wii comes back to her.

Hey, Wii....!!  It felt so nice holding Wii after so long. 

Wii had been with me for 3 years before I had to rehome him because Wii loved the back alley, but my back neighbour could not stand his mewing and he would throw things at him and shout obscenities at Wii every day.  I was so afraid he would harm Wii one day. 

Roselin says one of her cat-loving friends is very interested in adopting Wii.  Wii will be the only pet (Wii can't seem to get along with other cats, it's his personality).  I trust Roselin will do the best for Wii.  Worse come to worst, Roselin doesn't mind letting Wii stay on in her house though she currently has 14 cats.

I wish I could bring Wii home as well, but Wii is terrified of Cow and Bunny and would exile himself to be back alley again, and my back neighbour.....sigh.

Sometimes it's so hard when we live in a linked house with insufficient space.  That is why I dare not adopt anymore.

The custodians of the AnimalCare tshirts

Our new stock of 400 tshirts arrived a few days ago.  Despite the new arrivals, we are completely out of Sports 36 and almost all out of Child 32, but we have the other sizes, hopefully enough for the Wesak celebrations.

The chief custodian of the AnimalCare tshirts at work.

Can I help too, asks Indy.

Currently, we have enough manpower, says Bobby. 

We'll call you if we need your help.

Eh...Bunny, you are sleeping on the job!

WHO says I'm sleeping???

I created this sentry post for Tiger and he loves it!

Now, HE is sleeping on the job?

Some of our pre-orders.  We even have Afiq, coming all the way from Johor today, to collect his tshirts.

We are extremely grateful to all of you for supporting us in our tshirt sales.  It has now become our main source of funds.  Any festive occasion coming up?  Mother's Day?  Wesak?  Birthdays?  Would you like to purchase our tshirts as gifts for your loved ones?  Support and spread the message of kindness to animals, it'll be a lovely and most appropriate way to celebrate any happy occasion.   

Thank you for the support!

                                       Thank you!


P.S.  The black tshirts are coming end of next week!!!

Goodnight, Sleep Tight...

Cow

Bunny Bun Buns. 

Poor little Bunny got attacked by Cow the other day.  See the scratch on his little pink nose?  Bunny's real big, but as gentle as a lamb.  He's even afraid of Cleo (the fusspot princess). 

Cleo

Bobby on his favourite chair.

Eh...why are you still up?  That's Indy grabbing a midnight snack.

The good thing about having so many cats at home is that one will never be lonely.  Tiger's settled so comfortably at the back.

And if you're 48, you might remember this classic from Danny Kaye's "Five Pennies", one of my very favourite lullabies...ever!

Music hath charm to soothe....

Goodnight, time to call it a day

Sleep tight, dream your troubles away

Goodnight, in spite of any sorrow

There's a brand new day on its way tomorrow

Someday, all your dreams will come true

Someway, for me and you

So close your eyes and dream of it my darling

Till then goodnight, goodnight, sleep tight

Goodnight, everyone!

See you tomorrow.