Bye Bye, Mikey

Dear Mikey,

We lost you today. And it was just yesterday we decided to name you - Mikey and your sister, Debbi after the cute, tear-eyed Precious Moments duo. The name 'Mikey' has a tinge of strength in it and that was what I most wished for you.

I think you were trying hard to hang on. Deep in my heart, I feared for the worst. But I thought things might just be turning better when I saw you eating more than usual yesterday night and this morning.

You had been with us for 16 days. I’ll remember your gentleness. And your most playful moments when you kept “bitting” my toes. After you, there’ll be no more room for another.

We’ll have to rename your sister because the duo is no more. We’re calling her Mikki, and at the Cove, this means “In Memory of Mikey”. She'll be in good hands.

May you find eternal rest. We’ll remember you.


Luv,
Grimlock & Mighty Mouse

Little Tykes: Day 8 @ The Cove

Ah Boy got quite ill on last Sat, 18 Nov. He had been puking and appeared lethargic, limb. Ah Gal had a little streak of blood in her stool. Rushed them both to the vet in the afternoon. Vet did a faecalysis on them and the test revealed parasites and inflammation in their stomach. Ah Boy didn't look too good so vet gave him a jab to bring down the inflammation. Ah Gal was still active. Vet also prescribed medication for vomitting (for Ah Boy), diarrhea and to treat the parasites in their stomach, as well as two cans of wet food. No more milk for them. Asked vet how Ah Boy's condition was and he said not too good and not too bad (didn't understand what he meant but also didn't want to probe in case it was worst). Was worried if Ah Boy would be able to pull through.

Ah Boy and Ah Gal didn't take too well to the wet food and the medicated water so we had to syringe feed them food (every four hours) and water (every two hours to keep them hydrated), as well as the medication (twice).

On Sun, 19 Nov, Ah Boy started to eat the wet food on his own and ate quite a lot. But Ah Gal didn't want to eat so we had to syringe feed her every four hours and it was her turn to become lethargic. Continued to syringe feed both with water every two hours. Ah Boy has started to move his bowels again and stool is quite solid. Not for Ah Gal yet because she was only eating like 2ml per syringe feed (didn't want to force her to eat too much). Things turned for the better in the evening. When we dished out the last serving of food for the day, Ah Gal finally ate on her own and her appetite was quite good. Huge relief and really made my day!

Looks like we can stop the medication today because Ah Boy has stopped vomitting and no more diarrhea for both. But they still are not drinking the medicated water on their own. Left a small portion of kibbles out to last them through the day. Have continued to pump water every one hour this evening. As I type away now, they are both snoozing away on the scratching box - Ah Gal is perched on Ah Boy. Thank God they have each other for company.

DAY 7 (SUN, 19 NOV)

A bird's eye view of Ah Boy (yes, he's that tiny)

Close-up of Ah Boy

Close-up of Ah Gal (she was doing a stretch)

Here is where they head for once out of the cage (Ah Gal on the left)

Skoda & Her New "Blanket"

After folding the socks, Grimlock draped two pairs over Skoda who had settled down on the sofa. Surprisingly, she allowed that and the socks were on her for a good 30 minutes (she just lied down). Normally, she will shake off anything that we put over her. Silly girl...

The Next Nike Poster Girl

Recently Braun has grown to like sleeping on Grimlock's Nike shoes. Weird, don't understand the "connection". So Nike should think out of the box and look for users' endorsement of a different kind, beyond sports personalities. I believe if they use this photo, the marketing campaign will be a hit.

Hearing It from a Cat: Tribulation

Extracted from "Mao Ke Xuan Yan":

"Go on living and live well, no matter how great the tribulation is. You've no chance to turn the tide if you quit life."

Two Little Tykes

I’ve been busy, very busy. Remember the kittens in my last posting?

On Mon, 13 Nov, I called up SPCA in the morning to ask about the two kittens. Grimlock and I are now more mentally prepared to take them in if they are still alive. They are too young to have their lives so abruptly terminated. The plan is to “stabilize” them and then put them up for adoption when they turn two months old. At this point in time, don’t think we would want to keep four cats.

I was pissed off by the SPCA lady who attended to me. Got an earful from her on why I let the pest control company to bring them in to SPCA in the first place. They also don’t entertain enquiries on how the kittens are doing, unless I’m interested in adopting them. She would check if the kittens are still alive and call me back. It was about two hours later that I heard from her – it seemed like ages. The kittens are alive and I have to pick them up by 4pm, otherwise they would be put to sleep (the vet would still be around to do that, aaarrgggghhhh). Took urgent leave, found an empty box and rushed down. It was drizzling.

While waiting for the worker to bring the kittens out, I took a quick look around the place. I could tell that SPCA has its hands full with lots of animals. Signed their adoption papers and whisked them off to the vet for a general checkup. The vet said they seemed to be doing OK. Got some instructions from her on what to feed and how to litter-train the little fellas. The dark-coat one is a boy and the one with an off-white chest is a girl. They are about one-month old. Vet prescribed dewormer and their first vaccination shots will be due in one month’s time. It would be OK to bathe them but to do this one after another and to use the hair dryer to dry them thoroughly. Went to the pet supplies shop next door and bought one tub of kittens’ milk powder and one can of wet food.

Three youngsters brought in a tiny kitten to see the vet. Good to see children develop a love for animals from young.

Once I touched home, attended to Skoda and Braun first; cleared their litter tray, topped up kibbles and kept them away in their room. Turned on heater, took out bathing things and the spare litter tray and set up the cage (bought this when we got Skoda but she only used it for a day – hated to be encaged). The little fellas were snoozing. Gave them a quick bath, towel and blow dry and then fed them food. Good to see them eating heartily. The cage will be kept in the study for now until two weeks later when we will to introduce them to the ‘big’ sisters. Thinking back on how we introduced Braun to Skoda, this is guaranteed to drive adrenalin (not an enjoyable type of thrill).

By now, Skoda and Braun are aware that there is “something” in the Cove. They peep under the door and sniff suspiciously at our hands and legs. Don’t think Braun would be too upset (she can be bribed with treats) with the “intruders” but Skoda wouldn’t be taking it too well. At first there was only her, then Braun came and now two more. Will have to assure her that she is the Alpha cat.

DAY ONE (MON, 13 NOV)

Presenting the latest additions @ The Cove!

Ah Gal (in front) and Ah Boy (in the background)

"Hello, I'm Ah Gal!"

The two little fellas pee and poo a lot (poo is runny, reminds me of Mr Softee, ha ha) and the cage will end up quite messy because they are not litter-trained yet. They are able to eat on their own. Since they came, we’ve been waking up at 6am to start cleaning and feeding “two big and two small ones”. Tiring no doubt but I’m glad to be doing something for the little fellas. Very thankful that I’ve a “partner in crime” a.k.a. Grimlock. I wouldn’t be able to do this without his blessing and support. Once they are litter-trained, it will be more manageable.

My immediate task is to monitor and assess their runny poo situation. Diarrhea can be fatal for young kittens. Called up the vet clinic for advice. Runny poo is normal for kittens of their age but have to keep an eye that it is not the watery type. May also be due to them eating wet food or the brand of the milk powder.

Calling them Ah Boy and Ah Gal for now. Will search for “original” names (less conventional ones) that mean Fighter or Survivor.

They finished their first can of wet food so bought another can of a different brand on Thur, 16 Nov which Ah Boy didn’t like/eat. Went to pet supplies shop again yesterday. Shop assistant who had hand-raised three baby kittens (younger than Ah Boy and Ah Gal) suggested stopping wet food and to give kibbles and milk. Bought one small packet of kittens’ kibbles and one new tub of milk powder.

Saw Ah Boy puking yesterday night. This explains the milky-looking blobs in the cage! Could be caused by the change in brand of wet food or he can’t take the brand itself. Shall give the reminder to Skoda and Braun as a treat. I think Ah Boy puked again this morning. He appears lethargic. Will have to monitor closely today and if the puking persists, will bring him to the vet tomorrow morning. Hope it is nothing serious.


DAY 5 (FRI, 17 NOV)

Walking Away

Overheard a colleague's conversation in the office yesterday around 6pm. While doing some housekeeping at the basement carpark, the Estates folks found a mother cat and her litter of four young kittens. Two of the kittens had passed on. Mother cat was sent in to SPCA on Thurs, 9 Nov. The remaining kittens would be sent in to SPCA today morning.

I hear that young kittens sent in to SPCA will be put to sleep because of the lack of resources that is needed to take care of them. I called up my Estates colleague and went with him to take a look at the kittens. They are about palm-sized, blue-eyed (as of young kittens) and the body is all grey for both and they can walk on their own. When I walked away, the kittens were meowing. I called Grimlock up to see if we should take in the kittens - discussion was inconclusive.

The kittens should be about two weeks old; will require four to six hourly feeds; and since they are that young, the caregiver will need to stroke the anal area gently to help them pass urine and defecate. Mortality rate is also high because they had been separated from mummy (milk is important to build up their resistance at this tender age) and they probably hadn't eaten for a while. Come Monday when we are back to work, there will be no one to take care of them if we take them in. And the youngest cat we had ever cared for was Skoda who was already three months old when we adopted her.

Called up Braun's 'godpa' and Skoda's 'godma' (their fosters before we adopted them). Asked them the crucial question on what they would do if they were in my shoes; to take them in or walk away. Vote: 1-1. Skoda's 'godma' gave me the contact number of Dawn, the lady at the helm of Cat Welfare Society, to get more information and see what she says. Well, you can guess her inclination. And she doesn't have any foster who can take in the kittens.

Called up Grimlock to update him on the information and opinions. By now, my mind was spinning so I asked him to make the call. Decision was to commit them to SPCA. Felt quite moody and kept wondering if we had deprived the kittens of a better chance of survival. Ate very little for dinner and bought a slice of cheesecake to perk myself up. I consider this a tough decision, worst than having to 'crack' my head over challenging work situations. Reluctantly and with a heavy heart, I sms-ed my Estates colleague that I won't be taking the kittens in nor could I find someone to do so. Stayed up until 3am because mind was busy ticking away. Didn't finish my cheesecake.

I'm still thinking of the kittens even right up to this moment, and probably will for some time to come. Walking away ain't easy, not at all.

Sleeping Beauty II

I need to add that in this unedited, Cove version of Sleeping Beauty, there are no seven dwarves nor a handsome prince. Who needs them when there is so much more in slumberland?

A diva even when in sleep!

"I ain't fighting the sleeping bug anymore..."

A close-up shot

"Sleeping is serious business. Do Not Disturb!"

Aaawww, the irresistible charms of Skoda!

Skoda, you're making me very sleepy. I'll need to catch forty winks too...

"Uuurrrgghhh, I'm getting me a neck ache. Think you can give me a rub here?"

"Hey you, Buzz Off!"

"Now, where was I?"

"You just don't get it, do you!?!"

Sleeping Beauty I

Cats spend up to 16 hours in a day in sleep. Braun and Skoda are two sleeping beauties too. They have a few sleeping spots in the Cove, usually warm places such as Pinky (this is what I have named their new Pink 'castle' cum couch), on top of the fridge, in the cozy corner (behind the computer) and on the study chair (this is usually placed near the window where some sunlight comes in).

Here is Braun taking her nap on Pinky:

Just settled down and still wide-eyed

"Oh yes, I'm beginning to have blurred vision."

zzzzz.....zzzzz....knocked out

"Shucks, how to let this idiot know that I'd prefer my photos not be taken when I'm sleeping?!?"

"Aarrrggghhh...don't bother me lah! My eyelids are getting too heavy....zzzzzz.....zzzzzzz"

"Wow, this must be Kitty Land where I can have as much Friend's Land cod fish treats as I want to!"

A bird's eye view...

zzzzz...zzzzz...zzzzz ("I'm losing count.")

"Wow, this is too good to be true! Food glorious food!!"

"Better wipe away the drool. I'm on camera."

Hearing It from a Cat: Effectiveness

Extracted from "Mao Ke Xuan Yan":

"Working harder, taking your work more seriously or driving yourself more would not yield higher returns from your actions nor make you more successful. These are what people with no capability will do.

The key is to think of a more effective way that will make your efforts pay off. This is the methodology able people will adopt to make the leap."

Cool Invite

Picked up this promotional material on Ministry of Sound. It was not the subject matter (pubbing is not my cup of tea) that got my attention. Look at the cover design - the cat icon is funky and cool, man! Thumbs up to the designer's good taste!!

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