Help, Anyone?

Back in June 2007, I wrote about an art exhibition titled "Responding to the Divide: David Kwo" that I went to. This morning, there was an anonymous comment posting to it saying that he/she has a Kwo piece titled "Sheba", and asking if anyone can provide information on it. Anyone who can shed some light on this art piece?

Update: Just did a Google search and came across a website where some of the artist's works are put up for sale - http://www.artforum.com.sg/artists_by_country/singapore/david_kwo.html

Beautiful Girl

This series of photos was taken by Grimlock yesterday night. No high-end camera (just a modest Canon Digital IXUS 850). No need for any professional skills (just point-and-shoot). The photos turned out looking good because of the subject matter, and the moment, the feeling were so right. Our beautiful Skoda (yes, she is beautiful in our eyes) was just very much herself...

"Like a graceful vase, a cat, even when motionless, seems to flow." - George F. Will

Drink Up!

Here, Skoda gets chummy with the Hagen Dog-It water fountain. The girls are drinking up a lot more since we got the fountain. There is a filter within the dome, hence the water stays clear for a longer duration of time. I'm convinced fresh, clean water is the way to go to get them to drink up. And it is their instinct to prefer "moving" waters (this is not apparent from the photos) - the water gently flows out from the top of the dome. Their coat looks and feels less limp.

Braun has altogether stopped drinking from the kitchen tap (I take this as a sign that she is now drinking a sufficient amount of water). Skoda still keeps to this habit - well, she is a princess and so she much enjoys her slave cupping the water and serving it to her :)

Skoda is a smart girl - she licks water off the dome. The other two prefer to drink from the attached bowl.

"What You See is Not for Real!"

The girls know that they are not allowed to step into the kitchen sink. They will end up leaving paw prints all over the counter top if their paws are damp. The penalty is either a round of scolding or a smack on the backside (if I'm the one who catches them doing so).

Grimlock got up for work one morning. When he stepped into the kitchen and turned on the lights...

"Oops, I've been caught in the act!"

"Hi, hi!"

"Shucks, what do I do now?!?!"

And of course, Grimlock let Skoda off the hook.

Roving Eye@mcc: Responsible Pet Ownership

The tagline for this year's annual AVA Responsible Pet Ownership campaign is "Do Not Abandon Your Pet". I saw this poster display at a bus stop in my estate:

I think there is another design with a dog. If any of you come across these designs on ZoCards, pls drop me a comment on the outlet/venue (I collect selected ZoCards) - thanks! I looked up the AVA website but couldn't find the designs (not uploaded yet).

Update: Yay, I've got hold of all four ZoCards for this year's campaign (cat - my favourite, dog, hamster and rabbit).

However, I came across past years' designs - here is a recap:

2006 - Don't Get Pets on Impulse





2005 - Sterilise Your Pets



2004 - Do Not Abandon Your Pet




btw, the campaign roadshow is held this weekend at the Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, 10am-10pm. More information here: http://www.ava.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/9253E7B2-E57D-4992-982C-1304E73748D6/18931/RPO151108.pdf

The Way to Good Sleep

Cats are fastidious groomers and basically very tidy creatures. They are in the habit of grooming themselves by licking every part of their body clean with their tongue. (Source: http://www.cat-world.com.au/GroomingYourCat.htm)

This habit of tongue-bathing has several benefits to them:
1) Promotes better circulation of the blood
2) Gets rid of dead skin cells
3) Removes excess/dead hair on their coat
4) Tones their muscles
5) Keeps the fur soft and clean

Of the three, Braun spends the most time in grooming and she does it in a meticulous manner; followed by Mikki and then Skoda. This also explains why Braun is more prone to hairballs. Skoda has her "limitations" - her tummy gets in the way so there are some areas beyond her reach (another reason why we need to help her lose weight).

I noticed before my girls knock off, each will spend some time in grooming, so I think the habit has a calming effect. I'm often amused by the whole process and the level of attention rendered. I captured Mikki going through the act here (while Skoda was fast asleep beside her):



"Cats do not have to be shown how to have a good time, for they are unfailing ingenious in that respect." - James Mason

Afternote: I nearly forgot to add this account. One night, I was lying on the bed and Skoda was just beside me. Out of a sudden, Skoda decided to give me a taste of what grooming is like. She started to lick the area above my eye brow and gave my eye brow some mini bites (like how a cat would when he/she is grooming). A cat's tongue is actually quite spiky so I wouldn't say it felt good but I put up with it because that was the first time Skoda did that to me and I didn't want to scare her off with my reaction. She was at it for like five minutes but it felt like eternity (I don't know why, maybe because the action was slow and delibrate). Eventually she stopped on her own. The next day, there was a light rash over the area but I thought the skin felt smooth (rid of dead skin cells?).

Smarty Kat Tweety Twirler

That is the name of the new toy I just bought for the girls. When you twirl, wave or wiggle this dangler toy, a birdlike sound device will be activated (emitting chirping sounds). It seemed like something the girls would play with. Another reason why I bought it has to do with Mikki. We hope to expend some of her energy before our bedtime, hopefully this will "knock her out" - she sleeps through the night and so will I.

Skoda and Mikki are enthusiastic towards the Tweety Twirler, while Braun is apprehensive of it. Braun is afraid of whip-like things. Looks like she is not taking on the Tweety Twirler any time soon. Some time back, I bought a dangler rod with feathers on the end. She ran off whenever I waved the rod at her. If I left it on the floor, she would approach it and be more daring to try playing with it. She ended up chewing all the feathers and one morning, we found purple substance in her puke.

Here is a video clip on the fun Skoda and Mikki had with the new toy. As usual, Skoda's bum remained on the floor most of the time.

Mikki, Happy (Belated) 1st Year Anniversary

This month, Mikki takes centrestage on my blog masthead. Yesterday, 13 Nov marked her first year at the Cove. I remember bringing Mikki and Mikey back home from the SPCA in a photocopier paper box, and it was drizzling. They were palm-sized and each tipped the scales at a mere 250 grams. They were the youngest cats Grimlock and I had cared for.

Day 1 @ the Cove - Mikki (front) & Mikey (back):

On 28 Nov 2006, Mikey passed on. Mikki is the only survivor in a litter of four. A few days later, we brought Mikki to the animal hospital because we thought she might have choked on her dinner. The vet did an X-ray; her stomach area appeared hazy on the film and the vet dropped the word FIP on us. We wondered if we were going to lose her too. Thank God at her final review on 16 Dec 2006, the vet gave her a clean bill of health. By this time, Mikki weighed 500 grams.

Mikki was kept in a room on her own (she was too tiny to be "exposed" to the other two). In the evenings, I'd keep her company in the room and I enjoyed the bonding tremendously. While I sat on the floor, she would perch herself on my thighs and do her grooming. Other times, she dozed off in my arms.

(2 Jan 07)


(3 Jan 07)


(28 Jan 07)


(17 Feb 07)

In April 2007 from a blood test in preparation for her spaying surgery, it was discovered her liver enzymes exceeded the normal range by like three times. She was given an injection and put on Prescription's Hill L/D kibbles. A month later, the vet did another blood test on her and it was a huge relief her liver enzymes were within the normal range.

(22 April 07)

Then there was Mikki's dramatic outburst when I brought her back home from her spaying surgery. She wouldn't tolerate at all the cone that was put around her neck. Skoda and Braun were taken aback by her outburst and it did take a while for tripartite diplomatic ties to be restored again.

(17 June 07)

At one year old now, Mikki is still naughty. She is fond of tapping Skoda and Braun on the leg when they walk past (trying to instigate a wrestling match), chasing them around, running off if Skoda gets a tad too near to her. Braun puts up with Mikki's antics, while Skoda will snarl and pin her down if she gets out of hand. Skoda is OK with Braun licking her head/face but the same cannot be said with Mikki (Skoda will snarl at Mikki, ears pulled back). Sigh, it remains a dream to see my three girls snuggle up to each other.

(9 Sept 07)

When Skoda and Braun were at Mikki's age, they were bigger in size so I think Mikki needs to be putting on more weight (but this girl eats a lot and she isn't picky!) Her annual review is due in Feb 08 and we'll be getting a blood test done on her to check her liver enzymes (fingers crossed).

Like Skoda, Mikki will exchange a kiss or two when the mood is right. When she wants to eat, she'll tread ahead, look back to see if you're behind her and if you'd stroke her back, she'll tuck in heartily. If you stop and walk away, she stops eating and follow you.

Mikki is still a monster when it comes to nail clipping time - she scrowls and scrowls. It is impossible to clip all her front paws nails at one go (we don't have this problem with Skoda and Braun). Mikki is still my puppy :) - she trails me around the house. She is getting quite fond of snuggling up to Grimlock for her naps (汉奸!), arrggghhhh.

(10 Sept 07)

One moment, both were soundly asleep...

...and then Skoda wakes up, rolls over and her bum ends up on Mikki's face! She's lucky Mikki didn't dispense her deadly bites.

(9 Nov 07)

Mikki has picked up a new habit, howling away in the early hours of the day (like 3am, 4am). I'm a light sleeper so I find this very disruptive and it is affecting the quality of my sleep. There is food in the bowl so I think she is seeking attention. If I get up and stroke her, she stops "singing". Maybe I should ask the vet for sleeping pills - for her (evil grin, hee hee hee).

Cats are natural climbers/jumpers. While Skoda and Braun take on any form of vertical jumping challenge with ease, Mikki is not much of a jumper. I had thought her psycho-motoring skills might be inadequately developed. But guess what I saw this morning! (I'm on medical leave today) Mikki did what she doesn't do when we're around - she leapt onto the kitchen counter top, and did it a few times too!

Oops, the cat is out of the bag...

My Little One: It has been so fulfilling to see how far you've come in the past one year, and watch you bloom. Be good, especially to your two big sisters. If you naughty, of course they keep you at an arm's length lah! Are you feeling left out which is why you've been howling in the early hours? Aiyoh, Mighty Mouse needs to have her beauty sleep in peace leh! And pleaseeeeee, don't be such a fighter when we clip your nails, OK? Not much to ask of you right?

And be my puppy, that is one thing I wouldn't change.

Mikey: You're fondly remembered...

A Dream Came True

I've been busy, busy with setting up another blog. Grimlock and I recently went for a one-week vacation in Hokkaido, Japan. This is a place I've long wanted to visit, and the vacation turned out to be very enjoyable. I'm finally done with the blog. I'll leave you to view the lovely scenaries and read the narrations here: http://myhokkaidoromance.blogspot.com/

(Latest addition to my collection of fridge magnets - a map of Hokkaido)

(Taken 19 Oct 2007, Otaru - Hokkaido, Japan)