Best Feline Friend

My exact sentiments...

(The Sunday Times, 7 Nov 2010)

Catnip Eyeballs

Can't remember whether it was Grimlock or I who discovered these cat toys on the Cat Welfare Society website (look under Shop) - catnip eyeballs which come in a pack of two for $12, and in assorted colours.  Here is a video clip on Braun and Skoda having a good time with the catnip eyeballs.  Mikki does not react to catnip.

So, if you're looking at getting a cat toy for your cat(s) who enjoys catnip, this is something to consider and for a good cause.

"Give That Girl a Tiger!"

Here is a video clip on Skoda bringing down Tigger from the fridge.  This shows one of the methods that she uses; from the kitchen counter top.  Her other method is to leap up and pull it down - I'll try to capture her using this method one of these days (I hope)...

Mikki Turns Four

This year I was sure to be more timely with Mikki's anniversary post, lest she complains of having to nurse a broken heart again.  Well, I'm still late but an improvement right?  I hope she lets me off this time (the life of a human slave is hard, hahahaha...)

Mikki is a low-maintenance gal - she is agreeable with dry food and wet food (brand is a non-issue) and non-picky with treats (well, Skoda prefers certain type of treats over than others).  She drinks up readily (so much so that we once got her indicators checked, which turned out fine). 

Mikki is not a touchy-feely girl; she'll be sure to tell you when to stop with the stroking.  Beyond the festy appearance, I think she desires our attention.  Grimlock may be right; she is just being defensive (protective of herself).  She'll come rub herself against our legs so we can walk her to the kibbles bowl, and she'll look back and check you're still there before she'd tuck in.  She doesn't like our bedroom as much as the Other Two but if the Other Two are both sleeping in with us, she'll yowl and tap away at our bedroom door at unearthly hours (and so we'll only let Skoda or Braun sleep in with us).  Take this point from me: Cats are an assertive lot.

Mikki still adhors nail clipping, but she is getting better with bathing.  She doesn't like the Furminator too.  Since getting the cat tree last December, we've yet to see her step foot onto it - luring her with treats doesn't work too. 

Mikki still is My Puppy, and follows me around the house on the go (not my exclusive privilege lah, she treads after Grimlock too).  It is still work-in-progress when it comes to the dynamics between she and the Other Two - not close, just cordial and sparks from time-to-time.  I do think she feels a little left out at times (and so we'll give her extra and special attention).

This anniversary post would be incomplete without a walk down memory lane...

Mikki into her third week at the Cove.  Then she loved to perch on my thigh...

Mikki's maiden encounter with Skoda.  Our hearts were at our mouths...

Mikki putting Skoda's patience to the test in her days of being a kitten...

Mikki almost a year after her joining the family (she looks a tad pudgy here :) )...

Mikki, almost two years old here, striking a demure pose for the camera.  Her frame is quite petite so she doesn't quite "fill out" Pinky.

Mikki and her self-improvised "bed"...

One of Mikki's few photos taken with Braun...

吾家的老大跟老三 (the eldest and the youngest in the brood at home)...

Muffins Fix

Grimlock has moved on to baking exploits.  His latest attempt - chocolate chips and banana muffins.  They were yummy!

Skoda Turns Five

It was Skoda's 5th anniversary last Friday, 29 October.  Though this is a week late, I told myself I'll get down to penning this anniversary post of hers.

This girl still is a 6.5kg pack of curves.  (Now, please take a moment to admire this figure of hers in the masthead photo.) 

She still holds the strings to Grimlock's heart. 

Her latest past-time cum fitness routine is to bring down Tigger (aka fridge magnet) and deposit it at wherever she fancies.  One morning, we found Tigger on the floor outside our bedroom door.  We're thankful she didn't present us with some yucky dead insect.

Speaking of our bedroom, it still is her favourite chill-out space.  This girl must have human contact when she sleeps in our room - either in the hook of my arm or in-between my legs.  Strangely, she leaves Gimlock alone.

Skoda didn't fare well in her July Urinalysis test.  The levels of crystals and leukocytes (white blood cells) in her urine were quite high.  The latter are the warriors of the immune system and multiply in response to an infection.  When the test was repeated last month, the crystals indicator dropped to an acceptable level, while the leukocytes level remained the same.  She is due for her next review in November/December.  Skoda is not on any medication.  We're maintaining a tight control over her diet, ie Waltham Feline Urinary S/O. 

All things aside, Skoda is still very much a 'chio'* babe (and one with loads of character and intelligence).  And of course, gratification comes just by looking at her...

 

* 'chio' = pretty

Where the Head Rests

"Sleep only gets better when I rest my head this way..."

"Putting my head across from the table to the chair is really comfortable - good for circulation I believe, though you may not think so..."

"This is the way I like to catch a nap..."

And look, who's doing it in the same fashion too...

"Tigger is Not a Fridge Magnet, She's My Favourite Toy!"

Everyday, without fail, Skoda will bring down Tigger the fridge magnet.  She'll give Tigger a good bite or two, a taste of her deadly "rabbit kicks" and "relocate" Tigger to wherever she fancies.

One of the crime scenes, the study which is like 1.5m-2m from the fridge:

btw, Skoda also without fail, pulls out the towel from the Chrysanthemum Throne everyday and dumps it on the floor, which explains the towel on the floor.

Guilty as Charged!

And Guilty as Charged! 

(Mousie to Skoda: "Girl, wide-eyed innocence won't help you a single bit...")

And again, Guilty as Charged!! 

Here, Skoda is caught red-handed with the kitchen tea cloth.  The cloth hangs from the lower cabinet handle.  So what she will do is bite the cloth off the handle, places it on the counter-top and then sits on it.  Who can beat her at it?!?!

 

Round & Round, Round & Round

At times when we turn on the washing machine, Skoda will sit on the side and take in the action.  Here she is, giving her 100% attention...

Fur Away!

Grimlock and I have been following Duke Orange's blog lately and read of how his minion harvested his wool with Furminator.

The benefits of grooming:

• Grooming is necessary for an animal's health and hygiene. The removal of shed hairs helps the hair in its renewal process. More importantly, grooming cleans the skin of dandruff, eliminates dry skin flakes and improves its insulation properties.
• Brushing stimulates the skin and increases blood circulation at the base of each hair. The secretions from these glands will keep the hair weatherproofed and promote a shiny gloss.
• Brushing and grooming can lead to the early detection of parasites or other skin issues. Regular grooming provides an excellent opportunity to give a quick overall checkup. Most pets enjoy grooming sessions which strengthens the bond.
• Regular grooming will remove the loose hair from the coat that the pet has shed. This significantly decreases the amount of hair that might be ingested causing hairballs.

Ta, Ta!  Grimlock gave the girls their first grooming session today using the Furminator (S$60.40 after a 20% discount, from Pet Lovers' Centre).  The girls are more agreeable with Furminator than their current grooming brush.

Bottom (from left to right) - Sample of "wool" harvested from Mikki, Braun & Skoda.  Their coat colours look quite close - no wonder some times people tell us of the same remark.  Skoda's coat now feels smoother and softer, than usual :)   

Beauty Bloom (V)

It has been a while since I last blogged about Mikki.  Here are three 'classic' series of shots I took of her.  I always wonder what is going on in her head when she looks this way...

The wide-eyed, 'blur blur' look...

Mikki loves to stretch out on the floor and then "drift into space" (do cats day dream?)...

  Mikki is fond of standing in the hallway, all by herself...

...and she'll be leaning against the wall or the sideboard. 

Mousie: "So tired, meh?"

 "Why so glum looking, My Little One?"

"Oops, I Did It AGAIN!" (V)

When I took out the rubber plastic mat, I saw...(see circle)...

Braun: "If I look you straight in the eye, would you believe this is not my doing?"

Mousie: "Errr...Sweetie, I too would like to give you the benefit of doubt but hhhmmm, seriously..."

Where's the Girl? (XI)

Braun and her penchant for 'tight' snoozing spots:

The smell of clean laundry (and my scent :) ?)...

Mikki comes along to investigate a suspicious-looking "hump"...

"Gotcha, it's me lah!"

"This is Bossy's box but me like it too!" (Bossy aka Skoda)

"I can see you but you may not see me, hee!"

"This snoozing spot can't get any better - on a tower of towels and surrounded by cans of my favourite food." (The canned food are for the girls and the kitties at Site X)

"Wah, this has got to be my favourite leh!  Tight and warm (right next to the fridge)."

How can this sleeping position be comfortable - ?!?!

Piglet Braun...

And again, the comfort level is just so questionable...

A New Chapter

Hello, it has been a while since I last updated my blog.  I've been up to quite a bit in the past 1.5 months. 

On the work front, there was a spate of projects which wrapped up in mid June.  I tendered my resignation and will commence work at the new place next week.  While serving notice and clearing my leave, Grimlock and I headed to Japan for a 10-day vacation.  We covered Osaka, Kyoto, Mount Fuji, Hakone and Tokyo.  I'm in the midst of sorting out the photos (423) and video clips (53).  Hopefully, I can get down to uploading them and journaling the memories. 

This post-vacation break has been a productive one so far.  I weeded out quite a bit of "rubbish" I've accumulated over the years from two bookcases, and my wardrobe.  I caught the two semi-final World Cup matches on TV.  In Japan, ALL matches are screened FREE on national TV.  I'll be staying up to watch the FINAL match.  I'm having a good time chilling out with the girls :)  I just need to run a few errands and I should be all set for my new job.

I got this as a 'goodbye' gift when I moved on from one of my previous workplaces.  I like it a lot; a reminder to reach for my 'star', to achieve my potential.  It is one of my collectibles taking centrestage in the bookcase.

Yesterday, we dropped by our pet supplies shop to pick up a packet of Royal Canin kibbles for Braun and Mikki.  It was our first time visiting the shop since it moved from the previous location.  We were so happy to see Shadow, the shop's resident cat after such a long time.  He is handsome and robust as ever, and he responded to the calling of his name.

I found this fridge magnet in the washing machine today when I was going to bring out the laundry for hanging.  Without a doubt, this has got to be Skoda's doing!!  I left the cover of the washing machine open yesterday night.  This fridge magnet is mounted on the lower door of the fridge.  It is amazing how Skoda got the magnet off the fridge and brought it all the way to the washing machine, and what prompted her to do so.  She is no cat :)  When I turn on the washing machine and leave the cover open (top loading) and go take detergent, she'll make her way there if she is nearby, sit on the side and observe the motion.  Her head will be moving to the swerve of the washing machine.  I'll try to record and upload a clip someday.

btw, it is our 7th wedding anniversary today :)  We usually go away in July to take a breather from work and to spend time with each other (our way of celebrating the milestone), and so our recent Japan vacation was it.  There is nothing more I should ask for.  I'm blessed and thankful.

Food Therapy

Our yummy dinner this evening, prepared by Chef Grimlock:

Old cucumber with pork ribs soup:

Steamed pork with rice and egg: