Safe Spots on Rainy Days?

Lately the monsoon rain not only has strong winds but a lot of lightning and loud thunder as well.

Frightened by the sound of pouring rain on awnings and loud thunder, the kitties hid in what they believed to be safe spots.

Safe spots for Winnie and Captain Jack Sparrow HAWK.

Safe spots where their late buddies hid.

Remembering Cinders and How to Look for Signs that the End is Near

It has been a year. Cinders would have been 19 last week if she were alive.

Being a geriatric cat, there were many changes in her life, physically and mentally. When the end gets nearer there are a number of subtle signs displayed.

In her last few years, she was less active and moving slower, preferring to rest on top of the chair or podium watching her younger roommates interact. She could no longer spring up from lying position. Perhaps she was feeling the effects of arthritis.

Then her eyesight deteriorated and became disorientated. She relied on touch and hearing, and began walking along walls ending up stuck in small gaps and spaces. To prevent that, EJ put thick books, dictionaries and plastic containers between cupboards, next to the refrigerator, washing machine, etc.

The disorientation moments advanced to dementia.

In her last few months, her vet detected low body temperature and advised to keep her warm.

She did not use the litter box and had to wear diapers. Her water bowl was elevated to make it easier for her to drink.

During her last few weeks, she refused to eat, drink and take her medication. Breathing was difficult.

Cinders just clamped her mouth shut on that pill and refused to swallow. That weird reflection in her eyes indicate total blindness.

We hope this post will bring awareness to friends, readers to help better prepare and ease senior pets on the final leg of their life's journey.

Cinders' Say

We would like to thank all who sent countless warm comforting, encouraging wishes, thoughts, purrs, headbutts and woofs including graphics done with much love.

EJ could not locate Cinders' young photos but found some taken 10-15 years ago when EJ was a squatter in mom's home.

Cinders had cute, unique sleeping styles which was weird at times...

...and claimed whatever was EJ's, paper notes included.

She worshipped the morning sun. (Note her sagging belly!)

Of all places, between EJ's knees were her favourite.

When her cross-eyed brother, Cookie, was alive, they both were always together, resting or watching the world go by under the Jasmine tree.

After Cookie passed on, she sat on the table by the window looking out at the spot where Cookie was buried in the corner of the playground next to the house. (See arrow) 

There were times she would sit under the Jasmine tree alone to look at that spot or watch the world go by.

Cinders need not eye that spot anymore for she would be frolicking and resting with her Cookie always.

PS: Cinders laid on EJ's lap on the eve of her passing from afternoon through evening and night till 1am.
EJ played this music for her to listen daily when she was not well.

Cinders' Turning Point

Tomorrow is Cinders' birthday.

Yesterday Cinders decided she had enough and joined her brother, cross-eyed Cookie.

She's 18.

Please click here if you wish to know how she came to our life.

We thank all who sent prayers, wishes and purrs. Special thanks to Ann of Zoolatry who did this lovely graphic.

With much love,

Cinders' Fighting On

Now totally blind, Cinders had to be confined to the dry toilet.

She walks along the walls and into her water and food bowls. EJ had to clean up regularly.

Cinders forgets to eat as well and had to be gently reminded by putting the food directly under her nose.

Pictures below were taken a month earlier.

Relaxing under the ceiling fan.

Soaking in the single beam of scorching morning sun after dragging all her toys out from the basket.

Resting after playing and scattering her playthings. (EJ has picked them up.)

Cinders' Fav Spots and Heart

When EJ sat on the cushion on the floor to watch TV, Cinders too wanted to sit.

So EJ made a separate cushion, a smaller one, for her. But Cinders will only relax in it if it's a double, that is if the smaller cushion is on the larger one.

She has other spots to relax as well like this small box...

...or under the computer (EJ has to sit cross-legged on the chair whenever Cinders decides to squat here).

Few days ago, Cinders vomitted and was feeling rather weak. Her vet checked and found that her body temperature a little lower than normal. Her heartbeat was not exactly normal as well. She now has to take medication for her heart in addition to the ones for her kidneys. 

To prevent her from wandering aimlessly at night (Cinders has failing eyesight), EJ set up the cage to put her in and placed it at the meowroom door where she can still have close contact with her roommates. So close that Winnie could stick her paw in to scratch the paper (at the yellow arrow) with Captain Jack Sparrow HAWK watching intensely all the time.

This was from Cinders' view with Winnie's silhouette (yellow arrow).

Cinders did not like the cage, probably felt claustrophobic, and was then placed in the dry toilet.

This is her all-time favourite!

For now Cinders will stay in the toilet at night and will be let out to be with her roommates during day. EJ will continue to monitor her condition.

'It Fits' Says Cinders

It's Sunday.

While our human, EJ, procrastinated, Cinders found a basket which was of great interest to her.

It was on top of a low box. Cinders pawed it down and dragged it to the centre of the hall.

She stepped inside the small basket, turned a few rounds sizing it up to decide at which angle or position was most comfortable...

...and promptly laid down to nap!

Senior Cat Claws

Senior cats' claws thicken due to decreased activity. They scratch less which makes it difficult for them to shed their claws properly.

Dirt and fur trapped underneath their claws plus the increased thickness makes it less retractable just like Cinders' Dew Claw ('thumb' claw) here.

Unless the claws are trimmed, walking will become difficult. Untrimmed claws may grow into the pads causing pain.

Cinders' Favourite

Cinders has many places she loves to hang out.


The little green stool is one which EJ borrows when needed.

At times, Cinders would hide under this low wooden step ladder where EJ dumps reading materials on top.

She loves this two-foot square cushion on the floor where EJ usually sits to watch TV while having a drink or snack.

This is her most favourite of all. Just look at that smile on her face...

...and in deep sleep after making that leg sleep!

'I Came, I Saw, I Conquered' So Says Cinders!

Most of us have either a box or basket to hold small handy and essential items like reading glasses, pencil box, important notes, etc.

EJ had a basket with a handle. Noticed that it is in past tense.

Cinders came, saw and conquered that basket on the floor at the corner!

There was nothing much EJ could do except to clear out everything, took out an old worn-out baggy shorts with a waist-band that has completely lost its elasticity. 

EJ tried drapping the shorts over and on top of the basket but it kept falling through. Then EJ pushed the basket halfway into the shorts like wearing it.

It worked and held well. This is how it looks like!

Cinders is Better, Award Received and Thank You!

Both Kenggy and Pebble always stay nearby to keep Cinders company when she crawls in to rest in this bottom-most cubicle in the cat condo.

Last Saturday EJ felt a wave of panic when Cinders was not sleeping in her usual cubicle. She sleeps here because she cannot jump (arthritis suspected as well; part of her supplement has chitosan).

EJ went round looking and found her fast asleep on the podium where her roommates usually hang out. 

This meant that Cinders is feeling much better to be able to move up and down.

She has even started to clean and groom herself though a little clumsy and ungraceful but who cares as long as she is well enough to do it!

Oh, we received an award from our friends, Tillie and Georgia, Tiger,Treasure and JJ.

“Liebster” means dear, dearest, favorite or beloved in German.  

The requirements of receiving the award are to link back to who gave it to you, paste the Award on your blog, then choose 5 of your favorite blogs to pass the award on to that are up-and-coming blogs with less than 200 followers, let them know by leaving a comment on their blog and hope that the 5 blogs chosen will keep on spreading the love by passing the award on to 5 more blogs.

We are bending the rules of this award a wee bit and would like to give it to all our friends for visiting us and giving so many encouraging, comforting words and purrs. 

It's our way of saying 'Thank You'. So please don't be shy, just help yourself to this award.

Slow Walking

Cinders vomited! She was miserable and weak. It was more than a week ago.

She refused to eat or drink. On top of that, she was behaving strangely. EJ promptly made an appointment with the vet for the next day.

Cinders lost 10 percent of her body weight which was not a good sign. After EJ explained her strange behaviour, her vet checked her thoroughly including her eyes. 

There is totally no vision in her right eye while her left eye could make out light and shadows. This explains Cinders' slow walk, plodding along walls as well as in circles. Her vet said there is nothing much we can do except to continue her usual medications/supplements, observe and make her as happy and comfortable as possible.

On reaching home, Cinders wanted to eat not the usual wet food but kibbles only. She even refused to eat her favourite steamed shredded chicken breast meat which EJ bought it raw from the wet market.

EJ laughed out loud when Cinders shoved her head into Kenggy's food bowl and started eating. Kenggy, shocked at that behaviour, just stood wide-eyeing Cinders munching away. (EJ do not know but love to visualise mentally that Kenggy's jaw dropped as well!)

Glutton Kenggy always do this to others and none has done this to her.

Cinders now has put on a bit of weight and EJ is keeping a close watch on her.

Christmas Captain Gotcha Day

The postman delivered a card. It was posted from the other side of the globe — from EJ's brother. 

This year EJ did not receive any photos showing the amount of snow they get that side. Over here, in forever summer, it is rain, rain and more rain.

Tomorrow is Christmas. It is also Captain Jack Sparrow HAWK's Gotcha Day. This Christmas is his fourth with us.

On behalf of roommates, grand dame Cinders, haughty Tanya, pretty Pebble, whimsical Winnie, rotund Kenggy, our trusted CHAIR and our human EJ, this is Captain Jack Sparrow HAWK wishing all friends, 4-legged, 2-legged, 3-legged included, a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

May Peace, Love and Prosperity follow you always.

Hostile Takeover

The green plastic stool is the perfect height to sit on to work on the laptop placed on a friend's unwanted old TV stand on wheels.

EJ wondered why Cinders always hang around when EJ worked at the laptop and realised the reason after a brief break to the toilet. 

It was a hostile takeover.

EJ had no choice but to take out the tiny child-sized wooden chair used during much younger days in elementary/primary school. It was uncomfortable to sit on as an adult body could not fit in properly.

To prevent more hostile takeovers, EJ now sits on another plastic stool of almost the same height.

Cinders loves that little green plastic stool!

Styles of Zzzzzs!

No two living beings sleep the same way. Each have their own preference. Here are some shots on how my roommates sleep.

Cinders ~ comfortable

Tanya ~ ridiculously uncomfortable

Pebble ~ bed isn't big enough

Winnie ~ heavy eyelids

Kenggy ~ flat out

Captain Jack Sparrow HAWK ~ ballerino

For more cat stories, please visit http://gattinamycats.blogspot.com