It Really Is Hard to Say GoodBye!

The weather is really hot, so hot that cool spots are sorted out.

Captain Jack Sparrow HAWK and Tanya both claimed and shared the coolest spot – their specially-constructed toilet of hand-painted Italian tiles. This photo was taken last week.

Last weekend, a visiting friend said that Tanya was sticking her tongue out and panting. At first our human thought the cause was the hot weather but on closer check, Tanya also had urinary incontinence.

The big clean-up and setting-up of 'Meow Suite' began. Though by then there was a heavy downpour, our human was sweating buckets trying to work as fast as possible and checking on Tanya intermittenly.

Just before the 'Meow Suite' was completely set up, Tanya ceased breathing in our human's arms. (Tanya ate her breakfast that very morning.)

Arrangements were then made for her to be cremated. Her ashes will be coming home tomorrow.

Tanya was 19.

 PS: Tanya's story has not been told yet. Her interesting and eventful story is long and our human will start writing it.

It's Hard to Say GoodBye!

Kenggy became weaker but she managed to maneuvre herself to face the MeowRoom door. Our human placed a rolled-up cloth to support her head to ease her shallow breathing.

Her best friend, Winnie, came to keep her company, both staring at each in a silent communication.

Soon after Kenggy passed away on 10th June 2014. She was cremated.

Before our human could finish clearing the special 'Meow Suite', Pebble got seriously ill. Pebble's sickness was a constant yo-yo.

To replenish her medication, our human made an appointment with Pebble's doctor to pick it up the next day. Early next morning, on 25th January 2016, Pebble was found in a rigor mortis mode and a phone call was quickly made to her vet to cancel her medication.

Here Tanya, Winnie and Captain Jack Sparrow HAWK were telling EJ that they have finished saying their last goodbye. Just like the rest before her, Pebble was cremated.

It was when her ash came home that it hit EJ that both, Kenggy's and Pebble's, absence was really felt.

Yes, that 'Meow Suite' was dismantled and cleaned but EJ somehow could not clear many of their things. Perhaps our human need a little more time to heal emotionally.

Gravity's Unforgiving Pull

Our human tried for months to take a good picture of Tanya's belly but did not want to wait anymore and went ahead to snap it.

Each time Tanya would turn abruptly and run off.

There were times when she would promptly sit down and stare into emptiness. Our human would then wonder what went through that little brain.

The little red arrow shows her grossly unappealing sagging belly almost touching the floor even when she stands. Worsen by gravity's unforgiving pull, her belly sways from side to side when she walks fast or goes into a little run. 

After these photo shots, Tanya quickly plopped down, turned and gave this laser-glare that says 'I am not happy with you!'.

Geriatric Tanya

Tanya, 19 next year, is a geriatric cat.

Two weeks ago, our human noticed Tanya was straining to urine constantly. Her urine had blood stains. So off she went to visit her vet who commented that Tanya's heart is beating strong, subtly hinting that Tanya will have many good years to come.

Forcing medication down two sick cats twice a day (Pebble included) and cleaning after them is making our human very busy and a little tired physically.

Our human does not mind, in fact feeling rather happy, as Tanya is recovering with no bloody urine or straining; and Pebble's condition did not worsen (still wearing diaper pants as she can't walk and totally blind).

Contagious Procrastination!

We love to laze and nap most of the time. 

Our human claims that the inconsistent postings here is because of us and that procrastination is incredibly contagious!

We honestly have our doubts. What do you think?

We love to nap in sync.

Not to be left out, Winnie photobombed.

On the Edge

Our human got nervous on seeing Tanya asleep.

Who wouldn't? Tanya was sleeping, fast asleep, on the edge and could fall off any second.

But our human dared not make any sound to startle her which would cause her to fall down.

With heart in the mouth, our human tiptoed away after snapping these photos (cupping hands round the compact camera to muffle the clicking sounds).

We're a Family!

Can't Stop Them? Let Them Enjoy!

Continued from 30 October 2014  Who Done It?

Our human would like to thank all who gave suggestions to solve the wreckage our DIY hemp-wrapped boardwalk and figured that it was too much work for it to be repaired.

It was decided to allow the kitties enjoy wrecking it. The bitten-off hemp rope were not thrown away; it was tied to the kitty hardwood podium in the MeowYard with a knot on top and at the bottom to prevent it from being yanked off. The smaller bits of hemp fibers were collected and accumulated enough to be rolled into a hemp ball for them to chase and whack.

Butt Sunning

Christmas 2014

Captain Jack Sparrow HAWK simply refused to wear the Santa hat to pose for a shoot.

Our human tried the next best, Santa head band, to which Captain Jack pushed it down and stuck his tongue out in retaliation.

Tanya, however, wore it beautifully on her fat rump!

With Pebble needing constant attention, our human only put up simple decorations on a secion of Pebble's barricade. Here's Captain Jack eyeing Pebble with Winnie on the top shelf and Tanya resting on the floor.

We wish you all MERRY CHRISTMAS!

And thank you all for your encouraging and comforting words, wishes and prayers.

Who Done It?

EJ was surprised to see loose sisal ropes hanging from the kitty boardwalk. The sisal rope used is very long and there is no joining at that point.

The kitties could not possibly use a knife or scissors. So what happened? And who did it?

A few days later, EJ happened to walk past the meowroom door and saw this. The culprit at work chewing and clawing the rope.

Well, EJ is wondering what to do on how best to mend or change it and appreciate suggestions.

Pebble's Tests

This is how Pebble looks after a DIY bad hair cut in her rear (see red arrow) with a tiny scissors by our human. It makes cleaning a lot easier after she soil her diapers.

Pebble is wearing diapers on a permanent basis and confined to her personal suite at all times for her safety.

Last week she underwent a thorough check-up, blood tests as well as radiography on her chest and abdomen. All results were fine except that she is completely blind. So the conclusion that her attacks of paralysis and seizure were due to neurological disorders.

Our 16-year-old matriarch, Tanya, too, was down last week with an infected bladder. Still on medication, she has recovered and back to her haughty self.

PS: Kenggy has passed on.

Seeing Red on Lunar New Year Day 2014

Pebble had oral problems. She had it before in 2012.

Two weeks ago, not wanting Pebble to be stressed, EJ drove alone to the vet and got a week's supply of antibiotics pills.

When Pebble did not recover after finishing that course of antibiotics, she had to be seen by her doctor, a day before the clinic close for Lunar New Year. She was given a steroid injection and a different liquid antibiotics.

Traffic was really bad going to and back from the clinic. Perhaps it was the New Year shopping. 

Somehow EJ finds pilling the cat much easier than giving liquid antibiotics with a syringe. Pebble kept spitting it out shaking her head sideways. The injection was effective and Pebble is recovering well and eating properly. Luckily there is no medication for Kenggy right now.

Kenggy drools in her sleep and EJ changed her bedding cover using an old T-shirt. 

Just as EJ was about to eat dinner, Kenggy called. And as usual, EJ would drop everything and check on Kenggy.

EJ saw red!

On Lunar New Year day, red is associated with luck, prosperity and believed to ward away evil. It is a traditionally symbolic colour of happiness.

But EJ was horrified to see this red! The soiled floor was quickly cleaned up and then lined with paper.

One of the lumps was bleeding. EJ gently cleaned the wound.

Pet pad has now replaced that soiled T-shirt cover on Kenggy's bed.

These three busybodies (Tanya, Pebble and Captain Jack; guess there's no space for Winnie) lined up to check out what the commotion was about.

2014 New Year Gift – If You Can't Drill It, Screw It !

It was noticed that lately Kenggy has not been up on the Chair, table or shelf. Her waddling seems to be slower and hobbling more pronounced.

EJ decided to make a ramp to help Kenggy move to higher grounds. An old 1 foot by 6½ foot plank was used as it makes a gentler slope.

Initial plan was to drill a hole on both ends of the plank to secure the wrap-around hemp rope. But since EJ could not get hold of a drill, screws were used instead.

Rope wrapping took a long time. The plank was heavy. EJ had to use all four limps to repeatedly carry and turn the plank while keeping the rope as taut as possible. (Please don't mind EJ's foot on the plank.) While working, EJ kept telling Kenggy, 'This is for you, Kenggy'. Kenggy watched to the whole while; other kitties came, looked and left.

The completed hemp-ramp was placed in the MeowRoom with one end on the floor against the corner while the other end rested on the upper shelf on the opposite side; midway of the ramp is the same height as the Chair and table.

EJ wanted Kenggy to be the first to use the ramp and placed Kenggy at the bottom. Nosy Captain Jack wanted to use it too.

Very soon, all the kitties came, tested and used it as a giant scratch post.

Winnie sniffed the ramp.

The ramp warped when fat Tanya walked on it.

Pebble stopped by the Chair and table midway.

Both Captain Jack and Tanya liked it enough to nap on the ramp. The creaking noise of the MeowRoom door woke them up before these pictures could be taken.

From the bottom of her little heart, Kenggy thank Crumpet, Maneki and their human for donating 2 giant rolls of hemp rope for without it, this hemp-ramp would not be possible.

We wish all a     HAPPY NEW YEAR 

full of     Success, Courage and Prosperity.

PS: Numerous lumps could now be felt on Kenggy's chest.

Christmas 2013

Kenggy, on behalf of her roommates (Tanya, Pebble, Winnie, Captain Jack Sparrow HAWK) and human, wish all bipeds, 'tri-peds', quadrupeds, multi-legged creatures included 

a Joyous Holiday filled with Peace,

Love, and Prosperity

Pain-in-the-Neck Toilet Tray

Our human got us a new litter tray which is slightly taller, broader and longer than the ones we have. It is to replace the old worn out tray. 

We suspected the main reason was that our human was tired of cleaning our 'toilet accidents'!

After the new tray was cleaned with soapy water and put in place, Tanya immediately checked to see if it makes a more comfortable snoozing bed than using it as toilet.

This is Tanya's opinion!

One Fang Still Good!

Snapping photos of cats can be a daunting task at times.

Before EJ could sit comfortably on the floor to try to snap a photo of any cat in the MeowYard, inquisitive Kenggy waddled near.

The compact camera wrist strap was dangling.

Standing upright using both her stumps, Kenggy caught the strap unceremoniously and stuff it in her mouth.

You may ask why was EJ slow in preventing it? Well, EJ was off-balanced though seated and Kenggy placed both her stumps on EJ. Her stumps are just skin covering bones. It hurt and EJ dared not move for fear that Kenggy may fall. 

Slowly, very slowly the strap was removed. Tanya came to check out what the commotion was about. That marked the end of photo session for the day. 

EJ was tired out.

What's Happening?

They were caught in this position. No, they did not fight.

Soon the rest joined in this weird silent gathering. Our human is still perplexed as to what this is about. Perhaps they all were trying to sit in the best sunbeam spot possible.

Or are they brewing something for or against their human?