Attack of the Monsters from Head to Toe

EJ managed to get this one (out of many shots) that shows proof of being attacked on the head. Guess who's this monster?

The foot was not spared either. Guess who?

Captain One Tooth!

Weakening gums and loosing teeth is one of the many signs of aging in human. It is the same in animals.

EJ knows that since all the cats here are seniors and geriatric, their fangs have elongated but never imagine one without teeth.

Imagine the surprise and disbelief at discovering Captain Jack Sparrow HAWK without his front teeth, top and bottom that EJ simply have to share that discovery.

After snapping the photo below, EJ realised Captain Jack does have one tooth, not counting the fangs. Can you see it?

Captain Jack refused to open his mouth for another shot.

Now doesn't he resemble a mandrill baboon?

PS: EJ believes Captain Jack Sparrow HAWK's hard life in his younger days when he was a stray contributed partly to his weak gums and loss of teeth.

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.

Kenggy's Photo Found

Oh, our human procrastinated again. A few paw strikes did the trick!

These were Kenggy's first few photos taken. It was after her spaying operation resting in her private suite for recuperation in early January 2007.

She actually joined EJ and the gang in late December 2006. EJ could not remember the exact date but was certain that it was on a public holiday and so it could be possibly Christmas.

Kenggy has recovered extremely well after her recent operation to remove a growing lump on her mammary gland. The fur shaved off on her belly has grown. Our human has been checking if there are any more growths or lumps. So far, there are none. 

We thank you all once again for the many wishes, kind words, purrayers and headbutts.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Knot a Pom-Pom Tail

Tanya's tail is short and having semi-long fur, it looks  like a pom-pom.

Touching her tail, which Tanya hates, it feels like the tail is a hook almost like Captain Jack Sparrow HAWK. It was what EJ thought till Tanya's x-rays showed that it curls more to resemble a paper clip almost to a knot. (The x-ray was for her broken leg many, many years ago.)

Just by looking at her tail at times brings back memories that made EJ smile.

It happened when EJ was much younger and squatting at mom's house occupying the smallest room on the top most floor of a double-storey split-level. From the road, it looks like a normal double storey, once inside it is four-level with lots of stairs.

Mom was watching TV on a lower floor when suddenly from the corner of her eye, she saw something huge and white closely following a black furry ball whizzed past her. Realising that black furry ball was Tanya, she screamed for EJ who came running down the stairs.

Tanya's tail got hooked on to EJ's white duffel bag. It was a big ruckus and sight with EJ chasing the white duffel bag chasing black furry Tanya up and down the stairs both screaming on top of their lungs.

When EJ managed to corner Tanya, the nylon strings of the duffel bag simply could not come off her tail. 

With that, EJ decided to take a breather and then brought out the scissors before continuing the marathon chase up and down the stairs.

Mom was no help. With head thrown back, she just sat on her chair, body limped with laughter all the while.

And EJ had more than enough exercise for a week!