Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Mama's going to buy you a mocking bird.

If the mocking bird won't sing, Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring.

If the diamond ring turns brass, Mama's going to buy you a looking-glass.

If the looking-glass gets broke, Mama's going to buy you a billy-goat.

If that billy-goat runs away, Mama's going to buy you another day.

Sweet dreams babies

Cat Talk

Life with Carma

Well, its more than 2 weeks now since Carma joins the Chaos.

She's fitting in quite well actually. No major fights, so far. A few spats, scuffles here & there, & that's about it.

Since Carma came, Beauty is now 'friends' with Alex & Dim Sum. Beauty used to stay in my room most of the time. Now they 'chill out' together on my bed, which unfortunately, leaves me with just a teeny weeny bit to lie on. If I turn, I'm on the floor. Hey, small sacrifices for harmony, right?

Carma is working her way to bond with them. She'd hang around watching them, try to get as close to them as possible without getting snarled at. They just need time to get to know her. I am positive she'll get there.

Carma is such a positive cat. She's just happy to play by herself, she's constantly entertaining herself. She's very loving & she demonstrates her love openly. She meows the loudest when I come home everyday from work. She'd weave in & out of my legs, rubs her head against me. A very touchy-feely cat. What a lovely cat!

Now, I am a happy cat momma.

My Feline Valentine

I know, I know, this is 4 days late. But better than never! (Let me warn you, this IS a cliche post! So if you don't like it, I suggest you stop here!!)

While most people were out spending this day with their loved ones, I was working late into the night in the office, feeling sorry for myself, stressed, sick & can't wait for the week to be over.

But all negativities, aches & pains evoporated the minuted I stepped home. I was greeted by my 4 darlings. Beauty on the sofa, waiting to give me a kiss. Dim Sum looking at me with those beautiful eyes of hers, waiting for a head scratch. Carma weaving in & out of my legs. & Alex, sitting by patiently on the kitchen table, waiting for his hug.

Who needs Valentine's Day to validate love? Just look at the 4 of them - their love is unconditional. My 4 darlings are my valentine, all the time. With them & my family, who needs flowers & chocolates just on 14th Feb? Its Valentine's day everday in the House of Chaos!

Strange Habits

Alex & Beauty have strange habits.

Whenever Alex goes to a loo, regardless of who's loo or which loo it is, he has to circle the toilet bowl anti-clock wise before he goes on to check out the loo, take dump in his litter box, whatever. If you happened to sit on toilet doing whatever you need to do, it doesn't matter. Your presence doesn't bother him nor stop him from circling.

Another one of Alex. He prefers to eat his food on floor than on the plate. So he'd 'paw' his food out of his plate & the proceed to eat it off the floor. Eeck!

As for Beauty, before she sleeps in her bed at night, she'd circle it twice before settling in. But when she sleeps on the sofa arm or my bed, it doesn't matter, she just plonks herself down. She's only meticulous when it comes to her bed.

Weird .. is it just my cats? Do yours have strange habits?

Something A Little Lighter

http://www.mcalesternews.com/features/local_story_042160522.html?keyword=topstory

Think Our Town Councils & AVA Are Bad? Read This ...

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/31406p-29689c.html

& The Battle Begins

for the 3rd & 4th spots of the hierarchy that is.

It is the accepted order that Beauty is the 'Da-Jie' (Big Sister) & Alex is the 'Da-Ge' (Big Bro) in the Chaos hierarchy. But who's going to be the 'Er-Mei' (2nd Sis) & 'Xiao-Mei' (Lil' Sis) remains to be seen. Previously it was obvious - Dim Sum & then Fudge. But the order has changed and that's up to Carma & Dim Sum to decide. So the battle between Carma & Dim Sum began at 3am & round #2 at 7am this morning.

At about 3, I was woken by a big commotion under my bed -4 cats under my bed. By the time I had my glasses & the lights on, I found Beauty in her usual sanctuary spot (top of the wardrobe), Alex under the kitchen table & Carma & Dim Sum in the common bathroom. Dim Sum was snarling & hissing, her hair was up. Managed to calm her down after awhile. Went back to sleep.

At 7am, I was woken by a scuffle in the living room. Again, by the time I was up, Dim Sum was up the window in the guest room & Carma was staking her out. This time both cats were spitting & exchanging dangerous hissing. So Carma isn't so timid after all. She has some spunk, taking on THE chilli padi. Beauty watch out! You're probably the next target. I guess Carma has learned to fend for herself, having lived in the shelter for almost a year. All sorts cats come & go there & she just has to.

Ok, so I spoke too soon. But, I did say this peace is too good to be true too! So lets wait & see the outcome of this battle. From a safe distance, of course.

Carma Warms Up

When Carma arrived on Saturday night, she was very shy & timid. Obviously so as she remembers Beauty & her terror ways.

Carma hid under the bed most of the time & she was throwing up most of the food she ate. I thought she had worms but Phyllis suspected stress. She is right.

I came home this evening, expecting to clean up her room once again. It turned out, she ate all her biscuits & the room is clean! She ventured out of her room & had dinner with Beauty. I held my breath, expecting Beauty to snarl, snap & throw a fit. She didn't. She was calm & so they ate next to each other. Miracles! A year ago, she would have shredded Carma.

So, little Carma has finally overcome her shyness. She's taking her time to get to know the rest but that's fine. She can take as long as she wants cos she's home anyway.

Beauty & Dim Sum in conversation















Carma listening













Charlie Chan Alex

'Lost World' Found in SE Asia

This is an article in Today (8 Feb).

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/99831.asp

While I am happy that there is a 'Garden of Eden' that still remains untainted in the 21st century, I am sceptical that it will remain so. Especially now that scientists have announced its location, I am sure hunters & poachers can't wait to hunt these animals down to add to their exotic collection or sell them.

Some may argue that governments can impose legislation or sanctions or cordon off the area as national reserves etc. But reality is, endangered animals are still being poached & killed each day despite these measures.

Uncharacteristically Not Chaotic

Its more than 24 hours that Carma's with us & I was bracing for cat fights, fierce hissing & serious throwing of tantrums around the house.

Well, I was wrong. All have been unusually well behaved. Left Carma in the front room for her to get used to the environment, the cats have shown little interest in her. Alex popped in her room yesterday morning for a meet & greet, it was a quiet & dignified event.

Then Dim Sum came, very much the same, just a little hissing & that was it.

Finally Beauty. Ok, Carma remembers her. Saw the big fat cat, she turned & hid under the bed. Same thing, Beauty hissed a little & left.

This is too good to be true. I'm still pinching myself.

Meanwhile, Alex has found a new spot that interferes with Dim Sum's favourite past-time.

Alex has been unusually quiet since Fudge passed away. I'm staring to worry. How I wish there is a pet psychiarist in Singapore. Wish I know what he's going through right now. In fact, what they are all thinking.

Do you ever wonder what goes on in your cats' mind?

Everyone, Meet Carma

This is Carma, newest member of Chaos.

Took Carma home from Phyllis' place last evening. Carma was formerly known as Orange. She was sort of Beauty's nemesis. She lived with us briefly but Beauty was not able to get along with her.

It has been almost a year since then and Carma was never successfully adopted. Not that she lacked admirers but somehow, the adoptions never worked out for her.

In December last year, I decided to take her back since Beauty is not as aggressive as before & is now feline-tolerant. But, the cats fell sick, one after another, & then Fudge.

Now that everything has settled down, Carma is finally home. This is destiny, isn't it?

Starting out opposite ends of the couch












Eyed each other until sleep finally took over














Woke up & whoa! How did he get this close??!! Don't you dare come closer!!!

DEATH: Preparing your pet and dealing with your loss

This was brought to me attention:

http://groups.msn.com/SingaporeCats/healthtalks.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=8956&LastModified=4675558686021507468.

Have a read, its interesting.

Cat Play

When I adopted Beauty on 28 January 2005 from Phyllis Aw (Beauty's fosterer), I was told that Beauty should belong in a single cat household. Her inability to get along with the other pets resulted her being caged up all the time in Phyllis' place. At that time, I had zero cats, so I was an ideal candidate to take Beauty. Besides, she is really beautiful & it seemed wrong to cage her.

After a month or so, assuming that Beauty must be lonely at home by herself most of the day, I decided to take in another cat. Also a female calico by the name of Orange, from Phyllis. Orange is younger & smaller in size to Beauty. Beauty obviously didn't like her at all. She'd bully Orange all time & beat the crap out of the poor girl. After 2 weeks, I couldn't take the bloodshed any longer, I had to return Orange to Phyllis.

It she eventually dawned on her that I am NOT stopping at one, despite her objections - first came Alex, then Dim Sum & her brood but she had never accepted them. Since Dim Sum & brood came into our lives in October 2005, Beauty refused to leave her room. She would play, eat, poo in her room. Everything has to be sent to her royal highness.

It was only in the recent weeks, with Fudge's crisis, that Beauty started coming out again - to look at Fudge & 'mingle' with the rest. By mingle, I mean, snarling, hissing, nothing physical.

I was pleasantly surprised that she'd sit with Fudge & us in Fudge's last hours. So, this girl has some compassion after all.

Anyway, I came to a conclusion. Beauty's not anti-social, at least not anymore. The snarling, hissing is Beauty's way of interacting & playing with the cats. She'd snarl at them, they'd chase her, she runs & hide. Moments later, Dim Sum would seek her out, snarl at her & Beauty would chase her & Dim Sum would run & hide. This goes on & on for the entire day.

With baby steps, but Beauty is s-l-o-w-l-y opening up. Wonder if she's ready for a new addition? Hmmm...