Chaos' Wish for the New Year

May all our community cats be able to sleep well & sound wherever they are.

May they not worry about the evil abusers, pest controls, the town councils & the AVA. Ever.

May we be able to hold our heads up high to live legitimately in HDB.May those humans learn to live together in peace, harmony & be kind to each other, regardless of creed, race or religion.

May the Chaos catch more zzzs & treats ..... & tum-tum rubs!

Happy 2007! *yawn*

Chaos

PS May Tua Tao get well really soon so that mommy can quit telling us about him! Hehehe :-p

Litterbugs Litterbugs Shame on You!

This was taken with my camera phone. The rubbish bin is less than 10 steps from the lift & yet this is where some people prefer to dump their rubbish!

Story of a Goat & a Priest

Once upon a time, there was a little goat and a priest.

The priest wanted to sacrifice the goat to the gods. As he raised his arm to cut the goat’s throat, when suddenly the goat began to laugh.

The priest stopped, amazed and asked the goat, “why do you laugh? Don’t you know I’m about to cut your throat?”

“Oh yes,” said the goat. “After 499 times dying and being reborn as a goat, I will be reborn as a human being.”

Then the goat began to cry.

The priest asked “Why now are you crying?”

The goat replied, “For you, poor priest. 500 lives ago, I too was a priest and sacrificed goats to the gods.”

My friend G accompanied me to my office this morning. We hope to see the Auntie & the trio. As usual, the Auntie was walking her rounds, cleaning up after the cats.

I passed her the kibbles for the weekend, more canned food & cod liver oil.

She happily told us that Tua Tao is looking better now. The cod liver oil works! We didn't see Tua Tao but the Peanut & Sesame were there.

G commented how healthy & big Sesame & Peanut look. Although the Auntie stood quietly aside when we talked, I know she is happy that her love & care for the cats have paid off.

:-)

I wondered how is Tua Tao today. The rain & the cold wind is back again. The poor fella has only half a body of hair, I reckon he must be feeling colder than the rest. I hope he seeks the warmth of the kittens & a decent shelter somewhere ...

I went back to see him yesterday and the Auntie said Tua Tao dislikes the Transfer Factor now & he wouldn't touch his food if she adds the supplement. So she stopped adding it to his food. Thankfully, he seems to like the cod liver oil.

I didn't take any pictures of him yesterday but the colour of his skin on his left side appeared a little tan now. I hope this means his skin is healing.

I know I have only mentioned in passing other cats in my area and focussed my attention on Tua Tao & the kittens. Xiao Hei & Ah Hua are very popular cats. Everyone dotes both of them. Elusive cats like Ah Wang comes & goes.

The kittens are growing up & out of their cuteness. The neighbours are starting to see them as another black cat & an ugly face tortoiseshell. Tua Tao is worse. Everyone finds him dirty, ugly & fierce. He is an outcaste, shooed away by everyone.

Just last week, a colleague was chatting with me on the phone & the cats came up. She made a remark that made me cringed. "I just realised Sesame has a mid-length tail. That spoils the whole 'look'. A black cat should have a perfect long tail. And I can't stand Tua Tao. He is so ugly & dirty. I don't understand why you would go through all these trouble for such a cat. He won't even let you touch him!"

It saddens me very much when I hear such ugly comments. At the same time I know it is futile explaining anything at all to someone like her. Sadly, there are many more like her in this world.

I have a hunch Ruby either had a strict owner or she was abused before. But I could be wrong.

Last evening Ruby started a scuffle with Wawa despite my repeated warnings. The scuffle ended with Wawa screaming & she fell off the top of the fridge. Wawa never meows or purrs. She does make a sound, it will only be screams.

Anyway, I was going to spank Ruby for being naughty. The second she saw my raised hand, she cowered. All my Chaos either dodge or run away to hide but they never cower.

I ended up spending another fifteen minutes coddling her to calm her down.

A Break Through

This morning, I went back to the office to feed the kittens & Tua Tao was there.

Luckily I had an extra can of tuna with chicken & a capsule of cod liver oil. While I was preparing their meal, Tua Tao joined the kittens, weaving between my legs, giving head rubs.

Tua Tao finally approached me! I know he is doing this purely for food but it is still a big leap for him to initiate physical contact with a human.

The good news doesn’t stop here. He looks better today than Wednesday. The scabs on his back came off. His left side looks better too. Although his skin looks raw, it looks like new skin to me. I hope his skin condition continues to improve. But I think I should change his name to Scar Face now.

After his meal, he came forward to smell my hand.

I was smiling all the way home in the train. People must think I’m crazy but I don’t care. I am happy. So happy.

:-)

The Straits Times today reported that there will be heavy downpour over Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.

The Auntie & I decided to put up a make shift home for the kittens & the cats.

It’s not much, but given the resources we have, this will have to do. At least, their kibbles will kept dry, sheltered from the rain. And they will have something decent to eat over the long weekend.

While we’re putting up the make shift shelter, two almost forgotten cats came by – Ah Wang & B&W.

Ah Wang was watching us put up the shelter. But he ran away when I tried to take better picture of him.

B&W appears to be still lactating. Her nipples are swollen but we couldn’t find any kittens. The Auntie told me she had not once seen B&W’s kittens either. B&W is said to have given birth sometime in November. She was rumoured to be Peanut & Sesame’s mother. She too, ran away when I tried to come closer.

I think I really need to borrow a trap from Vincent & teach the Auntie to trap cats as she sights them more often than I do.

As for Tua Tao, I haven’t seen him since Wednesday. I went back to office every morning hoping to see him but no such luck. I spoke to Phyllis on Wednesday after I fed Tua Tao, hoping to seek her opinion on what supplements & food would be good for his condition. Phyllis suspects Tua Tao’s problem may not be as simple as mites & fleas. She suspects it could be a liver or kidney related problem. So she recommended that I take him off dry food & put him on canned chicken, supplemented with transfer factor & cod liver oil.

I have read that cod liver oil is good for the skin but apparently it is also good for the liver & kidneys. Transfer factor is a holistic supplement. It is made of cow colustrum, shitake mushrooms & other stuff. It is said that it be a immunity booster. The scientific benefits of transfer factor remains to be seen (when Alex was diagnosed with FIV +ve, the first vet I saw recommended transfer factor). But I am (or rather Tua Tao is) a desperate man clutching straws right now. Not the time to be a skeptic.

So yesterday, I gave the Auntie cans of chicken, capsules of transfer factor & cod liver oil. This morning, she told me Tua Tao cleaned up a whole can of food with supplements. So that's good. At least he's not picky about what he eats.

I haven't given up on catching him. I'd still like to get him to the vet but now, I feel better that he has nutritious food that is good for him.

My friend G sent me this. Love it!

1. play with tinsel
2. test tree climbing skills
3. nap in the middle of Christmas cards
4. sample Christmas cookies
5. look cute and cuddly
6. whine for extra milk
7. shed on new Christmas dress
8. run away and hunt down suitable mouse for present

Wishing you all the little things that make your Christmas merry.

I was lying awake in bed for most part of last night, wondering if my babies are doing alright despite the unrelenting heavy downpour. Wondering if Tua Tao's problems are aggravated by the damp.

Then I remembered Vegancat's recent blog entry on the Four Immeasurables. I recited to myself but it didn't calm my anxiety. When the dawn broke, I couldn't contain myself any longer. I made my way to the office. To my relief, the trio couldn't be better although the babies are little damp. And then I kicked myself for cancelling Tua Tao's trapping session.

Vincent & I agreed to trap Tua Tao today but given the downpour, I decided to abort the mission last evening until the weather improves. And this morning, the sun was shining & the birds were singing & I was kicking myself hard. Dang!

Apart from beating myself up, I managed to take a couple of pictures of Tua Tao. I don't know if his condition has improved or deterioriated. Now he has scabs on his back which wasn't there a week ago.
As for the babies, Peanut now sports a tipped ear. Hopefully this will keep her safe for a long long time.

I am a woman hear me RWOAR!!!!

I guess I can't call her a baby anymore. She's young lady now. :)

Looking back, 2006 has been an eventful one for the Chaos & I.

January
Fudge was diagnosed FIP positive. Abby (my part time help) & I took turns taking care of her.

She passed away 2 weeks later, to be exact, in the early hours on the 2nd day of Chinese New Year. We were devastated but Alex took the worse hit. Fudge was a daughter to him. Abby too, cried for she loved Fudge very much.

February
Carma came home for the 2nd time. She joined the Chaos household sametime last year but she was returned to foster mom shortly because Beauty was big bad bully then. Poor Carma was badly traumatized. Carma’s second homecoming was a lot less traumatic however she wasn’t the most popular Chaos. This time, her arch enemy was Dim Sum. They hate one another.

But now, Carma has moved on and she has fully integrated into the household. She has formed firm friendship with Alex, Junior & Ruby.

March
Sanji Junior became the fifth addition. The youngest of the Chaos, Junior is boisterous and ever so full of curiosity which constantly gets him into trouble with Beauty. He & Alex clicked instantly & Junior became Alex’s little baby.

Now Junior has grown into a robust & rebellious young adult. Yes, he IS rebellious, he talks back when I scold him & bite me when I discipline him.

Sometimes when I look at him, I can’t help but wonder if Fudge would have been as naughty & lovable as Junior that if she had survived.

May
I became a vegetarian. It wasn’t painful or difficult although I did (& still do) falter time to time.

But it is painful having explain time & time again to people what being a vegetarian means.

June
Dim Sum was diagnosed FIP positive as well. She passed away three weeks later.

It was a very difficult period for us. I decided to care for Dim Sum myself & I finally knew what helplessness is.

Watching her dying & powerless to do anything for her was simply painful. I would gladly give up all that I have if that can make her better. But alas, it was not to be.

I still miss Dim Sum. I hope she is reborn now as human baby somewhere, to a wonderful family who loves her very much.

July
Dawa (nickname Wawa) became the latest member. Wawa reminds me of Dim Sum. Both quiet & hates Carma with a passion.

Junior & Wawa are partners in crime. The duo loves dashing through the house, breaking things along their way & sending Beauty into a fit.

Although her photos are few but she is really gorgeous. I was never a black cat fan until Wawa came into my life. And I love her quiet, unintrusive nature.

September
4 kittens was found near my office. 2 black, 1 tuxedo & 1 tortoiseshell. One of the black & the tuxedo were adopted the same day that they were discovered by a very nice lady who works in one of the offices near mine.

The remaining 2 are named Sesame (a black boy) & Peanut (tortoiseshell). They became an instant hit with everyone. Overnight, we found ourselves fretting over them & they are flourishing under everyone’s love & care. Peanut was sterilized last week (courtesy of my office neighbour). I will sponsor Sesame’s next month.

October
First sighting of Tua Tao, the alpha male stray. His was a difficult trapping. He put up a good fight but eventually Vincent managed to get him into the cage & off to the vet he went for a snip-snip.

Tua Tao has terrible skin problems. He needs medical attention. We are trying to trap him. Hopefully the weather improves soon & we’ll be able to do so.

November
Ruby is the last & final of Chaos.

Ruby is a puppy. She follows me around the house like a puppy dog minus the yapping. She is very quiet like Wawa & well-behaved. At the same time, she made it known that she’s nobody’s doormat. She doesn’t tolerate any nonsense from any of the Chaos, including Beauty.

She is perfect ending to the Chaos membership.

December
What else? It’s the holidays! Time to shift life back to the first gear, take things slow and enjoy the Chaos at home.

Happy Holidays!

Tua Tao's Skin Problems are Getting Worse

Spotted Tua Tao this morning & his skin problems are becoming worse. And he won't let anyone of us treat him. Arrgh!

Tua Tao's back

Tua Tao's left side

Kitty Power: A Woman's Best Friend

Six hundred years after Dick Whittington, dogs may still command the honorific, "man's best friend", but they can no longer claim to be companion of choice for the average, upwardly-mobile female.

Read the rest of the article here

Li

Li is my good mate Sharon's little treasure & he will break girls' little hearts soon.



Well, maybe not as playboy bunny ...

But he is adorable!

Spotted this black & white tux early at the foot of my block this morning on my way to work. A friendly female with an untipped ear but obviously a home cat as she follows every passer-by.

Ran out of cat food in my bag so I couldn't feed her. Will go back tomorrow morning same time & hopefully I'll see her again.

Atchoo!

Ruby has a cold & diarrhea.

The cold started on Saturday & seemed to be persistent despite the Vibravet.

For the diarrhea, she has been passing soft stools since early last week. Initially I thougt it could be the new food but switched back to her previous brand - Avoderm. But it hasn't improve since.

I started her on GNC Multidophilus last Thursday which Alex is currently on, hopefully her situation will improve.

Goldie - A Part-Time Stray

This is Goldie & I call her a part-time stray. At times, she would disappear for a week or two, only to reappear with no signs of dehydration or malnourishment. A friendly feeder once told me she belongs to a family in my block but she doesn't who is this family is.

Anyway, Goldie friendly to familiar passer-bys who would often stop & give her either a pet or a belly-rub. She is well-fed, she rejects my food most of the time. These days I stopped feeding her.

But whenever I don't see Goldie for more than a week, I'm not sure if I should panic or give her another week to show up.

No Chaos Anymore?

I came home from work mid-day to find all 6 in the kitchen ... behaving.

Beauty as usual, wants to be part of everything & yet she keeps a distance from everyone as well

The bond between these three is growing stronger each day

Ruby likes Wawa & also Carma

She's Not Just My Cat

Remember this lady?

She came to me this morning to complain that her kitten is stupid. Apparently, her kitten found her way up the cupboard & can't come down. Nothing unusual about that. Definitely not stupid & I said so to her.

I asked again about the vet visit. As expected, she hasn't done anything yet. She was in fact, quite defensive when I reminded her that she is responsible for her kitten's wellbeing.

Her retort was "for the record, she is not just my cat. She belongs to all 3 of us. I don't see why I should be the one to take her to the vet. The agreement we have is, my roommates pay for the food & litter & I pay for the toys."

"Erh, what about vet? Cats do fall sick you know?"

"Well we haven't figure that one out yet."

For a second, I didn't know what to make of that answer. I asked, "if all 3 of you love her as much as you said you do, then does it matter who takes her to the vet? You can split the bill three ways right?"

"I suppose so, let me have a think" was her answer.

I took a deep breath & walked away. I can't possibly answer her without slapping her.

Tua Tao's Battle Scars

This morning, the first one who came to greet me was Tua Tao & he sports fresh wounds. Probably got into a fight sometime over the weekend. It doesn't look to be skin problems. But I could be wrong.

New scars on Tua Tao's right side

Old scars on his left

If only he lets me touch him, I could get him to the vet.

Then I spotted the siblings ... so cute.

Hugged both of them after I took this picture. :)

Ruby is a precious.

On Thursday when I took Ruby home, I knowMei Mei (foster-mom's helper) was sad. She was telling me what a great girl Ruby is, how obedient she is & how easy it is to bathe her.

I was a little skeptical on the last bit. Bathing domestic shorthairs can be a challenge even if they were trained since kitten. Beauty, Carma & Wawa never did enjoy their bath time. They would wail so loud I bet my neighbours think I was skinning cats.

Junior is an exception. He loves water & he loves to play in his bathtub. I enjoy bathing Junior although it usually takes a lot longer because he moves & splashes about so much.

Bathing Ruby is like taking a walk in the park. She stood still while I rinse, soap & dry her.

She is starting to explore more of the flat & interacting with Chaos a little. The Chaos are still wary of her. Beauty for all her bravado didn't know what to make of this new girl who is not afraid to stand up to her.

Chaos fun is just beginning :)