Remembrance

From the desk of Mama Piggy:


The monastery's version of the garden gnome :)

We went to the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery columbarium today to pay respects to my late father.

I didn't bring any fruits, flowers nor a trunkful of paper money. There was no need to, I feel. I have come to my father with a true heart that remembers his love for us.

And when I die, there would be no need to keep my remains in an urn. My ashes will be scattered in the sea, I will live in the hearts of those I love.

Morning Glory

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Milo basking in the full glory of the morning sun :)

Be kind

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

According to the latest issue of the SPCA Bulletin (Feb/Mar 07 ), there was a 25 per cent spike in the number of alleged animal abuse cases investigated by the SPCA in 2006. In absolute terms, the SPCA handled 916 such cases last year.

Some highlighted cases include:
- A Maltese dog thrown to its death from the 22nd storey of a Fernvale Road flat
- A two and a half month old kitten beaten by a man with a wooden pole
- Two stray dogs poisoned with insecticide
- Stray cat kicked by teen

Of course, it is possible that an increased awareness of animal welfare has led to more abuse cases being reported, instead of a real increase in animal abuse.

But whenever I come across such news, I can't help but feel that it is such a sick world we are living in. We do not even have the basic respect for life. Then again, when even domestic maids are treated like animals and denied proper food and rest, what do you expect our fellow Singaporeans to feel toward stray cats and unwanted dogs?

Will animal abuse ever be eradicated? I hope to live to see that day!

As HH The Dalai Lama said: "If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them."

I think the "others" include the animals that live among us too.

How do you know if your cat loves you?

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Of course my cat lurrrves me, silly!!!

My cat shows his affection for me by sleeping on my leg ...

... using my foot as a pillow.

This effectively prevents me from getting up to do all those dreadful housework.

So you see, my cat lurrrrves me!

Busy day

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Tiny Twinkle is now boarded at Phyllis' cattery, where he'll receive tender loving care.

The feisty boy walloped a whole plate of boiled chicken at the cattery.

Senor Achiwawa and his sister also brought Brownie and Scout to Pet Clinic for their second booster jab.

They have done a great job fattening up Brownie, who now weighs in at 3.65kg. She will be sterilised soon.

Little Scout has grown into a big furball!

He was a bit anxious while waiting for his turn at the vet, check out the video :P

Twinkle

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Cat-napping is infectious, it seems.

Our friend Senor Achiwawa and his sister have catnapped a scrawny 3-month-old tabby boy from their Marine Parade estate.


Tabby boy is malnourished and is suffering from a bout of diarrhoea. He's now boarded at Pet Clinic for observation and will be put up for adoption once he's in a better shape.

We've decided to call him Twinkle. He's skin and bones now, but with tender loving care, he should blossom into a beautiful cat.


Senor Achiwawa says Twinkle (top) resembles Kootoo the kitten (below), what do you think?

Snuggles

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

T'was a cold and lazy afternoon.

Papa Porky decided to steal 40 winks on the couch.



The kitties wanted to get cosy too.



Kootoo, for some strange reason I can't fathom, chose the "smelly" end, with his nose pointed in the "right" direction.

Doe and Ray settles in

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



L & K, the new "parents" of Doe and Ray, sent me these lovely pictures of the duo settling into their new home.

An SMS update on the kitties:

"The kittens are fine. Doe eats a lot while Ray is very playful. Doe always pushes Ray out of the food dish. They poo a lot too!"

A simple life

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Domesticity at its best.

Muffin

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



It's been almost a year since Muffin came into our life.

Sometimes when I look back, I do wonder why I adopted him instead of the many other kittens and cats that were available at Phyllis' cattery. Afterall, the poor fella had been abused and was emotionally scarred. I guess we just wanted to give him the love that he deserved, and to make up for the suffering he endured under the hands of my fellow human beings.

Muffin was and still is wary of us handling him, but he has his moments when he would approach us for cuddles. He may not be as sweet as Kootoo or Milo, but he is still our Muffin.

Doe, Ray & Meeks adopted!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Doe and Ray were adopted by a lovely couple, L and K this evening.

Meeks has found a furrever home at my sister's place, of course :)

Out with the old ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

... and into the new!



Muffin has ditched his old favourite cushion for the new cat bed, especially when the air-conditioner is on full blast.




It makes for a furry comfy snooze.

Pei Pei la prima donna

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

A lovely update from Pei Pei's adopters, S. and her housemate. Pei Pei has been introduced to their resident tabby, Curio.



Excerpts from our email exchange:

"Things are quite fine, though I do hope they'll get along 'better'. We're thinking that they'll still need some time to get used to each other. Curio is a darling and has been so patient with her. He's quite the sweetheart and always meows to be near her when we separate them.

She, on the other hand, is quite mischievous! She's a bit aggressive still, and is more hot-tempered around him and us, she doesnt allow any of us to touch or carry her! But she has shown some signs of improvements, don't worry. Over the days, we see her playing more with Curio and fighting less, and we take that to be quite a positive sign.

Usually after they fight, they each claim a chair under the dining table and take a nap.

Pei Pei really is so pretty. She's acting every bit the high Majesty she looks like, with all her tantrums and poses. Hehe."

Furry nice bed

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



The kitties have not warmed up to it yet cos it smells new, but I am sure in no time they would be fighting to sleep in it.

Food for thought

From the desk of Mama Piggy:


My yummy, animal-friendly lunch.

I have overheard this question many times while buying my meals at vegetarian food stalls.

“What meat is this ah?” The man pointed to the mock pork ribs.

It never fails to tickle the funny bone in me. No offence to those who ask this question, but does it really matter what “meat” it is? I mean, surely you come knowingly to a vegetarian stall and you know everything there is like, NON meat?

I can only conclude that those who ask this question want to know what it would taste like. But a more suitable question would be, "What dish is this?" Agree?

Kungfu fighting

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



This is a sampler of what happens at the House of Pigs every day.

Sampler because it is not the full works -- somehow when I shoved the camera in their faces when they are fighting, the cats become very “pai seh” and call it quits.

Milo's video

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



This is a self-indulgent video on Milo's growing up years. Yes, another of those awww-inducing, saccharine-sweet, reminiscence piece ... I promise to catch the trio in a brawl and put it up on Youtube, lest you think that the critters are all so well behaved and polite to a T.

Speaking of which, Milo the abominable cat very nearly ruined this video project by using the laptop keyboard as a launchpad while chasing Kootoo. Had half a mind to hold him by the scruff and give him a hard twack on the rump. Of course I didn't. Duh.

Brownie & Scout update

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Here's an update from foster family on Brownie & Scout.

"Hello, one week on, the kitties are doing well. Eating a hell lot and pooping a lot. Scout's a nice boy and is becoming a big furball since he eats and eats! Brownie is a bit of a lap cat actually... sweet tempered."

Band of Brothers

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Love is all around ... :)

Lapping it up

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



This is a video of Milo drinking water from the tap.

Whenever we go to the kitchen or toilet, he would jump into the basin and implore us to turn on the tap for him until he gets his fill.

Feeding Frenzy - Remix version!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Here's a redux of an earlier video - with supers and a cheerful soundtrack.

Explanatory note: I had to hide in the kitchen toilet to prepare the wet food for the kitties -_- they go crazy at the mere sound of me opening the cans.

Furry Babies

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



The trio have put on some weight and are vaccinated and dewormed.

The kitten with the pink collar is, of course, Meeks, the only girl in the litter.

Animal Planet - Siblings that kill

"Now, should I start with the heart or the entrails?"

Operation Fattening Up

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

We visited Brownie and Scout at Vincent's shelter on Sunday afternoon.



Scout the cutie is simply adorable, he makes a good, placid lap cat.



Brownie needs to be fattened up before we send her for sterilisation. Vincent says she is eating well, and a health check at Pet Clinic showed that she is in good health.

Senor Achiwawa and his sister have very kindly offered to take care of Brownie and Scout while we look for suitable adopters.

Pei Pei adopted!!!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

I am on cloud nine!! Yes I am, because Pei Pei has found a home!



S. and her friend visited Phyllis' cattery on Saturday evening and were so smitten by Pei Pei's adorable nature that they decided to bring her home to be the companion of their other kitten.

Vegancat, who was at the cattery, took this video of Pei Pei leaving the cattery with her new found "parents".

I also pointed the adopter to Tipped Ear Clan to read up on how to introduce a new kitty to the resident cat.

Be good, Pei Pei!! :)

Cleanliness is next to godliness

Rock-a-bye baby

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



In case you are wondering, the kitties NEVER sleep in this hammock!

Doe, Ray and Meeks

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

I've gotta put up the adoption notices for the trio soon. They are getting too adorable!

Doe (on top, with a darker cream coat and a bob tail) and Ray are two brothers with a mischievous streak.

The duo always bully their dear sister Meeks, who is a sweet angel.

We hope that the potential adopter can consider adopting all 3 kittens, or at least 2 of them, together. My sister would keep the other one that is not adopted.

Pei Pei - video and new pix!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Thanks to Vegancat, who sent me this lovely "music video" of Pei Pei! She looks tubby!!


When will that special someone bring me home?

Bad Hair Day

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Kootoo is shedding heaps.



A grooming session at home produced three times the amount of fur shown in the picture.

He also sports a small balding patch at his right hind leg, and has been nibbling there quite a bit. I will monitor it to see if it gets worse.

Kitties Galore

The three kittens are doing well, eating voraciously and playing like little monsters in the making :)

The kitten that is being "mauled" in the video is the only girl in the litter, she is rather shy while her two brothers are very active and mischievous.

Happy Lunar New Year!!

The House of Pigs wishes all readers a Happy Lunar New Year that's filled with good health, joy and happiness!

Gong Xi Fa Cai and don't pig out too much!!

Sister act

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

My sister has also gone into the business of catnapping, it seems.



She found this bundle of hapless kittens at the void deck, and with no mother cat in sight, she decided to bring them home and foster them until they are old enough for adoption.

About one-month-old, they have a unique light orange coat.

Skivers

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Mention "spring-cleaning" and the skivers immediately dive under the sheets. Shufferin' Succhotash!

In the mood for love

He loves me ...



He loves me not!!


The House of Pigs wishes everyone a Happy Valenswine's Day!

Lazy bums

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Milo catching a spot of the morning sun.




Kootoo Monster lounging on the couch cos he's too fat for the scratching post platform behind him.




Muffin prefers the warmth of my hand.

Poster boy ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



... for generally good behaviour.


But I wish Milo had more "balls" though. When the doorbell rings, he is usually the first to scoot off and hide under the sofa or morph into a lump under the sheets.

Catnapped!

From the desk of Catnapper Mama Piggy:

Oops, I did it again.

I took time-off from work (!!) and came back home to "trap" the abandoned Calico Mommy & Tabby Boy. When I got back, they were still snoozing on top of the disposed sofa! Had to gently prod Calico Mommy into the carrier, while Tabby Boy, who just woke up from a nap, was putty in my hands.

They will be sent for vaccination this evening at Pet Clinic before heading for the shelter at Vincent's place.

I shall call them Brownie (Calico Mommy) and Scout (Tabby Boy).


Brownie is on the skinny side, she will be a beauty once she fattens up.


Scout practising the "Take me home" look. Awww ...

They would be put up for adoption once Brownie is sterilised.



The Kay Poh Kias snooping outside the kitchen toilet where Brownie and Scout are putting up.

Where is your conscience?

From the desk of incensed Mama Piggy:

Yes indeed, I am incensed.

Guess what I found on my way home this evening?

Tabby boy resembles Gym-Mee, no?

Yes, two more abandoned cats in my estate - a Calico mommy with her 3-month-old white and grey tabby boy.

I didn't notice them at first. I was walking through the nicely landscaped garden which leads to my flat when something "prompted" me to turn my head. I saw a pile of furniture at the void deck of a nearby block, discarded to make way for new ones in time for the lunar new year. Then I saw a bundle of white and black furry things on top of the unwanted sofa. With four pointed ears. Rats.

They are obviously abandoned home cats because they are very friendly, and Calico mommy still had a chain collar with a bell.

Someone also left some "farewell" food for them, it seems. Calico mommy allowed me to stroke her, and boy, is she skinny! I fed her some biscuits, and went home to get a can of wet food for her and tabby boy.

Why were they thrown out together with the old furniture? Because they would "damage" the new sofa? Or is it because their "shelf-life" is over?

I left them at the void deck and went home with a heavy heart.

If you love someone, would you abandon them?

Pei Pei's adoption notice

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

It's up on the Cat Welfare Society adoption bulletin board!



Will you open your heart to this sweet little girl?

Get off my back!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:




As if it is not bad enough that Kootoo sometimes usurp his favourite snoozing spot, Muffin now has to contend with Milo snuggling up for a cosy siesta.

Sunday mewsings

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

We visited Phyllis' cattery this afternoon together with Senor Achiwawa's family.



Senor Achiwawa's sister took a liking to this pensive-looking cat called Summer, who clung on to her and Senor like a baby. Phyllis said Summer has an auto-immune illness, and gets mouth ulcers very often which affects her appetite.



Pei Pei's adoption notice should go up on the CWS adoption bulletin real soon, this spunky girl has found a fan in Mei-mei :)

Earlier in the day, Kootoo Boy found himself groped, hugged and smooched by his No. 1 fan, Mrs H, Senor Achiwawa's mama.


Kootoo: Has she gone yet? Is it safe to come down from the shelf now?

Life is about going through and letting go ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

The death of a loved one is a gift - it teaches us the true meaning of life and love, so that we, the living, can value the purpose of life, and celebrate its beauty.

So says Ajahn Brahm at his talk "Losing Loved Ones" this evening at the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery.

Of course, it is and never will be easy to see a loved one pass on and not grief.

For me, it felt as if a part of me died too when my father passed away some 14 years ago. I was into my second year of undergraduate study when my father was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. His health deteriorated rapidly after an operation, and within months, he left us. It was tough coming to terms with it because I was the youngest child and he doted on me. What have I done for him to repay his love and care? He had worked so hard all his life, and was just getting ready to retire and enjoy life, but Death robbed him of his well deserved rest. I was resentful, and allowed myself to grief for a protracted period of time.

My father's death had been "premature" - I was not ready. But will we ever be ready for death?

Ajahn Brahm says we don't cry for the person who pass away, we cry for ourselves - we are not ready to let go. The dead wouldn't want us to be sad. In fact, they want us to let go and be happy.

To love, therefore, is to let go.

Death is not the end. We shall meet each other again, in another time, another space.



What "unfinished business" do Kootoo and Mama Piggy have in their past lives that brings them together again in this life?