Miffed

From the desk of Mama Piggy:


Kootoo Monster demonstrating the art of sulking.

Yes, am miffed :( You would be too, if you were me.

I had nearly finished a video clip of Mama cat when Windows Movie Maker decided to go nuts. The video sequence is now corrupted, and I HAVE TO EDIT FROM SCRATCH!!! MEOOWWWRRR!!

Bonding

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Not chums yet, these two, but getting there :)

12 Feb 2009, in the master bedroom

18 June 2006, boarded at the vet (Awww, look at the cute innocent face that duped us all!)

Mama looking on as her silly boy amuses himself with a cat toy.

This cat toy comes in a pack of 2 for $2, available at Daiso.

Belated birthday wishes

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Happy belated birthday to Kootoo, who turned 4 on 27 Jan!

And happy birthday to XY too, who turned ?? on the same day :) Thanks for the reminder, I had forgotten about it!



Not that Kootoo would mind, he pretty much slept through his birthday! :P

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

The House of Pigs wishes all good health and happiness in the Niu year!

In fear we unite

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Presenting the Scaredy Cats Clan (Refrigerator Branch - Upper Division).

This morning after I dragged out the vacuum cleaner, Muffy scooted up to the top of the fridge. Mama followed suit, she is still not used to the noisy thing.

Of course Muffy and Mama are not best of pals (yet), so when Mama joined Muffy on top of the fridge, he wasn't too happy. But I think the fear of the vacuum cleaner was greater than the animosity, so he tolerated her presence until after the housework was done.

Chewie

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



No prize for guessing who has been gnawing at the bedroom curtains ;)

I changed the tattered curtain with a new one for Chinese New Year, thank goodness Chewie didn't nom on it! He's outgrown the nom-ing phase I think.

Object of desire

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Cat owners know too well the captivated look on the kitties' faces.

Their object of desire?

This baby lizzy.

Mama was nonchalant. She has seen more exotic "wildlife" in the carpark :)

And spectator sport can be tiring too, just look at Milo.

From all of us here, we wish you good health, peace and happiness in the new year!

Street cred ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

... she haz it!

Mama proved that she is no pushover.

Although she is somewhat apprehensive of Kootoo (I think she knows the pecking order), she can stand up to him if he gets too pesky.

Mama has also gone after Muffy when she's in a frisky mood.

As for her sonny Milo, she switches between wanting to play with him and wanting to "toughen" him up like a gangsta =_=

But blood is thicker than water. Milo is always hanging around near Mama and even going up to sniff her. But I don't know why Mama seems to be rather spooked whenever Milo gets too close. Give them some time, I suppose.

In the meantime, Mama's sniffles is not going away :( Her nose is still runny, but I don't really want to put her on anti-biotics again. She had finished two courses. We will monitor and bring to the vet if need be.

Pain in the butt ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

... is Kootoo.

Kootoo: Me a pain in the butt?? Whose butt?

First he decided to chase after Mama cat, after realising that she is very mild and sweet-natured. He would spring into a run and spook Mama, who was scared into retreating into her cage. So I had to use some very stern words on Kootoo, plus brandish my bedroom slipper. That had some effect on him, he started behaving himself after deciding that it would be foolish to cross me =_=

Then Kootoo decided that he will use Mama's litter bin. And make a mess out of it. I know he is trying to assert his dominance, but some toilet manners would be appreciated!

Another pain - Muffy the Growler. A lot of posturing and growling from him since Mama started exploring the house.

Muffin: See me crossed paws? They stand for "No to Newbies!"

I think he deserves a good smack from Mama :)

Mama gets comfy ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Mama cat is feeling better, and today she did a grand tour of the house.

She spent a long time sniffing out everything - the standing fan, electrical cords, table legs, the kitty condo etc.


Mama is sooooo lovely!

Mama certainly knows how to seek out the most comfy places - within minutes of exploring our bedroom she was rolling on the quilt! :) Must be quite intriguing for her to lie on something so soft and warm.

I seriously think she remembers her sonny Milo. She miaowed at him so ever gently, and even tried to go near him several times. Alas, the ingrate does not want her company. The good thing is he allows Mama to get within arm's length. Of course he hissed at her ...



Will you wake up to your senses soon, Milo Boy???

Mama meets the gang

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

I took half day's leave this morning to bring Mama to the vet. Her sniffles came back yesterday :( Her condition had improved over the weekend and her eyes and nose were clear and dry. She had completed her course of anti-biotics so I was perturbed that she can't seem to shake off the flu.

While at the vet, I decided to get her tested for FIV and FELV too. The results were negative :)



Cost of vet visit (inclusive of cab fares) - $120
Peace of mind - Priceless ;P

I had introduced Mama to the gang over the weekend.

Auntie P, you're spot on! Mama might just become the queen of the household as Kootoo was actually a bit afraid of her! Papa Porky observed that Kootoo wanted to be friends with Mama cat, but didn't seem to know how to go about doing it. So when he got too upclose with Mama, he received a swipe and a hiss :D But at least Kootoo has accepted her presence in the house, the two of them lounge together in a relaxed manner.



KXBC, you're right too. Milo the Ingrate didn't recognise his Mama at all. But the good thing is he is curious about her, although he is somewhat scaredy. I wonder if Mama recognised Milo, she miaowed a few times at him in a friendly manner ... But the ingrate would stare at Mama from the kitchen doorway for a few seconds before slinking away ...



As for Muffy, what can I say? : Still paranoid and hissy.

Mama cat is getting better ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

... and noisier :)


Mama cat: I look unhappy?! You would too if you're holed up in a cage!

She has been meowing rather loudly quite a bit. I hope the neighbours won't find it a nuisance!

That aside, her sniffles is getting better. She can't wait to get out of the cage and toilet, but that would have to wait until she is in the clear and after we send her to the vet for her jabs.

In the meantime, Milo the scaredy cat has been hiding in our bedroom since Mama cat came home. We had to bring food and water to him =_= But this morning he ventured to the end of the hall (where the litter bin is now located) to pee.

Slowly and surely he will get used to Mama cat's meowing and strange noises from the bathroom! And soon enough, he will get to meet his "maker" :)

Muffy the psycho-kitty is still spooked, but less edgy.

Kootoo is ever ready to meet the newbie, but patience, my boy!

Welcome Mama!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Yes, we have an addition in the house :P


Tortie Mama is no longer a community cat :)

Tortie Mama, or affectionately known as Mama, is home with us.

As some of you would know, she is Milo's mommy. We sterilised her two and a half years ago and released her back in the estate.

About a week ago, we brought her to the vet as she was down with cat flu and had breathing difficulty. We had her hospitalised at the vet so that she can get her medicine regularly.

Papa Porky suggested that we adopt her. Well, it wasn't a tough decision, because Mama is really a very sweet girl, and if anything were to happen to her, I think we would be quite heart-broken.

My concerns were that she is down with flu, and of course, the stress of having to introducing the KMM to her. Plus the fact that the KMM have not had their vaccination in the past two years *ahem*

So we thought about this for a week. But when we visited Mama at the vet today, the answer was clear. We have to bring her home. There is no way she could recover from the flu if she is released back in the estate. Not with the year-end monsoon season. As for the KMM, well, they will get their long overdue jabs tomorrow and they just have to deal with a new kitty in the house, no? ;)

Mama, sorry it took us 2.5 years to realise that we care so much for you ...

Mama is now segregated from the rest in the kitchen toilet. The vet prescribed 10 days' dose of VibraVet and antihistamine tablets. When she is better, she will be introduced to the KMM.

So no, no happy reunion for Milo and Mama just yet ... but do watch this space :) Click here to watch Milo and Mama's video when they were catnapped in June 2006.

I hope Mama doesn't mind being "incarcerated" for a while!

And as for the KMM's reaction to Tortie Mama, well, Kootoo the kaypoh is as usual snooping outside the toilet door trying to sniff out the newbie. Muffy is spooked and anxious, while Milo has gone hiding somewhere :D But they will get used to her in no time, I hope ...

The Ultimate Basin Challenge - Part 2

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Ladies and gentlemen ...

The moment you've been waiting for is here!

May I present you ...

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The Champion Tubby!!!

Kootoo has defied all odds and won the Ultimate Basin Challenge!

** APPLAUSE **

The Ultimate Basin Challenge - Part 1

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

I decided to buy a snug-fit basin for the kitties, and threw a challenge to the two tubbies, Milo and Kootoo (Muffin is happy with his cushion, thank you).


Milo the intrepid checking out the new tub.


Will he or will he not fit??


Milo has done it! Never mind the spilling over, will you?


Erm, it doesn't look too comfy, does it?


Look at those squashed paws!


Now, can Kootoo Monster win The Ultimate Basin Challenge?

The answer ...



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... will be revealed in the next posting ;P

The zzz monster

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Milo is struggling to stay awake after 12 hours(?!) of undisturbed sleep ... Sometimes I wonder if the kitties know how "ho mia" (good life) they are!

And if I could talk cat language, you bet I will remind them everyday how lucky they are ... Any language centre out there teaching kitty speak??

Bear Bear

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

*Dusts the cobwebs and sweeps the tumbleweeds*

Ahem, sorry for the long silence :P

Work had me burning at both ends, and left me with little energy (and inspiration) to blog. Especially not when you've been writing and vetting scripts the whole day ...

But for my readers, who've been clamouring for updates on the fat ones at home (Papa Porky included, heheh), I must, I should, and I will continue blogging!!!!

First, I bring you news of a kitty for adoption!



This is Bear Bear, a 1.5 months old boy who was abandoned outside my brother's shop at Yio Chu Kang. My sister is positive it is a new abandonee as she has not seen any cats in the vicinity in the past few years she's been working there. It was crying out loud for its mommy, and was hungry and frightened.

My sis brought it home naturally :) Bear Bear is now friends with the bigger cats. We will send it for vaccination once it is bigger.

Ain't it cute? It's got socks too!



For responsible adopter(s) only!

Tiger on Tiger

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Papa Porky bought this cute, paw-print fleece blankie on board Tiger Airways for Milo.

Think of those who are worse off ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

The chapter on my mother's cats is not closed yet, at least not for me.

Thanks to all for your comments/emails, of course I am not taking it lying down ;) I have earlier written to the Minister, but I think he must be very busy now with the issue of foreign workers' housing ... So I shall wait patiently for his reply.

I related the cat woes to a friend, and his comment was chilling but true - if they don't even care for human beings, do you think they would even bother with animals (unless it hurts them where it matters, ie electoral votes)?

I try not to let the current state of things bother me as much. It helps to think of those who are worse off than our kitties.

I made a visit to the Metta Cattery on Sunday, it has been 6 long years since my last trip there. It was good to catch up with Siew Ying, who, despite all the challenges and difficulties, maintained an optimistic and cheerful outlook.

Some of the cats there are down with cat flu due to the wet weather, but otherwise they look happy and contented. And safe from human harm.


Look at my sexy eyes ... mesmerising, no?



Quiet but sweet charmer.



Friendly girl who shakes visitors' hand. Honorary mascot of the cattery :)



Sweet dreams, no doubt, Mr Drooler :P



He's larger than a toy dog!



Dreamer snoozing away despite other kitties stepping all over him/her.


Please help the Metta Cattery if you can - every effort counts. They need pet food, medication, scratching posts, old towels .... Of course, if you're like me (ie "lazy") you can donate money to help fund the running of the cattery.

Trying times

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Yes it's been a bad patch for me - at work and at home.

Had my nose kept to the grindstone at work, the stress and time pressure can kill.

It doesn't help that on the home front, the kitties at my mom's place faced an eviction order from the HDB.

I shall not dignify HDB by posting their run-of-the-mill reply to my appeal for a rational approach to resolve the issue.

The long and short of it is, the cats had to go.

So I called up the head of the HDB branch office and asked him what exactly was the "nuisance" that was stated in the complaint. He was dumbfounded. He couldn't tell me specifically what "nuisance" the cats had created. But we know why he had no answer for me. Because there was simply NO nuisance! He could only go as far as telling me that people saw the cats IN THE HOUSE and that they don't like it! (At this point my blood was boiling at the stupidity and ignorance of mankind. Even typing this now makes me angry!!!)

There is no point arguing with HDB officials who "just follow law", so I cut the exasperating conversation short.

Shortly after, HDB made an appointment with my mother to conduct a check on the house to make sure that we have removed the cats as per HDB's instructions. Gosh, if only other government officials can learn to be as "efficient" as HDB staff!

I couldn't take leave from work to entertain the HDB officials as they made the important visit to my mother's place. Well luckily I wasn't there, otherwise I could have gone blind from rolling my eyes excessively.

THREE officials from HDB came to inspect the house. I thought my mom had kept tigers and other exotic animals instead to warrant the presence of THREE public service officers (of course it is not a waste of taxpayers' monies, they're doing investigative work!) in her humble 4-room flat.

But I digress ... :P

So, they came, they saw, they took photos and they left.

No kitties in sight, save for our old Persian, who would be too traumatised if we move him to a strange place.

Our kitties are safe in another place, we had to protect them from PEOPLE. So dear readers, you tell me, who is more dangerous? Cats or People?