Just chill

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



I've been back in the newsroom for two weeks now. The feeling is strange - familiar yet new.

The 12-hour work days are gruelling, not to mention stressful.

Thank goodness I have two continuous rest days to chill ...

Buying time ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

My sister has just met the MP for Aljunied GRC, and explained to him that there is no basis for the anonymous complaint. He will write to the HDB to first ask for an extension of deadline, and in the meantime, he will mull over the issue and think of a way out for us ...

Where there's a will, there's a way. May compassion and rationality prevail.

In the meantime, we will continue to count our blessings and treasure everyday we have with our kitties ... even when they attempt to chew your freshly cut roses to bits =_=

The kitties surrounded the vase of roses like a pack of hyena.




Milo wondering if he could make a bandung drink out of the rose petals ...

Hopes and plans

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

I have sent an email to the "power that be", and am hoping for the best. I am not asking for a change in the policy, that would take too long to happen. All I am asking is for HDB to assess the matter on a case-by-case basis, and not punish responsible pet owners like my mum with a blanket ruling. Removing the cats is a quick-fix approach that tantamounts to abandonment, and sending the kitties to SPCA is a sure-death "solution".

While waiting to hear from the HDB again, we have made some short-term and long-term plans.

Phyllis has kindly offered her help upon hearing my mother's plight, I am very touched by her kindness.

We will do everything we can for the kitties. Their fate lies in our hands.

Cappy, Nov 2007

A pet is for life, remember? :)

SOS!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

* Clarification - it was the HDB that issued the letter and not the Town Council, my bad. The Town Council had redirected the complaint to the HDB. As KXBC pointed out in the comments section, it is the jurisdiction of the Housing Board.*

The HDB has just issued a letter to my mom - she has to remove all the kitties in the house by 12 August because someone had complained that she is keeping too many cats and that they smell.

My sister called up the HDB chap and asked him where does he want her to remove the cats to. His reply: SPCA. Hullo???

She asked him what were the exact reasons for not allowing cats in HDB flats. The chap gave the usual spiel - that cats ROAM and that they poop everywhere. Ha! All HDB officers should be schooled in Cat Behaviour 101.

My sister told him that her kitties are not allowed out of the house, so how would they ROAM? They certainly do not do their business everywhere! My sister even invited the HDB officer over to the flat to inspect and smell it for himself :)

The chap said he will get his supervisor to call my sister tomorrow. My sister told him she will go to the MP for help too. We will see how things work out.

Now, dear HDB officer (or any HDB / town council officer for that matter), I hope you realise that we are actually helping to keep cats off the streets. We sterilise the kitties, bring them for yearly immunisation jabs, and keep them strictly indoors. Pray tell how are they a nuisance and why must they be removed from under a responsible owner's care just because ONE single person complained about them?!

More importantly, why let the kitties be the innocent victims of a disagreement between neighbours?

Comfy bedfellows

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

I am a sucker for Hikosen Cara products. The latest acquisitions are these pillow cases.

It sure feels good to go to bed with the kitties :)

Bedtime manners

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Watching cats sleep is a very therapeutic, if not sleep-inducing, activity. I present you some of the best and worst examples of bedtime manners of the KMM crew ...

1. Curled up

This is how cats should be like when sleeping, all curled up (Okay okay, I know Kootoo is not exactly all curled up, but would you excuse him for his girth?!?!).

2. Dainty

As exemplified by Muffy, the dainty (or gu-niang, whichever pleases you!) sleeper snoozes on his side, preferably without drooling.

3. Utterly unacceptable

'Nuff said.

Ebony and Ivory

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



This photo reminds me of the 1982 song "Ebony and Ivory" by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder.



Sing-a-long now :)

Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony
Side by side on my piano keyboard, oh lord why don't we?

We all know that people are the same where ever we go
There is good and bad in everyone
We learn to live, we learn to give
Each other what we need to survive together alive

Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony
Side by side on my piano keyboard, oh lord why dont we?

Ebony, ivory living in perfect harmony
Ebony, ivory, ooh

We all know that people are the same where ever we go
There is good and bad in everyone
We learn to live, we learn to give
Each other what we need to survive together alive

Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony
Side by side on my piano keyboard, oh lord why don't we?

Ebony, ivory living in perfect harmony (repeat and fade)

Love us, not hurt us!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

A lovely feature written (and photographed) by a dear, dear friend ... I couldn't have done it better!





(Source: NTUC Media "Lifestyle" July issue)

Book review

Book title: Your Cat (The Boss)
Author: Helen Exley
Retail: $11.90, at gift stores island wide
Reviewer: Kootoo Monster



A must-read for any self-respecting cat "owner" *snigger*, this wonderful collection of 191 quirky and thought-provoking quotations about cats serves to dispel any doubt/misgiving/quandry you may have in your relationship with cats.



It provides the answer and more to cryptical questions such as "Why a cat?".

An example of an enlightening quote: "Being adopted by a stray cat is a sign that you are a kind, generous, warm-hearted sucker. ~Giovanni Andretti"

Here's another: "You can tell a dog to do something. You can put it to a cat as a reasonable propositon. ~ Michael Steven"

Dubbed the "Chicken Soup for the wretched cat slave's soul", the book helps you get in touch with your inner minion as you begin to realise and appreciate the sense of purpose and meaning your cat has bestowed on you.

Get your copy now, and your cat will be eternally grateful to you and stop chewing your shoelaces/pissing in your house plant.

I shall leave you with my favorite quote from the book:"There is a weary expression on your cat's face when she brings you home a mouse. It needs no words: 'Is this idiot woman never going to catch her own?' ~ Pam Brown"

Delish!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Lovely toesicles! Look yummy enought to eat, no?



Oooh, the owner of the toesicles is not too happy that I disturbed his beauty sleep and is giving me one of his looks!



Be afraid, be very afraid!

Gotcha Milo!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Woot, thanks to Cat Aunty for the reminder, it's been two years since Milo joined the Pigs!

Mama Piggy has come full circle

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



The cat is out of the bag, or box, whatever...

Yes, I have decided to return to Caldecott Hill. (No, Mama Piggy is not a celebrity lah, in case anyone is wondering! ^_^)

I left the newsroom in 2002, and have been a spin doctor since. It was quite a natural progression for most media professionals to cross over to the dark side of Public Relations, so to speak. But deep down, I know my heart is still with journalism. And six years of handling the media only served to stoke the fire in the belly.

So, come end July, it's goodbye Shenton Way, and hello Caldecott Hill!

My friends think that I am out of my mind to forsake the current job which has decent pay, relatively sane and regular hours and good prospects.

Well, I don't care. The heart won the battle this time round :)

Ugly ducklings

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Well well, you can't judge a book by its covers, and you certainly can't judge a cat by its colours!

Like in the fairy tale, these "ugly ducklings" have blossomed into beautful adult cats, with loving personalities.

Latte, October 2007


Latte, June 2008


Tiramisu, October 2007


Tiramisu, October 2008

Dell, December 2007

Dell, June 2008

Handsome lad

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Cappuccino (of the Fantastic Four gang) has grown into a handsome lad, and a super-endearing one to boot.


Cappy, October 2007


Cappy, June 2008

Why don't nice kitties like Cappy find us? All we have are three ingrates! Maybe I should send the KMM to bootcamp ...

Closet case

From the desk of Mama Piggy:


Milo: Talk to the paw. Aint no one coming in to Milo's Cave...

These days, we can never leave our closet doors open without Milo jumping in and making himself comfortable among Papa Porky's t-shirts and shorts.

Turtle?

From the desk of Mama Piggy:




Papa Porky commented that Kootoo looks like a 乌龟 (turtle) when he squats like this =_=

Goodbye Scout ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Dear little Scout lost his battle with FIP on 2 May, and left us with wonderful memories of a good-natured and gentle boy.

What was Muffin in his previous life?

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Muffin must have been an ostrich in his previous life, otherwise I can't explain why he loves to burrow his head under Kootoo's armpit/chest/belly ...

Does this look comfortable?

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Well, it certainly doesn't look comfy to me! Why would anyone sleep with his head twisted to his behind? *scratches head*



Whatever. Muffy is not losing sleep over Milo's weird sleeping position ...

Displaced

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Great ... three cats occupying three different spots on the sofa. The humans have been displaced! :(