The kitties have "arrived"!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

No cat owner's life is complete without it - the Kitty Condo!!!


Kootoo and Muffin were miffed by the lack of lifts (too bad, moggies, this is Hougang, the opposition ward) ...


... while Milo was contented with a second floor premium unit that has a room with a view.


Me thinks these three ex-community cats are a lucky bunch.

Cat quote of the day:
Once cats were all wild, but afterward they retired to houses.
- Edward Topsell

Achtung - Cats at play!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Finally :)

Cat quote of the day:
It is impossible to keep a straight face in the presence of one or more kittens.
- Cynthia E. Varnado

Guess ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:


... who has been most unfriendly to newbie Milo?

Yup, the cats have been introduced to one another.

And one of them pictured here has been hissing, snarling, growling and spitting at the sight of sweet Milo ...

The first reader with the right answer gets to keep the Groucho Kitty ;)

Cat quote of the day:
The only mystery about the cat is why it ever decided to become a domestic animal.
- Sir Compton Mackenzie

Stylo Milo

From the desk of Mama Piggy:


Milo the charming lap cat.

Little Milo is settling in pretty well. He is very intelligent, and knows how to use the litter pan without any guidance.

But I think he misses his mummy, and has been crying for her ...

Milo in a pensive mood.

Kootoo and Muffin have not been introduced to Milo yet, although they have heard his mews and smelled him from under the door. Kootoo seems less agitated with the newbie, compared to the last time when we first brought Muffin home. As for Muffin, I think he is quite clueless as to what all that mewing is about.

Cat quote of the day:
The ideal of calm exists in a sitting cat.
- Jules Reynard

Safe in the arms of Papa Porky

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Milo's home!!!



Papa Porky has been designated as Milo's 24-hour butler/nanny/ass wiper/caregiver, and will slog even harder in the next 15 to 20 years to buy premium kibbles and toys for his Ppprrrrrecccious ...



Cat quote of the day:
The cat: an animal that's so unpredictable, you can never tell in advance how it will ignore you the next time. - Evan Esar

And Milo makes three ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



Yup, Milo is the new name for the sweet Ginger Boy (PS. I am not responsible for the name. Milo indeed. What's next? Teh-si kosong?!? (To our foreign furriends, that's tea with evaporated milk without sugar.)

And we are adopting Milo instead of giving him to my sister.

Why? Cos' Papa Porky took a liking to Milo ever since he first saw him, and has been haranguing me to take him in.

I was somewhat reluctant because:
(1) Muffin and Kootoo are still in the settling down stage,
(2) I think two cats are just nice, and
(3) I am concerned about how Kootoo would react to yet another newcomer within such a short span of time and whether Muffin would bully sweet little Milo.

But I must say Milo really won my heart with his cute looks and gentle personality, so I finally relented :)


When we visited the cats at the vet's today, Tortie Mummy was rather subdued. She doesn't look too happy either. I hope she makes a quick recovery and resumes her old friendly self.

Cat quote of the day:
If a cat did not put a firm paw down now and then, how could his human remain possessed.
- Winifred Carriere

Intruder Alert!!!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:


We "trapped" this friendly Tortie Mummy and her sweet Ginger Boy from the multi-storey carpark at our place and brought them home on Thursday evening. According to a Malay uncle who feeds the cats, the Ginger Boy is the sole survivor from a litter of five, the rest of his siblings died after falling into the drain or were ran over by vehicles at the carpark.

Upon hearing this, we decided that the carpark is no safe place for the little sweetie, and that we should sterilise the affectionate Tortie Mummy to save her from the heartache of giving birth to kittens only to lose them one by one. So we bundled them home surreptitiously in order not to agitate Kootoo and Muffin.

Kootoo and Muffin snooped outside the kitchen toilet (where the cats put up for the night) suspiciously, they somehow figured out that there are "intruders" inside. Kootoo even kept a vigil outside the toilet, and refused to engage in any form of play!

Tortie Mummy and Ginger Boy were sent to the vet on Friday morning, and will be boarded there for about a week.

I managed to persuade my sister to take in Ginger Boy. Tortie Mummy will be released back here when she has recuperated from her operation.

Cat quote of the day:
You can't own a cat. The best you can do is be partners.
- Sir Harry Swanson

I Am Muffin (1) - Do You Remember Me?

This is “dedicated” to the boys who abused me …


At the shelter - late March 06 (Photo courtesy of Vegancat)

You wanted to know if I could feel pain
And how loud I would wail
You wanted to see if I could escape from your torturous restraint
While you scalded me with hot coffee and watched me quiver and ail.

Muffin's Day 2 at his new home - 14 April 06

My physical wounds have healed, as you can see
But my emotional scars remain
My mummy tries hard to sooth my nerves, but I shall never be
The same kitten I was, having been through all the anguish and pain.


Muffin (then known as Pan Pan) waiting for adoption - early April 06 (Photo courtesy of Vegancat)

I could not comprehend, for you and I are but sentient beings
We both fear pain, loss and death, and seek comfort, love and care
So why do you make me suffer – are we creatures that are less deserving?
I shall never forget your faces and the delight you took in my despair.


Muffin has grown! - 30 May 06

I do not ask for much, really
'Cept for some loving kindness in this harsh and cruel abode ruled by the human race
Please, I am defenceless and at your mercy
Live, and let live -- a little more compassion helps to make this world a better place.

Post script by Mama Piggy:
Muffin has been with us for two months. When he first came, he was rather fearful of us touching or holding him, and would swipe at our hands viciously. We thought it might be because he was still traumatised by the incident. Two months on, Muffin has learnt to be more self-assured and confident, and we hope to see him well-adjusted and happy …

Cat quote of the day:
For he is an instrument for the children to learn benevolence upon. For every house is incomplete without him and as blessing is lacking in the spirit.
- Christopher Smart

Thinker and Stinker

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

I zzzink, therefurr I am -- Muffin Porkadontus (2006 ~ )


Kootoo: "Something stinks around here, I wonder what it is ... Maybe I am having a bad dream ... "


Cat quote of the day:
Cats assume their strangest, most intriguing and beautiful postures only when it is impossible to photograph them. Cat calendars disappoint because they show only the public range of cat positions.
- J. R. Coulson

Usurped!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Muffin bullied Kootoo out of his favourite snoozing spot and usurped the throne ...



Poor Kootoo gives in to Muffy and had to nap on the cold, hard marble floor.


The winner takes it all, with a smirk on his face.


Cat quote of the day:
Let us be honest: most of us rather like our cats to have a streak of wickedness. I should not feel quite easy in the company of any cat that walked around the house with a saintly expression.
- Beverly Nichols

Boys will be boys

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Kootoo and Muffin took some time out of their busy fighting schedule to pose for the camera.


Cat quote of the day:
Cats find malicious amusement in doing what they are not wanted to do — and that with an affectation of innocence that materially aggravates the offense.
- Helen Winslow

Pawdicure

From the desk of Mama Piggy:


This paw has the sharpest claws that draw blood with a stinging swipe that is as fast as lightning.

We have tried all means to trim Muffin's nails, but the little rascal snarls and hisses his way out of it.

Then I tried to do it while he dozed off, but Muffin promptly bared his baby fangs at me ... *shudder*


In contrast, sweet-natured Kootoo was a much more easy-going kitty, and allows me to trim his nails and clean his ears (that is, until his recent bout of infection) without kicking up a fuss.


Short of sedating Muffin, I cannot think of a way to get his nails filed.

Cat quote of the day:
A little drowsing cat is an image of a perfect beatitude.
- Jules Champfleury

Belly infectious

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

The telling tales of a good life ...



... look at Muffin's tummy!




The fattening up before he goes for the snip!

Cat quote of the day:
The cat, it is well to remember, remains the friend of man because it pleases himto do so and not because he must.
- Carl Van Vechten

Never seen before images!

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Kootoo gave Muffin a good three-minute grooming session after a long afternoon nap ... The first time we've seen them so intimate! :)

As for Kootoo's ears, well, the vet couldn't find any ear mites, but to be on the safe side, she gave him some ear mites medication, and Muffin had a good dose of it too ... Review in two weeks ...

Cat quote of the day:
I gave my cat a bath the other day ... they love it. He sat there, he enjoyed it, it was fun for me. The fur would stick to my tongue, but other than that . . .
- Steve Martin

Itchy Scratchy

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

Kootoo Monster is going to the vet again tomorrow.



His ears are not getting better despite the medication.

In fact, it got worse. The build-up of gunk in his ears is a sight not for the faint-hearted.

Despite us cleaning his ears everyday, the brown stuff refused to go away, and Kootoo Monster's ears got rather sore and tender from all the swabbing ... My poor baby.

Cat quote of the day:
Cats don't have to be put on pedestals - they put themselves there.
- Anonymous

Afternoon delight

From the desk of Mama Piggy:


Muffin strikes a hypnotic pose on a rainy Sunday afternoon ...

And in no time, the denizens of Hougang 80210 found themselves in a state of "comatose" ...


Psssst. Mama Piggy, Du Monster and Du Terror would like to wish Papa Porky a very "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Cat quote of the day:
The cat pretends to sleep, the better to see.
- Francois-Auguste Rene de Chateaubriand

Business as usual ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:



... or should I say, cattiness as usual?



The Monster and the Terror are at each other's throat again ...

Cat quote of the day:
Which is more beautiful--feline movement or feline stillness?
- Elizabeth Hamilton

The jab is mightier than the cane

From the desk of Mama Piggy:


A picture of rare serenity - the cats, that is, not the neighbourhood.

The Monster and the Terror returned home from the vet, quiet and subdued. Must be the side effects of the vaccination, or could it be post-traumatic sulking sydrome? Heheh ... Usually, no amount of remonstrations or brandishing of the cane could have achieved such an effect, we enjoyed the "peace" in the house while it lasted ...

As expected, Kootoo Monster took his jab like an angel, he didn't flinch at all. Papa Porky thinks it's because Kootoo is too fat to feel the poking needle. Well, tipping the scales at 5.5 kilograms, I must say he is a bit on the round side.

Waaaah!! The vet said I have to watch my diet. Is she calling me FAT??!!??!!

As for Muffin Terror, let's just say that he could have be a dramatist in his previous life. He hissed, spat and swiped at the vet and her never-say-die assistant, who tried holding him in various positions for the jab. They finally succeeded by holding him by the scruff. Although the vet reassured us that Muffin wasn't the worst case she has come across so far, I am pretty sure she was glad that she wouldn't be seeing him for jabs till a year later!


I may be small, but I pack a punch!

Cat quote of the day:

Only cat lovers know the luxury of fur-coated, musical hot water bottles that never go cold.
- Susanne Millen

V Day tomorrow ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

V stands for Vet, that is.

And Vaccination.

I think we should have no problem with Kootoo Monster, he took his last few jabs pretty well.

.
You can run but you can't hide, goondu Kootoo.

As for Muffin Terror, I think it would be wise to bring along the kitchen mitten so that when he starts biting and scratching, at least there would be some protection ...


Intrepid Muffin showing off his sharp tongue and even sharper fangs.

Cat quote of the day:
When you're special to a cat, you're special indeed...she brings to you the gift of her preferenceof you, the sight of you, the sound of your voice, the touch of your hand.
- Lenore Fleischer

Three little pigs ...

When you can't beat 'em, drug 'em ...




Or should I say "fix" 'em? Heheh.

Cat quote of the day:
Cats are connoisseurs of comfort.
- James Herriot

Panacea?

Will the administration of this ...


and this ...


lead to more of this ...


... and this?


Watch this space.

Cat quote of the day:
Cat people are different, to the extent that they generally are not conformists. How could they be, with a cat running their lives?
- Louis Camuti

First anniversary ...

It's exactly ONE year since I came into the House of the Pigs ...


July 2005: Sweet Young Thing.


November 2005: Can barely fit into the window ledge.


March 2006: Have resigned to perching on the scratching post platform instead ...

Cat quote of the day:
People who wish to salute the free and independent side of their evolutionary character acquire cats. People who wish to pay homage to their servile and salivating roots own dogs.
- Anna Quindlen

A Tale of Two Kitties

The slob who throws his weight around, literally.


The lithe, mean, purring machine.


The Pensive Thinker.


An Inquisitive Mind.


Cat quote of the day:
My cat the clown: paying no mind to whom he should impress. Merely living his life, doing what pleases him, and making me smile.
- Anonymous

The More We Get Together

From the desk of Mama Piggy:


Staying together, the cats endeavoured to command the green glitter ball to move forward with sheer eye power.

There you have it -- the first photo of the Monster and the Terror together, in a show of peace and harmony ... albeit for 5 seconds.

Kootoo still hunts Muffin down as if he's a little rodent, while cheeky Muffin has no qualms about pouncing on the lardball who is like five times his size.

Otherwise, things are a-okay ... can somebody tell me how to stop Kootoo from pilfering Muffin's food?

Cat quote of the day:
Catmandments #10 - Above all, thou shalt do anything it takes to keep me happy.
- Author Unknown