Amazing Felines - Cat Blog

The kitten got his wings

2008-08-22T16:21:00.002+08:00

Hi everyone. A few weeks ago, my brother saw a kitten on the corner sidewalk. He came running home fast because he said that it was REALLY a baby kitten and that I should go with him a take a look. Well, he was right, the kitten looked like it just came out of its mother. It was THAT small and THAT young. And to make it worse, when I picked up the kitten it was wet with urine. Looked like the person who left it there peed on it too. The poor thing was so cold, and it had been raining the past few days.

It was hard to give him milk and keep him warm. After 2 days, he passed away. I was hoping that he would survive and was thinking that when he got bigger I would look for someone to adopt him. The kitten was a white cat with black fur on its head.

Waffle

2008-08-21T22:28:00.004+08:00

Last June I was visiting a client when my attention was caught by a little white thing that was moving very slowly by the sidewalk. I looked at the creature long and hard and saw that it was a tiny kitten. Its ears were still small and he was wobbling. I don't know how long I stood there looking at the poor thing but when I turned around there was a group of people staring at me as well. I was thinking, what to do, I just can't leave it there! But I was on my way inside and it was a food company so I wasn't allowed to bring the kitten in. I prayed that it would still be there when I got out. Well, it was, and of course I picked it up and brought him to the our office basement first because I still had a lot of meetings. I asked the attendant to keep an eye on him first. After what seemed like forever, I was able to pick him up again and we went straight to the vet. He didn't have teeth yet and looked like his eyes just opened. We fed him kitten milk and now he's getting bigger and had his first shots. His name is Waffle and the vet's office keeps on losing his file card because I didn't know what to name him when I first brought him there.

He tackles the bigger cats and is always running, always jumping on the other cats. He always makes us laugh with his antics.

Snickers

2008-08-21T22:20:00.002+08:00

As I've written last January (time flies really fast), it has been depressing to write after I've lost so many of my cats. At that time, one of my cats Snickers was in and out of the hospital because of back problems. I'm not really sure when or how he fell but it did a lot of damage to his back. We moved to a bigger house last December, so he had a bigger space to move around in when he was released from the hospital. We did not allow him to go up and down the stairs as he had a tendency to fall and was always supervised. He lost the battle last April. He was an orange tabby and was very lovable. I remember him being first in line and giving a very pitiful meoow when I would open a can of tuna, his favorite! I miss him.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-08T09:52:00.000+08:00

Happy New Year to everyone!

As I lost so many of my kitties, it was depressing for me to write about them or about anything, really. Early last year, when I thought that we had gone through that horrible illness, FIP, another one of my babies succumbed to it. His name was Fudgy. I remember vividly the first time I saw him and took him home with me.

Last year also, the stray cat we fed brought her kittens to my door, one by one. There were four of them. I adopted all of them. Their names are Munchkin, Oatmeal, Kahlua and Creampuff. Before I got the chance to have the mother cat spayed, she got pregnant again. She had 5 kittens. We had them adopted out. One of them is not as friendly as the others. We call her Maki and she's staying with us. She's been spayed like the others but still aggressive with the other cats. So all in all, I now have 13 cats and 1 dog.

Raffles

2007-01-11T18:47:00.000+08:00

I found Raffles in the middle of an intersection of a busy area in the city. She was terrified, and so was I, seeing her trying to cross. She was so small. I got her to give to a friend whose son was looking for a cat. But in the meantime, she stayed with us until she got bigger and her shots be completed. At first, we couldn't go near her, she would hiss and growl when she would see us. But after some time of trying to befriend her, she mellowed. I tried hard not to get attached to her because she would leave eventually.

Last September, 4 of my cats got sick with FIP. They passed away one right after the other. I could not bear to lose another one. Now, Raffles is a permanent part of our clan, she wiggled her way into our hearts and is there to stay.

Pumpkin has said goodbye

2006-11-05T23:15:00.000+08:00

Pumpkin passed away last Oct. 28, 2006. We all thought she was going to make it. She was free from infection but her body was left too weak from her bout with the illness. I was feeling anxious the day before, the following day I brought her back to the clinic for a check up. I was really scared then because she was just lying down. She was quiet throughout the whole ride to the clinic. She was given amino acids and she had a needle attached to her arm for IV fluids. An hour later, she was gone. She passed away on my bed, my sister and I held her until she breathed her last. Later on that night I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about her lying on my bed and sleeping beside me. When she got back from the hospital she would sleep in my room at night. She would sometimes share my pillow and I would wake up with her head beside mine.

Together Until The End

2006-10-23T17:54:00.000+08:00

My girl Sake' has also gone to the Bridge. She is now with twin sister Sushi and brother Mudpie. The last night I spent with her at the hospital, she seemed so sad, I had a feeling that she was saying goodbye. How I miss her greeting me when I get home. I miss all 3 of them.

Sushi and Sake' were inseparable when they were kittens. We were supposed to adopt only one but we didn't have the heart to separate them. Now, even in death, the two sisters are still together.

Goodbye, My Sushi

2006-10-08T21:59:00.000+08:00

Sushi passed away last Oct 4, 2006. She also had FIP. My other angel, Mudpie must have met his sister at the Rainbow Bridge. No words can describe what I felt when I was informed that she succumbed to the illness.

I miss my babies, they brought so much joy in our lives.

Sushi's twin sister, Sake', is still in the hospital. We are all praying that she'll get better soon.

Farewell, Mudpie

2006-10-02T13:01:00.000+08:00

It still hurts to write about Mudpie. He passed away last Sept. 28, 2006 of FIP (feline infectious peritonitis). I was unprepared for his passing. He first came into our lives last year but it seems that he's been with us forever. When I first found out that he had died, I couldn't believe it, I wanted him back. I have 3 more cats in the hospital who also have the infection.

I'll write more in the coming days about my angel Mudpie.

I love you Mudpie and I miss you so much.

Lily, the cat

2006-09-05T19:02:00.000+08:00

We are fostering a cat named Lily. The girl who was taking care of him thought he was a girl, thus, the name Lily.

Lily is very gentle, he doesn't make a sound, he doesn't bite or scratch us. The father of the girl wanted him out of the house because they were moving to a new place. She asked if we can keep him with us until she can find a home for him. I didn't know this girl before but for the sake of the cat who was really blameless in this situation, Lily is now staying with us. She found someone willing to adopt Lily but the father didn't want Lily to stay there,too. You see, this potential home is the neighbor of the said girl's father. Apparently, they had some disagreement before concerning the neighbor's pets. I feel sorry for the girl. Her own father already had the cat removed and is now making it difficult for her to find a new home. She stays awhile when she visits Lily and spends time too with my cats. She even mentioned that her father is involed in environmental issues and in the saving of endangered species. I don't understand why the life of an endangered specie would be more precious than that of a stray cat's, they are both creations of God. All life is precious, once it's gone, there's no getting it back. I find it very hypocritical.

Lily still has no permanent home but he is welcome here for as long as it takes to find a loving family who will adopt him.

Bitten By My Own

2006-06-13T12:24:00.000+08:00

Just look at this cutie, looking so peaceful, you'd know he wouldn't hurt a fly. Well right now, I'm sporting 4 puncture marks on my right leg, and several scratches all over my foot and leg, courtesy of my boy, Bitty.

As I've written before, Bitty is blind. A week ago, 2 cats fought just outside our house. Bitty was spooked, maybe he thought they were inside and he became really agitated. He started swinging at the dog and I broke it up. When I turned around to go outside and break the fight there, I felt Bitty clamp his claws and teeth on my leg. Did it hurt a lot!

I didn't get angry at the little guy, he couldn't help being blind.

Kindred Spirits

2006-04-17T22:52:00.000+08:00

I find it amazing that love for animals can bring people closer. Even for people that I don't like in the beginning, I look at differently when I find out that they care for animals. You get to thinking maybe there is something good in this person that he has an affinity with these wonderful creatures. And it can bring total strangers to talk like long lost friends.

I took my kittens to the vet a few weeks ago, it was near closing time. I was playing with one of them when this woman came in and sat beside me when she saw my babies. We started talking and found out that we both loved cats. She also took in strays and she showed me their pictures on her phone. The reason she went to the vet's office was to have tags made for her cats because one of them, her favorite, had gone missing. She started crying and apologizing, she said that nobody seemed to understand what she was going through. That people were saying she was acting like a crazy person just because of a cat. She had put up posters and she saw people just tearing them down. My heart went out to her. If one of my cats went missing, I would definitely go crazy with worry. I tried to console her as best as I could, but I knew that there are no words I could say that would comfort her.

How can some people be so insensitive? We don't just treat them as animals but as family members.

Valentine kitten

2006-03-08T23:01:00.000+08:00

I was on my way to work last Feb 14 when I saw this tiny kitten hobbling across the street. He was trying to go under a tire of a moving van. I thought my heart was going to stop when I saw how near he was to being crushed. Fortunately, the van stopped when the driver heard me shouting for him to stop.

The kitten is a male brown tabby with blue eyse and the cutest face. We had a long discussion as to his name. Since he was found on Valentine's day, we thought that he should be named after something associated with the day. Then we thought -chocolates, so his name is Snickers.

I don't have pictures of him now. I thought he was lame but after a few weeks he started walking normally. He was just probably hungry and weak.

Journey to the Rainbow Bridge

2006-02-02T23:40:00.000+08:00

We recently lost a beloved friend. His name was Wildcat. He came around a few years ago, looking so fierce and not letting anyone near him. We started feeding him and he became a regular visitor during mealtimes. He started letting us near him and pet him until he was already rolling in front of us and asking to be touched. This went on for a time. My worst fear happened in 2003 when he disappeared for days. He came back with his jaw split, he was so thin and covered with blood. Our neighbor ran over him and didn't even tell us. But ever the survivor, he overcame this. However, because of his age, he became weak and symptoms of the sickness he was carrying started to manifest.

It was in January that he lost weight very fast. He was diagnosed to have renal failure. He had sores in his mouth and half his face was swollen. He spent several days in the hospital but he refused to give up. When he was discharged we did everything we could to keep him strong. There were times he would cuddle in my lap and sleep for hours. I felt like he was already saying goodbye. He passed away in his sleep early one Sunday morning.

A friend of mine sent this and I would like to share with all who have lost a dear pet and friend.

The Rainbow Bridge story

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown

The Cat Lived

2006-01-21T14:04:00.000+08:00

I am happy to report that the cat who bit me two weeks ago is still alive and healthy. I have been observing him for any changes in temperament and appetite but his behavior seems to be quite normal.

I was not really scared that he had rabies. I was more concerned with tetanus since he was a stray. But there's no telling if he will just disappear one day or get into a fight and die. I don't want to keep on wondering if I'll be infected or not. So better to be prepared with tetanus shots and rabies shots.

Cat bites

2006-01-08T16:25:00.000+08:00

In handling animals, one can expect to be bitten eventually. I have several indoor cats and I do receive nips once in awhile, but I have had them since they were kittens and they get their shots regularly and never go out. I always take care not to be bitten by strays. However, these things do happen no matter how careful one can be.

It is important to know what to do when you do get bitten, either by dogs or cats or any wild animal as they can transmit rabies and tetanus. The area should be cleaned immediately, I was told with laundry detergent and the blood should be allowed to be kept flowing out of the area. Afterwards, use hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound. I take extra precaution of using iodine solution.

Next comes the part nobody likes, the shots. The first shot usually is the tetanus shot and then series of rabies shots depending on the category of the bite received. The animal also has to be observed for 2 weeks to see if it has gone rabid or dies. It's not easy to do this if the animal is a stray.

I have been observing the cat and he seems to be his normal self. When infected, they lose their appetite, stay away from water as well as from people and other cats. I still had the shots after I got bitten. Better to be safe than sorry.

December kitty

2005-12-30T07:52:00.000+08:00

It was December 16, 2001, when a group of children left this little black and white kitten on our doorstep. He was so cute when he first looked at us. He was so small that Bitty looked like a monster beside him, Bitty was a year old at the time. It was his first Christmas with us that year. We also decided to make that day his birthday. We call him Peanut.

Peanut is now one of the biggest kitties in the house. He is a sight to behold when he gets angry and all his hair, from his tail to his head, are standing on end. And he is running towards you at full speed. No wonder our dog is afraid of him.

This year, he celebrated his 4th birthday. He has mellowed a bit from his biting and chasing days and would rather spend the day sleeping. Belated Happy Birthday Peanut!

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-18T22:44:00.000+08:00

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Kittens

2005-11-26T10:20:00.000+08:00

There's something about kittens that just tugs at your heartstrings. They are so adorable, it doesn't matter if they're strays and dirty. Just watching them play makes me smile.

They are so cute especially when they get all riled up with their fur standing and they are standing on tiptoes. A friend describes this as their Holloween pose.

This is our kitten Mudpie. He's been with us since March. He's the youngest of my brood, and the most playful and mischievous of the bunch. He doesn't care if he's annoying the bully of the group, he seems fearless.

The last time he tried sleeping in the bowl, he couldn't fit anymore. We got him a bigger bowl but he has outgrown that one, too.

Bitty's a fighter!

2005-11-05T13:39:00.000+08:00

One of my worries when we got Honey, our puppy, was that Bitty would not be able to adjust to having her around, being blind he gets spooked easily. At first, he would not walk on the floor but would use the sofa and chairs as a bridge. He would hide and hiss when the dog would come near. I was afraid that he was not drinking and using the litter box properly anymore.

Honey is now 26 lbs from the previous 4 lbs 4 months ago. She would play with the cats and being so much bigger than them, she would end up rolling them around the floor. What a surprise it was to see that Honey was hesitant to go near Bitty. I saw that whenever Honey would go near Bitty, Bitty would swipe at her. It didn't matter whether he would hit her or not, Bitty would just wait until Honey would cross his path again. I don't know where he got his courage but now Honey thinks twice before bothering him again.

Although, it's a little tricky for us humans as well. Because Bitty can't see, he will just swipe at whatever's in front of him when Honey passes. If we're not quick enough, he usually lands a hit on us instead.

Playtime!

2005-10-09T18:57:00.000+08:00

I love buying toys for my kitties and puppy. Although, the selection here is very limited, I still enjoy bringing them little mouse toys. However, they only get interested for a few minutes and afterwards the toys will be all over the place. We can find several toy mouse under the sofa. What they really love are the paper bags from the grocery and the boxes of shoes and any type of box for that matter.

They can spend hours and hours of fun with a big brown box. It's fun to watch them. Especially Bitty, who doesn't play as much now because he prefers to sleep. You can just see a head peeking out of the box.

And the grocery bags, how they love those. We just have to be careful and supervise their play because I don't want anyone suffocating.

Milkshake loves playing with strings. I usually hold it out to her and she jumps on it. When I'm not fast enough, she gets a piece of my skin, too.

I also got them a big bed. I even spent a long time choosing the right color. Now, it's just the container for their toys. Bitty has slept in it a few times, though.

Adoption

2005-10-03T21:58:00.000+08:00

It is so hard to have a kitten and especially an adult cat to have adopted. People usually prefer those with a pedigree. They don't know what they're missing out on. Stray cats make wonderful pets, they are loyal and loving.

I got to thinking about adoption because we are looking for a good home for the puppy we found. We have had plenty of offers but they don't seem to be the right type of people for her. Maybe I'm just being too picky but it's a life we're talking about here. She's a mixed breed. She can be too rambunctious and gets a little rough during playtime.

I've also had kittens adopted out and it's difficult to find people who will give them the care they deserve. I've had people ask me why I have to give them cat food and take them to the vet when they're only from the street. Don't they deserve a good life just because they don't have a fancy pedigree? Just yesterday, we found a home for the 3 kittens who were born outside our house. We were so glad to have found good people who would take care of them. I wish there were more homes who would open up their hearts to the plight of these animals.

What A Life!

2005-09-17T13:05:00.000+08:00

There are days when I'm in such a hurry because of things that need to get done and then I see my kitties sleeping so peacefully, without a care in the world. I would just like to curl up beside them.

For the fortunate kitties, who have human guardians taking care of them, life can be grand. I've heard that cats sleep up to 18 hours a day. They wake up to eat, use the litter, play and then sleep again.

There are days, like today, that I haven't seen my cat Chester all day. But I was reassured that he did have dinner and went off to his space again to go back to sleep. Sometimes he's like a piece of furniture that we move around, especially when he's blocking the door. But with all the moving done to him, he still manages to sleep through it.

And Bitty acts like he's tired all the time, the way he just plops down beside me. I think he's tired from all the inactivity he's had all day. And he even yells at me to hurry up to the room so that he can use the bed.

Fudgy loves to sleep on our laps. Even if there was a kitty ahead of him , he will still jump on us and make room for himself and dislodge the other cat. Funny thing about having kitties sleep on your lap or on your bed is that you try so hard not to move because you might wake them up and disturb their sleep.

Cats are nocturnal creatures. But with the cats in the house, all we need to do is turn off the lights and there's peace and quiet in the house, with all of them settling down for the night.

Catpeople

2005-09-12T12:50:00.000+08:00

Cats are superior creatures. They let you pet them when they are in the mood to be affectionate and not before. They are very independent, they like their own space. And they are low maintenance, just place their food and litter box and they won't bother you for the day. Cats are so graceful, their bodies so sleek. They can walk around their domain without making a sound.

I like having my own space too. Maybe, that's why we get along so well. And humans have to win their affection. Sometimes, I feel so flattered when they come to me on their own free will. I have 4 lap kitties and I love every moment they cuddle, shedding cat hair and all. And I feel relaxed afterwards, they really do wonders for your blood pressure.

I love cats, with or without a pedigree. They are such spectacular creatures.

Megacolon

2005-08-28T21:42:00.000+08:00

I was going through pictures of my cats and I came across the picture of Cinnamon, my kitty who passed away 2 years ago. I posted a picture of her before, she was a brown tabby, but because she was in poor health, her colors were not pronounced. We got her when she was still a little kitten and even then we noticed that she was very sickly. She had diarrhea often and when she got well after these bouts, she would stop going to the litter box all together. Her stomach became distended and her fur was all fuzzy and standing. She was diagnosed to have megacolon. According to her vet, this condition is not common in very young cats and this happening is a 1 in a million chance. I got that 1 chance, but I'm not sorry I had her.

Megacolon is like a severe case of constipation. The muscles of the colonic wall do not function properly and the fecal matter cannot pass out. This would result in blood poisoning if not tended properly. She was prescribed laxative for life and her meals would only be soft food with bran mixed in. She also took a medication for hairballs. Tummy massages were a daily must for the stool to pass. When there were days that this would not work, she would have to be taken to the clinic for enemas. In some cats, surgery is an option. But Cinnamon was so small and weak, the doctors decided against it.

We would have weeks when she was okay, then suddenly she would just be lethargic and refuse to eat and at times develop a fever. This was a signal that something was wrong again. She would stay for several days in the clinic. She would be waiting for us inside her cage when we visited her. Cinnamon was a really good patient, maybe she was getting used to staying in the clinic. This went on for several months. But as long as she was fighting to live, we were not giving up on her.

She went to the Rainbow Bridge on June 19, 2003.

Sick Kitties

2005-08-28T16:31:00.000+08:00

I brought my kitten Mudpie to the clinic to be nuetered a few weeks ago. Apparently, there was a bug going around the clinic and he brought it home with him. Now, all the cats have colds,too.

Initially, we gave them vitamin C to boost their resistance but now they are are all sneezing and have runny noses. They're all taking antibiotics, yup all 10 of them. It's important to change their beddings,too as they keep on sneezing.

I always try too avoid for them to have colds as it is easy to pass on to each other. There is usually a 2 week incubation period before they start showing symptoms. Usually, the Vit. C works but in this case it didn't. We also check if their appetite is affected. It is frustrating because their shots are up to date but they still managed to get sick.

Everyone is grumpy and they sleep alot. They also like to stay close to their humans. I have 4 cats draped around me at a time. They seek comfort from us and of course we take advantage because it is not everyday that they like to snuggle with us.

And no cat baths for the next couple of weeks, which for sure is a relief for all of them. So to all my kitties, I hope you get well soon.

Different Personalities - the younger set

2005-08-22T15:36:00.000+08:00

After Taffy, I thought, we'd slow down for awhile since we have 5 already. But of course, that would not be the case. Our next addition was not 1 but 2 kittens. They were white kitties, our neighbor got them but when they became noisy (because they were always locked up), they threw them out. It didn't feel right to separate them. We named them Sushi and Sake', our first twins and real siblings. Sushi is the bigger one when they were kittens but Sake' has long since outgrown her. Sushi is the wilder one, a real tomboy, always pestering the other kitties. Sake' is the sweet one, she likes staying beside her humans and is very patient with the other kitties. Sake' likes to be petted and would follow me around. Sushi, on the other hand is very affectionate in the mornings. She would climb on my lap in the mornings during breakfast. When I would go out for work, my pants would be full of cat hair.

Fudgy is our own Wild Thing. He's always sleeping, when awake he likes to bite our toes and play,play, play. He's very curious and a big lap kitty. He just climbs on our legs and plops down to take another nap. He's the hardest to bathe, would resist until the end.

The youngest is Mudpie. He was with his brother and sister when we found him. A friend of ours adopted the other two. Mudpie is a real character, he always manages to bring a smile to our faces. He's best friends with Fudgy, always hanging on to his back, and when I go to my room he gets inside ahead of me. He loves to get the attention of his humans.

Chester is the cat we fed outside since January. He doesn't scratch or bite and is very gentle. We took him inside last month. When he came in, the first place he went to was the box of cat toys. He just loves playing with them. When he was outside, he used to wait for us at the gate and walk with us to the door.

At the end of the day, I look forward to going home and spend time with these angels. Whatever my mood is they always manage to brighten my day.

Different Personalities - the first 5

2005-08-16T17:20:00.000+08:00

Every animal has a personality, if one just obeserves long enough. Cats have so much potential to be loving pets.

Having raised 10 indoor cats since they were kittens, it is fun to go back to their baby pictures and see how big they've grown and how different each of their personalities is.

Bitty has always been the little gentleman. He doesn't fight over food, likes his litterbox clean and generally stays out of the way of everyone else. He doesn't like his space invaded and is very possessive of his human Mom.

Peanut Butter is a big male cat, with a personality as unpredictable as the weather. He can be so sweet one minute and swipe at you with his claws the next. He was left in front of our house by the one of the neighborhood boys who couldn't care for him anymore.

Dumpling is the reigning queen of the household. She also likes her own space and will bite and scartch anyone foolish enough to go near her. But she is very affectionate with her humans. We adopted her from the vet clinic. She is a very pretty calico.

Milkshake is more of the do your own thing and I'll do mine kind of cat. She doesn't start fights, always welcomes the newcomers and always manages to get on top of the shelves. She doesn't like to be picked up but she lets us pat her and gives her cheek for a kiss. She loves to drink off the cup of her humans. She was found on the back of a pick up when she was such a small kitten under the frying sun.

And the 5th of my brood of 10 is Taffy. He was being bitten by the dogs in the street when we found him. He has grown to be a handsome boy, always mild mannered, loves to be cuddled. He even gives us little nips when he feels that he is being ignored.

When we first got them, we never thought that they would have such varied personalities. But of course, there is never a dull moment in our house.

Helping Stray Cats

2005-08-13T13:14:00.000+08:00

Sushi and Sake' when we first found them. They were thrown inthe street when they became a handful.

This is a topic which is close to my heart. It's about spaying and neutering stray and feral cats. The number of unwanted kittens out in the street is alarming.

Spaying is not an easy thing to do for females. For males, the procedure is quite simple and they recuperate very fast. For females, the procedure involves opening them up and the healing time is slow. Plus, there is the risk that the wound will open without the proper care. For indoor cats, it is difficult already, for outdoor stray cats, it is harder.

We have a stray eating outside our house. She was pregnant when she got here. She has already given birth to 3 kittens and they are all living near our house. We had planned to have her spayed right away but it is difficult to catch her. We had planned to put her in a cage while she is recuperating and had everything all set. But the problem is catching her. My mother helpled me catch her but was bitten. I asked an organization how to go about it and they advised to feed her near the cage until it does not become a threat to her anymore. They offer spaying services which are very affordable for stray cats.

There is another cat Chester who was neutered earlier this year. He is now doing fine and has grown so big. I have adopted him and he is living inside with all the other kitties. This is the first time I've introduced an adult cat to my brood. I usually bring in kittens so that the bigger ones will not be so aggressive and vice versa.

I hope that everything goes well with the female cat. This is a learning experience for us as well.

Start Teaching Them While They're Young

2005-08-10T22:16:00.000+08:00

How can people think to hurt such a defenseless creature? I found her on the back of a pick up under the scorching sun.

I witnessed a very disturbing scene one day while I was driving home. There were several kids torturing this small kitten. He was placed in a rat cage, was heaped with sand and the children were taking turns peeing on him. I was so shocked by their behavior, I took the kitten from them and told them (scolded more, actually) that what they were doing was wrong, even against the law. Imagine, being small children, and they could think of doing this to a defenseless animal. I shudder to think of what would they turn into when they grow up.

What we need is more awareness against cruelty to animals. This should be a joint effort on part of the government and the parents themselves. We have animal laws but it seems that it is not being enforced. A lot of dogs and cats being abused. There are organizations who look after these animals but sadly they are outnumbered by the animals being abused. Children should be taught early on that animals too have rights. It is so sad that there are so few voices out there for these animals.

There was this time I was in a cab to bring one of my cats to the vet. The driver told me "You bring your cats to the doctor? We just run over them". I wanted to hit him over the head with my basket, but as patiently as I could I tried to explain to him that they are living creatures too and if he would try not to hit them as there are owners like me who think the world of them. It was really hard to because I wanted to scream at him. I only hope that he remembered what I said.

A Cat Named Bitty

2005-08-06T14:44:00.000+08:00

As any pet guardian, I love talking about my brood especially to fellow cat lovers. Having 10 indoor and feeding 5 outdoor cats, I have many stories to share. But I am especially fond of sharing the story of my little fellow, Bitty.

I first saw Bitty 5 years ago, he was born to a feral cat who had 4 kittens. Something went wrong with the pregnancy and 3 of Bitty's siblings were born with 1 eye blind. Bitty was born totally blind. We took home this small, furless creature who would not eat anymore. With time, patience and a lot of TLC, he grew up to be a strong, smart and handsome cat.
Sometimes we forget that he cannot see. Although, we have to be careful not to move the furniture as he would end up bumping into things. We also have to be careful that he does not fall down because he cannot gauge the height to the floor. This is pretty difficult with having 9 other cats in the house.

At home, he is the most well behaved, oftentimes letting the younger kitties eat first from his dish. And bathtimes are so easy, he just sits there but afterwards, he has to go to the room where he will dry himself on the bed and sleep. And like any cat, he is very finicky with his food and litterbox. It seems that he has an internal clock, he knows when his human gets home late at night and he lets his displeasure show with his howling. But what I adore about him most is that he knows when his human is feeling down and he is especially sweet and affectionate.

This extraordinary domestic shorthair has been featured in a pet magazine and newspaper as well as being chosen as pet of of the month in a website for animals. People seem to gravitate to his quiet charm. And we, his human slaves couldn't be prouder. A cat does not need a pedigree to be worthy of a good and loving home.

Cats and Dogs

2005-07-30T14:27:00.000+08:00

Cats and dogs don't necessarily have to be the worst of enemies. In fact, there are instances where they are even the best of friends.

Recently, we had another addition to our household. It was a little puppy who was abandoned. We have 10 indoor cats, all of them were also found in the streets. We are all still adjusting. Cats require different care than dogs and they sure do have very different personalities. Dogs require constant attention and they let you know it while cats will let you pet them when they feel like it. In a way, you have to work hard to win their affection. In living with cats, you don't have to clean up after their mess. You just need a pooper scooper and a box of kitty litter and you're all set. We also have a new routine in the evenings taking the dog out for her walks. Try doing this with a cat and you either end up losing the cat or have your face and back rearranged with their claws.

At first, our housecats were all wary of the strange looking creature who has come to invade their territory. One of them even went on strike and wouldn't go down the stairs. Her food, water and litter had to be brought up to her. But things are slowly getting back to normal. The little puppy is getting used to living inside with humans and 10 felines and the cats and the dog now ignore each other.... and we couldn't be happier.

To Spay or Not To Spay?

2005-07-23T12:29:00.000+08:00

Overpopulation of cats is a very sad and very real problem. Kittens may be very cute to have around but the life they lead is often fraught with danger. I cannot count the number of times I see a dead body lying on the ground. There is also the risk of disease and malnutrition. There are so many unwanted kittens that it is hard to look for homes for them as the clinics and organizations who have them adopted out don't take in kittens anymore. They are always full. I have heard of the old adage "if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem". It is the responsibility of owners to spay and neuter their pets. We already have so much homeless and unwanted kittens.

Besides preventing unwanted pregnancies, these provide several health benefits for your cats.

Neutered male cats are less likely to spray urine, lose the urge to fight, are less likely to escape and have decreased risk of mammary cancer.

Spayed female cats also have decreased risk of mammary cancer as well as lesser risk of ovarian and uterine cancer.

I've noticed in my female cats, that when they start coming into heat they often holler loud looking for a potential mate. They are restless and uncomfortable. Male cats start spraying when they come into heat and it's preferrable to have them neutered before this happens as this becomes a behavioral problem. Even after they are neutered they still have the tendency to spray.

Cats also have a tendency to increase their weight after the operation. I have not heard any explanation why this happens but in the case of my cats, this is true. My cat Peanut was 8 lbs before he was neutered and now he weighs 12 lbs. My female cat Sake' is even bigger and heavier than Peanut. Having 10 indoor cats, it is necessary to spay and neuter them. In turn, there is less aggression between them.

Another concern is for the growing population of feral cats. They don't belong to anybody but it would be better if they were taken to clinics to have them neutered and spayed. I know of organizations who do this, where they trap the animal, operate and then release it. But maybe as responsible human beings, we can also do our part in helping them. There are organizations who provide spaying/neutering services for free and some clinics which charge only minimal fees.

Do Cats Bathe?

2005-07-23T12:27:00.000+08:00

Contrary to popular belief, cats do indeed bathe. Although, not all kitties are thrilled by the experience. It is better to start bathing them while they are young so that they get used to it.

Normally, cats do not emit any foul odor but sometimes their fur do get dusty. There are plenty of mild shampoo available in the market. For my kitties, I bathe them once a week during the hot months and only as needed during the rainy season. They have different personalities. Some just sit down, others struggle and for this I would need an assistant. I have one who really enjoys the experience, she even plays with the water.

I have heard people blame cats for causing asthma attacks. Well, I have asthma and they seldom trigger any attacks. The secret is just keeping them clean.

Losing a Pet

2005-07-22T21:19:00.000+08:00

My beloved Cinnamon passed away 2 years ago. Time has helped to ease the pain of her loss, but she will always be in my heart and in my thoughts.

Helping You and Your Family Cope When A Pet Dies

A Family Member

A pet is often a member of the family. In fact, surveys show some interesting facts about pet owners: 84 percent consider their animals family members, 99 percent talk to their pets and 54 percent celebrate their pet's birthday.

The term "man's best friend" brings to mind unconditional love, constant companionship and acceptance. And why not? Your pet can take you for a walk, listen when you need someone to talk to or even guard your house. A pet can also lower your blood pressure, change your heart rate or alleviate feelings of chronic loneliness.

With your capacity to love your pet comes the necessity to grieve when that "best friend" dies. The death of a pet is, without a doubt, a traumatic experience. The following information is intended to help you and your family acknowledge the need to grieve at this time and to do so in a healthy way.

Death is Significant

No, It's not "just a cat" or "just a dog." The animal is a family member. With the death of your pet, the family experiences a significant loss. A difficult problem, however, is that society often denies you the need to grieve for your pet. You may even be chastised for openly and honestly expressing your feelings. As a result, your grief may be hidden, buried or ignored.

Although denied understanding and support, your family needs to grieve the death of your pet. Grieving means to express your feeling, no matter how painful, outside of yourselves.

Cliches Don't Help You Heal

Your family will probably be greeted with many cliches when your pet dies. Cliches are trite comments intended to diminish the loss by providing simple solutions to difficult realities. Comments like, "It was just a cat" or "You can always get another one," or "Be glad you don't have to take care of him any more" are not constructive. Instead they hurt and make your family's journey through grief more difficult.

Memories Are The Best Legacies

Memories are one of the best legacies after the death of a pet. Talk about and embrace these memories. Your pet entertained, comforted, frustrated but always loved you. Remember those times. If your memories bring laughter, smile. If they bring sadness, cry. Remember, though, memories made in love can never be taken away.

Your Emotions Will Vary

When your pet dies, you will probably experience a variety of emotions: confusion, disorganization, sadness, explosive emotions or guilt. Don't repress these feelings and ignore anyone who tells you that you should. Don't over-analyze your response. Just allow your feeling to find expression. As strange as some of these feelings may seem, they are normal and healthy.

Each family member probably had a unique relationship with the pet. Allow for different emotional responses within the family, and be careful to respect each person's need to grieve in his or her own way.

Should You Choose Euthanasia

When you love your pet, no question is more difficult than whether or not to euthanize. Yet this difficult choice is often the right one, particularly if your pet is in agonizing pain or the quality of life has deteriorated. Sometimes the cost of the treatment for a particular disease has also become prohibitive.

Talk to your veterinarian about euthanasia. Fortunately, humane procedures can end needless suffering for both you and your pet. The intravenous drug used for euthanasia does not cause pain. After visiting with your vet, make your decision based on your own good judgment. If you have always treated your pet with gentleness and love, you will probably make a wise choice based upon the reality of the situation.

Some owners want to be present when their pets are euthanized. Some do not. Do what you feel is right for you and the family. Whichever choice you make, you may still want to spend some special time saying "goodbye" to your pet.

Rituals Can Be Helpful

Allowing and encouraging your family to have a funeral for the pet that has died can be helpful. It provides a time to acknowledge the loss, share memories of the pet and create a focus for the family to openly express emotions. While some friends or even family members may think having a funeral for your pet is foolish, don't let them take this special time away. Design a ritual that best meets your needs as you gather to pay tribute to a pet who was and always will be loved.

Children Need To Be Involved

The death of a pet is often the first opportunity parents have to help children during times of grief. Unfortunately, parents often don't want to talk about the death assuming that by doing so the children will be spared some of the pain and sadness.

Children, however, are entitled to grieve for their pets. Any child old enough to love is old enough to grieve. And many children love their pets with all their hearts. As an adult, if you are open, honest and loving, experiencing the death of a pet can be a chance for children to learn about both the joy - and the pain - that comes from caring deeply for pets or for people.

You may not experience the same depth of loss as your children when a family pet dies. You must still respect their grief and allow them to express it without feeling abandoned. Your response during this time can make the difference whether children's first exposure in death will be a positive or a negative part of their personal growth and development.

Premature Replacement Can Cause Problems

The temptation after the death of a pet may be to run out and get another one right away. In fact, you are often encouraged to do so by family and friends. Although it may sound like a good idea, you should be careful about premature replacement.

You need time to grieve and to heal when your pet dies. A new pet demands your energy and attention which at some point you may be ready and willing to give. Right now, however, you should first attend to your grief.

Be especially careful about premature replacement of pets with children. It sends a message to a child that says when something is lost all that you have to do is buy another one. In reality, that is often not the case. It also devalues the significance of the pet that just died.

While there is no specific timetable for when to get a new pet, when in doubt - wait. Allow for additional healing to occur. When the family is ready for a new pet, involve the children in the discussion and selection so they can feel a part of the decision.

Some Closing Thoughts About The Death Of A Pet

Hopefully, this information has helped you understand why your family grieves so deeply when a beloved pet dies. Pets don't criticize or judge you. They just love and accept you unconditionally,

When a pet dies, you and your family must accept the need to grieve. Even though others around you may attempt to minimize your grief, the hurt must be embraced to be lessened. Be patient and tolerant as you slowly move toward healing.

About The Author

DDr. Alan D. Wolfelt, a noted author, educator and practicing clinical thanatologist.

To Be Owned By A Cat

2005-07-20T14:08:00.000+08:00

A cat is the ideal baby surrogate,

a Peter Pan who never grows up

and provides constant satisfaction

for our mothering instincts.

Akif Pirincci & Rolf Degen

Precious Lives

2005-07-19T15:51:00.000+08:00

It is so unfortunate that cats do not know how to cross the street.

It would only seem right that humans, who have the ability to think, be more tolerant and compassionate to these poor, defenseless creatures. Trucks and other motor vehicles just plow down the streets without a thought to the animals they kill and the hearts of the owners that they break. They do not see the terror in the eyes of these animals, and after they pass through these soft, broken bodies, they don't care that they take away a life which has much a right to live as they.

What would it cost to show a little compassion?