Thursday, November 30, 2006

The Cute Ways of Sleeping

1) On the living room's sofa....ZZZzzzzzzzzz

2) On the living room's sofa again ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

3) On the sofa yet again ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz(Cannot recall the nos. of times DD share the sofa with us)

4) On mum's bed.....ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Straits Times Forum - there are cats lovers around us

Jennifer say:

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Letter published on Monday in the Straits Times

WE HAVE been living in a residential estate of 45 houses for almost 20 years. There are a few stray cats in our estate but I do not see them creating any nuisance.
On Oct 3, my immediate neighbours borrowed a cat trap from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) to trap stray cats. They set up the trap in their garden, with full exposure to the elements.
I understand the rationale for the trap, but I am appalled by the inhumane actions and cruelty to the cats. Because the AVA rounds up trapped cats only on weekdays, a cat trapped on Friday or over the weekend will be in the hot sun or heavy rain and suffer from lack of food and water until the following Monday. As an animal lover, I am disappointed that the AVA endorses such inhumane ways to get rid of stray animals.
On Oct 18, I wrote to the AVA as well as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to express my concern. I was told there is a maximum two-week loan period for the traps, after which they are taken back by the AVA. I was told that trap borrowers are not allowed to keep them over the weekend.
However, till today, eight weeks after the trap was first set up, it has not been removed by the AVA as promised. Furthermore, the trap remains open every weekend.
I have seen a number of cats caught, banging on the cage and crying pitifully in heavy rain until they were removed by the AVA. Another neighbour's pet cat was also caught, and the owner had to pay the AVA $47 to rescue her injured cat.
I have brought up my case with the AVA repeatedly but have come up against a stone wall.
I understand that one of the AVA's main priorities is to control and reduce the population of stray cats and dogs. However, I believe it is also its duty to ensure it does not disregard the animals' welfare.
With recent media reports of animal abuse and public concern over such behaviour, I believe there is a collective desire among Singaporeans to prevent animal abuse.
Lim Swee Eng (Mdm)

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Here is the replies in response to this forum two days later(today): sister's letter had been published online today.

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I refer to the letter by Mdm Lim Swee Eng (ST, Nov 27) about the trapping of cats by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and her neighbours.

As a young Singaporean with an interest in animal welfare, I wish to call for alternatives to cat culling.

The trapping of cats by Mdm Lim's neighbours speaks of a few issues that are typical in our society today - the inability of some to accommodate a few animals in our midst.

I find it appalling that rather than choosing from other options, such as meshing up the gate, her neighbours have opted to use trapping (an euphemism for 'culling') that directly leads to the death of these cats.

Better evidence-based methods can be located at Ms Dawn Kua's (Director of Operations, Cat Welfare Society) blog at http://catwelfare.blogspot.com.

Furthermore, trapping is counter-productive to her neighbours' wish to keep cats out of their house. As there are only a 'few stray cats' in their estate, it is likely that the cats have been sterilised. Once sterilised, the cat population will not grow and they will keep other cats out of their territory.

By choosing to trap and cull these cats, it is likely that new cats will enter the neighours' houses because of the vacuum left by the cats which have been trapped.

The use of culling by the AVA to control the cat population in Singapore should also be questioned and reviewed.

It is evident that the cats were not treated in an ethical manner when they were trapped, but why should we resort to killing animals in the first place?

I find it disappointing that animal abuse is treated as a criminal offence in Singapore, and yet once we define an animal as a 'pest' (with our own ambiguous definitions), it can be legitimately trapped and killed.

However, if we begin to ask ourselves who is responsible for the increase in cat population, we will realise that it is the direct result of human irresponsibility, such as pet abandonment in Singapore. If the root of the problem lies with people, why should animals pay for our mistakes?
I urge the government to look into alternatives to cat culling in Singapore such as sterilisation and laws to make cats legal pets in HDB flats.
Culling is arcane and detrimental towards promoting an inclusive society in Singapore - one that includes cats as well.

Neo Kai Ling (Miss)

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Having read Mdm Lim Swee Eng's letter on stray cats (ST, Nov 27), I cannot agree more with her that the problem, if any, should be dealt with humanely.

I am unable to visualise how much of a problem stray cats can cause to the human beings around them.

Cats, unlike stray dogs, are generally harmless unless antagonised. They look for particular spots to defecate and do not cause problems that human beings are well-known for causing, eg anti-social behaviour, crime, etc.

Above all, children are amused by their presence.
Despite the occasional calls to treat animals with respect following reports about their ill-treatment, we as a society have yet to empathise with their lot.

If the cat population becomes a problem, there are humane ways of curbing it.
We need to have the right mindset, not the notion that animals have no rights to be around in the lives of people.

There is space for species other than human beings and they too have their rightful place to exist among us.

If not, our hopes to be a gracious society will remain just that.

Lim Siak Kwang

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I refer to the letter "Control stray cats but have some regard for their welfare" (ST, Nov 27).
A search on the internet reveals that there are many humane methods to keep cats out of the garden.

One good site is http://www.garden-supplies-advisor.com/cat-repellent.html that states:
"Cats are generally known to dislike water so a well-aimed bucketful or a squirt with the hose will certainly make an intruder run. After one or two dousings it may learn the lesson and stay away."

The Cat Welfare Society (www.catwelfare.org) has an anti-cat device aptly called the scarcecrow that can be loaned out for such a purpose.

Perhaps the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority can educate house-owners on humane methods of repelling cats instead of delivering and collecting the cat trap.

An unsterilised population of cats will yield an unending supply of new cats to be trapped. If the cats in the estate are sterilised, their number will eventually reduce by natural attrition.
The established cats in the estate would also have been conditioned to keep away from gardens that use humane methods to repel them.

It strikes me as strange that tax-payers are paying for the cost of delivering the traps and subsequently the cost of killing the cats at the AVA, for what is essentially a private problem.
Perhaps this pandering is the reason why some people are not bothered with trying out other methods of repelling the cats and are instead choosing an easy but ineffective and cruel solution.

Dr Tan Chek Wee

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Who's coming home?

DuDu: Who is it? dad? mum? fat sis? thin sis? blood?
Dudu: oh...it is ...............................daddy coming back from rubbish throwing.

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Recently, i had started to put Du Du on leash training. It is a bit too late for her as she is a bit older. Sister had bought this leash one year ago in Hongkong but i had yet to use it on any of my cats. Du du is stil trying to remove the leash herself, and so far, when she tried to remove it, she is very successful. Posted by Picasa

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Is the view better on the TV Top?

Jennifer say:

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Sweetie and DD seem to agree that the view is better on the TV set.

This is sweetie on top of our TV. You can see that our window mesh only covered half of the window. The top half give a bird view of the outside world.
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DD on top of our TV. 3 mins after this photo was taken, DD smashed the glass(circled in blue) when she attemped to come down from the front instead of the side of the TV. It scattered onto the floor into a million pieces. DD then hide under the sofa. I had to pull her out as I am worried that she might cut herself. She protested when i pulled her. Poor girl, i did not mean to pull her but....

The decorative glass used to have a cover that was also destroyed by another 'notty' girl, Du Du. In the end, mum was only left with the lily bottom but the glass cost only a mere $5 bought from a pasar malam stall.

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Saturday, November 18, 2006

Two on the bed

I was in Blood's room yesterday using the PC when sweetie jumped to join me. A few minutes later, DD decided to join me also. They are so sweet. Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

How to get sayang from us...

Sweetie and DD demonstrating to their fellow cats pals:
just lie down on the floor.
DD : tilt ur head slightly high up but remember to curl your paws to yourself.

Hot tips:
1) Do this suddenly- that mean whenever you feel like doing so
2) Always ensure someone see u, if not, remain in that position till you are spotted
3) Perform this trick when you want food
4) do it on different family members to be fair
5) Perform this trick when you did something 'notty' like killing a lizard like DD. Posted by Picasa

Saturday, November 11, 2006

The Grand Escape & Home Sweet Home

Jennifer say:

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Today at 6.50am, mum spoke very loudly in the living room that Lei Lei is missing. She is not in her cage. I woke up when i heard mum's voice. Mum, sister and me started to search everywhere for Lei Lei. Mum said she saw black cat footsteps in the bathroom, mum thought it belong to DD and wipe DD's paws. Poor DD, she is a 'scapegoat'.

I was searching the storeroom when sister said she spotted Lei Lei under the cooker area. We moved all our stuff. When mum got hold of Lei Lei, mum got a big bite on her finger and she had a bad bleeding finger. Dad joined in the capture for Lei Lei. Dad moved here, Lei Lei hide there. We then cornered her and pushed her down before pushing her into a better carrier.

The old carrier that we used to keep Lei Lei is apparently not good. The one is the plastic type with knots for you to open the door. The better one is the carrier that can be used for flights. We bought a second-hand flight carrier two years ago for a mere $10. We are glad of our purchases as we had put it to good use - sterilizing cats and using it as our cats toilet carrier.Only KK and Du Du used that carrier for toilet.

Sister took Lei Lei back to the vet, the vet announced that Lei Lei is recovering well so sister decided to put Lei Lei back at her old territority at East Coast Park. At least, she is happy and free once more.

While sister and dad were at the vet, mum and I were at Sn where mum saw the doctor. She got an injection, antibotics.

Once again, our cats got their toilet carrier back. KK had refused to pee when i placed him in the toilet and in the old plastic carrier. When i put KK in the plastic carrier, he seem angry and unhappy. Blood asked me how did i know KK was angry. I just know lol. Du Du also refused to complete her morning business.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

1 Litre Of Tears

Jennifer say:

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I am introduced by podders in flowerpod to watch the Japanese drama: 1 litre of tears. I had not watched it but according to what i know, this is a true story of a Japanese girl's diary. It reminded me of Anne Frank who died but her diary was sold to millions of people. I had read that the drama was very touching, i will be going to 'hunt' for the drama later.

This is the original japanese song of the drama:


Penny Dai sing a Chinese version of the song:

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Noisy Little Lie Lie

Jennifer say:

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Little Lie Lie started her morning singing at 5.50 am. Sister woke me up to ask me to help Lie LIe clear her poos. We used something long to pick the poos. Lie Lie snarled at me and scolded me. I cannot sleep after that so i decided to help mum did her morning chores.

I started with cooking some rice for my cats. Then i boiled water. Meanwile Lie Lie was still crying for help or freedom. I scooped some boiling rice water for Lie Lie, water boiled with rice is supposed to be very healthy for cats.

Then i put our laundry in the washing machine. And heated my cats' breakfast. I then went to my room to carry sweetie out. Poor sweetie, she also woke up at 5 plus when Lie Lie started her morning singing. Sweetie was very happy when i put her on the kitchen. She rolled on her back and stared at me. She always did that in the morning - rolling on her back, roll sideways and look at me with her cute round eyes or wanting mum or me to sayang her by turning her head to one side.

Lie Lie sang her morning songs till 7 am - until her poor voice turned hoarse. At 7 plus, i fed sweetie, Du Du and KK. At 8 plus, i fed Lie Lie. KK is still angry and hissed again. Du Du is very 'notty', kept meowing and 'communicated' with Lie Lie.

After completing morning chores, Mum and I then went to the market together. For the first time,I saw the famous Toa Pek Kong at the AMK B543 mkt. Many people were praying to Tao Bei Gong. I cannot even take a closer look. Dad used to go to mum to the mkt for the past one month or so while i stayed at home. Yesterday when i was at Si Ma Lu to pray, there was also lot of people both at the temple and bugis junction. Luckily father used his boss's mini bus to take us there. We bought lot of goodies from the shops above mkt yesterday.


We bought lunch home. On my way back, I saw the Econ Ah Ou and Fake Nana. Fake Nana looked like na na except fake nana is a guy while real nana is a beautiful fat girl. Once i saw Fake Nana waiting outside the ground floor unit nearby for food. So smart, the door was open but fake nana waited patiently outside for the owner to feed him.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Little Lie Lie from ECP

If you happened to visit sister's blog, you will had read about little Lie Lie from East Coast Park. She just had surgery on Thur and the vet called sister to keep the cat indoor for two weeks before we can released her back to ECP.

I fed her wet canned food mixed with rice yesterday without her medicine.She ate the food quickly. This morning when i gave her the same food with medicine, the food is still there. I hope that she will eat her food soon. When i tried to touch her wearing gloves in both hands, Lie Lie gave me a claw attack that pierced right into my hand..i ended up with needle wound. She is quite fierce since as sister said, she is born in ECP.

We still had not figured out how to change her paper if she poo. This morning when she peed, we put her carrier facing down and using something to pull the wet paper out. I also prayed that she do not have constipation. According to sister, Lie Lie had protruding uterus because she had difficulty in passing stools - it is like humans having piles. Today is Day 2. We will need to monitor her still. But she will survive. I think so because if she is fated to die, sister will not have trapped her in the first place. She is fated to live. Sister was saying how the ECP cats have a very harsh harsh life. It is sad but what can we do? If anyone is to be blamed, it will be the irresponsible guy that abandoned the cats in ECP and the cats then grow in dozens by months.

So how did my cats react to Lie Lie?
Sweetie
Refused to come out of my room this morning.. i think she did not touch her food this morning also but i had packed her food in the fridge for mimi and pi pa tonight.

DD
Hide under sister's bed. Refused to come out for her pee and poo. I had to pull her out and took her to the toilet where she finally done her business. She also refused to come out of my room.

Ou Du Du
Neutral. Not scared of anyone or any cat. Encouraged Lie Lie to keep on meowing by meowing herself. Her daily routine including meowing are not affected.

KK
Angry, keep hissing at the air whenever Lie Lie cried. Refused to poo or pee. I had placed him inside the toilet carrier just in case. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

What is the logistical problems for Cats @ ECP?

Jennifer say:

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Sister had a meeting with dawn, SPCA, Nparks and NEA yesterday. Dawn was saying about the logistical problems for cats @ ECP.

I had to admitted that sister do not really think of any logistical problems.
But if i really think hard and read into dawn's mind, i can sort of 'predict' what she meant by such problems.

Here is the possible problem?
1) We do not know what are the overall population of the cats, it is hard to come up with a expenditure for sterilization of the cats. Brother was also quetioning sister how much she planned to raise funds for those cats - few hundred or exceed thousand?
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