Someone Burned My Paws

As cat lovers, we all know that different cats have different personalities. Colour is the name I gave to Snowie’s kitten. She has grown to be quite a lively and playful kitten. She would run about the Thai Muslim restaurant, putting her paws on some of the patrons’ thighs when she begs for food, and ‘bite’ (that is the way cats kiss) some of the patrons’ legs as a gesture of ‘thank you for feeding me’ or simply asking for some affection and love. And, that is how kittens play with their siblings -‘biting’ then chasing at each other.

However, not everyone who patronizes the Thai Muslim restaurants is cat lovers, and most of them may not have any knowledge about our furry friends. They see a lively and playful kitten as a nuisance or an annoyance when Colour walks about their feet, and when she is ignored, she stretches her body putting her paws on their legs meowing to be fed. When she kisses them on their feet prompting them to play with her, the kisses were misinterpreted as bites.

Some indifferent patrons would just brush her aside. Nicer patrons will play with her and do not mind being ‘bitten’ once or twice by Colour. But does it warrant those nasty patrons to burn Colour’s paws simply because they think she bites them, or find her liveliness and playfulness annoying and aggravating?

I was so upset and furious when I realized there were burned marks on her paws. At first, I thought they were mud clinging on to her paws. When I tried to clean them, she flinched away nervously. When I managed to grab on to her paws the second time, my heart shattered into millions of pieces once I realized those were not dried mud but her reddish flesh enveloped by charred furs.

May God bless our homeless furry friends! May God punish individuals who hurt our furry friends!

Snowie And Her Kitten

I have been feeding Snowie and her kitten for the past one month. Three of her kittens were taken away from her by some patrons of the Thai Muslim Restaurant. I sincerely wish that they will take very good care of those kittens. Otherwise, they are better off with Snowie on the street.

Her remaining kitten is very cautious and alert of her surroundings. I am glad that Snowie taught her well, and to be aware of human beings. Even though, I have been feeding her and Snowie for almost every day, she keeps a distance. She sees me caressing her mother, she sees her mother rubbing her delicate body against my feet and she sees her mother resting comfortably next to me, but she stays a foot away from me. I believe having no physical connection with humans at this tender age is the safest way to stay unharmed.

The first few days, I had to leave the biscuits next to a car, walked a few feet away from it in order to get her to crawl out from under the car to nibble at the biscuits. If I made the slightest move, she would quickly go into hiding until it was safe to crawl out again to continue her meal.

Four days later, she was brave enough to eat in the open but I had to leave the biscuits inside the doorway. And, she had to wait for the mother to start eating as if to check if it was safe for her before she dashed across the pavement to join her mother.

For the next two days, I could just leave the biscuits outside the doorway. Upon hearing my whistle, she would run toward my direction but not without caution. She would nibble at the biscuits only if she was quite sure it was safe to do so and accompanied by Snowie.

Three days after that, I believe she began to learn that I am a harmless creature. The moment she heard my whistle, she ran to me even her mother was nowhere to be seen. I laid the biscuits next to the chair I was sitting, and she started nibbling at them.

The next 20 days, she became quite a brave little kitty. She stretched her paw out to touch my fingers. She sniffed my palm when I showed it to her. She meowed at me asking for food. When I showed her my camera phone, she sat still and allowed me to take her pictures.

I am sure we will become good friends!

Where Are Snowie Babies?

This was Snowie’s third pregnancy.

I had not seen her babies from the first two pregnancies and had no idea where she hid them. And, I had the slightest idea as to what had happened to all her babies. The security guard whom I always talk to told me that he saw Snowie’s babies from the first pregnancy for only once or twice. My gut feeling told me that she was inexperienced in nursing her babies and eventually lost all of them. I didn’t want to think it was possibly due to inhumane acts of the human race.

I came back from my short trip and found her pregnant. The moment she saw me, she meowed as she ran toward me. She purred softly when I caressed her. I could tell that she was very happy to see me as she walked all around me, rubbing her head and body against both my feet and hands.

My friend offered to bring some biscuits and water down from the apartment in order for me to feed her. Both Snowie and I went to the TNB area, our Secret Rendez-vous, where she happily ate her biscuits. I filled the empty container with fresh water, not only for her consumption but for all cats. I spent some quality time with her and I could tell she missed to be loved.

Then, I lost sight of her for few days. The workers from the Thai Muslim Restaurant had no idea where she went to when I asked them about her. All I could do was to pray for her safety. But one fine day, I found her begging for food from some of the patrons of the Thai Muslim Restaurant. She had given birth, and she was so frail and skinny. I took some biscuits and fresh water for her. How delighted she was to see me!

I began to enquire about her kittens and was truly happy to hear from one of the Thai Muslim Restaurant workers that Snowie hides her newborns at a deserted corner inside the restaurant. And, I was very thankful for their generousity toward her. I was told that every morning when he came to work, he could hear the cries of the kittens. I continued feeding her until I had to leave town for a week.

When I came back to my apartment, I ordered food from the Thai Muslim Restaurant and requested it to be delivered. The worker who delivered my food informed me that Snowie has four beautiful kittens, and they are very, very cute. I have not seen them but I couldn’t wait to have a look at them and Snowie.

I hope she will learn to nurse her babies and keep them away from harm and danger.

The Rescue of Two Kittens

The two kittens which I rescued from the big drain were not in any of these pictures. I had no idea where they were.

Anyway, I was very glad that I heard their pitiful cries and the distressed meowing of Sweetie Pie. They must have fallen into the drain while crossing it. Since it was covered with steel planks, there was no way Sweetie Pie could jump down to rescue them.

When she saw me, she stared at me meowing frantically, I guess, asking me to help her babies. I lifted the heavy steel planks, jumped into the drain, and tried to grab the kittens. As shaken and frightened as they already were, I was not surprised to find them running away from me.

After several attempts, I managed to grab hold of one of them, climbed up from the drain, and put it on the ground close to Sweetie Pie. The kitten hurried to her mommy, reunited with Sweetie Pie and it was so heartwarming to see her started licking her baby.

As I climbed down to the drain again, the other kitten ran inside one of the draining holes and hid there. I tried using my slipper to entice him to crawl out, using biscuit and meat to lure him out and using a towel to try to hook his claws and pull it out but all to no avail.

Finally, I had no choice but to put a pair of socks over my hand and wrapped it over with a towel, put it inside the hole. Before I could grab this kitten, it plunged its sharp teeth into my flesh. Ignoring the pain, I grabbed its tiny body and dragged it out from the hole. It was shouting, crying, and shrieking while trying to break free from my grip.

I climbed out from the drain, quickly ran to Sweetie Pie and released the kitten. Cheerfully, it ran and sprang toward its siblings.

The happy reunion of a family conquered the throbbing pain and blood trickling from my finger.

Latest Batch of Sweetie Pie’s Babies

These were the latest batch of kittens of Sweetie Pie. They were napping on the roof top of the covered car park while I took this picture. I thought I was quiet enough not to arouse any panic among the kittens. However, one of them woke up and looked suspiciously at me.

Before I could walk away, this little kitten ran to the other side of the roof top thinking that it could hide from me. Unfortunately, it was an open area. Instead of running away again, it tilted its head up and stared at me. An opportunity to take its pictures! So, my camera phone went clicking for several times.

While taking its picture, Sweetie Pie came back to her babies. She brought home a chicken drumstick. The little black kitten started chewing on it, ignoring the clicking of my camera phone. It must be very hungry!

As Sweetie Pie comfortably lied her body down, the other two kittens went to her and started sucking. Since she knew I meant no harm to her babies and her, she allowed me to take pictures. Her babies immediately knew that I was a friend of their mommy. So, they paid no attention to my presence and continued to suck.

Sole Surviving Kitten

These were the previous batch of kittens of Sweetie Pie. I took this picture while they were resting on the roof top.

However, this is the sole surviving kitten. The rest of the kittens went disappear one by one after Sweetie Pie abandoned them. The problem with Sweetie Pie is whenever she gets pregnant, she abandons her babies.

Unlike Mother Cat, she may get wary of her existing kitten, she may hiss at him, or stay a distant from him, but she will not abandon him. In fact, her kitten, which is few months old now, is still staying very close to the Mother Cat.

I guess different cats behave differently!

Anyway, I have been feeding this sole surviving kitten, which is about 2-3 months old now, yet she doesn’t allow me to pat her. She would hide under a car, and would not sneak out to eat the biscuits given to her until I walk far, far away from her.

If I were not free to feed her, she would fend for herself by scavenging for food at the Thai Muslim restaurant. This little courageous kitten stays only within the car park area. The only time I saw her wandering outside the car park was when she tail-gated the black cat, which I believe was her 'father'.

Cat Just Wanna Have Fun

This male cat was in heat, and it brought him to this area with the hope of finding a female cat. He found one indeed, and had been tailing her for days and nights. She was none other than Snowie.

As usual, I was at the TNB site feeding my baby. This male cat was brave enough to come close to me. I was contemplating as to feed him or not. If I did, I may encourage him to come back again. If I didn’t, I felt terribly bad.

Upon observing him for a long while, I noticed that he was actually quite a sweet and gentle cat. He didn’t even attempt to eat Snowie’s food. Since he had proven himself, I gave him a bowl of biscuits.

Frankly, he was more interested in my baby than the biscuits. Unfortunately, Snowie came to her daddy for protection.

Greyie Is Terrorized By Black Cat

Before the disappearance of Greyie, he had been terrorized by the Black Cat. Now that he has returned, the same Black Cat keeps terrorizing him. This horrendous cat has been visiting the TNB site, which is Greyie and Snowie’s ‘home’, just to bully Greyie.

If I were there with them, the Black Cat dares not approach the TNB site. He would just sit at the far end corner staring at Greyie. He knows I am their protector!

These pictures were taken on 27 March 2010 and if you look closely, you would see the wound on Greyie’s thigh. My poor Greyie has scars on his forehead, his legs and body.

I poured water several times on his wound, and he was clever enough to clean it with his tongue. I hope the wound will heal as soon as possible.

I hope I would be able to do something about this Black Cat. He will go around terrorizing all young growing male cats living in this area, and I fear for the wellbeing of those cats.

note: Names are given for easy reference purposes only.

Sweetie Pie Lost Her Newborn Babies

I took these pictures of Sweetie Pie on 2 Feb 2010. She was very much pregnant. I was at the TNB staircase looking for Greyie and Snowie when she suddenly appeared, meowing at me at the top of her lungs.

I gave her biscuits, which she gladly ate. I could tell she was very hungry and thirsty, exhausted too. Luckily, I have drinking water for her as well.

A week or two later, I found her looking for food outside the sundry shop. She had safely given birth to her babies. Secretly, I tailed her from behind for I wanted to know where she kept her newborn babies.

I was quite glad to know that she had chosen the Mamak restaurant which had been close down for a couple of years as a haven for her babies. Through the broken wooden door, she crept inside the former restaurant. And, I was sure the babies would be safe there.

Then, I was away for a few weeks. And when I came back, I was horrified to see Sweetie Pie’s haven was turned into a restaurant by a Thai Muslim family. I was positively certain that the babies were thrown away either by the contractor or the family when they cleaned and renovated the place.

I saw Sweetie Pie wandering about outside the restaurant, and I caught her sleeping outside at times. Perhaps, she was still hoping to find her babies there.

I felt terribly sorry for her.

The Return Of Greyie

On the faithful morning of 25 January 2009, at approximately 1:39am, I was at the sundry shop looking for the grey kitten to feed, when I saw the notorious black cat staring sharply under a car parked near the shop. I knelt down and caught a glimpse of a cat hiding under it. I hissed and the black cat scampered away. Crawling out from under the car, I was very surprised and delighted to find that it was Greyie. He has returned!

However, he was so skinny and dirty. The moment he saw me, he started meowing and rubbing his head and body against my feet. His cries are so loud that he attracted the workers’ attention from the sundry shop. They told me that “your cat wants food from you”, and I happily answered “yes”.

So, I bought a can of wet food for him. Obediently, he followed me all the way to the TNB area where I normally feed him and his siblings, Snowie and Sweetie (before he disappeared).

I poured the wet food out onto the plastic bag, and he ate like he has never eaten before. While Greyie was eating, I went to find Snowie. I wanted to tell her the good news; that her brother came back.

I led her to her brother. Greyie took a look at her. She ran toward his direction. They sniffed at each other. And Greyie decided to share his meal with her.

The following day, I found them lingering at the Thai Muslim restaurant. The moment they heard my footstep, they ran toward me and followed me to the TNB area where I served them their meal.

I was so happy to see them reunited once again!

(Note : Names are given to these kittens for easy reference purposes only).

Snowie, The Remaining Sibling

Ever since the disappearance of her siblings, Sweetie and Greyie, Snowie is the remaining feline wandering about alone without having any of her siblings to play with.

Whenever she sees me, she would straighten her tail and ran toward me. I guess I am the only friend or family member she has now. I believe she knows quite well that I would feed and spend some time with her.

These pictures were taken when she had a bit of mange on her ears. I applied medicine on her ears on alternate days for about two to three weeks. I was totally elated to find that they got better by the day. I was actually very impressed that she lied down quietly and allowed me to cure her ears. She is indeed a very mild mannered cat.

She has grown into a very beautiful adult cat. A month or two ago, she was tailed by a male cat. Being her first time, she had no experience at all. She hissed and fought with him when he tried to approach and mount her. If I were around, she would hide behind me. I was her protector!

I have been checking her tummy and I don't see any sign of pregnancy. I am not sure but I don't think she is pregnant!

(Note : Names are given for easy reference only).