Cats who teach me to fly…

I met Tabby(I named her) below my block. I actually saw her for about a week before I brought her home on 2 Nov. I was feeding the strays and she came by a few times to eat. I think about two to three times. I told Mel that she looked so weird cos she had a very bloated stomach but looked very skinny. I couldn’t bear to see her like this so I decided to bring her to the vet. At first I thought she had worms in her stomach, that was why she looked bloated.

Mel and I picked her on a Sat morning and we brought her to Clinic For Pets at Geylang to examine her. Vet said it was not worms, It was something more than worms and required scanning which the vet’s clinic does not have such facilities. We searched for a few clinics that was opened on that day, which was a Deepavali holiday. We managed to find one around my area which is Balestier. I can’t remember the name of the clinic but I do remember the vet’s name. He was Dr Lee. The clinic has all facilities but the doctor refused to do anything as Tabby was not a home cat and said it would be costly and told us to go back to our regular clinic in the HDB heartlands, which is Island vet.

As it was a holiday, we had to wait till the following Tuesday where the radiologist would be around. We had Tabby scanned and Found that her stomach was bloated with liquid. The vet said it did not look good. Whatever it was, I had decided to bring her home and take care of her. Understanding her condition, I didn’t want to force Tabby to eat things she didn’t want. I cooked and gave her tuna. I am glad that she loves prawns.

For the past three weeks, I tried to give her food that she wanted to eat. I hope she ate what she wanted and felt safe and comfortable at home. As she was so bony, I bought a cushion for her to lay on. She loved it and I was glad.

Last night, I got up at around 3am and found her a little weird. She kept meowing at me as though she had something to say to me. I touched and petted her many times and she purred loudly. I sensed that something was wrong and told Mel that we needed to bring Tabby to the vet immediately in the morning. The reason why I wanted to bring Tabby to the vet was because I want her to feel comfortable. I kissed her forehead last night. Sang her a song that I composed myself and said a few prayers for her.

We brought her to the vet this morning and were prepared to pick her home next Monday morning. I wanted to clean the cage so that Tabby would have a clean place. However, I received a call from our vet in the evening. She told me that Tabby had passed on. I was feeding the community cats at Hougang at that time. Tabby was given a drip and pain killer. I really hoped Tabby passed on comfortably. That moment I asked the Angels to receive her, to guide her to the light and heaven and keep Tabby safe and sound. I also asked Miemi to help Tabby if she can.

I told Tabby that she has a name and her name is Tabby. Yes, she has a home and she has someone who truly loves and takes care of her. Mel was generous to help Tabby.

We arranged a cremation for her tomorrow and Tabby will be picked up at 10.30am. We will not go to the cremation site with Tabby but we will see her before she is cremated. I will get some rose petals for her.

I hope Tabby will come to me and tell and show me that she is fine.

Mummy will always remember Tabby. Mummy will put your photo at the Mummy’s bedside table with the tiny bear you slept with. Tabby will be always loved by Mummy and remembered by the rest. Rest in peace Tabby!