Cats who teach me to fly…

We are glad that we celebrated her birthday a month ago. In her twelve years, Monnie had been with all the cats that we have rescued. She didn’t reject the cats, neither did she bully any of them. Quietly, she walked with us. Watching the newborns being taken care of and rehomed, the recovery of the sick and injured and the old and departed ones. She had been there for all of them. And she still meowed like a four-month-

old kitten!

Monnie had a big growth in her lungs as well as pneumonia. Due to her condition, it was unsuitable to do a biopsy on her. All my rescues including Monnie spent their final days or weeks in my tiny meditation room. The little room where I read the Sutta, meditate and gain insights. There’s an altar where I would light up candles for them and wish them well.

After the passing of Miemi, Monnie was the second cat that I adopted. However, the adoption came in a bundle, her brother, Cashie, was adopted along with her. Cashie was an extraordinary cat who loved and doted all rescues and all the cats love to stick to him. Therefore, adopting Cashie was my fortune!

As a rescuer, it is really hard to take care of them to old age. Many have passed on before the age of eight. I am very thankful to Monnie for being with me for twelve years.

It was a private cremation. As long as there is slot and the waiting time is not long, Rainbow Cremation would be our first choice. Rainbow Cremation has done a good job, the price is reasonable and affordable.

We all know that there is no rainbow bridge, however, I believe that whatever is written on the door does bring comfort to many. Animals in heaven were never mentioned in the suttas, however, the Buddha said animals with good karma ripened can be reborn in heaven. There are records from those with near death experience seeing their pets in heaven.

Her ashes are with me and the condition is not right yet for me to scatter their ashes.

Animals can be kind all their lives given the right conditions. There are monastics that teach that pets like Monnie were actually exhausting their good karma and eventually, they would end in lower realms, however, I think otherwise. As an animal in such case, for the least that they did not kill for food or cause harm to others and thus, no negative karma has been created as well. They merely exhaust their negative karma being born as an animal in that very lifetime. I am not saying that they will have a good rebirth. To simply judge and determine them for exhausting all their good karma in this very lifetime is not appropriate… Everything comes both ways. Karma is complicated and only the Buddha could see.

Thank you Monnie, like Miemi and many, for being a good companion.

May all the merits accumulated be dedicated to her favourable rebirth.

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Another new face was seen on September at Jalan Tenteram. Blue eyes and cross breed. Friendly and gentle.

He wasn’t microchipped. It is always easy for us to rehome a cat when they aren’t microchipped. No microchip means he was not registered under anyone’s name and I can legally take him away and find him a home.

There was an upcoming adoption drive shortly after we took him home. We put him up for adoption and someone loved him so much that she was willing to customise an invisible grille for him. We waited for about a month before Polar’s adoptor had all the things done. It is definitely worth the wait.

Finally the day came and Polar needs to go to his new home. He looked all comfy after a few days at the adopter’s home.

Photos taken at the adoptor’s house.

Polar is allowed to sleep on the bed and even on the washroom sink. A photo was sent to us on Boxing Day as well and his mummy decided to keep his name as Polar and he is called Polar Bread!

Rehoming Polar was a fast and smooth one. He no longer needed to hide under the chair or vehicle and Polar is the last cat in 2024 to have found a home!

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We took the four of them home when they were barely two-weeks-old. She had the sharpest and loudest voice. When she was less than a year old, she was already out of shape.

I was glad that the siblings had one another to help each other grow.

Six months old Jolly and it was time to rehome her.

One did not survive. Our adopter could only adopt two of her siblings and she was left behind. We took care of her. Jolly was an independent girl. Her voice remained sharp and loud. She was a big eater and I love watching her eat her meals.

Jolly started to vomit frequently more than a year ago. I found it unusual and sent her to the vet. A blood test and X-ray were done. All were good and nothing was found. We got some medication to relieve her stomach. However, her vomiting persisted. We sent her for a second opinion and did another blood test. Dr Chow even sedated her and looked into her nasal tract and throat. All looked good and another round of antibiotics was given to her. Still, her vomiting persisted. In the end, we suspected that she had growth in her nose.

Wanted to look at Jolly’s adorable face.

Above was the last photo that I took…

May all merits accumulated be dedicated to Jolly’s favourable rebirth.

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Cats’ parties are often messy. it’s a good sign. It tells me that they were enjoying the cakes.

Yellow has been with us for almost 11 years and still she remains a scaredy cat. Doesn’t matter as long as she eats and poops well.

Elk, the white deaf cat, has also been with us for 10 years. Bluey, the Siamese cross too. They are mid seniors like me! Vara, the bare buttock black cat is nearing 9 years of age.

Lollipop is a returned cat. His ex family speaks about Bodhisattvas doing good and yet was abandoned by them. Lollipop is coping well. It’s his first year having a Christmas “party”. There was a little confusion on his face!

That is BB who didn’t seem to like cakes.

There are lots of photos but they are too messy to post up. I really love watching them eating the cakes. Majority of them prefers. salmon to chicken. These cakes were expensive. Because they enjoyed so much, I’m planning to have another one next month on eve of CNY.

Hope all the cats including the community cats stay healthy and happy! That’s my Christmas wish! Ho! Ho! Ho!

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I remembered in July or August 2014, a pack of stray dogs were chasing after Warrior. She climbed up the tree and saved herself from the dogs. A few other cats were killed.

Warrior was already a big girl when we started feeding her in June 2013. I guess she was at least 12-years-old.

We brought Warrior home nearly two years ago. Melanie was very kind to home the cats from Hougang. We hope Warrior was comfortable staying indoors.

After a few days of Warrior’s passing, Melanie volunteered to take in another community cat whom we estimated to be around 15-years-old. We name her, 一撇, 一撇 was walking wobbly. She is old and needs to be kept indoors. Senior cats like her are unable to defend themselves. Their reflexes are slow, and their vision and hearing are not as sharp as before.

Every day after midnight, Mel would feed 一撇 before going home. Look at her, she is actually toothless! Happily finished her food. 一撇 no longer has to wait for her feeders to feed her. Her meals are all ready for her and she loves Stella and Chewy.

The feeders who fed her didn’t want to bring her home. I sincerely hope feeders could take in sick and senior cats that they have been feeding for many years. There will be a time when senior cats get tired of wandering around, homeless and weak. They too like us, comes a time when they need a place to rest and retire. Hope the senior cats that we brought home have a comfortable retirement life and need not to worry about vehicles knocking them, feeling hungry waiting for food, sleeping under a car, suffering the cold from rain and be away from danger and abusers.

May the merits accumulated be dedicated to Warrior’s favourable rebirth.

May 一撇 have many years of good health living under a shelter free from hunger and danger.

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