Cats who teach me to fly…

This Vesak long weekend marks my 10 years of rescue work. It was long, tough and neverending work. In this 10 years, we’ve helped and fed more than 200 cats and still helping and feeding but at a slower pace. I’ve gained experiences not only in nursing the cats and kittens but also equipped with the skill and knowledge in managing their illnesses and behaviour.

Death is inevitable. This is something I believe all rescuers will never get used to even though impermanence is well understood. Acceptance? Yes! Therefore, cherishing them is the only way to lessen my pain. Sometimes it turns to happiness, knowing that they were well taken care of when they were alive.

10 years was more than enough time for me to feel exhausted. Yes, it’s time to retire. Everything is at a slow pace now. The next feeding area I’m going to close is Sembawang. Let’s see what happens in the next 2 to 3 years… To completely stop what I’m doing now is not possible. As long as I’m healthy, I’ll not stop feeding or helping them.

The most happiest cat in the house right now is Metta.

Coco is the next!

Both of them are so carefree to me. I feel like their happiness is in me.

What’s special this Vesak day is to recollect and reflect what I’ve done and practised with applying the Dhamma in my rescue work.

I told myself before I write this blog, the discourse of the foremost nun in Dhamma teachings, Dhammadinnā, must be posted first because Dhammadinnā’s teachings is an inspiration to me. The Dhamma has to come first.

I hope taking care of both the home and community cats would be a smooth one and there will also be no obstacles in learning and practising the Dhamma.

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I wasn’t barking… These were my rescue experiences, my decisions, feelings, pain and joy.

They were the words of the Buddha. I spoke what I read from the pali canon. I said exactly what the Buddha taught.

I learn from everything. I explained from what I’ve learned. They were genuine, honest and right from the heart.

I wasn’t barking. I’m not a dog!

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Ajahn Achalo who hit 3000 hours of meditation was here in Singapore. I was inspired by him and also started to count the hours of meditation, hoping to reach 3000 hours as well. Unless I live a long life, otherwise, I think I wouldn’t be able to hit 3000 hours. I attended his talk last Sunday at Palelai Temple. The sound system wasn’t good and I can hardly hear him speak. It’s good to meet the person whom inspire me. I hope I have a chance to listen to his teachings in Singapore again.

After completing another 130 hours of meditation, meditating isn’t such a hurry. Sitting without expectation, with nowhere to go and nothing to grasp on. It is the calm mind that makes one continue to strive. It doesn’t matter where I arrive in my meditation as long as the mind is peaceful and nature would do its job. Stabilising the calm mind is all I need – the longer the better. The mind has to be trained to be calm quickly and naturally whenever I sit. To be able to bring the mind to the present in whatever I do. Be able to abandon unwholesome thought quickly and always remain calm. That’s the training of the mind. That’s the purpose of meditation. With such a purpose I’m able to experience and understand the Buddha’s teachings. Teachings from the pali canon, the nikayas.

I remember I heard a lay teacher said that we should get up if we are dozing off when we meditate. Somehow I don’t agree. I carry on sitting. Although dozing off a little, my mind is aware of the drowsiness. But when the drowsiness ceases, my mind was sharp and clear even though that last only for less than a minute. I try to sustain that clarity of mind and am fully aware of the arising and ceasing of this clarity. I guess this is part of the training.

I hope there’ll be improvement when I reach 600 hours of meditation. Even if it means just a little…

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I wasn’t confident when Companion Vet was recommended by our regular vet but Dr Miles may be different…

Companion Vet? It is going to be very expensive. Nothing comes cheap there. But BG had to go ahead with the surgery. Live or die!

There’s always risk in every surgery, human or animal. I still wasn’t sure. So far the cats I sent to Companion Vet, non came home alive. I kept reminding myself that it was Dr Miles who was doing the surgery. The western vet is constantly praised by the clients. We had to try!

BG before surgery. All I wish is give him what he was never given by his previous owner which is lots of food and love. So please BG be strong!

Little BG after surgery. His temperature went unusually low after surgery. I kept as calm as I could and rushed to the clinic. I kept calling his name on my way to the clinic. I wanted him to be strong, get up and keep himself warm.

The nurses said he ate a lot, really a lot and another vet suggested that we shouldn’t restrict his diet and should let him eat as much as he wants. That’s what all pet owners like to hear, to let our pets eat as much as they want!

The vet bill round up to around 5k and we’re glad that we’re able to raise enough funds to lessen our load. This was unexpected. I told Mel that we may only be able to raise between $400 to $600 and we were even prepared for less.

The next thing I’m going to focus on is to make sure that all would go back to normal for BG. Right now he is still constipated due to anesthesia.

He is sleeping soundly now. Dr Miles said he is a lazy old cat:). But we didn’t know how much he had suffered before we took him home. All I know is he needs a good rest.

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