Cats who teach me to fly…

Who took Awesome away from his comfort zone and caused his death?

Awesome was found about 150m away from his comfort zone. Hit by a vehicle and died on the spot.

I have never seen him even stepping onto the carpark. A smart cat who avoided danger zones. He was always, yes, always sitting comfortably around the “bushes”, especially when his stomach was more than 100% full. No matter how I called him for meal, he would look at me with his half-opened eyes and not moving a muscle. He was filled up. So filled up that only his eye lid moves! I would then shake my head and walk away and pass by him again, look at his lazy eyes, shoke my head and walked away again, until I had done with all my feedings then I would go lure him out just to pet him.

Awesome, a beautiful Siamese cross who was abandoned with his brother by a Malay family 7 years ago. Blessed, his brother was not that lucky. He too was hit by a car shortly after he was left on the street. They didn’t know the danger. They weren’t familiar. A life gone from a mistake made by foolish owner.

Someone took Awesome away, probably carried him without a carrier, crossed the main road hurriedly while Awesome was struggling. I believed he did manage to cross the road successfully but failed to grip Awesome safely. Awesome freed himself but at the wrong time and place, dashed back to the road where the traffic was still considered high at that time. Too fast that the driver did not notice him and Awesome wasn’t aware and understood the danger. He got through the first lane, perhaps just narrowly escaping from the on-coming vehicle but not the other.

According to the Malay uncle who fed him in the evening, a circle of blood was on the floor. A kind soul took Awesome away from the road and left him aside.

Awesome was such a fortunate boy that many were helping him. He was then brought back to his usual area by a Chinese couple and his regular feeder, Malik, as well. Malik was too scared to look at him and got the children to help bury.

Since Malik wasn’t sure if it was Awesome, I had to dug him out to confirm if it was him, otherwise, I would never be at peace. It was indeed Awesome, I closely examined him. The injuries on his body, blood stains etc… Based on all the informations I had and visualising the reality, I came to a conclusion.

Was Awesome’s life supposed to be destined in such a way? I would probably say yes. Even though I don’t like the way it ended.

However, Awesome has a feeder he loved. The feeder filled him more than 100% full. Grown fat, happy and lazy! 9 years of feeding in Whampoa, there is not one feeder that I met who could satisfy them with the food they want. With so many people helping Awesome, the prayers, chanting and the blessings, what else was there for me to feel dissatisfactory. Sadness is inevitable, however, underneath sadness lies joy.

May the merits that I have accumulated in the past, present and future be dedicated to Awesome’s favourable rebirth!

Read Full Post »

I remember he was so thin as if he was suffering from cancer. I didn’t want to bring him home at that point of time but to monitor his condition. I also intentionally fed him every morning, just to make sure he put on weight. I noticed he had watery stools whenever he pooped. Finally, I decided to send to the vet.

He was diagnosed with cancer in his abdomen. Well, he lived for another 5 years, the diagnosis was wrong and luckily we didn’t give up on him. Big Foot was FeLV positive.

This photo was taken when Po and Sunshine were still around.

Big Foot was an independent boy. He didn’t give us trouble. Didn’t find others trouble. He was very easy to take care. He loved food so much.

I hope he lived well with us…

Read Full Post »

So fortunate to be able to listen to the Dhamma talk by Ajahn Brahmali on this Vesak day. The talks were already broadcasted on social media. I did not stay on for the celebration but instead preferred to be home with my meditation cushion and cats!

Ajahn Brahmali also gave talks on the eve as well as the following evening after Vesak day. I did not miss a thing.

Ajahn Brahmali explained Dependent Origination at a deeper level which benefited me. He also talked about the obscure suttas which I found interesting. I even jotted down the important points.

It goes like this…

Upanisa sutta (SN 12.23)
Suffering >
Faith >
Gladness >
Rapture >
Tranquility >
Happiness >
Stillness >
Knowledge and vision according to reality >
Revulsion (turn away from all existence or suffering) >
Dispassion >
Liberation (Knowledge of ending)

It was a fruitful Vesak day!

Read Full Post »

Ajahn Brahm not only looks like Maitreya Bodhisattva to me but also Santa Claus!

He gave a half day talk the day before the retreat. I remember a lady asked him to tell her that she was a bad person because her husband passed on with anger. Ajahn Brahm insisted that she is a good person.

Ajahn Brahm’s teachings often touches the lives of many. He often told us to relax to the max and I love it. His “be kind to your past, be kind to your present and be kind to your future” changes my view. When I changed my views, my life gets better!

Doesn’t he look like Santa Claus? I am still me 47 years ago. All too shy to ask for his autograph but only to look from afar!

The retreat was wonderful. I like it when Ajahn Brahm spent an hour meditating with us. I peeped on him many times during meditation because I wanted to know if I am normal. Yes! I am.

I have plans to visit Bodhinyana for the 9 day retreat. That will highly depend on Mel if she is willing to help look after my cats. Registration opens on July and retreats is on October. Will discuss with Mel again when the time comes.

Read Full Post »

Both 慈细 and Stripie were from Hougang. We found Stripie abandoned in Nov 2015. Mel and I have been feeding him and the rest of the community cats every night.

慈细 was on the street earlier. The same batch as Sheli, Sayang and 慈爱.

A beautiful girl who never allowed me to touch. All the time I have to pretend to look elsewhere and suddenly lifted my hand to touch her and she would jump high and run away but not far. Only a stone’s throw away. She would then walk back to her food where I left for her.

She would always run to me when she saw me coming but too shy to allow me to touch. I did hear some abnormalities in her breathing. It didn’t bother me much as she was a big eater until she went missing for three days.

Another scaredy cat! Stripie would rub against me when he was hungry and waiting for his food. But once he had his full, he would run off and not come near again unless he wanted more food.

I am very fortunate to be able to see them go and to cremate them.

They may be community cats but they do have many who care for them. They have their paws in our hearts and that’s where their home is.

Read Full Post »