Cats who teach me to fly…

Inspired by Ajahn Achalo 3000 hours of meditation. I started to count the hours of meditation:). Well, it’s not the quantity that matters, it’s the quality.

In this 100 hours of meditation, effort had been made to bring the mind to the present moment. There were days when meditation were unpleasant and other days, pleasant and unexpected.

At first, I was always expecting something and eventually, I do not even bother about the result but to enjoy the present moment. I spent an average of 45mins meditating. Now I started to do walking chanting meditation as well. One day I may replace breathing meditation with chanting meditation.

My mind settled quite quickly with Amitabha chanting. It often gets brighter as well. However easy it may sound, the right concentration is still important. Nobody would believe my experiences in some of the meditation. Therefore I shall not share.

I have heard a lay teacher saying that if we chant the word “chair”, we would go to heaven as well because our mind is pure while chanting. Perhaps one should practise Amitabha chanting and compare with chair chanting and see how the outcome is before giving comments in the public. To me, it simply proves her foolish.

I was skeptical when I learn about the Pureland teachings as well but as I open my heart and give it a try and chanted earnestly and sincerely, things happened! Best if you can realise it yourself. And of course, like Ajahn Brahm says, there is no short cut. We have to keep our precepts, know what the ten unwholesome actions is all about, practise the six paramita, eightfold path… yes, we still must get the basics right.

It is going to take many many years for me to reach 3000 hours of meditation and that is not going to be my target for now. Let’s say I start at 500 hours. Till then…

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When I was about to pack and go, Mel came to me telling me that there were birds that were being poisoned behind the block and most were struggling. Without a second thought, I went to take a look and was expecting to see the worst scene.

This wasn’t the worst and there is nothing to be gladden about. A life is still a life. They were scattered all over.

These were the few. Some were already dead. Some struggling. Yes, they were poisoned. I called ACRES, as usual, they always have cases to attend and was unable to help.

Merely by looking at these birds struggling for their final breathe make it hard for me to walk away. The only thing I can do at that moment was to chant for them. And the purpose of taking such videos was to bring awareness to the public.

It wasn’t enough to do just that. I got Mel to prepare boxes and there weren’t many in my car. So I went around hunting for carton box and I was glad that I found a big broken container nearby. I just need to use an empty box to cover the hole and it can be use again!

I picked the three in the video and those who still move but weak. There were around 7 to 8 of them and I sent them to ACRES. I am glad that ACRES attended to them immediately. They gave them charcoal and keep them warm. I really hope the birds will pull through.

This issue has been brought up many times by the public to the authorities. Even our MP Louis Ng has brought it up too but no one is listening. I have also prepared a petition some time ago.

Will such inhumane culling end? Will factories farming end? Will fur industries end? Will animal testing laboratories end? Etc…

In the end, we only have ourselves to blame because what we have done to others will eventually come back to us and… the climate is changing!

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Dear Chanel,

What happened was unexpected! I felt all guilty for not dragging you to the hospital or finding you. I should have asked you more questions. Did you visit the doctor? What’s wrong with you? Did you know Hearty is with me? NO, I didn’t say anything but just simply ask you to take care of yourself. I thought your sons were looking after you and I should not be at all worried about you. Your sons could ask for help, even dialing a 999 or 995 wouldn’t be difficult. And that was what I had assumed. I was all wrong…

I kept looking up your unit. Wondering where were you, what were you doing and why didn’t you come to us. My ego stopped me for going to you. My ego stopped me from questioning you. And this sure has a price to pay.

The minute I heard that you have passed on, I froze. I find it hard to accept. I wish your son was joking and I still couldn’t believe… I was angry at the same time. Didn’t we ask you to visit the doctor? Didn’t I tell you what happened to my mum? Didn’t I tell you not to take your sickness lightly and quickly go to the hospital? Didn’t Mel tell you to go to the doctor every time she sees you? You never listened…

Still… I would like to apologize to you. So sorry… I should have pressed you further. I should have gone to look for you when you disappeared for two weeks which was not like you. I thought you were at your friend’s place like you once did… My assumption kills!

There is no way I can go back to where we left. All I can assure you is your cats will be well taken care of by Melanie. The other 3 cats will go back to their owner. Hearty is old and is safe with me. I knew you love him. AVS visited the cats hoarders few days ago, we made it! Mel and I will be taking over the cats and is still in the mist of doing it. The conditions of the cats are terrible. I have taken the weak ones and building them up before doing all the rehoming. The rest are the strong boys which are still with the owner. These boys will be sterilize on Tuesday and to where they will be going, I have not come to a conclusion yet. I know pretty well upon hearing all these, you would have a lot to say. Non stop blah blah blah… Your children are taken care by your sister for now. I have no idea what will happen next and I guess it is not for me or us to interfere.

Thank you for helping me to feed the cats, find the cats and foster the cats. You are always ready to help. Always standing by 24/7, unless you were sleeping or sick. As far as I know, you saved 4 lives. Your cheerful and happy deposition always brightened my evening. We never stopped laughing whenever we were together. No matter how bad you were and how terrible I was, we never stopped helping each other. Gradually and unknowingly we became good friends. I was happy when you told me you are not going back to your “old” life. Your life got better… Everything looks bright… Sadly, there is no “if only”…

The last thing you did was to volunteer yourself in the Buddhist temple. I was so happy upon hearing it. Finally, you planted a little seed with the three jewels. No matter how tired you were, you never stop helping the temple, helping others.

Finally, I cherish and appreciate our times together. What happened was unexpected and painful and I am not going to blame myself anymore. Your kindness will always remain in my heart. After I end this letter, I shall not keep thinking of you and that doesn’t mean that I am forgetting you. There is no way to forget someone when someone means something to you. I just can’t let the pain go on.

Whatever merits that I create everyday will be dedicated to you!

Aunt May

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Hearty was walking strangely 3 nights ago. His footsteps were small, careful and painful. There wasn’t any wound and no signs of fractured or broken bones. I guess it could be arthritis. After his meal, I walked him back to his usual resting place. It wasn’t safe for him to walk at the carpark. I walked away after he was safe at his resting area.

I was thinking whether I should bring him home as it was dangerous to walk around with such a condition right now.

Hearty was abandoned. His owner left him and moved to another place. That was 11 years ago. How old was Hearty 11 years ago, nobody knows but we believe he is pretty old now. 11 years of living as a stray is tough and a very very long time. I told myself, it’s time, it’s time to bring him home.

He settled down immediately when he was home. Sleep a lot. I guess he must be very tired from roaming on the street his whole life.

Vet said he loses his muscles mass. The x-ray shows no sign of broken bones and prescribed pain killer for him.

It has been 3 days and 3 nights and still he is sleeping. He must be very tired. Tired of the noisy street. Tired of hiding from rain and strong sun. Tired of waiting for his meals. Tired of children chasing after him. Tired of adults shooing him away…

Yes, it’s time!

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Po was rescued with urinary tract infection 5 years ago. He was lying on the ground flat for 3 days until we came. We were glad that no further damage was done to his major organs.

Po had been a good boy. Fat and round just like Po! As he was FeLV positive, he had a room with another 2 cats and at least 3 big scratching posts, plentiful of food and clean water.

He was really all cute! Love rolling on the floor and a big belly as well. The biggest cat in the room and second biggest in the house after Cashie.

We don’t know how old is Po but I have always hope all can live happily to at least 15 years old.

Like the rest, he left his paw prints deep in my heart.

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