A Girl’s Notebook :)

It took me a while to find the video of this song from Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper. Almost all the videos I found in you tube has been disabled for embedding, except for this one. Never mind the hungarian lyrics, just read through the English lyrics I have posted as well. I just love this song so much which I dedicate to my beloved cat, Chaka.

I wish I can sing it for you..

The Cat’s Meow

Whats Wrong Wofie, are ya sick
Something in your Throat?
Wait A Minute are you trying to meow?
Ah Fella
I can see it when you’re feeling low
You can’t hide that from me
You’re no status quo calico
So why keep trying to be?
‘Cause you’re more than that
You’re my doggish cat
I wish you could see the you I see
I say
If you bark
Celebrate it
Make your mark
Serenade it
Noah’s ark
Shoulda had a cat like you
And if
What you are
Is a strange you
Doesn’t mean
You should change you
Only means
You should change your point of view

Hey, feline
You fetch just fine
To thine ownself be true
Your bow wow’s
The cat’s meow
It’s how I know you’re you

You don’t need the bows
Or tiara
Bid your woes
Sayonara
Trust your nose
‘Cause it knows the way to go
When you
Chase your tail
You’re enchanting
Spirits sail
When you’re panting
When you wail
You’re a rover, Romeo

There is not
One hair of you
That I would rearrange
I love you the way you are
And that will never change
That will never change

Talking about cats, I found a magazine from our shelf about cats. I scanned through it’s pages and read fascinating facts about cats. I only hope I have a scanner so I can share those lovely cats. Well, hope you enjoy these bits and pieces about our beloved felines.

• Evidence suggests that cats were companions to human as early as 4500 years ago. The Egyptian people were the first humans to realize the exceptional value of cats.
• As far as your cat is concerned, history has demanded that the feline be the most pampered of all species.
• Gone are the days when women were often persecuted for having pet cats.
• Not so in the 14th century, when the cats are busy killing the rats that spread the dreaded Black Death (bubonic plague).
• The cats has emerged from the hunted to the hunter since the Middle Ages.
• One thing that absolutely crucial for your cat’s health is the availability of fresh, cool water at all times. Every cat needs a clean bowl with fresh water at all times.
• The history books tell us that cats were domesticated mainly for the ability to hunt granary-ravaging rats.
• Greenery is good for a cat’s digestion. Just make sure that the grass you cat nibbles on has not been treated with lawn chemicals.
• When you take the cat into the shower, make sure that the shampoo you will use on your cat is veterinarian-approved. Be very careful not to get it in your cat’s eyes, nose, ears, or mouth. The cat’s head should be kept dry during the bath.
• Cats scratch for a variety of reasons, including scent marking, shedding their outer claws, and for exercise.
• Cats and kittens love colorful toys shaped like mice.
• Cats can’t resist stringy toys they can leap for and chase.
• Taking time to play with your cat every day will relieve tension in both you and your feline. (This is very true to me. :)) (Source: CATS Quarterly YB127)

I also noticed that a witch is always associated with a cat (Well, I know for sure that I am not one. :))

Ciao!

I have asked to look after a sick cat at Adscapes. My ate’s are out of town and they asked me a little favor. I saw Batik yesterday and he was so weak. I helped ate Heidi to feed Batik because he is not eating. She told me to bring Batik to PARC today but it was too late. On my way to De Castro, I received a text message from ate Ness that Batik is gone. It was so sad. Nevertheless, I still went to their office and made sure that Kuya Ariel, their errand man, will bury Batik properly in their yard. We are still thankful to God still because Batik had a happy death. Manang told me that after he ate a little food and drink a little water, he just find a comfortable place to sleep and then, they just found him dead.

Though I only had a few hours with Batik, I got attached to him. Well, like what ate Gwen told me, at least Batik didn’t die on the road but instead he was loved and had been taken cared off.

Batik has crossed the rainbow bridge as well. For sure he was met by his siblings, which I forgot the names. I will ask ate Ness if they have Batik’s picture that I can post here.

Thank you Batik for the joy you brought to me and to your mommies.

Ciao!

I mentioned in my previous post that I signed up as PAWS volunteer. I filed a vacation leave last Monday and spent the rest of my afternoon in PAWS. I decided to go there after lunch because there is no nearby cafeteria where I can eat lunch. I arrived in PAWS at around 2PM. It was not as busy as Saturday, but there were visitors and other volunteers, too.

First, I joined Cha in touring the guests around the PARC. She asked me to join her so next time I will be able to accompany visitors around the shelter. After the tour, I left my bag in the office and arrange some office furniture then I started working.  Most of the volunteers that are present last Monday attended the Dog Runs and gave some of the dogs a bath. Since they were attending the canine, I decided to spend the day with the cats. I was able to meet some of the adorable cats for adoptions. Some of them have name tags but others just lost theirs.

The shelter currently houses aroun 256 cats and kittens, and around 55 dogs. I spent an hour in the Kittenery first. Actually that room is for kittens, but since cats number have grown, the kittens there have grown into cats and were not transferred to Catery anymore. I checked the cats eyes and hold each one of them. Each cats has their own unique personalities. There are very sweet. There are some who will just ignore you. Some will also leave scents on you. I swept the floor in the kittenery then went to catery which is just in beside it. I checked on each of the cats. Swept the floor and map the room. I was finished already at around 4PM. Then while taking a break in the office, Cha asked if I can attend the Sick Bay.

There were like 20 cats and kittens in the Sick Bay. I gave each of them the necessary medicine and made sure that they’re okay.

I left PAWS at around 8PM. It was very tiring though but I was very happy. It was fulfilling. I’ll be coming back there, soon..

Ciao!

Chichi’s death made me appreciates more my own cat Chaka. When I got home about 2 Friday’s ago, I carried Chaka in my arms and I whispered to him that his kuya will not come home anymore. Chaka has been with me for almost 7 years now. In cat years, he is about 49 years old already. Doc Marifi of PAWS to be watchful of Chaka. She said that Chaka is old and I should be more sensitive of his health. Well, chaka has been through a lot of physical pain, and I am making up to him now, so he won’t forget that he is loved by me.

Losing Chichi made me and my sister Patty decide to share our time for those abandoned pets. Those cats and dogs which are housed in PAWS, maybe abandoned by heartless people; but they are loved.

In spite of being tired and sleepy, I went directly to PAWS last February 6 to attend the seminar-training to become PAWS volunteer. Patty and Ate Ness were already there when I arrived. Actually, I was late. The seminar lasted for like 2 hours. Then, we were grouped according to the task we would want to be part with. Patty chose counseling and clinic assistance; while I chose direct animal care. I love both cats and dogs. I can be with and take care both of them.

I spent some time in the cattery where the cats for adoption stay. I cuddled them and removed of those eyes’ dirt. Then, I went inside the dogs area with Ate Gwen. The dogs there have gone through rehabilitations already. They also have complete vaccinations. As we got inside, the dogs started waggling their tales. They are all so sweet and you will really love them easily. Those cats and dogs are waiting for a family who will take care and will love them. Those pets in PAWS are not those “pure-breed” cats and dogs that you will find in different pet shops. But, they will be able to give you the same kind of happiness and love that a pure breed animal can give.

I once told my ate’s at PAWS that if only we have space for those pets, maybe I have rescued many abandoned cats and dogs as well. Ate Heidi told me that it should me goal; to have a house with a large yard for my pets.

I know that being a volunteer is a responsibility that I need to fulfill. It’s not just a by the word nor through registration. What is important is that I need to do my duty as a volunteer. Tomorrow I will be there to spend sometime with the rescued animals. I also encourage those people who have compassion with animals to be volunteers and to adopt a homeless cat and dog.

Ciao!

It has been a 3 days now since our beloved cat Chi-Chi passed away. Some may say that it’s only a cat, why do you need to grieve on it. To us, especially to my sister Patty, Chi-Chi was not just a cat. He was a family.

Our family is an animal lover ever since. There were some instances though that we needed to give up our pets and brought them to the province. We just rent an apartment and there is not much space for pets. Added to it are the “non-animal-lover” land lords/ladies. It was about 9 nine years ago when my sister rescued a kitten along Ortigas Avenue Extension in Taytay, Rizal. We used to live in one of the subdivisions there. She brought home this helpless kitten. My mother disapproved her taking home the kitten because the house we’re living then isn’t ours. Well, Patty didn’t give up on the said kitten. She fed it and named him Chichiriko, Chi-Chi for short. Chi-chi was a very playful kitten. He actually grew up in the companion of our dog, Tico, which we gave up because of my not so kind Ninong Jonas (Grrrrr!). When Chi-Chi was about few months old, he was catnapped by one of the caretakers in the subdivisions. Patty cried so hard then. We even post a “missing” notice in the guard house of the subdivision. We eventually found him as we went from one house to another. I remember how Chi-Chi loved eating dog food! Oh, he loved it!

When we moved to a new home in Pasig, we brought Chi-Chi along. We did not allow him to leave the house because he is not familiar with the place yet. There was a time when we had to bring Chi-Chi to the vet for he didn’t want to eat. Fortunately, he was able survive it.

We called Chi-Chi a tough guy because he was really “sungit”. He was not like other cats, which are cuddly and sweet. Well, Chi-Chi has grown older and he preferred to be alone. Of course, Patty didn’t mind being scratched by Chi-Chi. If she wanted to cuddle him, she will do so even though Chichi would resist.

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Our family has loved Chi-Chi over the years. He was the only cat that slept inside the house. Sometimes we would found him beside Patty. Often time he just slept on the sofa. About few moths ago, we noticed that Chi-Chi was drooling. We also noticed that whenever he eats, it’s as if he is choking. Patty had him take anti-biotic. That symptom continues up until last week. We noticed that Chi-Chi doesn’t eat anymore. We knew that he was starving. He tried to eat but he just blew it out.

We started forced feeding him, Monday last week. He got so week and our friends from PAWS advised us to bring him there before it’s too late. We brought Chi-Chi to PAWS last Wednesday and we we’re accompanied by one of the shelter’s directors. Chi-Chi was attended by Doc Marifi. She is the most compassionate vet I have met so far. She immediately put dextrose on Chi-chi because he is badly dehydrated. When we told her his age, she warned us already about the worst case that might happen. The thought made me cry so I decided to step out of the clinic. When I get back to the clinic, blood sample is being extracted from him. Ate Heidi wanted to have Chi-chi’s blood examined for possible kidney and liver problems.

We left PAWS then at around 4:30PM. I never had any sleep yet then. Before we leave, we told Chi-Chi to fight. That night, I received a phone call from Doc Marifi that Chi-Chi’s condition is on guard. The blood test showed that Chi-chi has a high values in the kidney. I didn’t really understand what that means. All I know is that Chi-chi has severe kidney problems. Patty and I decided to visit him the following day. Patty carried Chi-chi on her arms during our stay. She kept on kissing him and telling him to hold on. Before we leave, I carried Chi-Chi and told him to get well soon for his brother, Chaka and sister Tika are waiting for him. Patty placed him gently on the cage, then Chi-chi with all his effort raised his head and stared at my sister for like 15 seconds then he laid his head on the towel again. I was really surprised by that gesture. I told Chi-chi to keep fighting so we can go home. Although, at the back of my mind there was a thought that I do not want to entertain about Chi-Chi’s gesture. ?

Patty went to office last Friday. Since it was our payday as well, I decided to treat myself in one of the restaurants in Eastwood. As I eat with my colleague, I received a phone call from Patty. She was crying on the other end and I knew then that Chi-Chi is gone. ? She said that she called PAWS that morning and Cha (who is the secretary) told her about the bad news. She told her that when they do their rounds that morning, they found Chi-Chi’s lifeless body already. Patty said that she couldn’t afford to see her dead cat’s body. She asked me to go to PAWS and attend to Chi-Chi’s burial.

It was painful. I wasn’t able to finish my meal and I started crying. I decided to go home first before going to PAWS. When I arrived home, I carried my own cat Chaka and whispered that his kuya Chi-Chi is gone. I knew that Chaka can feel it, he answered a meow and there is loneliness in his eyes. Chi-chi’s death made me appreciate and love my own cat (who is 7 years old) more.

I went to PAWS that afternoon and saw Chi-chi’s body. I cried and cried again until the caretakers buried him.

I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to PAWS staff (Heidi, Gwen, Cha, Anna and caretakers) and to the vets(Doc Marifi and Doc Will) who attended to Chi-Chi. His death made Patty and I value our own pets and care for abandoned and helpless pets more. In fact, we signed up as PAWS volunteers already.

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I know that Chi-chi have crossed the Rainbow bridge. I know that he was welcomed by his fur siblings (Ro, Tico, Chinchin, Haiti, Tom and all our beloved pets). ChiChi will always be loved and missed.

Thank you Chi-Chi for the 9 happy years that you have spent with us. Until we meet again..

Ciao!

As part of my healing process everytime we lose a furry beloved, I always go to a rainbow bridge to offer a candlelight prayer. To some, it may sound weird but my family our pets like our own children. That’s why it would really break our hearts when they’re gone.

I went again to site just recently to add Ro for a Monday Candle Light Prayer. At around 10PM EST of October 19 (Oct. 20 10AM MLA time), Ro will be part of the said Candle light prayer.  I just went to the site where the tribute is hold. Uttering the prayer posted, I can’t help but cry again as I remember our little Ro.

God, Creator of all living things, we ask that as we light our candles, the healing warmth of love will flow into the brokenhearted who have lost a loved one. Give to them Your strength and comfort. We also pray that the soft glow of light will part the clouds of grief and sorrow to surround our furbabies at the Bridge.

May excitement reign supreme as wagging tails, ecstatic purrs and flapping feathers feel our gentle touch once again. May they know the gratitude we hold in our hearts for their faithfulness and gift of unconditional love as they are forever remembered. We are temporarily separated for only a short while. The gold cord that connects us through time and space can never be broken. AMEN.

 

It has been 2 days since Ro died. A week before her death, Ate Ness found another kitten being mauled by the children in our place. She picked the poor kitten we placed her to the same cage where Ro usually stayed. Tica is a just about 2 weeks old. Ro then was almost more than 1 month already. Ro had pure white fur, while Tica has 3-colored fur. Her fur colors are orange, black and white.

For a short time, Ro and Tica found a friend and a sister in each other. I always caught them playing and getting comfort from each other especially during the cold weather. We named her Tica after the female elephant in the movie, Barbie as the Island Princess. Barbie’s name there was Ro. That is my daughter’s favorite Barbie movie. Our kitten Ro was named after that movie.

On the day that Ro died, I decided to bring Tica to one of our friend’s house. They have a cattery and they have been telling me to bring Ro there for de-worming. It was too late for Ro, but not for Tica. To prevent another kitten’s life lost, I brought Tica there.

My sister Patty is still grieving (we both do) about Ro’s death and she doesn’t want me to take Tica back. She said that she wouldn’t bear any pain anymore that will bring about a kitten’s death. She said that when our little Ro died, she couldn’t work well. She was crying in the office, too. She said that she needs to eat a lot of sweets to make her feel better. I told her that I did the same thing. I got a big bar of Toblerone and I’m eating it during my whole shift because I was sad and I cannot perform well at work.

I told her that our experience with Ro should teach us to become better foster family. Ate Ness told me that though it is painful losing Ro, that shouldn’t stop me from rescuing homeless poor kittens. I know my sister is afraid investing love and affection for another for Tica. I told her that we will not let Tica ended up like what happened to Ro.

Later this day, I will be bringing home Tica back. Hopefully she would grow healthy and beautiful.

Ciao!

Due to Ro’s lost, I continued to grieve and I asked the Lord to comfort me. I turned to the book, which my bestfriend gave me on my 25th birthday. I found some very relieving verses.

“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise renews my life.” (Psalm 119:50 NIV)

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” (Isaiah 66:13 NIV)

“I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” (Jeremiah 31:13 NIV)

I know that our little Ro has crossed this bridge and she in a happier place now.

Ciao!

I arrived home last Friday morning finding Ro’s gone. I noticed this past couple of days that she’s not as active as she was until she met a new kitten which we named, Tica. When we placed them together in a cage, I noticed that Ro was able to eat well. She was playing with Tica and I thought that she’s going to be okay. Often times, I cuddle her in my arms and I noticed that she was always looking at me.

Then, the night before she died, I noticed that she’s weak and doesn’t want to eat. I even forced her to drink before I left for work. I told my sister to give her water from time to time. I know that she was weak but I didn’t think that she’s not going to make it before I arrived home.

I received a text message the following day from my sister and she’s asking me to go early. She said that our baby Ro was so weak and she doesn’t know if I will be there on time to bring her to the doctor. I told my sister to whisper Ro to wait for me. On my way home, I prayed so hard that God would extend her life and that she’ll get well.

When I arrived home, I found one of our shoe boxes covered with a white cloth. I knew then that my dear kitten is gone. I cried hard and I kept on calling her name. My daughter, Antoinette came to me and told me not to cry anymore because Ro is in heaven already.

I was crying ’til I came to the office that night. I felt guilty for her death. I have not been a good mother to her. As I looked her pictures, I noticed that Ro has grown from a less than week old kitten to a 2-month old one. I know I will miss her a lot. I have loved her from the time she has been with me. I know that in her heart, she loved me as her mother.

My friend ate Ness told me that Ro was really not for me. That I shouldn’t feel guilty about her death. Because, even for the short time of her life, she was loved and she was cared for.

Well, I can’t help but cry everytime I remember her.

Ro, we will miss you so much.  I will miss you so much. I know you have crossed the rainbow bridge and you are in a happier place now. I am sorry if I wasn’t able to take care of you that much. I hope that you have been happy with us even for a while.

Before going to work last September 9, I prepared food for our newly adopted kitten, I noticed that she does not have that energy to eat. I know that she’s hungry because she will smell and tried tasting the food but to my surprise she cannot eat. I took her out of the cage that she shared with my big cat, Chaka, and checked on her. I checked on her mouth and looked if a food was stuck in it but there was none. What I seen was her front teeth were loosen.

I told my sister about it and asked her to forced feed Ro using a syringe (without the needle of course). While at work, my sister sent me a text message that Ro’s jaw was broken. Uh oh. It’s as if, she had been kicked into the cage’s wall. Well, I guess she was. It was my fault to put her in the same cage with my cat.

Chaka has been kind to her. In fact, he allowed her to cling to him like her own “mother” during the cold weather. But, Chaka often experience epileptic attacks. I’m thinking that it is possible that one of those attacks, he accidentally kicked Ro.

I cannot blame Chaka for that for I know that he did not intend it to happen. I actually blamed myself for what had happened to Ro. When I arrived home from work the following day, I brought home a baby food, Cerelac. I prepared some for Ro and she liked it! She was able to eat Cerelac. I know she’s in pain but I cannot give her any pain relievers.

I decided to bring her to Animal Clinic. The vet checked on her and she has fever during the check up. The vet injected her with antibiotic and gave me the prescription for take home medicine. I bought the medicine from the clinic, too. Well, my sister Patty shared the expenses with me so, it wasn’t really that pain on my purse.

To this day, we can still see the trace of the kick. It could have been a strong kick, poor Ro. However, Ro is slowly recovering from it and she is again a very playful and active kitten.

Ciao!

I was on my way to our building work last Tuesday (August 25) when I heard little “meow” near a small tree in front of Mini Stop beside Citibank tower in Eastwood City. I tried to find where it came from, and found a white kitten. I could not bring her with me then, since I will be reporting for work. So I told myself that if I find it there tomorrow, when I get out of work, I would bring it home.

Nine hours of work passed slowly and it was time to go. Before, crossing the over pass to get us safely to the other side of E. Rodriguez Avenue, I told my colleagues who to wait for me at the foot bridge for I will just need to look for something. Instead of waiting, they decided to come with me.

There at the tree, still lays the white kitten I seen last night. I asked the jeepney barkers and side vendors if somebody owned the poor kitten. They said that no one owned it, so I picked it up and brought it home!

I didn’t know how to tell my mother that I adopted another kitten. Anyway, when I arrived home, I introduced the kitten to our older cats, Chichi and Chaka and told them that she is their new little sister. Oh, I was able to find out that it is a she.

Ro with my sister Patty

When Nonet awakes, I told her that I brought her a pet. She is so happy to find the kitten. She named her Ro. It was Barbie’s name from the movie, The Island Princess. As you all know, it is my daughter’s all time favorite movie!

I hope Ro, will grow healthy and become a good-looking white cat someday.

Ciao!