Eleven Weeks - Can It Really Be

I know, I'm slack at keeping this updated but wow, doesn't time fly.

 

The girls will be eleven weeks on Sunday. 

 

Molly was desexed yesterday, finally, and now hopefully the heat cycles will stop soon.  She's still acting like she's in heat today but I think that's just the hormonal imbalance.

 

The kittens are doing well and are all very different. Marshmallow loves to sit and sleep with us at night when we are watching TV.  In fact, she's done it a bit during the day.  I sat down for lunch today and she slept on my hip for half an hour and squealed when I had to move her. 

 

Speckle is a bit of a loner and likes to sleep on her own but as soon as play time is on, she's back with the others.

 

Callie is becoming more likeable and is now purring when we pat her.  However, she chooses not to want to go to the toilet in the right places which is terribly frustrating.

 

I've been volunteering with CatRescue which is an amazing organisation.  I urge you all to go to their site:

 

www.catrescue.com.au and please donate some money.  Your donation will be tax deductible and your contribution will go a long way to helping saving a lot of really nice cats in need, like Molly.  Thanks to CatRescue, Molly's family all have wonderful homes and no longer have to live on the streets.

Giant Balls of Trouble

Aarrghh, I've been slack writing here for ages but the little balls of fluffy have turned into little balls of trouble. 

 

I have been updating the photos so please check them out.

 

The very nice people at CatRescue lent us a cat cage which was helpful for a couple of weeks.  There was enough room for food, litter, a blanket and of course Molly and the kittens.  Although it has a door, Molly freaked out when it was closed so we had some cardboard in the front of the cage keeping the kittens in and Molly could come and go.  They quickly were able to climb over that piece of cardboard so we replaced it with a larger piece but again, they quickly worked out that one.  Now, pretty much, they are just climbing all over the place and today they have decided the rest of the house is fun to explore, much to Molly's protests although it would appear, all her meowing at them does nothing.  I can see we are going to have three rebels on our hands. 

 

 

Our First Comment From the Public Yay

 

 

Thank you to the lovely "no name" girl from China who left a comment on our site.  And here I thought no one was reading it. 

 

I went and had a look at her site but other than the photos I couldn't read the rest - it was all in Chinese.

 

Please others, add your comments.

It's a Girl Fest - And We All Have Names

Yep, that's right, they are all girls!!!  We've had confirmation that we now have four girls (if you count Molly).

 

So now they all have names.

 

The kitten formally known as "One" is now Marshmallow (Alan chose it) but I'm just calling her Mallow.

 

"Two" is now Speckle.

 

"Three" is Callie.

It's Official - "Three" Is A Girl

I had to take our little tabby kitten to the vet this morning cause she has a crusty eye and he confirmed that she is indeed a girl.

 

I didn't think of taking the others, silly me, so we still don't know what they are.  Now that we know one, we can start thinking of a real name for her, although I've quite gotten use to calling her "Three".

 

Hot Weather & Kittens Do Not Mix

Well it's the end of a very hot day and I'm more than a bit frazzled. 

 

I ended up sleeping on the lounge last night as the bedroom is too hot with the door closed and if we don't close the door, Molly comes in and jumps all over us.  Not that I got much sleep on the lounge ... Molly jumped all over me during the night.

 

Then this morning early I'm woken up by loud kitten crying as Molly pulled one of the kittens out of the box and put it behind the lounge.  We tried getting it back in the box but Molly just pulled it out again.  We then spent a good portion of the morning trying to close off any spaces that she might go and in the end, we lost.  She has them all out of the box now and behind the lounge. 

 

We've had the air conditioning on all day and the box was in a spot where it was cool but not in a draft but apparently up against the brick wall is where she wanted to be. She hasn't come out and had anything to eat or drink for about 7 hours but I'm hoping she'll come out soon. 

 

Our aim will be, when the southerly change hits, to get them back into the box for the night.  We don't really want them waddling around the place.

CatRescue Needs Your Help

For all the CatRescue has done to help collect the rest of Molly's family off the streets, I want to help them in return and this is something you might be able to help me with.

CatRescue is a network of normal every day people.  They have normal day jobs, they don’t get paid or funded to do CatRescue, they are all volunteers who give up space in their own homes to rescue and rehabilitate abandoned and neglected animals. They have around 50 carers around Sydney and a management team to help co-ordinate the lot.

CatRescue has a NO KILL Policy.  Killing homeless or unwanted animals is not in their best interest and provides only a short term and convenient solution to a human problem. CatRescue is dedicated to promoting the concept of ‘no-kill’ and believes that every animal has the right to live. They are committed to caring for every animal that enters its program regardless of the time and resources required to find their forever home.

Although always looking for foster carers and permanent homes for these animals, they also need donations. 

If you can help with any of the listed items below, please let me know and I'll arrange to come and pick up the items:

• 
  
  Old towels (urgent) - excellent bedding, cage liners and carry cage material!  


• Cheap cat bowls or plastic containers - like the ones you see in chinese take aways - rapid feeding and cleaning


• Cheap bleach - no frills brand domestos (about 1/3rd of the price, we go through a LOT of this!)


• Cleaning products (ajax, garbage bags, scrubbers, spray and wipe, washing detergent, that kind of stuff .  think domestic cleaning x 100)


• Cat Litter and cheap litter trays ($2 shop ones) - are given to rehomers and are also reused for all sorts of things like cat beds, houses and cleaning helpers
  
• Tins of cat food - to feed the cats! 


• Dry Cat Food - any quality


•  Old cat beds, cat scratching posts and poles - self explanatory, the cats love them!


•  A4 paper- for signs and posters to rehome cats!


•  Cat Toys - the little mice are the best - the kittens love them, nothing too expensive or complex as they just get eaten


•  An old vacuum cleaner

Again, if anyone can help, just email me.

Thanks, Sarah xxx

And Then There Were Four

Molly gave birth to her kittens on Sunday night 8 October and early hours on Monday 9 October.

 

First born was the white with tabby one which we are calling "One" for the time being at 8.19pm. 

 

Second was born at 11.29pm and is all black which we are calling "Two" for now.

 

The third was born at 12.26am and, until we know more about sex etc we are calling "Three".

 

Molly is doing a great job and, considering she's only just a baby herself, I'm ever so happy.

 

Please check back every now and then to see the new photos and of course, the announcement of their new and permanent names.

The Wonderful Emails Received from Catster People

I'm copying these here because the Catster mail folder only holds messages for thirty days and I never want to forget the nice things people had to say when Kim passed.

 

Good Morning, Kim.

I'm sorry that you had to leave your Mommie and Daddy. But what a lovely way to do it! While they're gone, sparing their feelings, you just lie down for a lovely nap, and then you go to the Bridge. What a sweet and smart girl! And how lovely that you went to join your sister, Penny!

I hope your Mommie and Daddy know that you are waiting for them at the Rainbow Bridge. You were a very lucky kitty to have loved them, and they were very lucky peoples to have loved you.

Purrs and cheek-rubs,

~ Stash (with brother Chumley and sister China)

http://www.catster.com/pet_page.php?i=336325&j=t

 

From my mommy: I can just imagine how much you miss her .Kim was only a year old than my Rocky Ann. They are our babies. I try to prepare that someday RA will have to leave us too.She is my shadow. I guess we should just be so happy we have as many years as we do. Kim sounds like she was so loved by you so she had the most purrfect life. That is all they want - is to be loved. So she was very lucky. I hope one day you will find another kitty you can adopt and give him/her that same love. So many need us. I hope all the wonderful memories of Kim fill the hole in your heart.

Take Care,
Mommy Judy

http://www.catster.com/pet_page.php?i=291740&j=t

 

 

Subject: Meet you at the Bridge

Message:
Woofs to Kim's Mum and Dad. Please don't be too sad... I know that Kim left on her journey without you there, but she wanted to do it her way, just like I did. My Mum and Dad had taken me to vets and gotten second opinions and thought things were gonna get better, but I knew they weren't. I did it my way, and so did your Kim.
Angel-woofs from Kim's new friend, HoneyBunny
http://www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?i=106050&j=t

 

 

Subject: sending some purrs

Message:
We are so saddened for your mommy and daddy, losing two adorable furrballs in a matter of a few months. Oh sweet Kim we emailed you in March when Penny passed away and had hoped that you would feel better soon, we were so happy when you were more vocal. Hope you are playing with many catnip toys and snuggling with your sister. We just wanted to let you know that that our hearts go out to you all.
Whisker kisses, Sissy and family
http://www.catster.com/pet_page.php?i=247217&j=t

Subject: We are very sorry...

Message:
I know you are living a very rough time... But if my words can comfort you just remember all the good times with your babies and all the love they gave to you... They are now four legged angels and they always be proctecting you and your family... And try not be sad because I know your babies don?t want to see you suffer... Be happy because they are in the best place ever : ) ...

I hope I help...

Purrsss,
Lucky
http://www.catster.com/pet_page.php?i=216423&j=t

Message:
Dear Kim,

I am sure that your Mommy is going to miss you for a very long time....my Mommy still misses me after me being gone for over two years now. Silly humans! It takes them so much longer to heal from things, while it takes us kitties such a small amoount of time to get over things ! Just give your Mommy lots and lots of love, and eventually with time, she will start to feel better about it. Why don't you have your Mommy read some of the beautifully written poems at the Over The Rainbow Geoup site? They are furtastic! I sent you an invitation to join the group yesterday. You did join didn't you? It is a great group that has helped my Mom immensely. It can do thie same for your Meowmie! All she has to do is ask for help, and any number of people will be there to comfort her. The group has many "caring and compassionate" people in it, and they are more than willing to help your Meowmie out in any way that they can. I am sending many "kitty hugs and kisses" to your Momma today. If she ever just wants to talk about it, my Momma will gladly listen to whatever she has to say. I do hope to see you around the group.

Purrs and Headbonks,

Muffy

http://www.catster.com/pet_page.php?i=224103&j=t

I was strolling by and saw that Kim just went to the Rainbow Bridge. I'm very good at sitting with people and making them feel better; may I sit next to you and purr? I know I'm not Kim, but maybe I can rub on your leg and make you feel better.

Just let me know....I'll be sitting with my Mama if you want to say hi. My mama says she's very, very sad about Kim's going away and would give you a hug if she lived closer.

Love Mackenzie & Mama
http://www.catster.com/pet_page.php?i=347179&j=t

Dear Kim and Kim's Mommy,

Heillo. My name is Muffy. I live at the Rainbow Bridge too. I see that you came to the Bridge on September 12th. I haven't met you yet, but I will be looking for you. I am going to send you a feline friend request, and I hope that you will be my friend. Your poor Mommy must be so sad now, missing you like crazy. My Mom knows how that feels. You see, my two year Bridge anniversary was September 9th this year. I have been here two whole years, and I have loved every day of it. There is no sadness or sickness here. Only love. Our bodies are restored to our youthful vigor. We run and play like we were kittens again. We eat as much as we want and never gain weight or throw up. We eat all of our favorite foods up here. We play with so many toys, there is no shortage of them that's for sure! I hope that your Mommy and Daddy know that you are well again, and that you will be waiting here for them, at The Rainbow Bridge. And when that day comes, you will go running to them, to be together again, but this time forever.

Love,

Muffy (and Renee, Muffy's Meowmie)
http://www.catster.com/pet_page.php?i=224103&j=t

Welcome Molly

We never meant to get a new cat this early but, the day that Kim died, we discovered that the bunch of cats we had seen at the top of the street were actually strays.  There was this little one, very pretty, who came up to us and rubbed up against us. 

 

The lady who was feeding them didn't want them anymore and suggested if we wanted one we should take one.  We really wanted to get some more kittens but the plight of these cats were really disturbing me.  After days of searching, I found an organisation, CatRescue (www.catrescue.com.au) who were a no kill organisation and were willing to come and get them.

 

We decided then and there that we would get this little one and on the morning of 19 September, we went up and picked up the girl we now call Molly, although Molineux is her full name.

 

A quick trip to the vet confirmed our thoughts, our baby was pregnant, which was OK. 

 

She has settled in quite well.  She's worked out how to use kitty litter, she doesn't stress about being inside all the time (although that won't be forever as we are getting our back verandah enclosed to make it a cat run) and all this food makes her happy.  She purrs all the time.

 

We will be happy when the kittens are born.  Molly has a very bad case of wind which she lets go every 10 minutes or so, and she's too big to lick her bottom so every morning we have to wash it for her. 

 

We still miss Kim & Penny every single day and although we love Molly, she's certainly no replacement for the guys we lost.

Catster Diary of the Day

Received a great honour today.  Kim's catster page was chosen as Diary of the Day http://www.catster.com/?274943.

 

Of course, Penny has one too: http://www.catster.com/?274925

 

It is so nice to be given the honour and also nice the number of wonderful messages people have left me about the passing of my two loves.  It is nice to know that there are others out there who know exactly how we are feeling.

Lost Another One

Another sad day for us yesterday.

 

It started as a normal typical day.  We'd have a box set up next to the bed for Kim for about a month as a step to help her get up on the bed with her arthritis being bad.  She's had one for the lounge for a long time which she used every day but only just realised the one for the bed and how to use it on Sunday.  We were so proud.

 

So yesterday, Tuesday, she slept on the bed overnight as per usual.  She woke me about 5am, again a usual time, and I gave her breakfast.  After eating she came back in and got herself back up on the bed via the box and back into her position right next to my foot.

 

9am came and my friend Sarah came by to bring her washing.  With all the rain we have had she'd been unable to get anything dry for five days and with a family of five she was in need of some dry clothes.  I got up and left Kim on the bed. 

 

Again, because of the weather, our pilot light had gone out on our hot water system for the second time in five days.  Alan and I both went down to light it again (Alan came because he'd never done it before).  When we got back to the house, Kim was up and sitting near the back door.  We left it open for her for a while.  She didn't go out that much anymore and generally she just liked to get some fresh air.  She joined us in the computer room about 10 minutes later where she clawed the lounge chair cause she knows she's allowed to and then she got up on the back of it to look out the window. 

 

After my shower Alan and I went to the shops and came home with lunch.  Kim joined us for lunch, again as usual, sitting between us having a bit of cheese. After she was done, she retired for a bit of a nap on her blanket on the lounge.  Alan left for work and I did a few things around the house including folding up Sarah's laundry.  I sat down to do that at about 12.30 and saw Kim looking a bit funny but I gave her a rub and she seemed OK.  Now I know it was a sign.

 

I left about 12.55pm, took the washing to Sarah's and then on to work.  When I got home at 3.30pm, she wasn't on her blanket on the lounge.  Not usual as for the first time in days the sun was out.  I checked the bed which is where she normally goes when it is sunny but no sign of her there.  I then checked the floor between the bed and the window where she goes if she gets hot after being on the bed.  Again, she wasn't there.  The I checked behind the chair in the lounge room near the back door where there was sun.  Nup she wasn't there.  Then I knew there was something wrong.

 

I checked behind the lounge, only because she'd been there a couple of times in the last few weeks and sure enough, there she was.  Her eyes were open and I spoke to her.  She would have made a little meow noise and when she didn't, I knew she was gone.  I moved the lounge and put my hand on her.  She was still warm but not breathing.  She looked so peaceful.  Her little front paw was curled up underneath her leg, the way she did it and it really looked like that she was not well so she had a lie down, went to sleep and never woke up again. 

 

We found out later she had been sick on the bedroom floor, not that this was an irregular occurrence for her.

 

I rang the Pets at Peace people and they arranged to come and get her today at midday.  When Alan got home we moved her out from behind the lounge and lay her on the lounge in the third bedroom.  This was a favourite place of hers, particularly in summer as it is the coolest room in the house.  It was so sad to see her lifeless body just lying there, all so cold.  This morning of course she was stiff but still her fur was oh so soft. 

So here we are.  1 January 2006 two cats.  12 September 2006 no cats but I don't think for long.

No other cat can ever take the place of these two.  We were so lucky with them.  They never bit us, they never scratched us.  You could trust them 100% even when you kissed their tummies.

What I'll miss most about Kim is her overwhelming pleasure to see us, even if we'd only been out for 10 minutes.  She would meet us with this loving meow every time she saw us. 

At night, she needed kisses goodnight.  She just loved them.  Sometimes if you did it too quickly, she'd look up at you and ask for more.  As far as she was concerned, there were never enough kisses and cuddles to be had. The only thing she liked more than kisses and cuddles was fresh meat and was my cooking buddy every night.  Even when her tummy would tell her she'd had enough, she would say it was never enough.  Every night while we were eating dinner, her tummy would catch up with her and she'd lie on the floor or on her blanket on the lounge and you could just tell that she was so full she couldn't move.  A quick cat nap and then she'd be fine. 

I will miss her helpfulness, her loving, her sweet little meows in the middle of the night when she'd pretend she's not trying to wake me but being ever so pleased when I was awake but most of all, I will miss her beautiful little face.

Although losing her is hard it isn't as bad as when Pen left us.  I think it is because she went so peacefully.  That last half hour with Pen at the vet was the worst thing in the world. The seizures were bad and she didn't even know where she was.  Kim went peacefully in her own home. She was alone but I think she was happier it happened here than at the vet.

Rest in peace my baby. You've earned it for all the love you gave us.  Give your sister a big kiss from us and we will see you again one day.

Just Goes to Show You Can Never Please Everybody

Last year someone in Alan's soccer team asked if we could do a website.  I've got some basic HTML experience and thought it would be great to get some more.

 

After many, many, many, many hours spent on design and layout, the website was launched:

 

http://www.geocities.com/rydedistrictpanthersaa10/

 

Alan took over the administration of the site, doing the updates weekly, writing match reports, getting profiles filled out and updated by everyone etc. 

 

This year, as a bit of fun, Alan suggested a fantasy league.  Every week people pick a fantasy team (from the team of players) and based on their performance every week, you gained points. A number of people agreed and it started.  It was all a bit of fun, well so we thought.

 

Today, for no apparent reason, a bunch of whingers had, well a whinge, about the point system, in the guestbook.  However, these pathetic and small minded individuals decided to do their complaining anonymously.

 

Not only that, some other small minded person going by the name of DJ PANFA (who we have now worked out isn't even someone playing in the team) decided to offer some suggestions like removing the tribute to our own little panther, Penny, who died this year. 

 

All up Alan spends about 8 hours a week writing the match report and making it humorous for all to read, updating tables and scores from the other games and of course spending hours working out who deserved fantasy league points.  And what does he get??? A barrage of complaints from people who don't even have the guts to put their name on it.

 

So tonight, feeling as low as he can get, he made the decision to remove the website from the internet, all 68 pages of it. 68 pages of wasted time and effort for which there is no appreciation. 

 

Those who don't understand

After the death of our Penny, we sent an email out to those who know us, advising them of our loss. 

 

I hear through someone that another person who received the email had made a smart-alecky remark about that email.  Apparently we were being too over dramatic and that those who didn't know, would have thought we'd lost a child.

Well, firstly, it was only sent to people who know us.

 

Secondly, if you couldn't see that the announcement was written on wallpaper of our cat, then you were bloody stupid.

 

Thirdly, for us baren couples, she was our child.  Heaven forbid we would treat our animals as one of our family. 

 

I try not to let what people say about me affect me but it is hard to just brush aside.

 

Penny was our daughter, our family, and those who don't get it are obviously never going to.

 

We consider ourselves lucky to have called her our family and she will forever be a part of us.

Friends

Just wanted to say a big "hi" to my friend Christie and thanks for looking.

 

I know, I'm just talking about the cat, but I won't be forever.  I'm sure I can find other things to put in here.

 

 

Ashes

This may be somewhat controversial but we wanted to keep our baby close to us and had her cremated and her ashes placed in an urn and returned to us.  It's a beautiful, like her, and handcrafted. It has a little name plate with, obviously, her name on it. 

 

Other pet lovers are shocked that we would do that.  I'm shocked at other pet lovers who told me that they couldn't bare being in the room when their animal was put down.  I had to be there. I wanted Penny to know that she wasn't alone and we cared for her.  We know the last thing she saw before her final sleep was us and I hope that that was comforting for her.  She was so far gone though, I don't think she even knew who we were, but I'm glad I was there for her ... we held her little paw as she fell asleep.

 

The urn now has pride of place in our glassed cabinet where she will be with us always, our beautiful girl.

Pet Shop

Can I just say, that going to a pet shop two days after your cat has died, is not a great thing. I started bawling in the middle of the shop, as I looked at all the beautiful kittens.  The staff and shoppers must have thought I was a lunatic.

Finally ... a new battery

For over 2 years we've needed a new battery for the video camera and I'm sad to report that it took Penny passing away for me to actually get out there and do it.

 

We had no idea how much footage we had of the cats but when I charged up the new battery today, we've found that we have over an hours worth of footage of them. 

 

It is amazing to see how much weight the girls have lost over that time.  At least now we have little piece of Penny we can hold on to.

 

Penny 1990 - 2006

First entry, I know, but this space has been set up for someone very special in our life.

 

Since 1990 I've had Kim and Penny ... they were only about 8 weeks old when I got them.

 

They have given me much pleasures in my life and my life is so much more rich because of them.

 

Alan came into the picture in 1998 as a dog person but it took no time for these little guys to enter his heart.  They don't scratch, they don't bite but they will give copious amounts of love.

 

For this reason, it gives us great sadness to advise that Penny passed away on 3 March 2006 at 1.30pm.

 

I have never known such pain as having to say goodbye and she takes away with her a piece of my heart that she will have until we meet again.

 

For you my baby

 

Rainbow Bridge Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent. Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....  Author unknown...