Fallen Angel

How many times can you say that something comes in your life in a poetic fashion?

-- Hooman Momma

On Monday, June 24, my mom and I saw 3 lil super cute white kittens that looked like they were freshly dumped outside Wack Wack Golf Course. They looked healthy and clean, but because I was on my way to work, I had no chance to feed or check on them. I vowed to check them out on my way home, and I was thinking about the tiny furry things all day! Imagine my dismay when I got there, all excited, and they were not there. Not a single one. I had a heavy heart, but I just hoped that someone with a golden heart decided to give them a good home.

On Thursday, June 27, As I was walking to get to work, I was startled by a white shining thing falling off the roof just as I was passing by. When I looked down, it's one of the kittens I saw on Monday! What a perfect timing! What are the odds of that happening?! I mean, this is meant to happen, right? I then looked up and saw the 2 siblings, calling for the fallen angel. They were even attempting to jump off themselves! I coordinated a rescue effort with my mom while I went to work. She managed to get them off the roof with the help of the street sweeper.

But, what was I thinking! I live in a condo apartment where only one pet is allowed, and I already have 3 PAWsome Cats! *sigh* With quick thinking, my mom and I figured out the we can try to smuggle bring them to the countryside where my parents live. Which means that we have to secure some papers, because they will have to ride a ferry and cross the sea. Our great vets Dr. Riza and Dr. Melay will be visiting them tonight to check on them, but me thinks they are super healthy and frisky! They are already wrestling with each other!

I think they're as big as Rue when I got her. I'm super excited for their new life. I'm sure I would hate to see them go, but they'll be better off growing up in a bigger space where they can climb and destroy more things (teehee!)

For comparison, this is how tiny Rue was when I rescued her!

And now look at these cotton balls -- they will totally melt your heart and turn it into a gooey puddle!

Hey lady! Let me out!

Meet the Shiny Little Shadow

-- Hooman Momma

I've always wanted a black cat, so when I spotted this tiny baby who was just rescued from the street, I fell in love with him. He was with his very weak and small orange tabby brother, who, sadly, didn't make it till the next day. But no matter how much I wanted him, I didn't bring him home right away. Rue was still sick, and I made a pact with our vet that if and when Rue gets better, that's the only time that I will get to enjoy the company of this new kitten. She didn't want Rue to be stressed by a new family member.

Why is my brother so small? Why can't he move his legs?

Adorbs. Pure adorbs.

On Easter Sunday, Rue got a clean bill of health so we picked up the tiny shadow. We had him checked, and we quarantined him. He wasn't allowed to mingle with the adult cats right away, until he was cleared of any illness/fleas/mites that might be picked up by the overly sheltered Qish and Rue. Qish immediately accepted him and in two days, they were already friends. Rue, however, would hiss at the tiny one whenever he comes near her. It took a week before Rue finally decided that this baby will be part of the PAWsome Cats family.

It took me longer to think of a name, actually. I wanted a Portuguese name, because of my love for Brazilian Jiujitsu, so after sleepless nights of searching for the perfect name, I picked Sábio Leãozinho, which is the literal translation of wise little lion. His nickname is Saab :)

He's extremely playful and fast! The big kitties often get tired of playing with him because he just have so much energy, like the Energizer bunny :) We're so excited as we watch him grow and get smarter!

False Fire Alarm

-- Hooman Momma

Image Source HERE

Sorry for not posting for over a month!

This morning, I was roused from sleep at 4:00 am by a VERY LOUD FIRE ALARM. I panicked, and when I saw Rue running to hide under the bed, I grabbed whatever I can -- which means I grabbed her by her tail, then pulled her little legs. All I know was that I will not let her go at any cost, because I know in my heart that I will never leave my condo apartment without any of the furbabies. We'll be together whatever it takes.

After a good 5 minutes, the alarm stopped. At this point I managed to grab Rue's wriggling body, fighting to get out of my grip. I put her in the carrier but she was able to get out right away. At the same time, I was also putting my Mac in my "panic bag," which contains important papers/passport, some cash, backup drives and survival food and water. When the alarm stopped, I put all the kitties in the shower, and went down to the lobby to ask what happened. It turned out to be a FALSE FIRE ALARM. I was relieved that there was no real danger, but I'm so annoyed that the alarm would go off when not necessary. This is the second time that this happened!

When I went back, I gave Rue a comforting hug, but she didn't want me near her. She was scared of me :( I could have hurt her while I was trying to grab her, and the clumps of orange fur on my bed made me shiver. I gave her bonito flakes, her favorite treat, and I'm glad she ate from my hand but she still wouldn't let me cuddle her. She was traumatized. It took a good two hours before she started warming up to me again.

I felt terrible about what happened. I'm so sorry, baby Rue :( I just want you to be safe. Meanwhile, as Rue and I were struggling, Qish and Saab were like angels waiting for me to scoop them up and put them in the carrier. I'm glad those two were not scared!

Why did you pull my tail, momma? :(

Have you had any similar experience? How would you handle saving yourself and your furbabies, under extreme time pressure?

Rue's Health

Rue's health has been on a rollercoaster ride lately. I am sorry for not being able to post updates, I was too caught up emotionally caring for her at home (and worrying what's wrong with her). Here's the timeline:

March 1 - Rue ate onion. Her platelet was 80, and she was given Vibravet.

March 13 - I was away for a birthday weekend break so I asked my dad to catsit. He was the one who administered medicine, and unfortonately, he overdosed. Rue's ALT (liver) was 1,341 (normal: 20-100) and her creatinine (kidney) was 2.3 (normal: 0.3-2.1). Dr. Riza gave her liver tonic and phosphate binder.

March 27 - Rue's blood test came back normal, although her ALT was still a bit elevated (135). We were advised to continue the liver tonic until April 12.

April 15 - Rue stopped eating. She won't eat until Tuesday.

April 16 - I brought Rue to Vets in Practice Animal Hospital. Her creatinine was 2.5! She was admitted for kidney flushing.

April 17 - I visited Rue, and was disheartened when I realized how stressful her environment was. There was a bird that cackles every 10 seconds in the next room, and Rue tightly curled her body at the corner of the cage. I couldn't even cuddle her.

April 18 - I contemplated on Rue's condition, and decided to pull her out of VIP and just care for her at home. I had to pull Rue out of the animal hospital because she was so nervous and jittery. The loud bird added to the distress Rue was experiencing, apart from being in an environment that is entirely new to her. Her blood test showed that her creatinine was down to 1.9 (good thing!) but her platelet is down again, at its lowest: 50 (normal: 300-800). Her white blood cells are also elevated, which is a sign of infection: 34.53 (normal: 5.5-19.5). She was given Liv52, Nefrotec, phosphate binder and vitamins.

April 19 - Rue still didn't eat normally. Dr. Riza and Dr. Melay visited her at home, and gave her antibiotics for the infection.

April 21 - Rue started eating again!!! She also played a little bit, which was a big change from the past days when she would just sleep all day.

Rue is doing better now, thank God! I am really praying hard that her recovery will only be for the better from this day on. I love her so much.

I haven't told you guys that we have a new kitten, and his full name is Sábio Leaozinho (literal translation: wise little lion). His nickname is Saab. 

Here is Rue with Saab, who would usually stay by her side to "guard" her while she is recuperating.

Happy 6th Meow-day, QISH!

-- Hooman Momma

These past 6 years with you have been wonderful. Your presence in my life signaled a beginning, filling it with hope for a renewed journey after suffering from the darkest challenges in my existence. You are the reason I held on and survived. You will always be my bully goofball. Stay healthy and mischievous!

Update on Rue: WE NEED PRAYERS

Little Rue is asking if you can include her in your prayers. Her latest blood test revealed abnormal values in her organs:

ALT (liver) - 1,541 (normal: 20-100)
Creatinine (kidney) - 2.3 (normal: 0.3-2.1)

Thank God her platelet count is increasing, from 80 on March 1, 98 on March 4, to 186 today (normal: 300-800)

Please, please, help us pray for her. I love her so much :'(

Rue Ate Onion!!! :'(

-- Hooman Momma

Rue is not as innocent as you think!

I knew that onion is bad for cats and dogs, but I didn't know that it is highly toxic. It can kill a cat, depending on the amount ingested by the ever-curious feline.

I left my lunchbox open to cool my food while I was preparing for work. While in the shower, I heard clinks and clanks of a metal object hitting the glass bowl. Then I saw her. Rue was on the table, blissfully enjoying my food as her name tag hits the rim of the glass bowl. I put her down and checked my food -- to my horror, I saw lots of chopped onion in it! I immediately Googled how bad it is, and I broke down when I saw that it is extremely bad for them. I called our vet at 5:30 AM, and luckily she answered.

Dr. Riza didn't think that she ate enough to cause harm, but I just couldn't bring myself to work and leave her behind. I don't want to go home to a lifeless ginger beauty, so I decided to skip work and observe Rue for any symptoms of toxicity. We drew blood from her after 12 hours, to check if it has affected her red blood cells (onion causes heinz body anemia). We are still waiting for the result of the blood test and smear.

Qish and I are crossing our fingers and paws as we wait for the result, while Rue is enjoying the beauty of CAT-urday. I'm telling you, my cats can give me a heart attack!