1,000 (Green) Origami Cranes

Skoda was long due for her Urinalysis because she could not produce any urine sample during her last two visits (her bladder was empty).  We were so relieved that our visit yesterday 26 March was a productive one (yay, our efforts of syringing her every two hours paid off).  We were all the more delighted that the Urinalysis results turned out to be OK and fared much better than the last one in December 2010.  Her urine is still concentrated but there are no crystals and the PH level is normal. 

Skoda prefers to drink off the dome part of their current fountains (in a standing position), and so I finally decided to get the new CatIt Design Fresh and Clear Cat Drinking Fountain.  Keeping my fingers crossed that this will help encourage Skoda's water intake.  Braun has also taken well to it, but Mikki is keeping clear of it (she prefers to dip her paw in it).

And by the way, this babe has put on about 400g in the past one month, hhmmmmm...

Braun Turns Five

My Braun Braun Sweetie Pie turned 5 on last Friday, 18 March...

Where's the Girl?

Look where and how Braun is taking her nap...

Piglet Braun...

How could such a sleeping posture be comfortable?!?

Braun: "Why must Mousie disturb my beauty nap?"

Mousie: "I so love her apple-green eyes..."

My Man & I

A rare moment when Mikki snuggles up to Grimlock...

Going Undercover

I first came across the Fidelius undercover mouse on another cat blog and thought it might be something the girls would like. And so, no prize for guessing what the girls got for their Christmas present this year :)

As always, Skoda was the first to check out the new toy. I should say she was hogging it. Mikki initially watched from a safe distance and then her curiosity got the better of her. Braun watched from a more than safe distance and even went into hiding. It was the second or third time I brought out the toy that she summoned enough courage to have a go at it. Skoda has gone on to discover how to pull out the "mouse tail" - this is what makes the toy fun for her.

Adieu 2010, Hello 2011!

One of the high's for me in 2010:

Personalize your own scrapbook

And on this first day of the New Year:

Create your own digital greeting card

Best Feline Friend

My exact sentiments...

(The Sunday Times, 7 Nov 2010)

Catnip Eyeballs

Can't remember whether it was Grimlock or I who discovered these cat toys on the Cat Welfare Society website (look under Shop) - catnip eyeballs which come in a pack of two for $12, and in assorted colours.  Here is a video clip on Braun and Skoda having a good time with the catnip eyeballs.  Mikki does not react to catnip.

So, if you're looking at getting a cat toy for your cat(s) who enjoys catnip, this is something to consider and for a good cause.

"Give That Girl a Tiger!"

Here is a video clip on Skoda bringing down Tigger from the fridge.  This shows one of the methods that she uses; from the kitchen counter top.  Her other method is to leap up and pull it down - I'll try to capture her using this method one of these days (I hope)...

Mikki Turns Four

This year I was sure to be more timely with Mikki's anniversary post, lest she complains of having to nurse a broken heart again.  Well, I'm still late but an improvement right?  I hope she lets me off this time (the life of a human slave is hard, hahahaha...)

Mikki is a low-maintenance gal - she is agreeable with dry food and wet food (brand is a non-issue) and non-picky with treats (well, Skoda prefers certain type of treats over than others).  She drinks up readily (so much so that we once got her indicators checked, which turned out fine). 

Mikki is not a touchy-feely girl; she'll be sure to tell you when to stop with the stroking.  Beyond the festy appearance, I think she desires our attention.  Grimlock may be right; she is just being defensive (protective of herself).  She'll come rub herself against our legs so we can walk her to the kibbles bowl, and she'll look back and check you're still there before she'd tuck in.  She doesn't like our bedroom as much as the Other Two but if the Other Two are both sleeping in with us, she'll yowl and tap away at our bedroom door at unearthly hours (and so we'll only let Skoda or Braun sleep in with us).  Take this point from me: Cats are an assertive lot.

Mikki still adhors nail clipping, but she is getting better with bathing.  She doesn't like the Furminator too.  Since getting the cat tree last December, we've yet to see her step foot onto it - luring her with treats doesn't work too. 

Mikki still is My Puppy, and follows me around the house on the go (not my exclusive privilege lah, she treads after Grimlock too).  It is still work-in-progress when it comes to the dynamics between she and the Other Two - not close, just cordial and sparks from time-to-time.  I do think she feels a little left out at times (and so we'll give her extra and special attention).

This anniversary post would be incomplete without a walk down memory lane...

Mikki into her third week at the Cove.  Then she loved to perch on my thigh...

Mikki's maiden encounter with Skoda.  Our hearts were at our mouths...

Mikki putting Skoda's patience to the test in her days of being a kitten...

Mikki almost a year after her joining the family (she looks a tad pudgy here :) )...

Mikki, almost two years old here, striking a demure pose for the camera.  Her frame is quite petite so she doesn't quite "fill out" Pinky.

Mikki and her self-improvised "bed"...

One of Mikki's few photos taken with Braun...

吾家的老大跟老三 (the eldest and the youngest in the brood at home)...

Muffins Fix

Grimlock has moved on to baking exploits.  His latest attempt - chocolate chips and banana muffins.  They were yummy!

Skoda Turns Five

It was Skoda's 5th anniversary last Friday, 29 October.  Though this is a week late, I told myself I'll get down to penning this anniversary post of hers.

This girl still is a 6.5kg pack of curves.  (Now, please take a moment to admire this figure of hers in the masthead photo.) 

She still holds the strings to Grimlock's heart. 

Her latest past-time cum fitness routine is to bring down Tigger (aka fridge magnet) and deposit it at wherever she fancies.  One morning, we found Tigger on the floor outside our bedroom door.  We're thankful she didn't present us with some yucky dead insect.

Speaking of our bedroom, it still is her favourite chill-out space.  This girl must have human contact when she sleeps in our room - either in the hook of my arm or in-between my legs.  Strangely, she leaves Gimlock alone.

Skoda didn't fare well in her July Urinalysis test.  The levels of crystals and leukocytes (white blood cells) in her urine were quite high.  The latter are the warriors of the immune system and multiply in response to an infection.  When the test was repeated last month, the crystals indicator dropped to an acceptable level, while the leukocytes level remained the same.  She is due for her next review in November/December.  Skoda is not on any medication.  We're maintaining a tight control over her diet, ie Waltham Feline Urinary S/O. 

All things aside, Skoda is still very much a 'chio'* babe (and one with loads of character and intelligence).  And of course, gratification comes just by looking at her...

 

* 'chio' = pretty

Where the Head Rests

"Sleep only gets better when I rest my head this way..."

"Putting my head across from the table to the chair is really comfortable - good for circulation I believe, though you may not think so..."

"This is the way I like to catch a nap..."

And look, who's doing it in the same fashion too...

"Tigger is Not a Fridge Magnet, She's My Favourite Toy!"

Everyday, without fail, Skoda will bring down Tigger the fridge magnet.  She'll give Tigger a good bite or two, a taste of her deadly "rabbit kicks" and "relocate" Tigger to wherever she fancies.

One of the crime scenes, the study which is like 1.5m-2m from the fridge:

btw, Skoda also without fail, pulls out the towel from the Chrysanthemum Throne everyday and dumps it on the floor, which explains the towel on the floor.

Guilty as Charged!

And Guilty as Charged! 

(Mousie to Skoda: "Girl, wide-eyed innocence won't help you a single bit...")

And again, Guilty as Charged!! 

Here, Skoda is caught red-handed with the kitchen tea cloth.  The cloth hangs from the lower cabinet handle.  So what she will do is bite the cloth off the handle, places it on the counter-top and then sits on it.  Who can beat her at it?!?!

 

Round & Round, Round & Round

At times when we turn on the washing machine, Skoda will sit on the side and take in the action.  Here she is, giving her 100% attention...

Fur Away!

Grimlock and I have been following Duke Orange's blog lately and read of how his minion harvested his wool with Furminator.

The benefits of grooming:

• Grooming is necessary for an animal's health and hygiene. The removal of shed hairs helps the hair in its renewal process. More importantly, grooming cleans the skin of dandruff, eliminates dry skin flakes and improves its insulation properties.
• Brushing stimulates the skin and increases blood circulation at the base of each hair. The secretions from these glands will keep the hair weatherproofed and promote a shiny gloss.
• Brushing and grooming can lead to the early detection of parasites or other skin issues. Regular grooming provides an excellent opportunity to give a quick overall checkup. Most pets enjoy grooming sessions which strengthens the bond.
• Regular grooming will remove the loose hair from the coat that the pet has shed. This significantly decreases the amount of hair that might be ingested causing hairballs.

Ta, Ta!  Grimlock gave the girls their first grooming session today using the Furminator (S$60.40 after a 20% discount, from Pet Lovers' Centre).  The girls are more agreeable with Furminator than their current grooming brush.

Bottom (from left to right) - Sample of "wool" harvested from Mikki, Braun & Skoda.  Their coat colours look quite close - no wonder some times people tell us of the same remark.  Skoda's coat now feels smoother and softer, than usual :)