the kiddies & more

Casper & Natal

2010-01-14T18:00:00.003+08:00

They arrived today, the rescued rabbits - huge boys 2yrs plus.

Casper is the larger one, less shy

Natal is the smaller, shy one, still a little unsure of himself and his surroundings.

The amazing thing was, Rusty, got really excited and did what males do - tried to mate - which was really shocking for the two white boys. So, the pen is separated now, until I can get Rusty done sooner at the clinic.

Going by what we witnessed, he's definately more than 4.5mths old.

Rusty - Day 2

2010-01-12T10:17:00.002+08:00

Rusty seems to be fine, just that he is not used to being carried.

I am almost done with his condo - just a few more tweeks and he can be locked up in his condo at night. Right now, he's in a small cage at night -

He doesn't seem to like the mint leaves as much as his hay - so today, i'm going to pick up some parsley for variety.

He seems to know his name, so I can't say he's not intelligent - so I guess we need time to work on training him and getting him to adjust to the house rules.

Rusty

2010-01-11T21:08:00.002+08:00

Rusty the Lionhead.

I'm the 3rd person to own him in his short life to-date.

He's just 4.5mths old and came to live with me yesterday, the 10th of Jan 2010.

He's so full of energy and a real glut - eats all the time.

He hasn't been handled too much, so he's still skittish like a stray cat - but rabbits generally do not like to be cuddled, so I guess he's not too far off track.

I got him booked to be desexed end of Feb as he's too young now, just so I won't forget.

He's a bit thin - not what I'm accustomed to as all my pets are just chubby - but I'm sure after the surgery, he will be larger in width!

He's quite intelligent, getting used to his name and hopping to the fence for us to take notice of him. Will make sure he's properly litter-trained before giving him a free run - which I heard could take some time - let's see if we can do this sooner rather than later.

The cats are curious and have been lurking around the playpen - so far, not aggressive, just curious.

Will be integrating them and hopefully they will all get along.

Comfy comfy

2009-12-01T21:34:00.002+08:00

Just a cute shot of pringles and snuffles on their favourite bedding - my duvet. Actually, instead of me enjoying fresh sheets, they got there first.

So, it's not only us humans who appreciate the smell of fresh sheets and the comfort of a fluffy duvet - as shown.

This picture was taken early in the evening, when most cats, nocturnal as they are, would be pottering about for food.

The thing about comfortable bedding is, both for humans and cats - it's hard to pry our carcass from it!

Frisco on his Swing

2009-06-30T22:43:00.002+08:00

I did try to take a snapshot without it appearing too yellow, but it didn't work out. Anyways, this is Frisco, on his day swing, right after a shower. He was grouchy today and nipped my finger, because I usually take him out in the mornings for a shower, not afternoon and because it's not his usual timing, he probably got pissed.

I should allow him more out time, but it's difficult with my work schedule and even if I'm at home, he cannot be left to attend to himself, because he will climb down and create situations with the cats. I'm not worried about his getting hurt by the cats, but more what he will do to them - since he already makes it a point to chase Pringles when he finds his way down his perch. He does it too silently and most times, I end up calling him - not that he will respond, because he knows when I'm searching for him and for that reason alone, he would hide behind some furniture.

I do feel terrible, not being able to have him out more often, but his cage is next to my favourite couch now and he does get to sit with me, sort of, daily - his cage used to be in the balcony, but it's now in the living room. So, perhaps that's why he's pissed off, but not as pissed off as he would normally be, without much out-time.

Duchess - a He, who is calle a She

2009-06-19T17:17:00.002+08:00

This is a picture of the late Duchess - who is male actually but I didn't know better when I got him...so I made the ghastly mistake - which didn't seem to matter to him....

To a cat, a name is a word you call them by when you're about to either give them a back rub or serve them food.

He was indeed fat, too fat, but diets made him go crazy and so I just let it be.

He passed away years back. Thought to just upload this image, in case all other pictures get damaged.

Pringles at her best

2009-06-19T10:25:00.001+08:00

If anything, Pringles is Miss Collapse. This is her posture most times, totally uninhibited and doesn't care where she parks her tail.

Hardworking Pringles

2009-05-25T15:32:00.002+08:00

25 May 2009

This is her favourite spot in the afternoons, especially when my son is trying to do his revision.

Pringles was actually snoozing, but when she heard sounds coming from the camera and probably 'saw' the testing flash, thru half-closed eyes, she did what all vain cats do, perked up to strike a pose.

23 March 2009 - Nero goes home

2009-03-23T06:32:00.004+08:00

Nero passed away the wee hours this morning - and well, there is not much sadness, since he's lived a very full, long life. Nero was my first cat and it was because of him that I got myself involved with animal welfare on a voluntary basis. He was my 'kid' even before my son came along. That would make him at least 17 years old.

In his life, especially the past few years, I've had occasions where I believed he wasn't going to make it - but he always survived.

This time around, I knew he was going to go for sure - any 'body' could only take so much of illness. He became blind a few years back, then slowly he was hard of hearing, teeth wasn't doing much good for him, so I converted him to soft foods only....finally, the suffering was over.

I told him he had been a good boy and he softly mewed - I also told him that he should just let go and stop the suffering - I'm sure he was - because Nero was never a cat that spent time sleeping - he was always busy chasing the other cats. Staying still must have been hard for him. He hated being caged, I used to have to do that, because he wouldn't allow any other cats to rest or eat.

It's the end of a chapter - rightly so.

No, I don't miss him that way - although I was the only person who could handle him, in his mad frenzy - he would never bite or scratch me - I gave him shelter, when he was a frightenend kitten, just fished out from some drain in Kim Keat - he was abused, had burns on his legs and was anything but a lovely, adorable kitten. He was spitting and clawing everything.

He's the last of the lot in my 'cat history'.

TO me, his passing is the beginning, because everything started with him and now that I have closed many chapters, he's taken my burden with him.

This is the last decent shot of him that I got and I'm posting it again - it's the last -

Goodbye Nero - thank god you didn't suffer much - mummy loves you and I wouldn't have it any other way for you....you waited for every one to pass on, before you left yourself....it's like cleaning things up - you didn't want to die and leave one of them behind...it's so corny....but so you....you were the first and wanted to be the last - you did it...you made it...now go rest

The Oldest

2009-03-08T10:44:00.002+08:00

This is the oldest - still haven't decided what to name him or her......must find something that's more generic since i'm prone to giving females, male names and vice versa.

I had to pull them out of the nest box, since mama was only feeding this chick and she basically forgot about the other two. I am thinking this chick is probably just over 2 weeks. full feathers, he's able to climb and grip well. A bit silly still, but in a cute sort of way.

Are we there yet?

2009-02-25T08:03:00.002+08:00

Here are the kiddies after their morning feed.

As you can see, they obviously hatched on different days. The oldest, who is very much like Mo, coz he's the most vocal already shows pin feathers. The youngest and probably the weakest, doesn't seem to be putting on weight much, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she will survive.

Ever since Cocktail passed on, Woody their mom, is only feeding the oldest - she has somehow succumbed to post-natal blues and for 3 days now, hasn't fed the other two at all.

I don't know if we will get the all clear soon for the younger two, but I hope so, as they are really victims of circumstances.

Fatherless chicks

2009-02-23T07:44:00.003+08:00

I'm running into a lot of problems feeding these chicks. The largest, haven't found a name for him yet, is so used to being fed by mummy that a syringe isn't his idea of getting himself fed. I have to coax him gently, which takes time, before he would take in the formula this way.

The youngest and smallest is probably the most vulnerable. He never gets heard nor fed. His crop is never full and thankfully, I check on him often enough to make sure he doesn't go hungry. I don't know if he'll survive this fiasco. I hope so, because he's the one most eager to be fed. But he's tiny, compared to the rest, and we all know that parent birds never bother about the weakest - it's like they cannot hear him peep.

I will do some pictures tomorrow.

bye cocktail

2009-02-19T08:52:00.002+08:00

Cocktail passed away sometime before morning. I have no idea why.
Now I'm stuck with Woody who is obviously lonely and 3 newborns....she definately is distressed because the chicks were not fed this morning and were peeping rather loudly. The youngest is tiny and the oldest, twice his size. So i did the unthinkable - hand fed them...i couldn't just let them die of hunger. Woody, just wouldn't go into the nest box - she lost her mate suddenly and somehow her maternal instincts as well.

My greatest fear is loosing the chicks - as a person who has done animal rescue, the thought is still terrifying because nursing kittens, or adult cats/dogs from their injuries is nothing compared to this - the tiny chicks are blind, cold and hungry - I have all the 'equipment' yet they are too young....

I'm very upset that cocktail decided to expire at a time like this - but as with all things, there is an end....bye cocktail....

Clutch 2 celebrity

2009-02-16T07:02:00.003+08:00

This is the 'celebrity' of the clutch, the only one who actually posed for a picture. They are really tiny now, the picture on the left contains all 3 chicks - i got the container when i purchased button mushrooms...haven't decided on names yet...but will do that soon.

Clutch 2 Day 2

2009-02-15T10:27:00.001+08:00

The chicks on day 2. strange how the last tiny one expanded to the same size as the other two. there are more unhatched eggs lying around, but nothing seems to be happening. Perhaps they won't hatch....

I'm going to buy them a huge 'house' once the chicks are ready to come off the nest box. It's quite interesting really - Valentine Day chicks....so far, only 3 and hopefully, counting.

Clutch 2

2009-02-14T13:02:00.000+08:00

This chick must be a few days old - there's 2 large ones and one smaller -have no idea when they exactly hatched, but for the smallest, it's definately sometime early this morning....

It would be Cocktail and Woody's 2nd successful clutch - it could have been more except that I removed their nest-box - knowing very well that I didn't have time to do the nursing. Not that I have time now, but it's more manageable and I really do not want the chicks to be 'skittish' like how Mo is.

You can see the 'ball of fur' (right picture), right hand side...that's the youngest. There is another egg with a tiny hole - maybe that chick is trying to get out.

Mamma & chicks - Sentosa

2009-02-03T18:53:00.000+08:00

Wanted to log this shot in.

One proud mamma, with two chicks in tow - friendly too, thank god although she was in our hostile human world.

Frisco and the last day of 2008

2008-12-31T16:54:00.000+08:00

Frisco on the last day of 2008 - this picture was taken just after he showered, not happy because in his bowl at the end of the perch, were carrots, not his favourite sunflower seeds !

Mealtime

2008-12-14T11:18:00.000+08:00

Do, Re, Mi

This is the best time to take a snap shot of the 3 rascals.

Although its a back profile, it does give us a good perspective of how they compare against one another in terms of size.

bonding

2008-12-10T12:56:00.000+08:00

This is Nero at his best - looking after kittens...picture taken after their dinner on the 10th of December 2008

One for keeps

2008-12-08T20:10:00.000+08:00

This is one shot, a really good shot of the oldest and the youngest.

It rained the entire day and I suppose they are doing what people like to do on cold days - snuggle up.....

Nero has always been great with kittens and eventhough he's blind now, that need to nurture a kitten hasn't left him - perhaps he has learnt from his hard past, having been abused when he was as young as Snuffles, that kittens need a chance at life too.

This is a picture for keeps - I don't know how long more Nero has to live - I dread the day he will bid us goodbye, but at least I know I gave him a chance to live out his life. I know my home will never be the same without him - the Terror.

Snuffles & Neru

2008-12-07T09:11:00.000+08:00

The oldest and the youngest.

This picture will actually tell us later, how much Snuffles would have grown....

She/He is less afraid of us - does sort of know her/his name....needs time still.

Started feeding them with canned food again, just so Snuffles will know when we call her/him.

Snuffles is using the litter tray without help, which is always a big help. That's the difference between cats and dogs - cats are much easier when it comes to toilet training....

Snuffles

2008-12-06T20:00:00.000+08:00

This is Snuffles - finally named her/him.

A bit larger than a coke can....still a bit skittish, but I'm sure he/she will come around.

Pringles is making friends finally, although she has this strange way of doing it....but well, she isn't the brightest cat that I have ever had....a bit on the dense side...

Let's see how this friendship pans out....

a new addition

2008-12-04T20:52:00.000+08:00

This is the flea bag, that our Thai worker fished out from our worksite. He/She was found during a shower - must be for me, because today was the only day I was there this week for an entire day doing the checklist. Most times I'm there for 3 hours at the most and it's usually a rush i.e. bing-bang-bing-bang and off I go.

I was with the developer doing a show around when the Thai worker got my colleague to call my mobile because they found a black kitten with a full tail.

That is so my specification for getting a PR status in my home.

I have no idea whether this kitty is a male or female....because I was too busy de-fleaing him/her. Thank goodness for Frontline, which has always worked for me those days when animal rescue kept me busy on most days - just bathing the cat with a flea and tick shampoo doesn't work as quickly as Frontline.

In less than an hour, I found flea shells on the bedding which means, it still works as well as before. I cannot afford a flea slip up, because I have 2 other cats who are squeaky clean...so they got frontlined too.

so, it's quarantine tonite in a box, until tomorrow morning, just to make sure we get all the adult fleas and then things should get back to normal soon enough.

Fat Fat

2008-11-29T08:57:00.000+08:00

I have been trying to get this profile of Pringles...finally she kept still enough for this shot.

Her nickname is Fat Fat, she responds to that too....and my son makes jokes about her speciality - drop and roll.....she's so lazy that when you call her, she will walk towards you, drops and rolls........

Mo

2008-11-28T14:19:00.000+08:00

Mo has grown to be a beautiful boy and he's the most vocal. His parents are rather skittish and not as responsive. Perhaps thats' why people rather start with chicks - because they tend to be less wild.

He's from the first successful clutch, the only one I kept, gave his siblings to my ex-boss, the snowman who after some months got the birds and cage stolen from his terrace house. It's ridiculous but it happened. I can only hope that they are still fine, with whosoever that stole them.

Cockatiels will not survive on our streets simply because we have super crows who wouldn't let them go. I remember once, when I put Mo's dad, Cocktail out for some sun and a crow attacked his cage - it was fortunate that I did firmly secure the cage.

Anyways, Mo's parents just laid another 3 eggs - I'm not sure if they will hatch - since they went through 3 egg-laying sessions before we actually saw chicks that were healthy enough to survive.

It won't be long more before we know if Mo will have more siblings - let's wait.

Nero

2008-11-26T19:45:00.000+08:00

This is my first cat, Nero, he's about 16 years old, blind now and has mellowed too much over the years. My gf found him in some drain, terrified because some humans decided to inflict burns on his legs - there are some small patches of skin which remain, fur has never grown back.

He has always been fiesty but always gentle with kittens. He never got over the fact that a human inflicted him with so much pain, when he was just a few weeks old. I was fortunate, because he grew to trust me and only me - and would only allow me to touch, medicate or shower him.

I don't know how long more he has to live, since physically he's very frail - so I have decided to start photographing him now as a keepsake - it's a big deal, coz for a drain cat, he managed to survive this many years.

I'm sure when he goes, it will leave a huge void in my life, that although he's not a lap cat, he's always been THE BOSS of the house in his youth - sparring with other cats - He's been in and out of the clinic for various ailments and each time he came back home. My fear is, one day, he would have used up all his 9 lives and he will not come home at all. That will be a moment I would hate to think about, because no matter how scared he is, cowering under a cupboard, I could stick my hand in and he would never scratch or bite me, but allow me to drag him out - anyone else, would have had their hands bloody - and it has happened too many times before.

Pringles again

2008-11-26T19:42:00.000+08:00

This is Pringles again, just after she hopped off the chair after an interrupted nap.

I was thinking of getting her a pal - since Nero isn't very much of a playmate for her. I was at site today and the foreman was telling me that there are kittens on site - so the hunt is on, for another long tailed ginger or black kitten.

this is going to be fun!

Pringles November 2008

2008-11-23T15:27:00.000+08:00

This is Fat Pringles, doing what she does best - napping. She's rather well behaved today, opting to share the floor cushion with Nero, whose ears can be seen behind Miss Fatness.

I think it's the best shot of her ever - taken with my new cybershot phone.

I'm quite happy with the camera resolution. This will certainly be handy for me. Finally, it wouldn't matter if I forget my digital camera!

Is that real?

2008-09-02T20:38:00.000+08:00

I thought this was a perfect nest - I inspected it and found it to have every single twig in place. So I took this picture. But later, I found out that at the airport, they used a similar looking, similar sized nest there, as part of a decoration.
So I suppose, this nest wasn't made by a bird, but by man.
*sigh

Baby Sunbird

2008-07-31T05:53:00.000+08:00

I was on a phone call outside my friend's office when I heard peep, peep, peep, coming from somewhere around me. Obviously, it sounded like there is a nest somewhere, but I was along a corridor overlooking matured trees, which meant that the nest could be anywhere on the tree.
Then, I saw what looked like a mata puteh, fluttering on the ground, trying to pick up what looked like a crumpled piece of paper.

Usually I would just leave things be, but the bird looked distressed that this lump isn't moving much - so I walked to where it was to take a look. This is what I found - a baby sunbird, probably got stuck and didn't have the energy to fly over the parapet wall. She could manage just about a foot off the ground and she was wilting away.

So I picked her up, and brought her to the vet.
He confirmed she's a sunbird, could have had a nest domination problem or perhaps learning how to fly and got stuck along the corridor grounds with no way out. Because she's nectar feeding, it's a problem - she's apparently too big to actually beg for food, but he managed to feed her with some glucose water - it's the first time, I watched a nectar feeding bird feed. It's amazing - she has this pin like tongue!

The great thing is, she's still alive this morning. Ate a good meal last night and slept all the way through. She knows how to step onto my finger and flap her wings.
She's so tiny, she's like a toy.

I'm going to nurse her, until she's able to fly and find her own food. I don't think people keep sunbirds - but let's just hope she recovers.

bkk beauty

2008-07-10T07:01:00.000+08:00

Whilst on a survey last mth in bkk, I saw 2 boys 'flying' this beauty. I have no idea whether it's a falcon or hawk - but it's huge and beautiful.

cdn't get a shot of her with her wings spread out so she looks like a pea-hen to me!

Frisco the grouch

2008-06-05T15:25:00.000+08:00

After this picture was taken, he lashed out at the camera phone -
you can see that he's already looking rather unhappy - he hates his picture being taken.

The pretty killer

2008-06-01T19:30:00.000+08:00

This is a picture of my Oscar - apparently he's some albino latino tiger type...he's the one on the left. The other fish, I have no clue which species, but so far the Oscar hasn't been thinking of having him for a meal.

I took a picture of him because he just killed my pair of parrot fish. I have no idea what got into him - so before karma catches up with him, I decided to put him in history first.

He's actually rather intelligent - moves huge pebbles around, recognises me; although he's just a fish, with no real brains.
I've had him for a long time, 7 years - and although he has expensive meals (eats whatever new fish I buy), I still think he's so elegant.

She's not so Tweety sweet!

2008-05-31T15:19:00.001+08:00

This is Tweety, who used to be very sweet and non-destructive. These days, she spends her day shredding the seat of her swing better than a paper shredder.

Perhaps birds have personality disorders too.....she's meticulous about doing that...even the paper used to line her cage will be shredded, whichever part she can pick up through the floor grille.

She has toys in her cage, but she preserves them instead of shredding them.

She's not the most attractive lovebird around, but I must say, she makes that up with her intelligence.
It's sad tho, she's not the sweet Tweety anymore.
This started when I yanked Mo, and put him back with his parents....I decided on that, because Tweety was teaching Mo all the bad things, like biting...haha....
So, whilst Mo grew up well, Tweety has a vendetta against me.

Pringles - after dinner

2008-05-29T21:39:00.000+08:00

I guess when taking pics of a black cat, one should really remember that flood lights will go a long way.
This picture was just taken and for once, she's staying still.

'Beach Umbrellas'

2008-05-29T11:58:00.000+08:00

This is what's happening to one of my plant pots. I am having what looks like mini toadstools growing.
I always felt that I don't water the plants enough, well, this is certainly one sign that the soil is sufficiently damp and that although we have been experiencing higher temperatures, it's probably very humid.
Has anyone ever wondered why they grow the way they do? Why this particular shape? From what I remember, the spores are on the underside of the top - looks like it's some beach resort scattered with umbrellas.....

Anyway, I think it's pretty.
Should do some research on these things - they are fascinating although I do prefer the ones we see along the roads here sometimes, growing near the trunk base of the tree.....the white ones...which are obviously much larger.

SUKI Gan

2008-05-23T19:27:00.001+08:00

SUKI

GAN

This is SUKI, my colleague's dog.

She is half Jack Russel, half Cocker Spaniel.

I visited her today, when I had to pass something to my colleague, and she was bouncing up and down - full of energy, like she's some dry cell that's recharging with each bounce!

Like Pringles, Suki has grown so much yet, she retained her adorable traits.

Perhaps pets are like people, their characters unchanging.

I'm sure in dog psychology, they have their own coping mechanisms to deal with this cruel world.

Almost a Year - Pringles

2008-05-22T20:55:00.001+08:00

It's not a clear shot, because even when she's asleep, she's very sensitive to movement & sound.

This is PRINGLES - almost a year on and many, many times her original size.

I'm sure we all know that when kittens grow, they increase in size - but for PRINGLES, it's a matter of proportion - she's really fat and lazy - the only thing that didn't seem to grow as fast as her torso is her head!

She has another nickname now, it's FAT-FAT - and it's definately hers, because she responds to that too. Call her FAT-FAT and she'll sashay towards you and just as she gets near you, she will throw her whole carbo-laden torso on the ground and stretch with her paws raised in the air....

To think that Cat Welfare found her in a school canteen...what was I thinking right? I mean, food is her ROOTS couldn't expect any less from her......

Ducks in China

2007-11-20T12:05:00.000+08:00

This brings back some kind of memory - I grew up in a kampung-like environment at least the first 7 years of my life - when days were simply about keeping myself occupied.

Lone Goose

2007-11-20T12:01:00.000+08:00

My colleague just came back from somewhere in China and I asked her for this shot. Sure, it was a beautiful place she visited, but for me, it's shots like these, that tugs my heart.

the Houdini called frisco

2007-09-11T08:16:00.000+08:00

I was on half day off yesterday - having worked all weekend. Decided to do housekeeping, which also means, moving some pieces of furniture. My colleagues think I'm mad, doing housework on an off-day, but it's what I enjoy.
As I was moving my huge sofa, I heard Frisco squawking in his room. I figured he knew I was home early and wanted out. I didn't bother since the living room was a mess and I didn't want him to get into everything.
When the time came for him to join me, I found him already out of his cage. He probably got out, and spent the night in my luggage, coz he left his feathers there!
Question: How on earth did he escape from his cage? It's not that easy to flip the gate. It has a spring mechanism and the cage was made for parrots....
Well, last night, there was added security for him....no more doing a Houdini....coz Pringles is still hopping about the home, and I don't need any accidents!

Pringles

2007-08-17T08:21:00.000+08:00

Pringles having her supper. It's tough getting a clear shot of her. I managed to get this shot after trying for 10 minutes!

Shadows of cats

2007-08-14T08:14:00.000+08:00

I know it's a bad shot, but you can still see the shadows of 2 cats, my older blind cat and the new addition. I was just amused by the difference in their sizes! Common sense, yet I find it hilarious!

The tiny one is 9 weeks old, and my son has named her PRINGLES because, according to him : it's a name, that goes smooth on the tongue - and it's his favourite brand of potato chips.

The Parrot Dog

2007-08-08T08:41:00.000+08:00

I have been working weekends, so Frisco has been missing sitting with me Saturday afternoons watching Bollywood. He loves the music and tends to squawk along with the telly. This week, I took a Monday afternoon off, and spent that time with him. He obviously missed me, coz he refused to stay on his perch, preferring to sit with me on my tv chair. He was climbing up and down the chair, pulling at my tee-shirt and tumbling all over my hair.
When I walked to the kitchen, he would scramble down and follow me, like a dog. He doesn't fly, and it's not because his wings are clipped - they haven't been clipped for over a year now. He flaps them, but he never takes off.
I never imagined a parrot to be like this. I have done so much of reading about them yet, the attachment is different. He doesn't talk - but he squawks in varying pitches - perhaps he's trying. I actually don't care if he does because he still understands me. Before he hops off his perch, my famous words to him would be "GO POTTY FIRST" - and he would do just that.
Maybe one day, he'll tell me himself that he has to potty first.

The green one, again

2007-07-20T08:24:00.000+08:00

Frisco, the green one, pottering on my little, antique side table...This is where he spends his evenings, waddling around next to me.

He's getting used to the camera phone now - at least he doesn't lunge at it.

As you can see, his nails are getting pretty sharp - I'm trying to file it down - not an easy task, since he's not into 'new' objects very much, as with most parrots.

If this persists, I'll probably get him another perch, for the day, so that the nails get filed down quicker - his existing is not quite rough enough to do the job.

The picture's a bit dark, but it looked ok on my phone - i'll see if i can do something about it.

27 May 07 - Frisco before his eye eclipse

2007-05-31T19:57:00.000+08:00

The night before my flight to BKK, Frisco decided to give me a fright. I don't understand how my pets always do this to me just before my scheduled vacation!

Frisco decided to keep one eyelid shut - like something was in his eye....That sent me scrambling online to find out if there were any articles on eye infection in Amazons, or conjunctivitis, or whatever....the general advice was - to let a vet look at it.

There was no discharge, but an article somewhere stated that it could be some internal thingie going on, that may cause him discomfort, which would show up in his eyes....

This picture was taken just before he decided to take on the role of Jack Sparrow! He was happy on his swing - flapping his wings and vocalising his fun....

I prayed, of course I did, that he was just being spoilt - and probably realised I was travelling...again. My prayers were answered. He's fine.

Parrot in the sink!

2007-05-24T09:14:00.000+08:00

Handsome Frisco, waiting for his shower yesterday evening. We don't usually put him IN the sink, but since he's always excited during bath time, it seemed like a good idea.

Frisco on a Sunday

2007-05-21T08:17:00.000+08:00

This is Frisco, when he's squatting by the PC. Most sundays, when I'm gaming, he's right there, on my left. He looks quite cute, literally sitting - like a bean bag.

I think he's really getting used to the camera phone, since he has quit trying to peck at it.

This few days, I will attempt to file his nails...they are getting to be like needles!

Cocktail & Family

2007-05-01T13:10:00.000+08:00

I have just moved them from 3 studios to one large apartment. I thought it would be nice to get them all together. Cleaning is obviously easier, since there's just one large cage to clean instead of 3 smaller ones.

RIGHT PICTURE: Re on the far back, and Mi on the front, Cocktail is in the middle

LEFT PICTURE: Mo is in the front, Cocktail is at the back

They are still skittish - that came largely because I never separated them the way I should have. It was the first clutch that survived, so I was a wee bit sentimental and careful. Didn't want to loose the babies. BUT if genes had anything to do with their behaviour, it's the father's. He's as skittish as hell. The mother Woody, is less so.

I'm just glad I got them all under one roof - perhaps they'll learn not to be so fearful of me.

Tweety - all grown

2007-05-01T13:07:00.000+08:00

Here is Tweety the lovebird. He has grown out more colour now. Still loveable.

Don't know if it's a He or She, but Tweety, will always be Tweety.

He sits on his swing ever so often - which is great since Cocktail & family are just not that type. I guess it's because I got Tweety when he was very young.

Anyways, this is a good shot of him.

Frisco-Labour Day

2007-05-01T12:07:00.000+08:00

Here is Frisco hanging loose on Labour Day.

It's almost a year that I've had him and it's pure joy.

This would be the first time he didn't try to attack the camera. He must know it's a public holiday.

Frisco's new swing

2007-03-05T08:14:00.000+08:00

Since Frisco loves hanging out with me, even when I'm cooking, I decided to buy him a hoop. I attached that at the kitchen counter, so that he's near enough, yet far from the stove. It doesn't bother me so much, since he prefers walking to flying. He has never really flown except when the National Geographic channel scares him with screams from wild birds. Even then, it's not a 'taking off' flying i.e. it doesn't have height.

I guess most of what I've read about this breed is, they are like dogs with wings. He waddles everywhere. When he's flapping his wings, it's usually to attack his 'pal', the stuffed cow or he's aiming to get the cat.

This is Frisco's first time on the hoop. He's terrified coz I suppose, the hoop is very unlike his perch, since it swings.

In any case, I'm sure he will be glad, soon enough, that he has a good view of the kitchen and dining table, once he gets over his fear.

Frisco & CNY

2007-01-30T09:04:00.000+08:00

This is the latest picture of Frisco snacking on a love letter. It has become his favourite. This is about the only time Mr Frisco will quietly stand on his perch.

My black cat has survived his blindness ordeal - I guess he must have used up one of his nine lives. Although the balance of 8 lives is at risk of being shaken by Frisco, who hates his perch being shaken for whatever reason.

I guess the King of Kiddies is Frisco - he gets into the festivities easily because he's a sucker for treats. He loves thin slices of green apples as well. I caught him walking to the bowl and helping himself to a slice.

Soon, I'll be bringing home a kitten. Perhaps it'll be a CNY hong bao for the Kiddies - I know my cat loves kittens, and I'm hoping this would perk him up a bit.

Let's see how Frisco would react to the soon-to-be newbie...but with CNY goodies, perhaps, he wouldn't really bother.

My black cat

2006-12-21T21:37:00.000+08:00

My cat is dying.
he is almost 15 years old.
Spoke to the vet today. He thinks the cat's system is slowing shutting down.

He was my first cat ever. Had him even before my son.

I was thinking the entire day today, about what I should do after he's gone.
Give another cat a home?
I'm not sure, because whenever they die, they leave this huge gaping hole in my heart.
I never really recovered when my favourite cat died, in fact, I never took in another one after that.

What should I do? I'm already in a state of panic....he's still lucid and hydrated.....still walking about, although he's loosing strength in his legs.
He's almost blind I think.....

His dying is like I'm closing a huge chapter in my life - the one who scratched and bit me the most, when I first got him. He was born in a drain, my gf found him hurt, abused and terrified of people. I took him in.

that was 15 years ago. today, I hope he can look back on his life and know he was loved.

Frisco's FF

2006-11-28T20:41:00.000+08:00

For the first time, Frisco dried his wings after a shower. Usually he just puffs himself up and sits on the perch, hoping to dry quickly. He loves to shower. I guess if your body covering is coated with white powder, it's quite annoying when you feel like some battered banana, waiting for the fying pan!

I got a picture of him, ever so comfortable, on his perch, with his left wing hanging loose. What amazes me about his wing, is that his flight feathers are a different colour - red and indigo/black. A real contrast from his green body.

I wonder if these feathers are his pride and joy, since they provide him the ability to actually fly. These are the very feathers we clip actually. They obviously grew out nicely after his first moult. It's such a shame to cut them short, so I would probably let him have them this time, unless of course, he decides to misbehave by flying around.

For starters, that's not safe for him - we have a ceiling fan in the living room, where Frisco spends a lot of his OUT time. In any case, it's always a surprise, when he decides to 'take flight' and do a nice landing. Thankfully, he's more a ground bird - he still prefers to potter around, pigeon-toed! Sometimes, I think I have a dog, not a bird. He walks hurriedly to me, when I call for him.

Anyways, if I were a bird, these feathers would be my pride......

MO

2006-11-21T20:56:00.000+08:00

This is MO. I clipped his wings today, because he actually flew! This is Day 1, that they are all away from their parents. I'm not sure if MO is a he or she...not that it makes a difference -

He's a bit less skittish, if I could use that term for birds. Being the oldest of the 3, he's braver and somehow sturdy on the perch.

He's lost his baby fat, and is looking very much like a cockatiel. I'm teaching him how to STEP-UP and he's slowly getting it. As with all things, it takes time and lots of patience. Thankfully, it's the school holidays and my son has been very helpful with handling them.

2006-11-17T12:49:00.000+08:00

They are growing up really fast - looking more like adult birds! Very soon, I'm sure they will all pop out of the nest box permanently. 2 of them look like their mom, except MO. The youngest is still straw-laden -

I really should prepare the cage for their 'leaving the nest'. I'm reluctant because it would be nice to have them live with their parents for now - but I think they work on instinct and will be able to hop, skip, fly with or without the guidance of their parents.

Mo and two I don't knows

2006-11-11T21:22:00.000+08:00

Mo is looking really good - a bit calmer when picked up. Most times, they allow me to pet them, but when it's time to pick them up, they start to panic.

I know I should have started handfeeding them, but my schedule doesn't allow me to be diligent about their feed timings - Their parents seem to be doing a great job, so, i'm leaving it at that.

Mo is trying to peck at things, which is amazing. He's almost covered in feathers. The youngest still has straws - so it's true what they say - they probably hatch at different times/days.

Every day when I clean out their nest box, it's like unwrapping a present - I don't know what I will find.....they grow so fast - MO is at the bottom of the picture...now i need gender-unspecific names for the other two....

I have given a male cat, a female name - so, nothing this ridiculous is beyond me!

Almost There

2006-11-10T09:24:00.000+08:00

The feathers are almost all out. In fact, MO has the most. His wings are streaked white. He's going to be the regular grey cockatiel. He's my favourite, because he's the least skittish. They are able to hop off my hand now. Waddling.
MO is at the top right of the picture.
My colleague tells me that I should put in a millet spray for them to start pecking on. I'm so glad they are growing up right, because their parents are first-timers.

Nest box pains

2006-11-08T11:30:00.000+08:00

As they grow, the space in the nest box shrinks! It's only logical, yet, I wonder why I never provided them a much larger one.

Some of their wing feathers have sprouted out of the 'straw' - It's quite clear that the oldest is a dark grey, the middle - more cinnamon - as for the youngest, it has more yellow.

I will have to begin handfeeding them as a supplement very very soon - it's nerve-wrecking.

Wierd Cute

2006-11-06T09:56:00.000+08:00

The chicks are still peeping. As this is the first clutch for me, I'm really concerned and have spent time reading online tips daily. Perhaps for an outwardly optimistic person, I'm a pessimist when it comes to an event almost entirely out of my control. I would love to hand feed them, but I work all day. And the last thing I want to do, is to blotch up the feeding and loose them because I'm negligent

I took this picture when I took them out when cleaning the nest box. They are learning to grip with their feet, a bit clumsy still, but silly sweet....

Clutch-2

2006-11-02T12:50:00.000+08:00

I figured these 3 young ones are at least 7 days old. I didn't bother to look into the nest box earlier because I'm paranoid - and I do not wish to be upset and having to bury any one of them.
I was shocked to find that they had some tiny feathers and 'straws ends' jutting out of their mid-wing section. I am glad though because it means they have been alive for more than a day or so - giving me hope that they will survive.
Out of the three, one is considerably smaller, perhaps the runty one - from my experience, I need to watch that one, to make sure he's being fed by his parents. If not, I would have to make the painful decision to pull him out from the nest box earlier than the rest and hand-feed him.
In any case, this is the first picture of the 3.
My love for having cats, dogs, birds, fish, whatever around me is never because it's fashionable or my need for company. I just find them so amazing in that they respond to us, our state of mind and they are so tolerant of our moods.