In Remembrance

Abigail is Dead.

Abigail died on 19/12/08 at 9:20am after falling 12 floors from the garbage chute. She probably fell around 6am, as I heard the garbage truck rumbling past around 5am, and I could still hear her yowling. She was in heat so it was a constant source of her presence.

When I went to feed her at 7am something seemed odd, she did not come. She was confined to the end room as she and Tuffie did not get along. I was intending to get her spayed and then see the results, and find her a permanent home if Tuffie still rejects her.

The room was small, a little cluttered, but she was nowhere to be found. I checked high and low, and it only seemed possible that she could have gone down the garbage chute. The chute is set in the wall and has a lid, but she could have pulled the handle, opened the lid, and on jumping in the lid could close immediately. This is one of the times that I hoped my hunch was wrong, but I went downstairs to check anyways. I was relieved to find the dumpsters clean, but then I went out the garbage room and on the other corner there she was.

The workers had pulled her from the room when they heard her, she was bleeding from her nose and mouth, and her hind legs were skewed in odd positions. It was such a shock, and I was shaking badly. I told them to watch her and went to get a box immediately. We then rushed her to the only vet that was open at that time - MAH Veterinary Services. Even though it was in Muara and took half an hour to get there. By that time it was 8:30am. She kept crying and moving around, and I had hoped that she could be saved.

But I guess it was hoping for too much too fast, the vet confirmed that she has no broken bones, but is suffering from massive internal injuries. She said she could give her an IV drip, and when she is stronger give her antibiotics. That's when I knew Abbie could not be saved, but as a last ditch we agreed to the drip. Before the vet could start anything though, Abbie choked to death on her own blood. She stopped breathing and that was it.

It's bad enough that I cry when I lost my Betta fish, my guinea pigs, my hamsters. To see Abbie dying so horribly was traumatizing, and it's very hard to come home, and see the empty room with her food bowl and litterbox still there. We buried her by the riverbank, near to where my bro buried the guinea pig 4 years ago. Abigail, we will miss your raucous voice, your silly antics.

Taken last month, when she was on the road to recovery following near starvation, fleas, worms, runny nose and a fungal attack. She was the dirtiest stray that I have ever taken in.

Confrontation between the Tuff and Abbie. Love how Tuffie is a blob and Abbie is a stick :)

Abbie exploring my room. Tuffie did not approve.

These photos were taken just 2 days before she died:

Sniffing my pants, I had fried chicken for lunch that day :P and both cats found my pants to be exteeeeemely interesting.

A bit washed out by the flash, but I'm amused by Tuffie's laser eyes.

She'd gained her weight back, and was happy and healthy.

Slightly cross-eyed :D

Way to creep people out, cyclops kitty.

She'd put on so much weight, and her colour darkened considerably.

Cleaning her butt on my bed. Great.

And the last 2 shots before she left.

Goodbye Abigail.

Tale of 2 Kittens: Part 4/4

This photo was taken just prior to them thrashing the living room. Check out the oh-so-innocent faces to lull you into a false sense of security...

Then it's mayhem in the living room!

Babes on the sofa -

Dolce on the pouf -

Babes looking guilty...probably knocked over my moms vase for the nth time.

Dolce and the Tuff on the dining chairs. Tuffie's face says it all XD

And after all that romping around it's time for more sleep!

Nothing tires kittehs out more than fun and food. :)

Well, this is the last part of the kittens' story. Since I only intended to foster them I started to look for potential adopters. It was quite fortunate that my colleague can take the both of them in, and she and her kids have really cared well for these 2 kittens. A happy ending as good as any! ;)

An even happier continuation is that the kittens got to spend an additional 12 days with me, as my colleague went on holiday. They've really bulked up and are glossy and sleek. Still cheeky though :P See them here: "When Kittens Attack"
Also catch the first 3 installments here: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

Tale of 2 Kittens: Part 3/4

Dolce's day out:

First he checks out the kitchen...

...all clear here. All the food have been eaten :)

"Food? What food?" :D Babes investigates too.

After the kitchen Dolce checks out the houseplants...

...before being snagged for a photo-shoot.

Next he checks out Tuffie.

Then he nonchalantly makes his way to the bonsai...

...which was subsequently mauled by bitty kitteh claws. Here I'm trying to pull the little stinker off. But he's a stubborn one (check out the tongue!)

Up next, the final installment in Tale of 2 Kittens. Also check out Part 1 and Part 2! Update: final installment is up!