Safety Tips for Cats this NYE

-- Hooman Momma

New Year's Eve must feel like hell on earth for our kitties. Their sense of hearing is ultra sensitive, so the loud firecrackers and fireworks send them to scout for a safe place in the dark.

Beautiful fireworks display on NYE as seen from my balcony.

My kitties and I live in a condo unit on the 12th floor, facing a plush village where the neighborhood go all out and crazy in welcoming the new year. As humans, we enjoy the mighty display of fireworks from my balcony, but the kitties don't feel the same. For several years, I have been successful in making sure they feel safe and comfortable, so I'm sharing the things that I do for them. They may also apply for your furry dogs:

Rue's scaredy cat look.

LOVE. Those. Eyes. She's easily startled by sudden loud sounds, and this is how she reacts.

1. No matter where you live -- a house with a yard, condo, apartment building, etc. -- make sure that your cats are INDOORS before it gets dark. In my country (crazy but fun Philippines), people start with merry-making at dusk, and that means firecrackers start going off at the same time. If you gather them when the fun started, you may not find them anymore. I've also seen some photos of cats and dogs on the street abused with firecrackers during NYE (evil monsters putting firecrackers on animals' tails, etc.) so that's definitely another reason to keep them in.

2. Prepare a room just for them. Because we live in a studio condo, the only other room I have is the bathroom -- which is just perfect for them. It is away from the balcony, and that is where they hide when our vets come over for a house call appointment.

3. Make the room comfortable. I put their favorite boxes and carriers in the bathroom, so they can hide in them.

Rue loves sleeping in this carrier, so this goes to the bathroom on NYE.

4. Play some soothing music. Any music with a relaxed beat can calm them down. I usually play my bossanova playlist.

5. Check on them and give them treats from time to time. I wanna make sure they are okay and not nerve-wracked, so I always go in the bathroom to see them. They are so relaxed that they are always ready to receive some treats!

OPTIONAL: If you have Bach's Remedy, you can put about 4 drops in their treats every hour. It helps ease their nerves.

That's it, and hope you'll have a fun NYE while your cats are safely tucked in a cozy room! :)

Chwithmath Wif Saab

-- Hooman Momma

Christmas would have been sweeter with the little rascal Saab around, but God had other plans for him. Each day becomes easier as I learn to accept that Saab was just a passing soul, a reminder that life can be beautiful no matter how short it was lived.

I am so glad we celebrated Chwithmath wif Saab on September 28, back when he still had the energy to be merry and enjoy his pawty. The idea came as I was Whatsapp-ing with my PAWsome friends -- because Saab was diagnosed with FIP, I knew that his time on earth won't be long. I told them I wish he would at least stay until Christmas. We were all sad, but then Tinette said, "Why don't we all celebrate Christmas with Saab this Saturday?!" It was the brightest idea. I had one day to prepare for it. There really wasn't much to prepare for, but I wanted a little tarp and some Christmas stuff brought to the clinic :) I also ordered cupcakes for him from Whole Pet Kitchen.

On Chwithmath day, Saab was all perky in his red Christmas scarf. He was his usual curious self, greeting everyone and making sure their plates were full. He was a poster boy for a party cat :) He only had a few guests, but he enjoyed being the center of everybody's attention.

I will be forever thankful to Dr. Riza and Dr. Melay of The Pet Project Vet Clinic for making sure Saab lived his life to the fullest in his last few remaining days. He truly was loved, pampered and spoiled rotten there :) 

Here's how we spent Chwithmath wif Saab:

Cupcakes for pets from Whole Pet Kitchen

Dr. Riza and Dr. Melay of The Pet Project Vet Clinic

Saab's beloved guests (from L): Tinette, myself, Dr. Melay, Dr. Riza, my mom, Janice

Meowy Christmas!

We wish you and your furry family meowy Christmas and PAWsome holidays! :)

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Friday the 13th

-- Hooman Momma

It's Friday the 13th, and it would have been purr-fect if Saab's still here to goof around on the day when black cats are supposed to bring bad luck! Coincidentally, today has been 2 months since he went fishing for good. 

I still feel a lump in my throat when I light a candle for him in the morning, but we're all getting by fine. I would like to think that what happened to Saab has a higher purpose: because of the extensive research my vets and I did when Saab was sick, they are now able to help another FIP+ patient (and another male black cat!) through the experimental drug that we never got the chance to give to Saab. The Pet Project Vet Clinic also named Saab's favorite spot at the altar by the balcony, "Saab's Corner." It's unbelievable how many lives Saab has touched (and continue to touch) in his short life here on earth! I love you, baby <3 nbsp="">

Fancy Feast's Cat Crafternoon

-- Hooman Momma

I had an amazing time at Fancy Feast's Cat Crafternoon event! I have been dabbling into craftmaking lately, and I would never say pass at an event that combines cat-love and crafts! What a wonderful event by Nestlé Purina!

We made a collar necklace and designed a ceramic bowl for our kitties. Here are what I made for Rue:

So many freebies for Rue! I love Nestlé Purina :)

The food at Pino/Pipino Restaurant was super good, but everyone was too busy with their crafts to enjoy the food! I only had a few bites because I wanted to finish my crafts :)

LOOK! Saab is on my cupcake :)

I wish I brought Rue because she had some "fans" who got excited when they thought she was there, hehe :) There were a lot of kitties, but I was not able to take photos because I was too excited with my crafts! Sorry!

My Wise Little Lion is Gone

-- Hooman Momma

Sábio Leãozinho is the literal translation of wise little lion in Portuguese. Our vet wanted him to be an action star if he grew up, but Saab always preferred to be a ninja.

ONE MONTH. 

It's been a month since the biggest battle of Saab's short life has been lost. I never updated this blog, because it was very painful for me to accept that Saab is no longer around to bring joy and mischief to our humble home.

Tiny Saab. What a cutiepie!

Saab was a handsome boy. No doubt about that.

When Saab was still confined at The Pet Project Vet Clinic and people asked me how he was, I always choked on my reply -- HE'S DYING. For how else can you describe the quick deterioration of Saab's health? That after only 3 weeks of discovering the first symptom, he was gone? That his vibrant, conversational meow when he was still well was reduced to a mere cry of pain as the days went on? That each day he spent at the hospital was a day closer to his death sentence? It was truly a very tough journey that no loving pet parent and furbaby deserve to go through.

Saab was scared of dogs before, but he shared a short friendship with Buster at the clinic, a black Labrador. Maybe because they're both black?

The first symptom that appeared was his unevenly dilated eyes, and his left iris developed a red-orange tint. Later on, his right pupil became irregularly shaped, as seen in these photos.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a heartless, evil disease that steals the life of beautiful angels, whose only fault was acquiring corona virus that mutated in their genetically predisposed DNA. One trigger is all it takes to activate its fury -- sickness, stress, or anything that would compromise his immune system. In Saab's case, it was his neutering. There's really nothing we could have done about it -- not neutering was not an option. FIP is like a thief in the night that waits patiently for an opportunity to attack and take over.

Saab being prepped for neutering by Dr. Riza and Dr. Melay on August 18, 2013.

Saab recovering at home after surgery.

What's even more depressing is that there is no cure for FIP. There are experimental drugs such as Interferon Omega and Polyprenyl Immunostimulant, but before we could even get our hands on these options, Saab's FIP already progressed to the point of no return. Using these drugs would be futile, because Saab was already beyond repair. Logistically, it would have not been possible for the medicines to arrive on time because it had to be ordered from the US, and while it can be sent via FedEx, customs in Manila (knowing how corrupt they are) may intercept an experimental drug and not release it on time. It is an expensive drug, but I know in my heart that I would never hesitate to try it if we only had the means.

On October 12, Saturday, I knew it was almost time. Our amazing vets, Dr. Riza Zunio and Dr. Melay Pelayo, already talked to me about putting Saab to sleep. But I chose to hold on. I just couldn't let go. I spent several nights sleeping beside Saab at the clinic, and on that last night, we slept together peacefully with him using my arm as his pillow. 

In the morning of October 13, Sunday, at exactly 9:00 am, Saab marched weakly to his favorite sun spot at the balcony of his suite. For the last two weeks, he goes there everyday, to lounge around the fake grass under the sun. Oh, how he loved that spot. It was so heartwarming that despite his condition, he still chose to enjoy what little life is left in him. He grew even weaker in the afternoon, and Dr. Riza decided to put him on IV drip. He seemed stable, and I decided to leave him at 4:30 pm to freshen up at home.

Saab's beautiful suite, his home for 3 weeks. He had supervised access to the balcony where he spent his morning lounging on his sun spot.

A peaceful photo of Saab on his last day, sleeping on the fake grass.

At 6:15 pm on October 13, I received a call from Dr. Riza, telling me that Saab had a seizure. It was almost time. My mom and I hurriedly left home. While on the road, at 6:38 pm, I received a text message that he's gone. We arrived at the clinic at 6:45 pm, and we were 15 minutes late. He finally gave up at 6:30 pm, in the arms of our loving vets. They tried to revive him, but he was already too tired. He didn't want to fight anymore. 

Saab had the sad look of death on his last day. He was too tired to fight a battle bigger and tougher than him.

I prayed hard that if Saab couldn't be cured anymore, then just please let him rest. But even if Saab prepared me for 3 weeks for the inevitable, it was still very tragic. It was even more painful that he decided to leave without me by his side, but what comforted me was the thought that he probably loved me so much he didn't want me to see him die. 

I realized that putting an animal companion to sleep is a very personal decision that should only be discussed by people directly involved in the care of the sick animal. At the onset of his illness, I received several messages from people telling me to relieve him of the pain and just put him to sleep. But those 3 weeks were too precious to give away. He was even still very playful in the first week. I would never have it any other way. When I got that crucial call from Dr. Riza, I was ready to let him rest, because I knew that was it.. But I am still glad he didn't let me make that choice. It would have broken me even more.

The last best thing I could give to Saab is a private cremation and beautiful memorabilia, to honor all the beautiful memories he left us with. I am thankful I found Pet Valley Park and Crematory for the quick and efficient service.

This cross stich craftwork was given to us by our vets. What a great way to capture the blessed life of Saab at the Rainbow Bridge!

Time heals all wounds. While it got easier as days passed by, I still miss him. Everyday. I light a candle for him every morning, just to relish in the warm and sweet personality of Saab. It gets me going each day.

I would like to thank my mom, our vets, friends, PAWsome Cats followers, and the Facebook groups FIP Fighters and Cat Care Philippines, for holding my hand (physically and virtually) in this difficult journey. I am truly grateful for all the heartfelt support that you have given me, and for all the love that you showered Saab with.

I hope you are not getting into too much trouble at the Rainbow Bridge, Saab. You must be giving St. Francis a lot of headache. I love you, Sábio Leãozinho. Goodbye, little one...