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="">