Pepper and family

The Many "Couldn't care less" faces of Pepper

2007-03-13T16:46:00.000+08:00

Mom, I'm trying to take a nap here!

2007-02-21T11:11:00.000+08:00

Mom likes to take pictures of me. I love being tucked in, and mom will usually rub my belly and stroke my chin till I'm really sleepy...

Yawnnnnn...nite nite all. Love you mom!

Making Cumin Happy

2006-09-20T13:50:00.000+08:00

19 September, I drove to Jusco Sri Kembangan at lunch time with the objective to get food which Cumin might like. So here I am at the supermarket, shopping for apples, baby food and strawberry yogurt. All these stuff for CUMIN!

Anyway, I couldnt wait to get home. The minute I finished my class, I decided to skip gym so that I could go home and entertain Cumin. When I got home she was in her coconut shell and peaked at me when she heard me near her cage.

I took a teaspoon full of baby food, put it on my finger and tried to make her lick. She took a quick nip of my finger and went into hiding. I was trying very hard not to pull away coz this was supposed to teach her that I cant be bullied and she cant have things her way even if she bites me! Ok..so she hates baby food! I picked up the cat kibble and brought it near her hiding place. She pop her head just fast enuf to snatch the food from my finger!

I'm tired and dont really have the patience to do this so I told myself, 1 more try! went to the kitchen, got a piece of grape, mash it onto my finger and brought it to her. This time she walk to my palm and I manage to bring her out. It was very ticklish as she tried ti walk to my shoulders. (A note to myself, never wear a singlet or anything sleeveless while handling sugar gliders).

So from last night's session, I discovered some of her likes and dislikes which will be listed below and added from time to time as I 'bond' with her.

Likes:-

Carrots
Strawberry Yogurt
Grapes
Kitten Food
To sit on my head
Wakes up at 11pm to play

Dislikes:-

Mealworms
Gerber Baby Food
Apples

By the way, I think Pepper is jealous coz she is not the 1st I attend to when I get home! Hey what is she complaining about!? She gets mommy all to herself every night!

Cumin...new member of the family

2006-09-19T15:33:00.000+08:00

September 16, at about 7nish in the evening I added a new member to the family. Been wanting to get one for a longg time and she is finally MINE!

Meet Cumin, she's a 12 weeks old Sugar Glider. Lovable, a great escape artist and can be really loud when she wants to be!

On the 2nd day she stayed with me, she went missing! After frantically looking for her high and low, I found he snoozing away in my handbag!

On the 3rd day, she went exploring the house again and this time I found her under a pile of clothes.

Cumin loves yogurt and grapes. I was told that she likes mealworms too but she chose to ignore it when I gave some to her last night. I am looking for the right bonding pouch for her but it is so difficult to get one in the country.

Enjoy these shots of her taken on the 1st night I brought her home!

I named the kittens

2006-09-06T10:13:00.000+08:00

My grandkittens are 3 months old now and I've finally named them. The Blue Cream is Spearmint, Red Tabby is Stitch and Tortie is Sesame.

I just realized that I have so many pictures of Stitch but a few of Sesame and Spearmint. Looks like I have to start taking more of the 2 girls also. Meantime, here are pics of them...

Here's a few shots of Stitch...

This is Stitch watching mom eat.

Introducing Spearmint...She is the 1st born from this litter.

Sesame is the 3rd baby. Look at that face... Always up to something no good!! All 3 are equally naughty, tearing my living room upside down!

Saffron did it again!

2006-06-05T18:01:00.000+08:00

4th June 2006, I came home around 12 45 am and found Saffron panting...Opps..she's going to deliver. Thank God it's my 2nd experience. I boiled water, prepared scissors, threads and she gave birth to 3 beautiful babies... a blue cream girl, a red tabby and a tortie. All babies and mum are in great health. Soo adorable.

Origano May 2005 June 2006

2006-06-02T16:31:00.000+08:00

Origano, The Lop Ear bunny passed on today. She was a nice gentle bunny. Didnt like to be cuddled but didnt give me problem. Cause of death unknown...

Baby..u'll be missed!!!

The rest of the family...

2006-05-03T17:26:00.000+08:00

After Pepper and Smegol, I got a bit carried away...turning my 850 sqft home into a mini zoo. In 1 stage I think I had 17 pets under 1 roof.

I had a rabbit named Yoda for about a week and he died. Yoda was so adorable, he even followed me to my Mandarin classes. He was probably too stressed..MY fault!
Here's Yoda, hours after I got him and I had to bring him to work with me coz I got her during lunch break...hehehe. After work, I had to rush for Mandarin class that's why he had to follow me there too.

Yoda, enjoying time out at my brother's garden. This was the introduction period between Yoda, Pepper and Smeagol.

After Yoda, then came Tarzan and Jane, the hamsters. Jane didnt live long enuf with me and Tarzan is still around till today. Just like his name, he likes to swing from 1 end to the other of his cage.I dont think I have a picture of jane but here's 1 of Tarzan.

I cant recall who came next, was it Asafetida the rabbit or was it Yoda Junior the chipmunk?! I think I cant name any of my pets after Yoda...they all end up dead. YJ lasted for a week too. Apparently he was over dosed by apples. Too much acid they ysay...Now they tell me! I didnt take any pics of YJ. I bought her from Ikano's Pet Safari.

Asafetida was so adorable when I 1st laid my eyes on her. She was licking the glass window at Family Pets center in Tmn Megah. I had no intention of getting another bunny but I just couldnt help it...I kept on saying..no more pets...no more pets...after Smeagol but...
Adorable gal dont you think so?! Such an angel ages ago... A year has passed. She has a friend named Origano. They are best of friends but Asafetida is very dominant. She grooms and bites Origano from time to time...Poor Origano.

After getting Asafetida, I wanted a lopp ear bunny. I went to a breeder in Cheras but didnt like what I saw. Decided to go to Pets Wonderland in 1 Utama and that was where I fell in love with origano. She was also cheaper than the ones sold at the breeder's place.
After getting Origano, she wasnt as tamed as she used to be. Not sure if it was my fault or Asafetida's. Look at how chubby she was. If I'm not mistaken I bought her on labour day 2005. Bunnies dont get along well with eack other. The bonding session takes ages. I was lucky that Asafetida and Origano could get along but unfortunately, I could never get Cinnamon to be friends with Asafetida. I've tried getting a new cage, bringing them for a ride in the car togerther...putting them in a neutral area in the house...etc...etc but it didnt work. As a last resort, I had to separate Cinnamon from the rest, so she occupies the guest bathroom all to herself, while the other two gets the balcony.

So a few months after getting a lopp eared bunny, I am now in love with a Jersey Wolly. I know I dont have space anymore but I just couldnt stop thinking of her. That's how 1 bunny became 3...all girls! She is well trained as in, she wont poo everywhere. Only thing is that her furr gets tangled easily. She is soooo adorable coz u cant really see her eyes. Isnt she cute?! There was one time when I was on a business trip, I came home to find that Cinnamon was hairless/furrless. I was so shocked! Then I found out that bunnies do that when they are hot or when it is mating season. Phewww!!!

Cinnamon is my last bunny and then came Harry Porter the Hedgehog. I liked the fact that he doesnt curl up into a prickly ball when I pick him up. He is sooo tamed that even tho I had no intention to add to my existing collection...(ya right!!!) I just had to get him.

Now Harry is big and fat! He deosnt get to walk about as often as he did coz mom has no time nowadays. He is easy to maintain and the best thing is that he eats what the cats eat so I dont need to get different food except once a month, I'll buy him meal worms just to make him happy!

After Harry, I had 2 Java sparrows. I dont believe in keeping birds in cages but these sparrows are beautiful, so my intention for to buy them, care for them for a few weeks and then set them free. 1 died on me b4 I could let her go and 1 escaped on his own. After the Java Sparrows, I envied the cockatiel my friend Afi has. He is so cute and has a character of his own. I placed a booking but couldnt get one. So 1 fine day as I was having lunch at Equine Park, Sri Kembangan, I saw a shop selling birds. I saw Ron Weasley and immediately fell in love again. The price was right and so was the timing.

Ron Weasley had a friend blusher for the next few month coz Afi left him with me...after a few months Ron passed away and I was too sad to care for Blusher so I sent him back to Afi. Ron had a character! He use dto follow me around the house when I refused to put him on my shoulder. He liked watching Oprah with me and could immitate the sould of laughter when the audience on Oprah laughed! I cried whole day! After Ron, I didnt buy anymore pets...the only addition I have are the kittens which Saffron gave birth to.

Creepy Crawlies

2006-04-23T20:01:00.000+08:00

I hate fleas, ear mites and lice!

No matter how much you care for your cat, they will always be infested again and again!! Sooooooooo annoying, tiring and burning a large hole in my pocket!

I check my babies every week, and all of a sudden there's full of them everywhere! not only biting and sucking their blood, mine too! Arggghhhhh!

Pepper...Queen of the house!

2006-04-19T10:10:00.000+08:00

Yesterday I let everyone out of their room. The two small ones were jumping here and there, tumbling every deco I have in the house, scratching my rattan trunk and basically turning the whole house topsy turvy!

Suddenly I heard a cry and saw Storm humping on 1 of the kittens. To my surprise, Pepper came running and gave Storm a slap on his face with a loud Grrreow!!! sound. Storm let the kitten go and put his ears down. He turned to chase after the kitten but Pepper stood in front of him with that look on her face which says... 'if..u dare take another step!'

Storm actually took steps backwards...and never went anywhere near the kittens or Pepper. It is amazing how cats can actually defend other kittens even when that kitten is not even hers to begin with!

So...why is it that we human can be ignorant. Kids are being molested and abused. Sometimes it happens around us but we dont do anything about it simply because...."it is not our problem"

I'm very proud of my Queen!

Thanks Karl for the luvly pics.

Family album

2006-03-09T15:34:00.000+08:00

I have hundreds of pictures taken in every angle and for different occasions. Since I dont really have a proper album to put them in, might as well post it here and share it with everyone..right?! So here goes... This is Pepper posing next to my pic.

Here's one of Storm...looking blurr as usual. He's saying...' What? What did I do wrong? It wasn't me mom!'

Pepper obsessed with grooming!

2006-02-27T17:08:00.000+08:00

Pepper..my little princess (well, she's not exactly lilltle anymore!) has always been obsessed with grooming. While most cats spends their time snoozing..she grooms herself all the time. licking here and there...scratching here and there..;)

If she is not grooming herself...she'll find the others to groom..be it Smeagol, Saffron, Storm or even the babies. She'll pin them down and clean them even if they dont like it.

The kitty's 1st shot!

2006-02-27T11:32:00.000+08:00

26 February 2006...the babies are 8 weeks old and it is time for their 1st shot. Brought them to Dr Hasnul at about 1pm. They explored the whole car!

At the clinic, Dr Has said they might be sleeping whole day or cranky after getting the shots and to looking for them for the next 72 hours. If they continue to have fever after 72 hours...I have to start to PANIC!

Well, they were still hyper last night except when I tried lifting Szuzfa, she bit me when I touched the spot where the needle was inserted. It must be a bit sore. Poor girl! This morning they were not as noisy as usual, the jap must have kicked in! Well, I hope they feel better soon...

1 April I'll bring them for their 2nd shot!

In loving memory...Sirmo 31 December 2005 - 17 February 2006

2006-02-20T10:25:00.000+08:00

Sirmo, born on 31 December 2005 at about 4pm was the best new year gift anymore could ask for! She was a fighter despite the difficulty to move and do stuff on her own. Very vocal and for someone so tiny...has got quite a bite to be proud of!

After 7 weeks of manually feeding her and cleaning up after her, I think it would be best to let her rest in peace. I will always love her and remember that look in her eyes along with all the tiny bite marks she gave me when I was feeding her vitamins and medicine! Hopefully she'll forgive me for the decision I had to make and she is happy now in Cat Heaven.

Nanny Loves YOU...SIRMO!!!

These are pics of Sirmo when Aunty Pepper was helping out to care for her a few days after Saffron starts to abandon her!!

Sirmo

2006-02-08T15:39:00.000+08:00

Sirmo was born healthy, cute and adorable! 2 1/2 weeks after that she became sick. I realized that Saffron is begining to ignore her and her limps are getting weaker each day. She cant move much or stand on her own. I took her to Dr Hasnul and he asked me to give her a pill a day for her nerves. I brought her to work with me everyday and fed her every 3 hours. Now, I'm her mommy! After 8 days of nursing her her she got stronger and could move/slide herself from 1 end of the room to another. She could also drink milk from Saffron on her own, so I put her back with the rest of her siblings and mom! My mistake!

2 days after that, she became weak again and now I have to repeat the whole routine again. This time it seems more difficult..more hard work. Her weight increases but her joints and getting stiffer even with the physiotherapy I'm trying to give her every 3-4 hours a day! I'm in a dilemma. She is a fighter at the same time I cant bear to see her suffer. I really hope she recovers!

Sirmo, Selphion & Szuzfa

2006-02-07T16:23:00.000+08:00

31 December 2005

I knew Saffron was pregnant but didnt think she was due till mid January 06. As I was preparing for new year eve...what to wear...where to go..etc..etc...I saw Saffron having a contraction at about 2.30 pm. I didnt prepare anything and she was panting hard..poor girl! Pepper helped to groom her and comfort her. She followed Saffron left and right. I think she even cleaned Saffron when her water bag broke!
3.00 pm my sis-in-law called and wanted me to accompany her to Lan's house. Told her we have to be quick. I sent Pepper and the rest into their room and left Saffron alone in the living room. Thought she didntthe space!!

I came home at 4.00 pm and realized that I didnt close my bedroom door. Could find Saffron anywhere...then I thought of looking under my bed..and there she was! I had to pushed my bed aside and guess what?? I saw a tiny..wet..black looking thing under her! It was her 1st baby. Saffron looked tired and I couldnt her the baby cry. Thanks to my experienced friends, Dr. Hasnul the vet and the book I just bought 2 days before that...I picked up the baby, swing it left and right and blew at her face! Then I heard a cry and she was breathing! Gave her back to Saffron.

Then came the 2nd baby. When I was busy with baby 1st baby, she was cleaning 2nd baby all on her own! Just when I thought everything was over 3rd baby popped out! By this time, Saffron was too exausted to eat the placenta and lick the baby so I tore open the thin layer of skin which covered 3rd baby! I tied the umbilical cord and cut all three. I was relieved that Saffron ate all the placenta and she took care of all her babies on her own after that!

The kittens are all Torties, which means they are all females. I named them after spices in different languages.

Here are Sirmo, Szuzfa and Selphion at 21 days old....

Storm

2006-02-07T16:11:00.000+08:00

February 2004 Who would have thought that I would get another cat after Saffron! I kept on telling everyone, 3 is enuf! Ya right! This little fella chose me too. He was sent for boarding at Pet Zone and the owner never picked him up! ;(

Sad isnt it! Everytime I passed by his cage, he would reach out and touch me...how could anyone resist that?! So that's how I ended up having my 4th baby...Storm has a foot fetish and likes to lick anyone's feet especially if it is wet! Sound eewww but that is STORM! He loves kneading and massaging me especially while watching TV. Over time, he is Saffron's best buddy, love of her life and father to her 3 daughters!

Saffron

2006-02-07T15:48:00.000+08:00

23 September 2004 ... Saffron was born and I finally found the RED kitten I've been looking for. Waited for 2 months and finnaly brought her home on November 23. Or course as usual Pepper didnt like the idea of having someone new in the family, so Saffron had to 'manja-manja' with Smeagol. She was quite difficult to please at 1st. Didn't want to eat this...refused to eat that, I almost gave up and I tak layan her, she decided to have a bite. This picture was taken a few days after I brought her home. Isn't she a doll ;) Would you believe that after a year, she is now a mom herself! She doesnt like to be held like the other two. Most difficult cat to take her medication. I'll be at war with her when I try to pop a tablet into her system!

But there is a way for her to come to you. The minute she smells or sees you eating, she'll be the 1st to jump onto your lap. After that, she's GONE!

Smeagol

2006-02-07T15:22:00.000+08:00

May 2004 I decided to get Pepper a companion. My collegue told me that her mother-in-law had a kitten to give away...so here we go again. I went over to Batu Cave area and saw this skinny, white kitten. Didnt know what to say in the beginning but since I was already there..I thought to myself...oklah...ambik ajelah...I was actually looking for a fat RED cat! Similarto Garfield! I was there with my sister-in-law, Azlina and I was determined to make this fella fat and handsome...look at him now! What a STUD!

You'd never imagine how he looked when I 1st laid eyes on him...all bones and full of fleace! Here goes...

3 years have passed...

2006-02-07T15:05:00.000+08:00

It has been 3 years since Pepper chose me, and since then, Smeagol, Saffron and Storm came along. Went crazy and got a few other pets along the way...3 bunnies, cockatiels, hedgehog, hamsters and a chipmunk.
Sounds like a zoo huh! Well...chipmunk died after a week, a case of overdosed apple..apparently to much is acidict..no one told me that!
My cockatiel died a few weeks ago but the family still grows when Saffron and Storm decided to get DIRTY with each other...then came Sirmo, Selphion and Szuzfa..my granddaughters on 31 December 2005! What a new year gift!

Here's a pic of my gentle boy..Smeagol.

Falling in love...

2006-01-16T17:38:00.000+08:00

13 July 2003

Met Norjima in Section 14 PJ. It was love at 1st sight. Picked up Pepper and that was the beginning of a new life for both of us. This picture was taken about a year after I got her. Look at that gracefull but serious look of hers. She loves the camera! She was the only child..my princess...favourite niece of all her uncles...till May 2004

Pepper is one spoilt baby. She sleeps with me most of the time, likes to ride in cars and loves to pose for pictures. One vain girl!

Pepper found me

2006-01-16T17:21:00.000+08:00

12 July 2003

Drove all around town looking for a kitten. In and out of petshops and all were out of stock. Almost gave up and decided that Subang Jaya will be my last stop!

The shop didnt have it either but knows someone who wants to give away kittens for free. Called the lady and she told me to view the kittens on Sunday. Can't wait! Soooo excited!