Felix is 8 years old today!

 Happy Birthday, Felix!

You are Super! You bravely overcome every past challenge brilliantly to make it to today!

May the Lord continue to love, guide, guard and protect you as we move forward in unison, peace and good health!

Want to have some ice cream?

Family ice cream cup, which one would you fancy?

Snippets

- Could you believe it! Below 10 degrees this morning (2nd March 2024)

- Time for fashion show as well..

- When there's sunshine, remember to warm your back, then you don't have to worry about having sunburn on your face.....

Happy Year of the Dragon

 We would like to wish all our friends and their loved ones: 

Good Health, Prosperity, Happiness and Success in Year of the Dragon!

This one looks like the head is being "keyed" in. 

Actually its NOT! 

Her head is really BIG!

Looks like Santa Claus? Haha

Stella's first CFA cat show

Stella went for her maiden CFA cat show on 27th-28th January 2024 in the HK Convention and Exhibition Centre. Its a 2 day show, from around 11am to 7pm. There were 6 rings to compete in each day, and if she is lucky to get into the finals, she would have to present herself for 12  times daily.

For the first day, because she was a new comer, she was assigned to the Open category, for which she would try to win as many small rosettes as she could in order to be promoted to the Grand Premier Category ASAP. At the maximum, each cat could get 2 small rosettes in each ring. They being - Best All Breed, 2nd Best All Breed, Best Long Hair, 2nd Best Long Hair, Best Short Hair, 2nd Best Long Hair. Exotic Shorthair because of the Persian breed was classified as Long Hair Cats. Other popular breeds in this class include Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest, Persian, Ragdoll, Siberian etc. 

The first day was not too difficult for her. Of the 6 rings, she came out empty handed in only one. To our surprise, she was also awarded a big rosette in one ring in addition to the 2 smaller rosettes. She ended the day with a total of 8 small rosettes, one big rosette and became a one day Grand. 

The really tough challenge came on the second day, as carrying the Grand Premier title gave her better chance to compete for big rosettes or ranking in Premiership. Small rosettes are now irrelevant to her. Usually Exotic would be fully grown by the age of 3. Stella being 1 year 7 months, looks like a baby vs other Exotic competitors who are age between 3-6 years old. Naturally, she would loose out considerably in appearance and build. I believe genetically, Stella has the potential, as she was awarded with rosettes in 2 of the 6 rings.

Results:

Overall, I believe Stella is starting to know the game. She had more interaction with the judges although she likes to look at the audience or maybe trying to locate us. She was more relaxed - willing to eat and sleep on site. Strategy wise, if serious about competitions, then save it till Stella is fully grown! 

Snippets

Auntie and Stella being caught by the official photographer!

Stella: Let me see what I got

   Let's see......Hmmmm.....

Stella completed her second charity work - donations made on 3rd February 2024.

Betty is 10 years old today

Betty dear, 

Happy Birthday!

Wishing you Good Health and Happiness Always!

Update on Betty's IBD condition:

Betty revisited vets on 31st December 2023 and her condition was overall stable. Via ultrasound, though there are still some inflammation in a small part of her intestine, her clinical signs were good. So vet declared that IBD is under controlled after 6 months of treatment. 

During the past 6 months, she has steadily gained weight, and is now at 4.57kg, - a new record for this "miniature Ragdoll (as most judges described her). 

For the next 3 months, Betty will slowly switch from I/D diet to normal ones. Let's pray that we can succeed.

Betty, I thank you for your intelligence, patience and understanding as we combat against IBD. Its not an easy path, but luckily, with your co-operation, the road was a lot less rugged. Coincidentally, your kidney condition has also return to normal, for which I would say we are lucky. For this we would like to than Auntie R, Dr Tint, Dr Tasmin, Dr Jacky and Dr Vera for their patience, care, professionalism and love, for without which, you would not be the healthy kid today! Thanks be to God!

Like all parents, let us continue to work hard and greedily aim for another 10 years of good health and joyfulness! 

As an aside, the following interesting photos were taken during the birthday party.

Good bye 2023!

Comparatively speaking, I would say 2023 is a relatively calm year for our family. Being a lone ranger, I no longer have to worry about my parents, though I still miss them both dearly at times! I took up volunteer work for 2 mornings per week, mainly assuming some clerical jobs. Its boring at times, but at least could keep my "brain" (if there's any) functioning and come in touch with more people. 

Overall, the cats are in "decent" conditions:

- Betty, though unfortunately had been diagnosed with IBD and pancreatitis in 7/23. There were some teething problem with medications during the first month but by and large, she was sailing pretty smoothly.  She had already recovered from pancreatitis and just another step before her gastro system could be claimed returning to normal. 

Being a very obedient and understanding child, she compiled with the straight ID diet throughout the day and runs until now. Though at times, she might play "loss of appetite" when comes to eating dry food, just a grain of Bonito would make her open up and start eating. Don't know whether its she who could be easily fooled, or that I'm the one being fooled? Anyway, keeping happy and gaining weight (4.4kg - her record high and 15% higher than when she first fall sick) is good enough.

Just hope that Betty will continue to recover and could return to her low phosphorous meals in 2024!

                                                 

- Felix, though there were some minor hiccups, had at least been staying OUT of hospital for the whole year for a change! Felix eats well, and had gained weight this year. We are now working hard to control his body weight as he had loose interest in exercising since taking Steroid. 

I just pray that Felix would live a happy "normal" life henceforth. 

- Stella, grew up fast. She's very energetic, but when you hold her, she's like a HEAVY caterpillar - soft and wiggly..... haha. She had comfortably master all those trades from her "siblings". These include manoeuvring up and down the cat tree at ease, hunting (sneak behind and jump onto the prey), the golden handshake and "catch and fetch". You might wonder whether she's dog instead of a cat?

She had her maiden cat show and the result far exceeded our expectations. Though she was tense when in the rings, she was pretty relaxed behind the scene - able to eat and sleep. She seemed to enjoy the limelight, especially when having her pictures taken. 

In the coming year, Stella still have a lot to learn and improve discipline wise, for the very least, as I hope she can over time be transformed into a "real lady" rather than be a tomboy?! 

We would like to sincerely wish all our friends and their loved ones, 

Happy Festive Season & Joyous 2024!

Can you spot Felix's broad range of expressions from the above 3 photos? Haha

Stella's maiden cat show

Stella made her debut in the FFF (Feline Fanciers' Federation) Cat Show in Emax on 19th November 2023. Its an eye opening experience for her. As expected, the bright and noisy surrounding made her a bit tense. However, her daring and curious character enabled her to adapt well - not afraid of being put in cages, being examined by strangers, big wandering eyes busily taking note of the surrounding. 

Her efforts paid off handsomely, ending the day with a total of 13 rosettes:

Ring 1: All Breed - 4th Best Premier

             Long Hair Premier - Best Champion

             All Breed Premier - 2nd Best Champion

Ring 2: All Breed - 2nd Best Premier

             Long Hair Premier - Best Champion

             All Breed Premier - Best Champion

Ring 3: All Breed - 3rd Best Premier

             Long Hair Premier - Best Champion

             All Breed Premier - 2nd Best Champion

Ring 4: Long Hair Best Premier

             Long Hair Premier - Best Champion

 Overall - Best Head

              - Highest Scoring Premier

Stella also earned the title of Grand Premier in one show. 

Official results as follows:

Despite the serious competition, behind the scene, Stella seemed pretty at home. She took a few brief nap, ate some dry food and enjoyed a massage later in the day.

Overall, is Stella happy with her achievements?

We were thrilled to meet Ellie, Stella's younger sister (10 months younger, same father and mother).

Ellie staged a remarkable performance, as she was crowned FFF Queen for this event. i.e. she is the highest scoring female cat. She also earned the tile of Grand Kitten in one show as well. 

For 2023 as a whole, despite having only joined one competition, Stella was the 10th Regional Winner.