Summer Palaces

Each kid has their own taste and liking:

Betty

Felix

Stella

Stella really knows how to play "Fetch and Drop". This video is a bit long as its a complete record of various short recordings.

 

Stella turns One today!

 Time flies! Stella is one year old today!

(Apologies that this video is a bit shaky).

Stella has 3 sisters living in Hong Kong and 1 sister living abroad. We wish them all Happy Birthday! Good health, Great Joy and Happiness in the days ahead!

Elder sister - Pat Pat

Stella

Younger sister - Momo

Despite having cats at home for ages, and most of them came as a kitten, this is the first time, that I experienced for myself what having a kitten is like. (In the past, my parents/helper would train the kitten while I focus on my career). 

Stella is a pretty energetic and smart girl. She's highly camera sensitive, not afraid of loud noise and water. She likes to interact with human and is keen to learn how to do the housework. At times, she would bring a toy, drop it near you, look at you with big wandering eyes, inviting you to play with her. She is a pretty observant girl, watching how her brother and sister moves along the cat tree, and brave and determined enough to challenge them step by step whenever her height and energy allow. She had dropped from the cat tree a few times, but her persistence is unremarkable.

She likes to tease her brother and sister. Surprisingly, Betty is more tolerant with her and sometimes they would end up chasing each other around the house. I suspect Felix is her mentor, as Felix is pretty firm on her and would hit and even bite her when he thinks she misbehave. So sometimes, she is a bit scared of Felix.

Looking ahead, we hope to teach Stella "hand hand". It will not too easy, as she is not crazy with food and she does not often sit up straight either. 

As an aside, shortly after the birthday party, Stella decided to give us a surprise in return. For the first time in our over 20 years of having cats at home, Stella made a breakthrough. Please see for yourself....

Of course, we celebrated this historic moment with lots of firearms (spanking) and fanfare (scolding and lecturing) and her look....

As an aside, amongst the photos taken during the birthday party, we found an interesting one.. What are they doing?

Betty, Stella: Yes, Your Highness?!

Continue to lead a normal life, my dear Felix

Today mark the first anniversary of Felix's third operation. 

Compared to the past years, last year could generally be described as fairly stable and peaceful, though the initial recovery process was comparable to walking on the tightrope. Felix's allergy to Penicillin made him being left with the choice of a "less than ideal drug" and he also started to take steroid for life. 

Luckily, under the diligent care and guidance of Dr Vera and Dr Tint, Felix was on the right path and his medication is being gradually reduced to the "minimal level". So far, he is eating well and is fairly heavy at 5.7kg (5.1kg in 6/22) - his new life record!

Does he look like a seal?

One thing that Felix never missed out is his tea time ....

From his recent photos and seeing the pattern of the fur on his front paws, made us very happy. We have not seen such beautiful sights for ages. Everyone worked hard to enable him to stay out of the hospital, giving time to allow his fur to grow back! The fur in the chest would take longer, as he revisits the vet on a bimonthly basis, with hope to soon extend it to quarterly.

He still continue with his weekly acupuncture as his "chi" is still weak. One of our major daily task is to pat his back (near the kidney area) to help improve the circulation. Normally, we would do this exercise twice daily, each time patting around 250 times. Betty also needs this exercise, so ideally, they both receive it at the same time.

When comes to playing games, Felix used to like laser pen, but not so since we call him "gor gor 哥哥 (elder brother). We suspect that with this new role as Stella's mentor, he needs to carry a fairly stern image?!

Overall, we are truly thankful for the current status quo and sincerely hope that it can continue forever!

Thanks be to God!

Medley

Nothing happier than being able to find a toy which they all like. However, I might have to get each of them one to avoid fighting?

Stella's inner self is "A Beauty and A Beast"?

Stella might have found herself a part time job? Anyone wants to be her agent?

Stella's big day! (updated)

 Stella was neutered on 30th March 2023. 

That morning, the atmosphere at home was pretty gloomy. The kids were pretty quiet and no one seemed to care about their second round of breakfast at 9am. Likely all 3 kids sensed that something is coming.

- Stella, though on empty stomach since 10pm on 29th March didn't asked for food. Instead, she kept a distance observing what's happening.

- Unlike his usual self, Felix was very quiet. He didn't asked for food (normally he would be chasing after auntie already). Instead, he wants company when eating.

- Betty was the one most at ease. She ate by herself, but didn't play with Stella.

Overall, Stella appeared confident that the surgery would be a success and that the future remains bright for her.

In her absence, both Betty and Felix took their usual afternoon nap. 

The surgery was completed by 3.15pm and we picked her up at 6pm. Everything went on smoothly - she woke up quickly; a few stitches on the right side to be removed in a fortnight. In addition, she had a pair of snow boots

Though still a bit tired, she ate a small dinner at 9pm

However, life for the next 2 weeks would be different for her.

- She has to wear the cushion collar most of the time to prevent her from jumping up and down.

- She has to wear a dress (modified by us) to prevent her from licking the wound. 

- All her favourite toys had disappeared to minimise chance of her becoming playful too soon.

Finally regained total freedom on 12th April 2023. Dr S. removed the 2 stitches and Stella graciously kissed her for all that she had done for her good!

Praying that all would go well!

After removing stitches

Before stitches were removed

For the record, her first heat came on 12th March 2023.

Felix turns 7 today!

 Felix: I did it! I made it to 7 years old!

Thanks be to God!

May everyday be a "normal day" for you - filled with abundant faith, love, hope, happiness and good health!

P.S. A normal day could be taken for granted by many, but for Felix, it's already a great blessing!

What could be better than a BIG KISS from elder sister Betty!!

Update on Stella

Stella has joined the family for 5 months already. She is now 8.5 months old and weighs 3.6 kg.

Daily at around 8.30 pm, she would be waiting for her half hour game time. If I pretend to be busy, she would quietly wait nearby. After a while, would come and put her hand on my shoulder as a reminder. 

Getting her to finish her meal in a disciplined manner is getting to be more of a challenge.

Lately, Stella seems to be growing into more like a PR cat. As a result, with visitors around, both Betty and Felix would stay within sight longer as well, which is a good thing!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Climbing up and down the cat trees is now a piece of cat for her. Usually when I woke up in the morning, she would be sleeping on the top level of the tall cat tree.

With the weather fine and warmer, she likes to take her afternoon nap in the balcony.

Luckily, she gets along well with both Betty and Felix. 

Betty is extremely tolerable with her mischiefs.