The Furry Ones

late Tom in action

"Rachel – if you want a pet, then you can go have a dog.

But not those dumb miniature chihua-hua crap….its annoying"

Prologue Charlie 1

I wasn’t born yet. Our family got a house cat. Named Charlie - one of those rare few furries loved and cared by mum. Charlie doesn’t fail to “meow” every day to wake my brothers at the exact 6:30 am in the morning. 

He will sleeping away in the weekend. 

Our family moved from Limbongan to Banda Hilir, mum didn’t carried Charlie to the new house – he got merajuk, mum worried sick as he didn’t come back home. 

He returned 3 days later. 

Charlie got unto an argument with another stray cat, got injured. Back those days, there is no such thing as vet. Dad tried to nurse him, failed and did what is best an army officer could do.

By throwing him away.

Mum cried for good bloody 2 weeks.

my dad - who slapped communist arse for a living.

Charlie II

Fast forward to 2014,  my niece brought home a kitten. She found a moving plastic garbage bag - curious, she opened it up and voila…..a 2 day old kitten. 

Whoever did this – deserved a special place in hell.  She carried him home and asked Mum's permission. I drove back from KL for a much needed break, saw mum sat outside beside a huge cardboard box and asked what’s inside.

Take a look – she said.

Fucking adorable. ( excuse my French here )

 

Lets take care of him.

I told mum that any individual who cares for animals speaks volumes of their character. 

Mum agreed and my niece won a lottery. 

I asked what his name is....................

Charlie.

 

Charlie won mum’s approval and impressed with him knowing how to pee and shit in the damn toilet.

Even I was impressed.

the ever manja Charlie II

Charlie got attached with mum, the problem he got is he loves to bite! Mum found out he jumped unto the bed, crawled under the blanket, sleeping with dad.

All of us mourned when Dad passed away

then next 2 weeks Charlie didn't returned home...........was kidnapped.

Mum and niece cried harder. I told them that they didn’t cried as hard during dad’s funeral. 

My sister in law was worried sick about her daughter, called me saying that she played piano by howling depressed Beethoven. ( I laughed so hard and told her that everyone got a way on how to express sadness and loss )

It doesnt help as my brother joked mentioning that Charlie entered ISIS or abducted by alien. That is how we behave, we deal and face disappointments by cracking silly dumb jokes. 

No more cats. 

Part 3

Universe got her silly way to show us a lesson. Niece got another kitten. Someone found him in the field. Abandoned. No surprise - mum took him in. 

 Took us some time to figure out his name, but this time, I named him.

Mum wanted his name Tompok ( Spots ) but I told mum that the name is so damn kampong. Lets be "urban" and hip. So Tompok turned to Tom. For the next 2 years, Tom became part of the family, loved and cherished. 

once I scolded Tom for something and I told him, I don’t want to see his face, he turned away, staring unto the fridge.

his favourite is ikan bilis ( anchovies )

Never fail to wait and greet mum in the front gate when she comes back from the market, as usual Mum and niece totally spoiled him. 

niece bought everything for Tom, while offering nothing for us.

and Last week, he battled the notorious FIT wet and passed on. 

.....................and another heartache

The problem about having pets are the moments of separation, just like what Lord Buddha mentioned - which is attachments leads to suffering. Its really tough dealing with the concept of death, few grappled and took some time - objectively I have to painfully admit that I have to rejoice as he no longer suffer and now enjoying his trip to the mythical rainbow bridge. 

Having animals are just like taking care of babies, it can be a love - hate relationship, they too are excellent teachers to give us timely reminders of having patience. Honestly, i rather deal with furry creatures than those ignorant human beings. They are the worst.

There are no goodbye’s Tom – we will see you soon ok buddy. 

Say hello to Dad ok. 

p/s : honestly 2020 is an unpredictable year, testing our patience, mental and physical health. But afraid not, not everything is BAD and not everything is Good. Lets take the middle path.

May everyone be free from physical suffering

May everyone be free from mental suffering

May everyone be free from any harm and danger

May everyone be Well and Happy.