When i first received a call from Ismail 2 years back, i was hesitant. For a fact that i know nuts about bringing up a baby, or in this case a kitten. He was found abandoned, in a box, all alone, still frail, eyes yet to be opened, crying non-stop presumingly for his mother. He has no hope of survival.

But that's why they say miracles do happen. Now, He is a 2 year old tuxedo cat. He is the pampered one in the family. I still remember the 1st day when i got him, i fed him bottled milk. Like a baby, he wants to hold the bottle by himself. Feeding him till he bloats - literally. He will cry in the middle of the night when everybody's asleep. What can i say, he's a little rascal.

As days past by, his eyes begin to open, his teeth began to shape up, & he starts to pick up human traits. Curious about the outside world. Rushing at every opportunity he can to run out the door, watching cars drive by and birds chirp by. He learnt potty on his own, he learnt to ask for food when he's hungry, he learnt how to groom himself. He has indeed grown into a fine young lad.

As our bonds grow, i discover that i do love animals. Be it canines, felines or any other animals. And on that fateful Monday morning, i was sitting alone at the BBQ area waiting to wake the rest up, i saw these group of cats grabbing bites of leftovers. Not afraid of human contact. I gave it a thought. We don't see stray dogs co-existing with humans often unlike stray cats do. They live and hunt in packs. Depending on each other to survive. But cats are independent. They are all for themselves.

Though i don't wish to go about issues of strays and whatever that comes with it. We all have our own reasons for not liking cats, dogs or animals in general. Till date, i've taken in 3 cats into my household. Now still living with us will be the pampered Elmo. I've taken in an Ash colored female cat who loves to on top of me, Asha & a wounded fat cat who likes to talk back to me, Gemoque. Both has always been in our memories be it wherever they could be now. Asha, like Elmo was abandoned when she was young. I saw her photos online and i told myself, i can do this. I can help this kitty. I took Asha in, took care of her. She soon got kittens with Elmo. Cosmic, Gilbert, Wilbert. They are now being well taken care of by a cat lover around my neighbourhood. Gemoque fall to his demise. Gemoque's a strange cat. He always talk to me. Not as in literally talk. But he will purr and meow at me. As if he's talking. He's the glutton in the family & he stinks of pee. He has quite a character. Whenever we put him close to our face, he will use his paws which he purposely stepped on his pee and push it on our face. He likes to sit on his back and watches tv with my grandmother. Gemoque likes high places. He doesn't run away. He has the freedom to walk anywhere he wants. He can go missing for the whole day and found on the next day. But one fateful day, he fall down to his demise. Sad, brutal, or gory, it's true.

I've always been visiting http://www.catwelfare.org/. As much as i wished to help these strays, it's not possible. I don't have the space, time & money for it. I do still receive emails from cat lovers around this small nation who cares for this stray, and some of the emails are sad to see. Kittens as young as few weeks old dismembered beyond recognition, Kittens beaten till half of it's brain showing. I wonder, what does these strays ever do to hurt you? Even if they did, why can't we show them sympathy? Aren't they still alive and breathing? Able to feel pain, sadness any other other feelings we can feel. They are given a life to live. Be it shorter than us, to them they might feel as if they lived as long as we do. They don't have fucking 9 lives if they are being skinned alive. What's left of it is it's head, bones, and it's tail.

And these people who hurt animals of any form get away with it. While some idiots rather write to complain with regards about over populating strays, shouldn't they 1st acknowledge the wrong doings of irresponsible owners. Brushing time, kids, pregnancy as their alibis to abandon their pet astray. They should have thought about it fully before making such decision. What about the bonds they make with the pets they keep? What about their feelings? Should they be as smart as us, they would have not trusted humans. But still generations after generations, they try to co-exist with humans. SPCA can't be blame for putting them to sleep. They don't have the space to hold all these strays. As much as i pity these strays, all i can do is do what i can. I will keep on looking after the strays in my neighbourhood. Till then.