Area3: Martin missing

Last Monday, since btmao sighted 3 large dogs in the field next to the gangland, Martin has beein missing. Mary and Marcus also went missing on Monday itself, but have since kept their breakfast appointments. Only Martin remains missing. It’s been a week now, and we’re very worried for him. Scouring the area turned up no bloody mess or other clues as to whether he is alive and well, injured or… worse. But this is not the first time that Martin’s encountered dog packs: when he was growing up, there was a lot of construction work gonig on in the area and therefore dog packs running around. We’re quite confident he’s able to avoid them and escape unscathed. The problem is, where is he now? Did he get lost while trying to lose the dogs’ attention?

Please send a kind thought for Martin’s well-being. Already, tiny Macy’s been missing since June (for no reason that we can discern) – Martin’s absence may undermine the stability of the gangland, as he’s the boss who keeps the peace and integrity of the gangland borders.

TNRM – it can succeed, with cooperation and support

While this post focused on the legalising of large breed pet dogs and cats in HDB flats, we must not forget the homeless wandering our streets. TNRM IS the solution for managing both people concerns and animal issues (health, well-being etc). I spoke about the Officious Israeli stance on homeless cats – and it’s the right one too!

The Washington Humane Society picked it up, and in blogging about Israel’s progressive stance about managing their homeless cat problems, added in some interesting facts about the local situation too. Go read it here.

Then think about Singapore’s situation, add to the fact that no less than a Singapore mayor has made ZERO strays an official policy affecting the living environment of 85% of Singaporeans.

Martin: What did I do wrong? All I want is to live my life my way, without fear of reprisal for simply being. 

Even in Stanford, vaulted bastion of learning, they understand Felinicide doesn’t work, TNRM does. Don’t you wish Singapore also has a compassionate, progressive mayor like Mr Martin Chavez of Albuquerque, US?

Area 3 cats today

The Area 3 cats today:

Marty and Henna satiated. The structure they’re in is the tent for the month-long pasar malam.

In the other direction…

Aftermath of the pasar malam

Martin and Marcus

Martin distracted from watching Mary groom (the little lump above his head)

Area 3 cats

This morning’s brekkie takers:

Henna and Martin (carp view)

Mary perfect cat

Marcus in the sun.

Cats in a row – Martin, Macy

Another look at tiny Macy

Checking out the buffet spread

Marcus administer a taste test

Synchonised mowing

Satisfied after a good meal.

Earlier this evening

The usual suspects in Area 3 came out for dindin. Marty first.

As always, he was prompt and waiting with anticipation. After btmao set out his dinner, she over to Martin’s gangland, leaving footsoldier me on clean up detail. I thought it would be a quick one.

But just as he was finishing, who should come running but Henna. Of course btmao had to come back to set service for her.

After the two are done (Martin helped himself to Henna’s share too), we went over toclean up after Martin’s gang.

It was good to see that Macy’s appetite was phenomenal. Which means the meds are working – RELIEF!

On the way home, we checked Area 2 for Omi, Bella and Sasha. Only Sasha was there, but we were glad to see her. It’s been  days since we gave her food.

This morning’s service

At the area 1 carpark, were ravenous Cassie and Ivan, according to btmao, and the irregular scheduled-one, Cally. No sign of Cara.

In area 3, the usual suspects Marty, Henna, Mary, Martin, Marcus, and Macy.

Macy only nibbled, and was more interested to check out Martin and Marcus’ plates, just to be sure she’s getting the same deal.

Macy’s place this evening

I joined btmao on the evening service just now. After she laid the table for Henna and Marty, I watched over them and waited to do clean up.

Meantime, btmao went into Martin’s gangland.

After the venerable ones were done, and my duty is done, I went to look for btmao. Mary was tucking in as usual. But it was a different scene with the threesome.

When I reached the gang, only Martin was eating with gusto. But the grub he had was not the usual staple – just pure natural balance dry food, the wet stuff was missing.

I looked to where the other two sat. Macy was spacing out by her plate, Marcus had no interest in his whatsoever. It was highly unusual. Then btmoa found the plausible explantion – there were containers of water, soft drink cups. Too high for the cats, but the man who left them seemed oblivious to the fact. He’s someone we call the “I see, I understand” encik. And he’s in the same league as the the impervious midnight litter-bug feeder, a “feel good” dumpster feeder. Surprisingly, there were no leftovers attracting vicious agitated ants, unlike his usual aftermath.  While btmao thought it might be that he’s finally learnt to clean up, I was rather more doubtful that he understood the problems of his “feel good” feeding.

Tomorrow, in any case, would be a better gauge of Macy’s appetite, since her lack of interest in dinner was not indicative in itself, thanks to the “I see, I understand” encik, who likes to name-drop too.

Someday, I shall devote a bit of online time to him, just as I did the midnight feeder. Such incredible examples of imperviousness deserve to be on a pedestal for all to marvel.

Martin’s gangland this morning

Bright and early, we went to get Macy, and as a matter of course served brekkie to Marty, Henna, Martin, Mary, Macy and Marcus.

Macy on the steps, Martin comes for us

What happened then surprised us – Martin, who’s the gentleman boss of his gangland, scuffed Macy!

No one got hurt though, which was a relief. We thought, given that Macy wasn’t feelnig well, he’d be extra nice to her. Maybe it’s the wait for brekkie that got to him.

The gang of Martin’s gangland then gathered

Mary ever beautiful

Marcus ever omega

Martin ever cool

Macy ever meek

She trots for the promise of succour

Needless to say, btmao made sure the brekkie wait was worth their while.

Macy is ok today

Before we got to Sasha’s, we stopped at Martin’s. Macy was doing phenomenally well – eating her usual share, like yesterday evening, which is to say, A LOT.

What a relief.

Martin, as usual, was his cool “Big Bro” self, patiently waiting on btmao to serve him after she’s dished out enough to placate Marcus and Macy.

Marcus, as usual, is very wary of anyone who’s not a cat or btmao, so I stayed my distance. Even though it’s been a year since Marcus first showed up as the scaredy little kitten, I still feel a strange justified delight that he’s human-wise, even though I’m not in his trusted circle – it’s enough that btmao has his confidence.

Cursed haze – Macy seems affected

Poor Macy. btmao sms’d me from Martin’s, and said she seemed in a poor way, with a phelgmy cough, and no interest in food. Given that her dimunitiveness is the champion eater, it was worrying. Add to that the fact that when she first joined Martin, we sent her into temporary foster care with Foster Mum because of chronic runny nose and watery eyes, it was even more so. Cursed haze, most likely it was the trigger.

We decided to check up on her after work.

So came after work time, after sunset, Macy seemed ok and even had the presence of mind of noticing Martin’s bounding off, and knowing it was the cue for btmao’s arrival.

That she even had the energy to run on her small short legs was gratifying. Even better was her appetite, the reticence of the morning totally mindwiped.

We’re relieved, of course, but we’ll still watch out for her. Cos the damn haze’s hanging around too.