Category: Stories (Kah Yein’s)

  • What is ophidiophobia?

    Again, this post is related to this year’s Chinese New Year, being the year of the Wood Snake. But before that, allow me to give you a very quick definition of “phobia”. A phobia is an anxiety disorder; it is an intense, irrational, and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. People with…

  • Did you know that poop is “fortune” to the olden-day Chinese?

    My friend just shared something cultural with me this morning. She’s schooled in Chinese tradition, so she really knows what she is talking about. This banana has lots to learn! So she shared with me that in olden-day China, poop (yes, faeces) is considered very “fortunate” and if children went to their neighbours’ house to…

  • Snacks for our cats!

    I’ve loaded up on snacks for our cats! Ocean Eyes is from Fur/Ball. Our cats absolutely love it. There was a CNY discount recently, so I bought some. And our cats are absolutely crazy over Cindy’s Puffz too. The first ingredient is maize, but it also contains meat and I think they just love the…

  • Hello Smokey

    When Creamy and Smokey’s owners were away, Smokey kept visiting the Blondies. It seemed like Smokey wanted to join the Blondies as she was trying to find a way to get into Bunny’s Place. Our backyard catio will forever be named Bunny’s Place because we built it when we first moved here with our seven…

  • Gerald’s “rain sensor” and Creamy’s updates

    Does Gerald have a “rain sensor”? I certainly hope so. On two occasions, he has asked to be let into the house and about an hour later, it rained, quite heavily too. I’m so glad he knows when he should come into the house for shelter. He sure knows how to enjoy the luxuries in…

  • This CNY, please keep your animals safe

    I know that “Saying NO to Fireworks” is going to fall on deaf eyes of those who don’t care about animals and the environment. Why, it might even incur their wrath as I did last year when I made a plea to my neighbourhood. So, all the best to those who still hope that the…

  • Sweet Juno and Robin’s updates

    Juno is, by far, the most obedient (and possibly smartest) cat we’ve ever had. Every morning, she waits for her probiotic. Can you believe that? And this morning, she even licked the powder before I could mix it with some Ciao treat. Unbelievable!! While the Blondies will run for their lives if they see me…

  • The crisis of the urban sprawl

    Something for all of us to think about, especially in view of many festive seasons coming up, one after another: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2025/01/25/malaysias-silent-crisis-of-urban-sprawl/ Some excerpts: The cost of urban sprawl The ecological toll of urban sprawl is devastating. Forests are cleared, green lungs are destroyed and natural habitats are obliterated. Each time we hear of a tiger…

  • Robin stands his ground

    This morning, Robin had yet another encounter with Smurfy. I was right there, so I bore witness to the whole episode. Smurfy started it first. I was just about to feed everyone and I started with Robin first because he eats at his privileged spot on the table. Robin was starting to eat his RC…

  • Juno, Riley and Tabs

    It’s Juno! She’s growing but still rather slowly. However, sometimes I do mistake her for Riley! Now, this is Riley. I asked the vet yesterday why Juno still hasn’t displayed any signs of being in heat. The vet says sometimes certain cats only have “silent heat”. This means they don’t display any of the behavioral…

  • A Gerald-Creamy encounter from the roof to the ledge

    The yowling started from our roof, and proceeded to the ledge. And then, it was quiet and peaceful.

  • A chance meeting with Ivan from Jungle Farm (local green jackfruit…coming soon!)

    I was shopping at Vitafoods for my fresh groceries when who did I bump into, after so many years?? It was Ivan Ho himself, in the flesh! He was there to deliver his Kampung Harvest eggs. We got talking and I learnt so much (again) from him. Let me try and remember everything he told…

  • Gerald and Creamy’s updates

    My fourth trial to get Gerald to stay indoors lasted less than 24 hours. By evening, he was too restless and demanded to be released. So since then, I have been playing it by ear. Gerald will ask to come in when and only when he wants to come in. So I will let him.…

  • Robin has normal urine!

    We slept downstairs last night so that I could keep an ear out in case there were any fights between Robin and Smurfy. Also, in case Robin asks for help. All was well through the night. First thing this morning, at around 4.30am, I went out to check on Robin and believe it or not,…

  • Robin is doing okay (FIC)

    I think Robin is doing much better after the vet’s visit. The Meloxicam anti-inflammatory injection must be doing its job. He’s active, very alert and happily grooming himself. I have not seen any straining since then. After coming back from the vet’s, he urinated a wee bit too. Just a very small amount. I have…