Bat and Jet, 10 Months Old
It's been that long already since they entered the world. There have been regular updates, some links if you want to see more of them (and smaller them) ...
All the cat posts!
April
May
June
July
Sept - 6 months old
More Animals
October
3Speak video 1
3Speak video 2
November
There's plenty more to come in the below also. Do give us a follow so you won't miss the next cat update also. Plus, thanks in advance for all your support in up-voting and sharing this post :)
These guys were born 2 years to the very DAY of my own father's passing (RIP). Siamese cats had always been a part of our family. Already tempted, their birthday was like a sign from the other side, and sealed the deal - it was time to continue a family tradition.
X-Files
Bat is on the left in the below shot, the other black cat was Jet's identical twin. Her and the big tabby in the middle never made it to 3 months. Somehow they got out into the road, and were unfortunate enough to meet a fast moving motorcycle. R.I.P. Read on for the really strange part...
Bat and 2 of his late siblings - RIP - at just a few weeks old
Cats are Telepathic
Ever since the fate of 2 of their siblings, Bat and Jet have been, and still are, utterly terrified of moving vehicles ESPECIALLY motorcycles. (At least when engines are running). Weirdest of all, they were already living with me. They were 3km on the other side of the small town, and never even saw it. But boy, were they acting strange that day. Crying, not playing. Some mysterious forces of the universe that cannot be proven, yet somehow we can observe such strange phenomena. How did they know their siblings had met such an unfortunate fate? Even to the detail of developing an instant fear of any motorcycles passing the gate, which didn't bother them a day before.
If I never took my two home, I doubt they would still be alive today either. One thing or another may well have got them otherwise. If they had survived, it wouldn't have been much of a life anyway, living semi-wild, foraging, fighting, and begging patrons for scraps in street restaurants.
New Living Arrangements, New Hazards: Bat's First Big Scrap
Right now my living arrangements have become a fairly small apartment, yet it's located on a resort style village. There is plenty of communal garden space outside, so they have a lot of room to play and run outside with very little traffic to worry about. (They seem wise enough to not run in front of anything, in any case). Daytime, they can be out all day, and will want to sleep by night. However, the other animals in this compound? They're another matter entirely. Feral cats and street dogs need to be watched out for. They can be really dangerous for a little kitty.
Bat had slipped out past me one evening in the dark, and it wasn't 10 mins I couldn't find him. He ended up racing back to me, and was disturbed by something, growling hissing and all puffed up even when back inside. Next day, I discovered he must have had a vicious scrap as I found a swelling on his hind quarters, under the fur, teeth puncture wounds from what must have been the feral tomcat. He is ok, recovering very well, tough little monster he is. Yet it was a shock, as I'm already vigilant and never even let either wonder in the dark before - especially as his sister is still 'complete', absolutely not! Now, I don't know what to do apart from always keep them both in after dark. Eventually they'll have full freedom on going in and out, day or night - but for now, just to let them develop and learn a lot more first.
Under 1 year of age is a very dangerous time for a cat, especially in Thailand - as the other cats are mean, street tough, untamed and human-hating feral and violent bastards. House cats they're not. If you ever tried picking up a Thai street cat, you'll know. Maybe you'll have half a face left afterwards! Ok I'm pushing the point a little. My two however are growing up as tame, loving little creatures. They're learning fast from this incident- as everything that happens to one, the other automatically knows. I have to teach them also not to emulate the street cats ...
It's still worth it, x1000
Nothing is easy. Who said cats were easy pets to keep? Yet the pleasure of having them around, the 80-90% of time they ARE easy to have around, it's all worth it. All the litter scooping, brushing, attention providing, waltzing over the keyboard in the middle of an important email or work... it's all worth it. All of it. The rest of the photos in this post hopefully go some way to show you why!
Standby ... Cute Overload Coming Up
Jet catches the target, homemade toy on the bed
Bat's movement is a blur under the lens, as his turn comes to catch the toy. Speed is incredible, 'super-human' - they can always catch the toy faster than you can react to move it
Bat lies on the bed and loves to 'hug' my forearm, like it's another cat or something
He knows he is handsome, even with his eyes shut
Relaxed and at ease chilling out
Oh, you're working, oh, you're writing down important things is it? Let me help. I refuse to move until you feed me.
Now for some serious overload, Jet looking insane. Mostly it's the light and camera angles, and how she's just flaked out. She doesn't always look this weird - as you can see in the other shots!
Well, it did say 'X-Files' in the title
EXTREME CLOSE UP! As they'd say on Wayne's World
Ah, more normal look. Check the shape of those high cheek bones, the way the nose rounds out the face. She is unmistakably a lady, and an extraordinarily beautiful one at that.
This car is not moving or running, so no fear here. They use parked vehicles as cover during the day, sometimes napping underneath, but will run away if the owner comes (long before the engine even starts)
Who knows what she is dreaming about, conducting a kitty orchestra perhaps?
Oops ... the Kraken has awoken
I'm gonna catch that rat, that's what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna catch that rat....Bat hums to himself as he wonders across the yard