Drawing - Perl

Drawing - My First

Baby<3

Responsibility

A few days ago, I was talking to a friend who's going to college in Illinois. What she told me was shocking. Apparently, adopting a pet has become very popular among some Korean students at her school, so people started to bring pets into their lives without being prepared. My friend was concerned by a puppy that one of her acquaintance has bought from a pet shop in Chicago. When the break started, the person went back to Korea for summer and asked his/her other friend to feed him while he/she was gone. But since the puppy had no one to clean his bathroom, the house started to smell so bad that it became difficult for the friend to even enter to feed him. The puppy also had no one to check on his health, and no one to play with. It was obvious that the person bought the puppy because he/she was bored, and only saw him as a toy or a decoration that breathes and eats. It was upsetting. The puppy won't be starving, that's for sure. But he needs more than just food!

The poor puppy obviously is neglected. The owner should have found someone who can actually take care of the puppy, or a dog hotel. He/She didn't even consider taking him to Korea for this long break. So what will happen when he/she's done with school? The puppy will be thrown out on the street, or sold to someone, or sent to a shelter. The owner should have never brought him in the first place, if he/she didn't think he/she can take the responsibility until he dies. He deserves so much better. The puppy could have been adopted into a better home in which he has good food, family to play with, to take him for a walk, to provide him clean, comfortable environment. But because he was "bought" by an irresponsible student who just wanted to have a living toy, he is now stuck in a dirty house and no one to really take care of him.

I cannot respect people who don't have respect for animals. Bringing an animal is an important decision in one's life, but people often don't see the responsibilities that follow.

My friend said she didn't know what she could do. She was not talking of just the puppy, but of so many dogs and cats in similar situation on her campus. Truth is, it is impossible to rescue all of them and find new homes. Yet if one can do something to make some of their lives at least a bit better, I think that's a right way to go.

Drawing - a street cat

Back at home, I could easily spot street cats. Some are lost or thrown away from homes and some are born on the streets, but they all find their ways to survive. Especially in cities and towns, their lives are short and dangerous, yet because they are free from human, I find there is something beautiful and natural about their lives. But not all people look at them with kind eyes. The street cats are often persecuted, because they are 'dirty', 'noisy', and 'rip open trash bags'. Some people yell at them, throw rocks, beat them, and even poison their food. Horrible, selfish things to do to a life. What have the cats done wrong? They just wanted to live, feed themselves and their families; they are not very different from us after all.

Getting along II

Nowadays the two kitties have become very good friends. After the thunderstorm, when I went to see him in the morning, Oscar was in such a happy mood. Maybe because it was the first time ever that I visited so early in the day. Anyway, that day, I caught the most precious sight...

Oscar was grooming Perl! I had seen Perl trying to give Oscar grooming, but he always avoided it. It was definitely a development. Grooming is a way for a cat to show affection. They have finally become friends. Ever since I have not seen Perl hissing at Oscar.

It makes me so happy to watch them playing together :)

Drawing - a tabby

Practice drawing of a tabby

New Food has arrived!

Oscar's on a new diet; one that I am actually satisfied with!

Before I adopted Oscar, I didn't really know much about cat food. Leia always had a dry food bought from a grocery store, which I thought that was good enough. I didn't know how to choose good cat food. How I regret, now that I know what's quality cat food! I didn't know the obvious fact that Cats are carnivores, and that they need meat and lots of water. Dry food found in a regular grocery store contains a lot of fillers made of grains that have no place in a cat's diet. Dry food also does not contain much moisture. It's probably okay for cats that drink enough water on their own.. but naturally they get their water from the meat itself. That is why I started feeding Oscar canned food.

First I started with Nutro Max brand canned food. Oscar loved the stuff. When I was out of the cans that I had bought, I tried to find something more accessible. Meow Mix was the next choice I found then. It was the only wet food in Giant that didn't have meat by-product as one of the main ingredients. Oscar also loved the food. But since he moved to Bert's, I've done more research on cat food. I've found out that even though it has no meat by-product, it still contains lots of fillers that are no good but makes him eat more and gain weight. It wasn't healthy. I've learned that Meow Mix is equivalent to ramen noodles, or instant mac-n-cheese for us humans. It's nice once in a while, but it shouldn't be anyone's regular dinner. After a few people's recommendation and my own searching-through-the-internet, I found Natural Balance!!

I ordered 24 cans of Natural Balance chicken and green pea formula.Grain-free, no meat by-products. Quality food. exactly what I was looking for and the price was still in the range I could afford.

The package arrived today. It's silly, but I got very excited over the box of cat food. I've found that Oscar is not picky about food at all - thank the God - but cats are sometimes very stubborn and picky about strange things, so I just hoped he won't refuse the food.

Oscar emptied the bowl clean. I gave half to Perl and she also licked the bowl clean. It was very pleasing sight. I hope they are more happy about their diet now... they haven't been too happy since Bert and I decided to cut down on food since both were getting chubby. But with food of better quality, they can eat more. They are now on grain-free dry food and grain-free canned food diet. I think they are finally eating right, and I am pleased with my choice. I like my happy, healthy cat.  Only if I can do the same with Leia..