Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge

This poem is dedicated to our deceased children; Victoria I, Sidney, Troy and the Palm Garden Babies.

We love and miss you very much...


Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
Author unknown...

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Love,
Abah & Ayah

(c) Rainbow Bridge.com

Family Feasts

Every other day we would feast the children with braised chicken and gizzards. They would gobble up every single piece and surprisingly Isabelle would outgoingly participate, considering the super-shy/anti-social nature. I guess the feasts serve its purpose thus helping the children to socialize. Hercules would be the most greedy trying his best to make sure he gets the biggest share.

Gabby does not like gizzard, she would rather eat Iams than braised chicken and gizzard. Ayah would be the one feeding her (if she chooses to eat) from his hand. In the picture shown, Troy was still with us then- as usual, he was THE CHAMPION when it comes to eating. The photos were taken on Alexander's first day - a feast to welcome him to the house.

Love,
Abah & Ayah

More photos of this family feast HERE.

Isabelle: Super-shy or Simply Anti-social?

Heheheh so, is it cruel to call our beloved daughter anti-social? Well, after two months we couldn't find much to write about this one super-shy gal. She's very quiet and obidient. Not that she'd do things we asked her to, but she never gives a damn to what happens around her. Isabelle's favourite place would be her bed (the one bought for Sid and Isabelle took over posession) and the make-do bed created by Abah (made out of a box, pillow and a bath mat) - looks like she just loves to sleep!

Usually when we're watching TV at night, Isabelle would come to us to be pampered and touched. She would come standing or sometimes sitting in front of us so that either one of us would pick her up and stroke her on our lap. Otherwise, Isabelle would drift in her own world and just wake up to eat.

Another distinguished characteristic of our daughter Isabelle is that she doesn't like dry food - we feed our children Iams but for Isabelle she likes her Iams wet i.e. mixed and moistened with water.

One thing for sure is she doesn't like to be disturbed although once in a while she would let Hercules sniff her and lie beside her - our guess is that she thinks Hercules must be somehow related to her (because of the colour or becuase they were adopted together).

So, is Isabelle super-shy or just plan anti-social?

The most important thing is, we hope Isabelle's happy at her new home and with her new fathers.

Love,
Abah & Ayah

More photos of Isabelle (recent) HERE.

Alexander and the TV

There's something about our youngest son Alexander and the TV set. I guess he loves watching things move on the screen. We have several times caught Alexander watching a show on the TV and his favourite; soccer!

I guess the boys; Alexander, Hercules and the late Troy are following their Ayah's passion for soccer. Apart from Alexander watching soccer on TV, the other two boys just can't help seeing objects laying on the floor (any object for that matter) and they'll start kicking - one good example was their multi-vite's rectangular shaped box.

Hmmm so can we start training them to play for MAN United - Ayah's fav team?

Love,
Abah & Ayah


More photos of Alexander watching TV HERE.

Gabby & Sid in SPCA's Success Stories

About a month after Ayah submitted the article to SPCA, our success story is finally published.

Read the article HERE.

Another Loss in the Family

After 2 months Sid left us, I still can't accept the fact that he's not around anymore. The only thing left is his collar and pendant with his name craved on it. On Friday, September 1st, 2006, another shocking things happened. Troy left us for good. It was so sudden and until now, I still haven't found the cause of it.

Two days before, Troy was like the other cats in the house. Running around and attacking the other cats. Hercules usually will be his play buddy. But, when Alexander joins the family, Troy mekes him the new target. On 1st September, after work, we planned to go and catch a movie. But, at some point, the feel to go to catch movie is not there. So, we decided to head home instead.

Troy - In Loving Memory..

Upon arriving home, I looked for Troy. He was lying in the bed that we bought for Sid. I panicked. He never did that. I lift him up and took him to the sofa. He was so weak. We planned to take him to the vet on the next day (Saturday). But, Troy knows that he can't hold any longer. He tried to get away from me but since he's so weak, he couldn't do it. I held him close in my arms and without notice, I was in tears. I just can't stand looking at him struggling. I can't do anything. Then, Troy threw up some kind of yellow thingy and then it was all over. He left us forever. To be frank, YES.. I cried like hell that night. Only God knows how I feel.

The next day we took Troy to Melawati to buried him next to Sid. I kept thinking about him. Troy was a very unique cat. He was the only cat to suck on earlobe. I really miss him. Really, really miss him. The house is not the same as before. No more Troy running around, playing at my feet, climbing to target the earlobe. I just hope that what we did for him is the best and hope that he enjoyed it. Now I know that he is up there, somewhere, with Sidney and the little newborns that we could not save. I'm sorry Troy if we've mistreated you. You will always be our special kid.

By: Ayah from his blog

Goodbye Troy... We Love You.

I can only find the strength to write this entry after a week had passed.

On September 1, 2006 our beloved son, Troy had suddenly left us to be with his brother Sidney. Our beloved, special and cute little son died in the arms of his Ayah at about 9:45pm. He had apparently waited for us to return from work and meet us for the last time.

Troy had been healthy, playful and jovial just the day before. A video Ayah took of the children on the night Farhan visited(August 30th) proved that Troy was in his pinkiest of health just a couple of days before he died. We do not have an explaination to why he had died but on Merdeka day when we fed the children braised chicken, Troy refused to eat. I especially regret for not entertaining Troy's request the day before he died. I never took them as clues that he'd be leaving us forever.

1. He had never massaged me in order to get his usual dose of earlobe nibbling but on the night of August 31st he did just that. I didn't surrender my ears though and I regret it.

2. In the wee hours of the morning of August 31st Troy had entered my room and wanted my ears but I didn't surrender and covered my ears with the pillow. I saw troy waiting and sitting beside me staring until i woke up later on. I regret for not giving him what he wanted.

The morning of September 1st we let Troy play in the bedroom - something that i think he'd appreciate. I'm glad i let him in. When we came back that night (lucky we dismissed the idea of going for a movie) we found him lying down on Isabelle's bed. Something we have never saw him doing. He was lying down, breathing hard and looking gloomy. We thought he hadn't eaten since we tried feeding him braised chicken the night before. I wanted to try force feeding him when it happened.

We witnessed God taking Troy away, his hind legs were kicking and he vomitted before breathing his last breath and suddenly there was our son staring emptily at us. He was gone.

We laid Troy to rest beside Sidney at atok's house in Taman Melawati. Until now, there isn't a clue to what had happened. The photos in my entry on Troy attacking Farhan was the last photos we had had of him.

Today marks the first week of our life without Troy. Our home is never the same without him. His absence is felt and obviously, no one would come to nibble on our earlobes anymore.

We miss you Troy.

Love,
Abah & Ayah.