MAKESHIFT BEDDINGS TO TRIPLE STOREY

 by Jenifer

18/4/13

   “Meeeee! Mimeeee!” shouted the ten year old girl and added, “Bobby! Bobbeee!

   She was holding a pot of boiled fish and stewed meat pieces in a concoction of white rice. As the animals came scampering at her feet, she scooped out the food portions generously into two round plastic containers and an old tin dinner plate. Right on cue, the two dogs, Bobby and Lassie knew exactly which to devour and polish off gleefully. Meanwhile the mother cat, Chimmy and her three kittens were sharing the dinner plate.

   What a sight! The girl swept her ponytail backwards as she jumped to whipped lightly one of the kittens that landed its paws upon its sibling’s head, not wanting to share the food. Boiled fish and rice. Leftovers from lunch or dinner, mixed with rice. These were food for my pets in the 70s.

Yes, indeed. I have had pets in my life ever since I was three. I could not for the life of me, remember for any one time, if my family was ever deprived of a pet. The pets ranged from cats to dogs, pigeons to squirrels, a rabbit and a tortoise-just to mention some of the animals that joined my family circle.

   Anyway, why I am reminiscing? Pets back then, and pets these days.

Back then, my pets were simple animals. They ate whatever leftovers, and food we prepared. Moreover, back in the 70s, we could not afford dog food and cat food. In fact, they were unheard of. Let alone, dog food; I cannot even remember if the word “Vet” or “veterinarian” existed. If anybody wanted to spay or castrate their pet dogs or cats, they would refer them to the Agriculture Department officers.

   Incidentally, my parents’ good friend work there. Refer to Uncle if you want to “potong” Lassie, our dog! “Potong” was a crude reference to “castrate”! Because it was done by a family friend, there was no charge; just give some food gifts as a friendly gesture.

My cats and dogs slept together in the shade at the backyard. Just a simple makeshift beddings from cut out of cardboard boxes, and old cloth rugs, were sufficient for them.

   Present day pets-a higher standard of living indeed. From the makeshift cardboard boxes beddings, Aster and Casper now live in a triple storey wired cat cage, residing behind my house cover with mosquito nettings and PVC table covering, to shelter them from the rain. As for food, they only feed on dry pellets of the “Smart Heart” brand. Even that too, the flavour has to be salmon or chicken only. They showered every two weeks in warm water and cat shampoo. Yes, like human babies, they were given three vaccinations as kittens in the first three months. My father actually commented that, the cats’ veterinarian bills and food bills were almost equivalent to his or more!

   The progress in human life-style has indeed covered every aspect and facet of our life. Our pets are no exceptions. We love our pets like family members and lavish them with similar material needs.