Himalayan Gold

(In Memory of a Very Brave Community Cat)

27-May-2025 (New Moon)

Today is New Moon. It’s also Day 7 since the passing of Topaz, the last member of a school community cat project that began in 2007.

In all of his 18 years, Topaz lived by his own terms. He accepted food, water & treats, but would disappear for days if anyone tried to get close to him.

Topaz looks on defiantly as his then hiding place was discovered.

As he aged & health issues surfaced, worries over his safety & where he might hide increased. Having lost their mother when he was a kitten & later on his litter mates & cat buddies to dogs & traffic accidents, Topaz was the ultimate survivor.

But even heroes need to rest. Last week, with prayer support from well wishers across the world & help from his feeders, Topaz finally allowed himself to be taken to the vet & then to home palliative care.

A touch that took 18 years to happen. Caregivers who fed Topaz & went around the school compound calling for him whenever he didn’t show up for his meals.

He spent the last few days of his life without fear, leaning his lovely leonine head towards his feeders’ palms when they stroked him for the first time.

Pain relief to ease Topaz’s final journey.

After he had breathed his last, Topaz was carefully brushed, blessed & wrapped in cloths bearing auspicious symbols.

On the paperwork for his final transformation, I wrote, “Himalayan” for his breed & “Gold” for his colour.

This little cat will forever be associated with the mountains for his will to live & his love for freedom, and the Light he continues to cast on the lives of many who remember him.

In the quiet sadness, the crematorium room was also charged with peace & grace as multi-faith prayers & blessings were recited over Topaz.

Finally an abundant life is not just about length, but also about love. And I think Topaz has both. ♥️🙏

A life that began in fear & loss has ended in love & peace.

Christmas Eve Question

24-12-24

Presenting Christmas log cake to Asher, the shelter cat at Metta Cats & Dogs Sanctuary. (22-12-24)

About 20 Christmas Eves ago, I passed by 4 dogs sheltering under a vacated apartment block. There had been an on off drizzle much like today.

Grateful that I didn’t hesitate to help animals & share my interest with students when I was able to move without a walking aid. (Nanyang Girls’ High School, 2004)

I went home, put down my stuff & went out again to the supermarket to get dog food and aluminium trays in preparation to feed them.

My old flat at Blk 3 Teban Gardens Road (1999-2012)

By the time I got to the abandoned block, I couldn’t find the dogs.

A sense of disappointment mixed with deepening unease crept up on me as I surveyed the deserted neighbourhood in the failing light.

At that moment of uncertainty, a voice called out to me,”Miss Ong, what are you doing here?”

I turned around. Two boys had seemed to materialise from nowhere. They introduced themselves as students from one of the schools I had worked in.

The boys who helped me complete my dog feeding mission told me they came from St Joseph’s Institution.

When I told them about my failed feeding attempt, they took over the trays of dog food and completed my mission.

8 years after that Christmas Eve encounter, I would be relocated to a new flat that sits on the land where I fed the homeless dogs.

View from my current flat. (Sunrise on 10-12-24)

And each Christmas Eve especially on a cool evening like this, I will hear the Angels loud & clear: “Miss Ong, what are you doing here?” 🙏

Since that Christmas Eve encounter, and aided by friends, my animal helping work has extended beyond Singapore. (Rocky & Lakshmi, Nepal 2024)

“Miss Ong, what are you doing here?” Asked the Angels loud & clear. (Boudha Stupa 2024)

Solstice Assurance

21-12-24

This morning between sleep & wakefulness, I thought I heard my cat, Emmanuel meowing, for his breakfast.

My cat, Emmanuel, lived up to 18 years old. Emmanuel means “God is with Us.” This morning he meowed to me in a dream to remind of that. 😊

12 days before this Solstice, I was scheduled to fly back from Nepal. In an apartment in Thamel, I dreamt of my late father.

Our friend’s beloved Chimpu surveying the Thamel neighbourhood.

In the dream, I was rushing for work. As usual. But this time my Dad was with me. Then I realised I didn’t have my bag with me!

As I sat anxiously on the floor putting on my shoes, the concierge found my bag which my Dad handed to me.

Relieved, I told my Dad I would be fine and that he could go home. The Grab car was on its way.

My Dad was reluctant to go. I then reminded him to keep his feet dry and remember to wipe between his toes. He was an avid walker, wader & climber. Still, he stood looking at me.

Then I assured him that when I got back we would go eat noodles together. Only then he nodded one more time and left.

Meal with my Dad at Westlake Restaurant in Farrer Road. He was an avid walker, wader & climber. Once he fell & was stranded for hours in a ditch before he was found unharmed.

Emmanuel’s meows this morning & dreaming of my Dad in Thamel are somewhat food related.

Also these days I find every reason to meet up with my brothers for meals. Apart from our chats that heal old wounds, having meals with them is my way of staying connected to our Dad.

And I wouldn’t be penning this down if Emmanuel hadn’t turned up this morning to remind me the ones we love are never far away.

As we observe the Solstice for the balance of dark & light, may the love we’ve cultivated in the past continue to nourish us for the future.

SuperMoon Blessings

20-10-24

Our yoga teacher, Erika Khoo, holds Span the cat for the first time in her life.

The visit on this October full moon to shelter animals is extra special because our yoga teacher had asked to join us. It is her first trip to an animal shelter & the first time she ever held a kitten in her life.

When we arrived, the feline PR team at Mettacats & Dogs Sanctuary wasted no time in turning on their furry charm offensive.

Little Red (Xiaohong), survivor of abandonment & vaccine reactions gives Marcus a welcoming nuzzle.

Soon, our deep purple clad yoga teacher was knee deep in adoring eyes & fluffy ears that twitched at the cadence of human speech.

In return the teacher of homo sapien alignment gazed in amazement at the perfectly symmetrical markings on Hermit, the mackeral tabby, & the flawless landing of Toesie, the white cat, on a strip of arm rest about the width of a tissue paper folded in half.

Despite having extra toes on each foot, Toesie the white cat can land on narrow spaces perfectly.

Not to be outdone by his shelter buddies, Asher, the siamese strutted about at my teacher’s feet to show off his chonky form and sepia powdered ear tips and paws.

Asher is up for adoption. Please contact MettaCats & Dog Sanctuary for advice & details.

The chinese word for leisure is written as 閒 or 閑. One character features a moon 月 and the other wood 木. Each is framed by a door 門. Leisure can be understood as standing by one’s door to gaze at the Moon or the Woods (trees).

Despite months of intensive yoga teaching & busy housekeeping, our teacher wanted to spend her rare day of rest to understand love for animals.

That day behind the shelter door, a silence fell upon us like a comfy embrace as our eyes feasted on the sure footed grace of animals & the perfect love of their human keepers. 🙏

Marcus’ latest heart warmers Spick & Span, 2 kittens rescued from Changi Airport.

Pema on Full Moon

17-9-24 (Harvest Moon)

5 stalks of Lotus on the table next to ours. Number 5 is associated with grace & completeness in old cultures.

Today at Tekka Market Food centre for lunch, my mind was on a cat undergoing spaying at the veterinary clinic even as we ate.

I had named her Pema when asked for a name during the booking procedure. “Pema” in Tibetan means Lotus Flower.

As I was wondering if Pema would be all right, a spritely silvered haired woman sat down at the table next to ours, after placing a bunch of lotuses on hers.

We began a conversation when my lunch mate included her in our beverage order.

When our orders came, she paid for all of us, praising my friend for his kindness.

After I told her about Pema’s surgery, she pointed at the 5 stalks of lotus flowers on her table, smiled & said, “See, all will be fine. Be at peace.” 😄

Later on in the afternoon, the vet called to say Pema’s surgery went well. She had woken up & while in cage rest, charmed everyone by extending her paw for high fives. 🙏

May the Harvest Full Moon grant us the clarity to see grace, abundance & completeness in ourselves so that we may see them in others.

5 butter lamps to welcome the Harvest Moon. 🙏

Contemplative Tuesday:In Praise of Black on *Chokor Duchen

9-7-24

Today at the Metta Cats & Dogs Sanctuary, Tam Tam the black cat came trotting to me when called. He hopped onto the bench I was sitting on and stood up on his hind legs so that he could put his face against mine.

No spectacle obstacle can keep off Tam Tam’s tenacious tenderness.

I wasn’t holding out any treats. We hadn’t met since March.

It takes some effort for a 4 legged animal to go on 2 legged so that he can put his paws on your shoulder.

The vilifications of black coated animals have caused much sufferings to them and even justify their abuse.

Yet Tam Tam’s blackness provides a contrast for his lighter coated siblings to be seen. He has also learnt to recede quietly into the background when he’s not called.

Tam Tam carries a colour that is both kind & generous. For black can cover a multitude of flaws when they’re not ready to be overcome. And black also provides the backdrop that allows other colours to shine.

While interacting with other cats, I’ve caught this ebony boy just sitting like a statue & watching me with his loving yellow eyes.

In my understanding, good luck or bad luck, auspicious or not, may depend on the size of our heart & the depth of our mind. A small heart amplifies a threat while a narrow mind multiplies a flaw.

Today is also Chokor Duchen a Tibetan Buddhist Festival that celebrates Buddha’s first teachings.

May we cultivate our heart & mind so that bad luck can turn good, & obstacles can become opportunities, for our benefit & the benefit of all sentient beings.🙏♥️

The Reunion Within

9 Feb 2024 (Lunar New Year Eve)

Shelter cat, Tenzin, meditates on the condiments before we use them.

Yesterday I had the honour of helping to prepare a lunar new year dish at the Mettacats & Dogs Sanctuary to welcome the Year of the Wood Dragon.

White for new beginning, red for life affirming & green for renewal.

After the animals’ living spaces & human meeting area were cleaned & tidied up, it was time to make auspicious aspirations for the shelter residents and all sentient creatures.

Marcus makes sure the animals’ living space is spick & span.

Each sprinkling of condiments and drizzling of sauces over the carrots, radishes & cucumbers were accompanied by verbal recitations of wishes for health, harmony, abundance & prosperity.

Terry & Marcus unwrapped the condiments & sauces to form a circle of good wishes around the carrots, radish & cucumbers.

The cats looked on with quiet wonderment at the strange human ritual. How can people get so excited about vegetables?

Kenji wonders why can’t he join in the tossing of the salad. It’s not as if he’s gonna eat the vegetables.

As we tossed the artlessly julienned red, white & green pieces to mix well with the consciously crafted blessings embedded in the seasonings, I felt the reunion of thought, speech & action from within. 😊🙏

May the change of seasons that brings about energy shifts enhance the mindful recalibrations of our life’s purpose & positive intentions towards others.

Tam Tam, the cat who lives on the edge makes an appearance as we wish for ease & safely for all sentient beings.

1 January 2024

Today is New Year’s Day. It also marks the end of the mourning period for my oldest cat, Oliver. He passed on 49 days ago at age 20.

My dear Oliver, may you receive love & cuddles wherever you go.

In Buddhist beliefs, the soul of the deceased is reborn by the 49th day.

I hope one day I will see all my pets again. This is the first time in 25 years that I do not have an animal in my home.

December

19-12-23

Poinsettias in full bloom in Park Village, Budanilkanta, Nepal.
(7Dec 2023)

In my youth December meant holiday jobs to make some money for personal outings & school supplies.

There was always some anxieties whether my limp would be an issue with the employer or labour laws.

December in my late teens & early twenties meant carolling rehearsals and admiring well dressed people who had invited us to sing in their beautiful homes on Christmas Eve.

Only in my 30s, December became a time of looking inward at who I really am. Living with 12 cats & 1 dog assures me that I am home. There’s no need to go outside to seek amusement or approval.

I adopted my first and only dog, Shoya, when I was 35 years old.

After my dog passed on in December 2014, and my cats slowly left me one by one, December becomes a time to rest & remininsce.

And whenever I get the chance to visit Boudha Stupa, I bring my animals with me. In my walks, I thank them for taking on animal forms to teach me what it means to be human.

Showing Shoya the Boudha Stupa at every chance I could since 2016)

This December as I stood still by windows & on terraces, I witnessed wedding celebrations in Budanilkantha, an engagement party in Nagarkot, cultural performances and devotional practices in Boudha.

On the balcony of Hotel Country Villa in Nagarkot Hills, Nepal. (10Dec 2023)

In the midst of music, singing & chanting my spirit lifted as my animals & I received the auspicious vibes generated by these celebrations.

Butter lamp circumabulation at Boudha Stupa.

December is truly an ending & also a beginning. 🙏😊

Because they can’t talk, I learn to listen better.

16 November 2023

My 20-year-old cat, Oliver died on the 50th day of the passing of his buddy, Emmanuel. Emmanuel was 19.

Through their lives, these 2 cats have given me 39 years’ worth of companionship and teachings on living & dying.

Because they can’t talk, I learn to listen to their needs by watching their eyes, facial expressions and body language.

Oliver listens to Saraswati Mantra with me.

Because they can’t talk, and can’t defend themselves verbally, I learn to listen to myself before my judgement becomes my reality.

Emmanuel is always protected by Mother Mary.

And because they can’t talk, I learn to make supplications on their behalf.

Took my boys to see the Boudha Stupa this December.

The late Lama Zopa Rinpoche taught that animals don’t just come to us for food & shelter.

Indeed.

As Emmanuel needed home treatment involving needles that I fear and my stiff fingers are not of much help, I started listening to the Medicine Buddha Mantra to overcome fear and steady my hands.

At Kopan Gompa on 12/12/23 to give thanks to late Lama Zopa from whom I’m learning to care for animals beyond their material needs.

As Oliver liked to stay on my lap to listen to devotional chanting or singing, I learned to be still like him and let the words sink in. This was also how my longest living cat left his body.

Until last year, Oliver & Emmanuel had never fallen ill. Unwell animals disguise their pains & injuries to avoid evoking the predatory instincts of the healthy ones. But I also believe my cats endured their illnesses so that I may evolve spiritually.

The quiet in my flat now seems to hold the mantras & music we have listened together over the years.

So on Oliver and Emmanuel’s behalf I wish to thank everyone who has ever smiled at or said kind words to those who cannot talk. In a broken world, any speech made with the intention to heal is sacred to the listener.

Blessings of Light on Oliver. This was our 20th Deepavali together. The next day he entered a good death.

Life ends, but blessings bestowed are forever.

Thank you, friends and all. ❤️🙏