Malaika

Little miss Malaika is not lovable at all.  Where Ruby constantly wants to sit on my lap and cuddle and rub up against me, Malaika doesn't like loves at all.  She's content to lie up against my leg and is usually somewhere close to me, but she doesn't like to be held.  I don't care, I pick her up and give her hugs and kisses all the time, she'll just have to get used to it!

Autumn kitties

We've had a few gorgeous Autumn days in Johannesburg recently so when I've been home, I've spent a lot of time outdoors in the sunshine...reading, crocheting and enjoying my silly kitties.

 

My beloved Ruby stays close to me and only occasionally chases a lizard or two

 

 

Hooligan Malaika is now allowed to roam free on her own in the garden (with mom watching her like a hawk!) without her harness on.  She investigates everything and chases leaves and eats stuff (I don't know what); she loves being outdoors and has been good (so far!) about not going over the garden wall.  From being an underweight rescue kitty with a fresh amputation, she has filled out nicely and is really healthy and well.  Love you baby!

 

"What you doing mom?"

 

She wears a harness

Much to her disgust, miss Malaika is now an indoor cat.  When she is allowed outside, she wears a harness (available from Dragonfly Harnesses in Northriding, Johannesburg), and mom is attached to the other end. 

 

 

She had a rough start to life and was probably left to roam around wherever she wanted to.  But now that she lives in the big city, there are fierce dogs in the neighbourhood and lots of cars around.  She always wants to jump over the garden walls and go exploring, so she is not allowed outside without mom holding onto her.  Sorry baby but we gotta keep you safe! 

Very rare plant

This is the very rare 'brattus cattus' plant which is found in my garden
* it is quite delicate and needs to be watered and fed daily
* it is reasonably-fast growing
* it is reasonably low-maintenance
* the drip tray can be quite stinky and needs to be cleaned daily
* it bites, but also melts hearts with a high cuteness level
* similar varieties are available at animal shelters

 

 

 

She had 4 legs

My last blog past was a month ago, sorry.  It was not an intentional blog break...work is just crazy busy.

 

I received a photo of Malaika as a baby, when she still had 4 legs.  When she still lived with another family.  Her front right leg was amputated in December.  And then she came to live with Ruby and I.  She still sleeps in exactly the same way as she did when she was a tiny baby.  It's been a tough start in life for this little one.

Love you princess, even if you drive me nuts by waking me up at 4am to play. 

The sweetest little cat and a total hooligan

After 6 weeks in her new home with Ruby and I, little Malaika is settling in well.  We had a few health challenges in the first 3 weeks but she's now a healthy little girl who loves nothing better than chasing and harassing her big sister.

 

She is both the sweetest little cat and a total hooligan.  My beloved Ruby wants to lick her and snuggle, but Malaika prefers to jump, play and bite poor Ruby.  I usually let them sort out their own arguments, but occasionally have to stop Malaika from harassing Ruby.

Meet Malaika

As many of you know, I have the perfect cat - Princess Ruby is kind and gentle and loving and the apple of my eye.  She is perfectly behaved and is no hassle at all.  But 6 months ago, I made a decision to provide a home for a disabled kitty if the opportunity ever arose.  And it did.  On 4 January, I adopted Malaika, a disabled kitty with 3 legs.  We estimate that she's about 18 months old.

 

Malaika lived with a family in Virginia in the Free State Province, who were unable to care for her properly.  She apparently had a broken leg for an extended period of time, and when she did get medical care, the vets were unable to save her leg, so they amputated it.

Despite having only 3 legs, miss Malakia gets around really well.  She's limps when she walks slowly, but runs really fast and can jump up onto high surfaces.  She does occasionally fall over, but she's coping really well with 3 legs and her spunky attitude.  We're still dealing with a few complications from the amputation, but she's getting great care from the vet.

 

Miss Ruby is obviously not happy about the new 'intruder' but apart from some hissing and growling, she's given way for little Malaika.  I'm praying that they become friends, or at least learn to tolerate each other.