Lalab

he was the only kitten at home who does not have a name yet then. we thought of naming him Lalab one day because he looked like our childhood playmate who's nickname is Lalab. it suited him well. we love him. i know the other cats love him too, especially Cheetoots who always play with him (well, he made him his toy actually but nevertheless he took good care of him more than the other kittens). i worry more of him than the other kittens because he was Cheezee's only surviving kitty and he looked fragile. Cheezee, one of my oldest cats at home, has a record of giving birth to unhealthy kittens. not one kitten survived the first time she gave birth. last May was the second time sje littered (http://vanethleigh.multiply.com/photos/album/68/my_new_cheekyutings#14). she had five kittens but only Lalab survived. after months of making sure he survives, i became busy with other things. and having seven cats and five kittens is a handful. 

i was in the province last week for almost a week. when i came back, Lalab was still in good shape. i noticed that he had a bulky tummy though. i just assumed that he was just full, just like the other kittens. three days ago, he started "knocking at my door" more often (my other cats do that when they needed something from me like when they are hungry or need some petting). i allowed him to stay inside my room. he has been telling me something by looking at me weirdly and meowing. back then, he looked fine so i didnt bother bringing him to the vet. but somehow i could feel something was wrong. i was just too lazy to entertain the thought that maybe there was indeed. then yesterday, he looked very unhealthy. he looked thinner. he couldnt eat although he tried hard to. i wanted to stay home and attend to him and bring him to the vet. but i had to follow up my appeal for MRR extension and then enrol. but then after being able to enroll yesterday (which by the way made me really happy), i had to accompany my aunt in meeting up somebody in Manila. 

so it was really late when i got home. on the way home, i bought some milk for Lalab, still thinking that i should bring him to the vet first thing in the morning. after dropping all my things in my room, i looked for Lalab. i found him lying on the kitchen floor. i thought he was dead. i thanked God when i saw his chest move. so i made him a bed near my room so i can easily attend to him. he looked fine that moment. then stupid me put some milk on the dropper and fed him a drop or two. i forgot that i should never feed sick cats with milk! 

i was in my room, still happy at the thought that i got another chance to finish my degree, when i heard some meows on my door. the kittens and Cheetoots sat around Lalab. i thought he's thirsty again, but when i checked on him, his eyes were fully dilated, mouth dry and pale, no longer breathing. i wanted to cry that very moment but my eyes remained dry up until im writing this. 

Lalab, im sorry. I will miss you. :(