Help us Make it in 2007! (if not in 2006)

Could you guide our way to PUSS? Thanks, Rudolph!

The 12 Days of Christmas

I'll not want a partridge, two turtle doves, three French hens, four calling birds, five gold rings, six geese, seven swans, eight maids, nine ladies dancing, ten lords, eleven pipers or twelve drummers.

PUSS is the best gift my true love can give to me...and the best gift I can give to him.

Let's pray.

All I Want for CHRISTMAS

Everybody tries hard
in helping me
My dear PUSS BLACK is
gone as you can see
I don't know just who
to blame for this catastrophe!
But my one wish on Christmas Eve
is as plain as it can be!

All I want for Christmas is
a bit of LUCK
a bit of luck
just a little bit of luck
All I want for Christmas is
a bit of luck
get PUSS back
and have a Merry Christmas!

Rain and Tears

Will he recognize me when he returns? I'm slowly growing older and shabbier.

How long has Puss gone? I've been waiting here for a few seasons, which should have been a very long time.

No, it's the rain; it isn't my tears. I am a chair, and a chair won't cry.

The Day We Don't Want to Rememeber

05182006

18 May 2006

May Eighteen, Two Thousand Six

2006/05/18

May 18th 2006

18052006

Two Thousand Six, May, Eighteen

2006 May 18th

5/18/2006

2006.5.18

18th day of May, 2006

18/05/2006

2006.05.18

18/5/2006

2006 May 18

The Eighteenth Day of May, Two Thousand and Six

18.05.2006

18th May 2006

2006/5/18

18.5.2006

May 18, 2006

05/18/2006

20060518

Who Was Missing on the Night of Halloween?

Do You Hear Me?

Roaring wind, torrential rain, fallen branches, crashing trees, power outages, serious floods, heavy mud slides...Inside the house, with heat and power, sitting on a couch, sipping my coffee, I felt so safe.

Heavy mud slides, serious floods, power outages, crashing trees, fallen branches, torrential rain, roaring wind...Out in the storm, so cold and dark, without a home, hiding in the bushes, drinking muddy waters, life is so hard for our stray friends outdoors.

Will The Petals Tell?

PUSS is alive

Puss is not...

The Light in the Darkness

There is an email from Salt Spring SPCA.

I'm told that a lady thinks PUSS is in her yard. The lady has now set up a live trap to get the cat.

Once she gets it, she'll take it to SPCA where the staff can check if there's an ear tattoo. Since PUSS has got a microchip, they can bring it to the vet for further confirmation.

Though everything is unconfirmed, I'm glad that there is a streak of light in the darkness...

(DD had also got several phone calls, though the cat spotted doesn't seem to be PUSS. The islanders, the only people whom we can count on, are really wonderful.)

Thinking of the Homeless

I stared at the thermometer. Finally, at around 9am this morning, the temperature climbed from below freezing point to the still chilly 1°c.

It is at this time of the year we couldn't help thinking of the homeless. People who used to have their cozy and loving homes, for some reasons, are now shivering in the cold without a proper shelter.

And there are these homeless stray pets, for reasons they can't understand, drifted farther and farther from the warmth and affection that they could remember.

Every day is a colder day.

We know how we can help the homeless people, but how can we help the homeless pets?

Five-Day Forecast

October 25 (Wed)

Partly cloudy skies, 4°c - 11°c.
161st day of Puss' disappearance.
Not a single phone call or email received.


October 26 (Thu)

Rain, 6°c - 12°c.
162nd day of Puss' disappearance.
No sighting tips.




October 27 (Fri)

Cloudy with showers, 7°c - 14°c.
163rd day of Puss' disappearance.
Puss is still on the loose.


October 28 (Sat)

Cloudy with drizzle, 7°c - 14°c.
164th day of Puss' disappearance.
No information on Puss' whereabouts.

October 29 (Sun)

Cloudy skies, 4°c - 12°c.
165th day of Puss' disappearance.
Slim chance of finding Puss.

Too Many "NO" - Canada Post

Monday afternoon, September 18, DD's mom knocked at our door.

"Some breakthrough?" I thought.

It wasn't.

She said the friend who helped them looking for Puss and whose number we put in our last flyer in June, received a call from Canada Post.

The staff of Canada Post says postering on the mailboxes is illegal.

The friend was also unhappy about his number being put on the flyer again without his prior approval.

The fact is, the new flyers didn't have his number.

???

In order not to disappoint the friend or cause him any trouble, we went to tear off all the flyers we put up in the morning and Sunday afternoon.

Now this helpful friend is leaving BC, there will no longer be someone on the island to respond immediately to the sighting tips.

On the new flyers is a (604) prefixed number, which means the people intending to relay any tips to us have to pay for long distance calls.

There is an email address on the flyer, which means the people need to have access to a PC.

The chance of finding Puss, are getting slimmer and slimmer.

Only if the person behind Canada Post could have noticed this and spared us the chance.

Friday 13!

It's said to be the scariest day of the month, if not the whole year.

Friday

13th

2+0+0+6+1+0+1+3 = 13

So when the clock strikes 13:00 hours or when the temperature hits 13°C, will these become the scariest moments?

Unlike others, the very first thing I want to see this morning is the BLACK CAT I love. (PUSS IS HIS NAME)

And I'd love to see him the whole day, every Friday 13, every 13th day of the month, every day and every year.

Finally, he's there!

God knows how happy I was to learn that DD finally went to the island to look for PUSS himself in the past Thanksgiving weekend. It's over 4-1/2 months from the day PUSS disappeared, it's late, but never too late.

He came back without PUSS on Monday, but at least I know he cares, he still wants PUSS back.

Now I have a reason to continue with what I've been doing. Hang in there PUSS, we'll soon come again and look for you!

A Time for Reunion - Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

Putting aside the many legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival, today, the 15th day of the eighth lunar month of the lunar calendar, is a day when the families feast under the full moon, celebrating the abundance of the fall harvest, and the joy of being together. Kind of a Chinese version of the Thanksgiving Day.

Under the radiant moon, may I say a little prayer, that all stray pets will reunite with their owners the soonest?

"WHEN THE MOON IS AT ITS BRIGHTEST, WE SHALL BE TOGETHER"

Too Many "NO" - The Humane Trap

NO NO NO NO No No No NO no no no no no no NO No no no No NO No Noooooooooo

Since the reported sightings had been of dispersed locations, we were advised to put the live trap in the place of Puss' disappearance, meaning at least a chance for Puss and us.

The day before our arrival on the island we had spoken to DD's parents about the live trap, so the second thing we did when we got there was to meet them, bringing with us the trap. (DD is Puss' owner)

What welcomed us was bad news.

The neighbour living next door to DD's parents, whom they depend a lot on taking care of their property in their absence, strongly objected to placing the live trap. Reason: He has a cat himself and is pretty much against the possibility of trapping his cat instead of Puss. Then there were other doubts of catching a raccoon or other animals (we were taught how to deal with these situations), plus the consideration of other cats living around.

Without the approval of the neighbour(s), we just couldn't put the trap there.

Though, looking around at the vast green, the deep woods and the waters, we inclined to believe that Puss isn't around, but must have travelled someplace afar.

Puss, where are you? Can you hear us?

The Disappearance Scene

A left turn on Layard Road takes you to a secluded stretch of land; surrounded by woods and waters.

PUSS was last seen here, then mysteriously disappeared, on May 18, 2006, the first day of his vacation on Salt Spring Island.

Place of APPEARANCE

KANAKA ROAD...COULD PUSS BE POSSIBLY HERE IN THE BUSHES?

(1) Location Investigator Fridayah saw the black cat on Sep 18 evening; Skateboard Park & Salt Spring Middle School.

(2) Cats' Trail & Human Walking Trail into the bushes.


(3) The Cats' Trail.


(4) Another view of the bushes & nearby area.

Could it Be PUSS?

Below are what investigators Fridayah and Saturda gathered from the recent search trip.

(The area map isn't drawn to scale)

* Locations of reported black cat sightings are scattered but with one area having most repeated sightings being recorded: Kanaka Road, which is right behind Gulf Island Secondary School.

* Black cat sightings in the area can be traced back to June: (1) area close to Salt Spring Middle School; (2) Park Drive.

* On Sep 18 evening, Investigator Fridayah saw a black cat on Kanaka Road! Under the dim light and at the great distance, the black object unmoved, Fridayah then mistook it as a black hole between the road divider, having forgotten that there was no road divider there.

* When Fridayah moved closer, about 30 feet from the "black hole", the black hole moved and swiftly ran across the road, disappeared into the ditch which is overgrown with long grass and adjoins the front yards of the Kanaka Road residents.

* Investigator Fridayah could then confirm his first sight: the black hole was indeed an adult size black cat.

* A resident living at Kanaka Road told the investigators he had seen a few strays in the nearby bushes, including an all black cat without a collar. The first time he saw this black cat, was about a month ago, i.e. mid August. The strays appear in both sides of the bushes, on Kanaka Road and Park Drive.

* As far as he knows, his neighbours at Kanaka Road don't keep a black cat. (The investigators are sure that at least a charcoal cat and a white cat live at the farthest dead end of the road).

* This gentleman further added that these strays usually come out at dusk, late night or early morning. He had seen them, including the black cat, holding their necks out and eating dumped food in the ditch left by the school kids (that's how he could see the black cat wasn't wearing a collar).

* His last sighting of the black cat was on Sep 19 night, his two daughters saw it too. In the same night, investigators Fridayah and Saturda had only met a black kitten and a Siamese cat.

* From Kanaka Road, there is a walking trail leading into the bushes. Further inside is a place which is said to be a hiding place for the school kids; further down the trail you can see a pond through the branches, and the trail is indeed a short cut leading to Park Drive.

* The bushes looks like a perfect haven for strays. It offers shelter (area unreachable from the walking trail), food (fishes in the pond, quail, mice? and dumped food) and entertainment (bird and quail catching).

* It seems logical to believe this black cat the gentleman has seen to be a stray. A domestic cat with a owner won't even eat stale food, but this black cat was seen eating "dumped leftovers".

* If nobody in the immediate or close neighbourhood keeps a black cat, and if this black cat is really a stray, could it be Puss then?

..... To be continued.

MISSION UNSUCCESSFUL!

More details to be given in the coming days.

PUSS, Here We Come Again!

Another tight-scheduled operation has been set: Sep 17 to Sep 20. Again time is very limited. Besides bringing new flyers, pet carrier, high beam Maglite & food that Puss loves, there will also be a live trap on loan from "Urbanlions".



Please wish Puss and us the best of luck. If not, we'll have to go in winter again, and Puss will have to suffer at least a few more months.

TEST RIDE

Understanding it's an uneasy & time-consuming task to bring back PUSS BLACK, we bought a new pet carrier from Petcetera shortly after we returned from the first Save Puss Operation. We got a slightly larger one, so PUSS can have more space when he's inside.

It's not a fancy one, see PUSS TABBY who was having a test ride.

Do You Believe In Little Miracles?

I do. One day I saw the great performance of northern lights in broad daylight.




Puss Black has been missing for nearly 4 months, but I'm prepared to meet him again and bring him home safely in no time.

The Reason To Own A Digital Camera (Puss' Inspiration Chapter Two)

I have always been a zero percent amateur photographer, but it has changed since I "lost" Puss Black. Not until he was gone I suddenly realized and regretted there are so few pictorial memories of him that I have kept. Then I decided to get a digital camera (for easy uploading & sharing of the pics) on June 23, ordered online on June 29, and actually got it on July 11.

It's not just for preserving memories but hoping to help other lost pet owners: take pics of the strays, mark the location, and post them as found ads for the owners to identify.

So far I haven't been able to meet any strays, is or isn't it a kind of comfort? But every day I continue to see new lost ads & flyers...either on the streets & in the web sites...

Are You Hiding?

Are you hiding?

Are you listening?

Brother PUSS, Brother PUSS,

Meow Meow we are calling,

PUSS BLACK we are calling,

PUSS be good, surface soon.

(Tune: "Are You Sleeping")

Under The Vancouver Sun

PUSS HAD JOY



PUSS HAD FUN



PUSS HAD SEASONS IN THE SUN

Empty Chair

Empty is
The muskoka chair
Which empty seats
Puss used to sit
Under the sun
To savor the warmth
That he adores

Empty is
The muskoka chair
Casting shadow
On the lawn
A lonely silhouette
Under the sun
Cold and shivery
Remembers the warmth
A black cat has brought

Not Our Happy Reunion

Biscuit, the stolen Jack Russell Terrier reported in the Metro and 24 Hours yesterday, reunited with his owner the same day.

Today's Vancouver Craigslist got another reunion post on a lost cat, Sebastian, having been found by his owner after one month.

It's always good to hear of happy reunions, and we look forward to having ours with Puss the soonest.

90 days have passed, but we're not going to give up.

It's Better than a Paid Ad - We'd love it!

Today, at least in two of the city's many free newspapers, namely the Metro and 24 Hours, I read about a couple offering a reward for the safe return of their stolen Jack Russell Terrier, Biscuit. In the piece of news are the dog's picture, details of the event, description of the couple's efforts and their contact information. The one in 24 hours occupies a 3" x 4" space, the one in Metro is much larger.

I know it must not have been the posters and flyers they have put up that matters, but they must know someone or this someone who have connections to these contributing writers. No I'm not jealous, having understood too well why networking is so important.

While some paid to advertise in the lost & found section in the papers attracting minimum attention, how much difference in terms of readership and impact it makes for having the same piece put in the news reporting section.

Wow, how we long for this!

Sniffy's Dream

Hey Sniff, you're tired? I'll be quiet.

Are you having some sweet dreams?

Dreaming of a sunny day you roam and play with your best pal PUSS? I'll not awake you.

Does the scent of the green grass refresh all the precious memories? I'll not disturb you.

Have a good nap, Sniff.

Around the Island in 80 Days

AROUND THE ISLAND IN 80 DAYS by Puss Black

Not yet available - Pre-Order Today

List Price: CDN 999,999,999 cents
Our Price: CDN 999 cents
OPUSS Member Price: By donation to any Pet find or Pet Rescue organizations

Product details:
* Format: Audio CD (In cat's language)
* Publisher: Operation Puss Canada (2006)
* ISBN: 999999999

If...A Birthday Wish

If he had not passed away in February, today he would be celebrating his birthday.

If he had survived pneumonia, he would have to battle his prostate cancer.

If he had recovered from prostate cancer, he would have to amputate his right leg below the knee.

If he had been fortunate to save his right leg, he would have to see with his eyes blurred by diabetic macula edema.

If he had been able to cure macular edema, he would have to walk with an artificial limb.

If he had the luck to keep his left leg, he would have to follow a strict diabetic diet that he disliked greatly.

What if he were in a world where he was healthy. If he could walk and run with his born limbs. If he could see clearly. If he could eat freely. If he could join my mom and eldest sister where their souls were set free from their rotten bodies.

Happy Birthday, my father, you're now at liberty.

WANTED

Date & Place of PUSS' disappearance: May 18, 2006 evening near Rainbow Road, Layard Road & Swan Point Road on Salt Spring Island

"See" You in August!

Since starting this blog I've been updating it daily and now it's time for a change.

Posting daily has been something more emotional than practical that I think will keep up my spirit in looking for PUSS. Knowing that I won't give up in whatever circumstances, I'll then post whenever I feel like it (though regularly) instead of making it an everyday task and a must.

Talk to you again in August!

The Weather Recipe Today

Not a Failure, Not a Success

The day before yesterday I read about this lost female cockatiel ad & that found female cockatiel ad in two web sites. Immediately the matching mechanism kicked in & I quickly informed the lost cockatiel owner by email. Unfortunately this time the matching didn't turn out right.

I didn't take this a set-back since afterwards I saw the owner create more noises in other sites.

Let's keep up the spirit & hope all lost pets & their owners will soon reunite (And PUSS & us too!) .

LIVESTRONG - Band It With A Cause

Despite taming and keeping them as pets, most cat owners believe cats deserve a certain kind of freedom dogs are not used to be given: unleashed, wearing no tags or collars, roaming freely on the streets. And for those owners who have tried putting collars on their cats, claimed that the cats freak out and employ all creative methods to set themselves free from these neck cuffs. So unlike dog owners, when their cats are lost, cat owners will have one less identification means.

Looking at the ubiquitous LIVESTRONG wristband in the city, I'm wondering if they are good enough to replace the normal stretch collars for cats. They are eye-catching, elastic, waterproof, difficult to choke and to chew. Adult size for big cats, kid's size for small cats. Then perhaps use a permanent marker to write down the cat's name and the owner's contact details on the inner side of the band. You're also free to choose from an array of similar bands available from different organizations and charities. More than that, you cat is now speaking for a cause. Not sure if it really works, but it sounds workable to me.

If I were to get PUSS back and with the permission of DD, I'd probably don him with the original LIVESTRONG band 'cause yellow looks fabulous on him. PUSS' shiny black coat goes wonderful with any colours, actually.

THE 5 ANIMALS HE MEETS ON LAYARD

Aimlessly strolling the Layard Road forest, PUSS meets 5 animals telling him how to be "forest smart".

Pooh (holding fast to his honey jar): Let's be friends. Head to the beehive, it's where the delicious & nutritive honey lies.

Piglet: Just follow me and follow Pooh.

Bambi: Stare at the possible enemies & evaluate the dangers, then run away is the best.

Eeyore: I don't actually live here so I don't have any solid advice to give. I'm so sorry, so terribly sorry...v-v- very sorry

Mickey Mouse (Why he's here? Mickey Mouse is not a forest figure!): Say Hi & smile to everybody!

??? PUSS says nothing but opens his eyes wide.