Houdini's partner, All-Black, died mysteriously 2 weeks ago

It has been 2 weeks since Houdini's partner, All-Black's mysterious death.

Yesterday, Houdini behaved oddly. He was nowhere to be seen at the usual time. Then soft meowing was heard from within the drain. After calling him for a few minutes, he appeared at the entrance of the drain, looking more timid than usual and disappeared after nibbling a just few kibbles.
Was he frightened by something earlier?

This morning, he was crouched under a van but ran into the drain to eat. He appeared alright.

Gentle grief with gentle denial and hope

As I drove into the car park, I still hope to see the familiar black "shadow" waiting at the usual spot. He could recognise the car and and would rushing onto the road. I had to be very careful when I park to avoid squashing him.

Houdini was waiting at the spot where All-Black would be but he ran into the drain as I reverse-parked.

May All-Black have a good rebirth - from mud a beautiful lotus grows...

Like us, he wanted to be loved.

Video Clips of All-Black

Last video, taken on 21-11-2009

4th November 2009

All-Black died (body seen in the drain)

I spoke to the sweeper (from PRC) this morning. He said he saw the body of a black cat in the drain by the side of the road, besides a tree, a few days ago. He had noticed All-Black before and he too thought the body in the drain was All-Black.
I asked him if he had seen any injuries on the body but he wasn't sure.
He said he left the body in the drain and it was likely swept away when the drain swelled up from a heavy downpour.

All-Black still missing :(

08-12-2008 (All-Black in his un-neutered state)

All-Black was trapped for neutering on the 21st of December 2008.
Sterilised on 23-12-2009.
23-12-2008

14-02-2009

He became more trusting as time went by.

Some months after he was sterilised, he was observed to lose weight but it came to a stable state over the last few months. However he remained active and in fact, his appetite improved.

He used to "attack" Houdini who hence preferred to stay within the drain until recently when Houdini lost some fear of him and came out of the drain when "food" arrived.

05-09-2009

There is sadness when a community cat that we care for suddenly disappear. It is hard not knowing if the cat is alive, hurt, in tremendous pain, bewildered after being transported away in the back of a lorry, etc.

We can only cherish the time that we have cared for a homeless cat and hope that a positive experience of loving-kindness will steer them on a path to happiness.

With time the sadness will soften but the connection with All-Black remains always in my consciousness, even if my memory were to be robbed by illnesses such as dementia.

All-Black still didn't turn up

Spoke to the car park lady who was aware of the presence of All-Black but she was not aware of his disappearance.
Only Houdini was around and he ate outside the drain.

Checked with AVA: he isn't there.

All-Black remains missing (day 2)

Only Houdini was around at 6.30am.
Where-ever All-Black is, may he be free of suffering.

Houdini's "kaki" ("partner"), All-Black, missing this morning

Unusual for All-Black not to be waiting for his breakfast.

Only Houdini was in the drain waiting.

Can only hope that All-Black is safe and free from any harm, whether from cars or abuse by human or harm by dogs from the adjacent factories.

Can only hope that he turns up tomorrow morning.

Community cats - All-Black and Houdini

A community cat called All-Black

Early morning heavy downpour.

Two community cats - All-Black and Houdini

All-Black was crouched under a lorry yesterday morning. This was unusual. Another caregiver checked on him later and found that his body was slightly warm. Later in the afternoon, he ate some dry food.

This morning, despite a heavy downpour earlier, he came out from under a lorry and seemed to be his usual self. He seemed to have a very good appetite too.

He too, being black and unattractive, will almost never find a home. We can only hope he remains safe where he is for a long as possible.