"Tomcat Matata" Part -2 :- Life and times of Tomcat Matata until his demise.

Friday(25-7-2014) Tomcat Matata  has a miraculous recovery from accidental "Shampoo Poisoning" :- On Friday(25-7-2014) i gave 5 year old  Tomcat Matata a "Anti-Flea shampoo" bathe using "Bayo Pet Brand Bolfo Shampoo" recommended for both dogs and cats.After the bathe everything was normal and he got dried naturally.Next morning i found "Cat Vomit" and initially thought that it was cat "Matahari" that vomited as she normally did, vomiting her hairballs.In the afternoon found vomit with traces of blood and realized that it was tomcat Matata that was sick.He had vomited after a bathe once before and seems that the shampoo chemical ingredient was ingested into his system by "Fur Licking", a normal practice of any cat.

Tomcat Matata in deep meditation in a rare posture with the chair as his pillow cushion. Akin to a "Madame Tussaud" exhibit absolutely still without movement.The ultimate Cats lifestyle and lucky to have a obliging human owner.

.I was worried as unlike cat Matahari i could never ever take Matata to the veterinarian as he was scared and vicious when caged or handled by strangers, akin to a wild cat.Akin to a leopard the only method of examining him was by tranquilizing him, bizarre for a pet house cat.I decided to treat him myself and kept him on a more liquid diet of mince meat/soup avoiding adding of carbohydrates like rice, his normal food.The "Blood Vomiting" gradually decreased although the vomiting didn't subside, just became less frequent.In my deepest thoughts i thought that i would lose him to accidental poisoning hoping that he would recover with my  feeding methods as cats are very resilient animals.Finally on Monday(28-7-2014) his vomiting stopped and he became his normal self, eating hearty normal rice/minced meat food and also passing normal stools.Cat Matata has used one of his 9 lives, the closest he had come to death due to accidental shampoo poisoning. CAT owners please beware of the "Anti Flea/Tick Shampoo"  that you use for your pet cat as some shampoo's can be harmful and even kill your cat as it almost happened to tomcat Matata. Most "Anti Fleas/Tick Shampoo's" are manufactured for dogs and are not meant for cats as their system is more delicate than dogs, besides, cats can't be thoroughly wiped dry after a bathe unlike dogs.At times some of the shampoo solution might remain on the cats fur and later licking of the fur by the cat causes the poisoning in the animal.Later after a few months i did give Matata bathe with the same shampoo but made sure it was completely washed from his fur coat.He was absolutely normal after the bathe  and hence seems  that he must have licked some unwashed shampoo  the time he almost lost his life after the "Shampoo Bathe".

"Mumbai street cat" at the cat show.Plans to create a new local breed called "BILLIE"

Mumbai has its first "INTERNATIONAL CAT SHOW" on Sat/Sunday 27th/28th September 2014 :- The first cat show in India was held in Bangalore on Saturday April 27th and Sunday April 28th in 2013 at the "Chancery Pavillion". It was a success and now Mumbai was awaiting its first cat show and the same was held at the "Stallion Banquets" in Prabhadevi, walking distance from my residence.The  cat show  was held on two days akin to a dog show and conducted by the one year old "Indian Cat Federation" owing allegiance to the "World Cat Federation" of Germany.It was titled "Whiskas 2nd International cat show of India" as it was sponsored by pet food manufacturers "Whiskas".Sadly i couldn't exhibit "Matata " due to his aggressive nature towards other cats as well as his shyness of strangers .He is a miniature leopard in temperament, very bizarre for a "Traditional Persian cat" which are considered "Toy pets" by their owners.Another unbelievable fact is that he doesn't know to mate, something very natural in animals.Akin to producing a local breed "BILLIE" i also had plans to mate tomcat "Matata" with his dam "Matahari" and later line breed a new local "Mumbai Traditional cat".My idea was  a grand failure and hope "BILLIE" proves successful in establishing a local Indian bred cat from the common "Street Cat" species akin to the "Arabian Mau" in the Middle-East.Since it was the first ever cat show in Mumbai there were teething problems on the first day but the show was a success and cat owners/fanciers became acquaintances through their cats.Finally a "CAT SHOW" has taken roots in Mumbai city and this should be a annual event akin to "Dog Shows".

"Whiskas 2nd International cat show of India" 

LIVING WITH CATS :-  Thursday (21/6/2018) Summer Solstice Day. ANY FILM OR MODELING ROLES FOR CATS AND MASTER : - Watching the " France v/s Peru " Football World cup qualifiers  match on T.. V. :- Photographer House Caretaker M/s Sabina. Dias

Friday(17-10-2014) Luxury "Whiskas cat food" for the first time :- Cat Matata has been fed on a diet of "HOME COOKED FOOD" consisting of "Minced meat + Rice" and sometimes morsels of fish.This has been his  staple diet since the time  of his birth in  my household  in 2009.At the "Mumbai Cat show" i happened to get 2 packets of "Whiskas Ocean fish", each packet being of 85 gms.I wanted to see if he would eat the jelly type cat food and to my surprise he relished the same.It is recommended to be served at the rate of 1 packet/1 Kg of the cats weight.This was just a complimentary gift and i don't intend feeding my two cats packaged food. Will only feed them in case of emergency.One strange fact that i observed was that although i gave both my fat cats only half of the 85gms packet they seemed content and satisfied.Actually each cat would require a minimum of 3 packets /1 food sitting as per the formula of 1 packet for every 1kg weight of the cat.Here i gave both the cats just 1 packet and they were snoring to glory the entire day !

"Beware cat impostors  before stepping into my domain.I have the longest whiskers and any challengers to the title ? " warns Tomcat Matata.

Monday(8/7/2019) 10 Year old Tomcat Matata survives "Food Poisoning" :- Both the cat's have a habit of vomiting occasionally especially  12 year old "Matahari" who habitually vomits "Fur Balls".On Monday morning noticed  a large vomit collection on the floor without any furball and presumed it was Tomcat "Matata"

Photo after his "Food Poisoning" recovery

                                                                                                           .Later during the day noticed another vomit on the floor and realized something was wrong with the cat. Fed "Matata" some food and he instantly vomited the same sending panic reactions into my mind. In 10 years of his life-span i have never taken him to the Veterinarian as his temperament is akin to a wild cat with a tendency to scratch and bite.I was only hoping he had not contacted a "Virus" or suffering from "Kidney Disease" or a "Digestive system" blockage.Taking him to the Vet was out of the question as he would require anesthesia for treatment.As a administrator of 2 Cat sites "Mumbai Cat Club" and "Persian cats Original Long Hair & Ultra.Breeding and Upkeep" on "Facebook" had the half knowledge of a "Cat Veterinarian" and hence gambled on my own medical treatment for "Tomcat Matata".Decided to change his food diet  from "Boiled Minced meat /Rice/Fish" to "Boiled Chicken Liver/Fish/Rice".Ground the boiled chicken liver along with rice in the mixer-grinder turning it into a thin sticky paste . He reluctantly ate a little of the "Chicken Liver/Fish/Rice" paste and vomited the same after some time.Now it was definitely a "Medical Emergency" and decided to again feed him a little at night just before bed time.He did eat a little food at night and didn't vomit.At about 0300 hrs woke up and was shocked to see him sleeping almost motionless on his favourite chair. Shook him a bit thinking he was unconscious and to my surprise he suddenly got up from his deep slumber and grabbed my hand in his mouth.Typical aggressive "Matata Temperament" which made me happy as he seemed normal.At daybreak house-keeper Sabina fed him the usual "Chicken liver/rice" meal and he seemed normal.He was no longer vomiting although his movements were sluggish and feeble due to weakness of vomiting and food starvation.Gradually he regained his strength and finally on Friday(12/7/2019) he was back to his normal self and normal food diet.What confused me was the reason for his vomiting which remains  a mystery .Did he accidentally eat something from the floor that upset his digestive tract ? Did he catch and eat a lizard which caused the food poisoning ? Both he and "Matahari" eat the same food from the same plate and hence no chances of the food being poisoned  otherwise cat "Matahari" too would have suffered from "Food Poisoning" .I am no Sherlock.Holmes nor a qualified Veterinarian  but exhilarated that this food poisoning episode had a happy ending.

ABRUPT DEMISE OF 13 YEAR OLD "QUEEN CAT MATAHARI" LEAVES THE ENTIRE HOUSE AND COPYCAT "MATATA" DEVASTATED AND LONELY.

"Cat Matahari" at her last resting place in the house. She expired below the vintage "Camera Stand" a true "PHOTOGENIC CAT"

. On Saturday(22/8/2020) iconic Queen cat "Matahari" a catalyst of the formation of "CAT CLUBS" in India succumbed to a illness.She expired in the morning at approx 0800 hrs after suddenly taking ill yesterday morning with the most probable cause being cancer combined with "Old age".In human terms she was 68 + years old.She died peacefully surrounded by her human family and with her 11 year old kitten now "Tomcat Matata" keeping a vigil over her. 13 years + is a long lifespan and she filled my life with "Cat humour" and entertainment besides being the inspiration role model for creating "Cat Clubs" as well as a catalyst in formation of India's first "Cat Show".

Burial of cat "Matahari" on Prabhadevi beach.

Now there is one less member in my household but the memories will live on.The image of her sitting on the window gallery ledge for the last 12 ++ years will be missed by one and all.To quote Lord Alfred Tennyson , quote, "Its better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all".She was buried at iconic "PRABHADEVI BEACH" which is the sea facing graveyard of my previous two dog's "Blondie" and "Lucky" as well as cat "Trixie".Thanks to fisherman Shri Mahadeo for digging the grave at a time when the "Coronavirus Pandemic" is creating havoc and a scare among us all humans.Yes, the SEA always beckons the living as well as the dead . R.I.P "Matahari".

"Tomcat Matata" on the gallery ledge for the first time after the demise of his Dam "Queen Cat Matahari".He totally stopped climbing daily  onto the gallery ledge after this day proving the "Copy Cat" nature of cat's.

Tomcat "Matata" was totally lost without his companion and as for me definitely felt the loss of a member of my household.As the day's passed noticed a change in the behaviour of 11 year old "Tomcat Matata" who became lethargic avoiding sitting on the window ledge .He would sniff around the house searching for his Dam especially near the vintage camera stand which was her last resting place in the house where she lived for exactly 13 years.Bizarre and true.Finally after a week "Tomcat Matata" jumped onto the gallery ledge at night for a view below but after that totally avoided this addictive dangerous death defying habit of his Dam "Queen cat Matahari".

 "Tomcat Matata" keeping a regular night vigil near the locale where "Queen cat Matahari" expired .Yes , cats do feel the loss of their kind

 .Every cat has his or her own distinct personality and behaviour. Queen cat "Matahari" was with me for 13 years and her behaviour and intelligence totally different from 11 year old "Tomcat Matata". Tomcat "Matata" was a proven fact of the term "COPY CAT" as he would copy whatever his Dam "Matahari" did and she was the Alpha cat between the two of them . He would allow her to eat first and also sit in the same place once she vacated the same . He also had a few almost murderous "CAT FIGHTS" with her in which i had to intervene to separate, having once taken "Matahari" to the Vet for treatment of a viscous gash by Tomcat "Matata".I have clicked a photo of him sleeping near the locale where she expired which he now repeats every night.

My usual morning locale in the house in the morning  without "Queen Cat Matahari" sitting on the gallery window ledge. Her place has been taken by a crow while "Tomcat Matata" sleeps lazily on the couch rest .

Have now adjusted to the morning "BREAKFAST SHOW" without "Queen Cat Matahari" sitting on the gallery window ledge. Her place has been taken by a crow while "Tomcat Matata" sleeps lazily on the couch rest . Proves the fact that in life "CHANGE IS PERMANANT". This crow is a daily early morning visitor to my house and won't budge unless given a few morsels of breakfast.Unlike his Dam "Matahari" he doesn't love sitting on the gallery ledge but used to "COPYCAT" her behaviour. I could get a a "PhD" detailing the habits and behaviour of household cat's using my own "Cat's" as study subjects.One fact i have observed is that the word "COPYCAT" fits perfectly in the habits and behaviour of household cats. 11 year old "Tomcat Matata" is a total "COPYCAT" of his late Dam 13 year old "Queen Cat Matahari".

One of the favourite spots in the house 

As a former horse racing punter having completed my "Silver Jubilee" attendances of horse racing over the decades could compare "Tomcat Matata" to the gelding "Dancing Prances" owned by M/s Ashok Ranpise, Dinsha P Shroff, Solomon F Sopher and Mrs Mozelle Kelly of whom Mr Solomon.Sopher always led this amazing sprinter into the victory padock after its wins."Dancing Prances" trained by Mr Altaff.Hussain was the best sprinter i witnessed in a quarter of a century and definitely the best in the Country of his generation."Horse for Courses" is the proverb and "Dancing Prances" was a 1200 meters horse that i discovered and witnessed as a common punter at the Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai.Twice I placed "Whale Bets" on "Dancing Prances" for "Place Money" and earned dividends."Dancing Prances" was foaled in 2010 and hence 10 years in 2020, a year younger than "Matata" and now definitely in retirement.In horse racing comparison if late "Queen cat Matahari" was "Ouija Board" then "Matata" is the local "Dancing Prances" now in retirement .

Carpentry work at home while "Matata" boldly sit's on the coffee table. Normally he dreads the presence of strangers.

On Tuesday(27/10/2020) observed a unbelievable change in behavior in the personality of " Tomcat Matata" since the abrupt death of his 13 year old Dam " Matahari " in August 2020. He has turned more bold and assertive as seen in this photo sitting boldly on the coffee-table while minor carpentry work is in progress just next to him .Normally he used to always hide and run away from strangers while his Dam " Matahari" would aristocratically sit on the table or chair.This is the first time in his lifetime that he is sitting confidently in the centre of the house in the presence of total strangers as well as noise disturbances due to the carpentry in progress.Seems Tomcat " Matata" has realized his responsibility from a lonely 11 1/2 year old kitten to a now decision making lonely 11.5 year old Tomcat.Late Queen cat "Matahari" was the Alpha female whom he copied and mimicked in behaviour and has now grown out of her shadow charting his own behaviour within his house jungle territory."Change is permanent even in the Cat World ".We humans can learn a lot observing our pets and nature as i have done.

Majestic "LION POSTURE" of Tomcat Matata.The beauty of owning  cat's which are "Miniature Big Cats" in behaviour and stature..

The above photo was taken on Saturday(5/12/2020) .Working from home since 2006 has made me observant of my cat's behaviour postures.At my desk-top suddenly looked up to see 11 year old Tomcat "Matata" in this aristocratic posture akin to a display on the show table at a dog show contest.Since the demise of his Dam 13 year old " Matahari" in August he is destined for a lonely life and has lost his " COPYCAT" habits as he has no inspiration to "COPYCAT".Most importantly he has totally forgotten the habit of sitting on the house gallery ledge or kitchen window ledge which he learnt from his Dam "Matahari". Entered the new year of 2021 with the absence of Queen cat "Matahari" and seems "Matata" has adjusted to being the loner in the house.In the first week of January house keeper Sabina.Dias had been away from home for a few day's and it was then that i realized the attachment 11 year old "Tomcat Matata" had towards his human companion.As mentioned in this biography among the two cat's, "Matahari" was absolutely attached to me while "Tomcat Matata" was attached to my house keeper Sabina.I couldn't believe the fact of seeing "Tomcat Matata" sleeping the entire day on house keeper Sabina's bed, something he never ever did while she was in the house.

Sharpening his claws.

He also initially refused his food as she would pamper him to eat akin to coaxing a young child which i didn't , the stern disciplinarian. He finally ate his food due to hunger but was very aloof for 2 day's until she arrived home. He then got back to his normal "Cat Behaviour" in the house proving the fact that within a household cat's have their favourite human companion.As a fan and former punter in the sport of "HORSE RACING" i knew very well that every horse in a stable was more attatched to its "Syce" who cared and fed it than the owner who must have spent lakhs or even a crore of rupees in purchasing the race horse.

"Matata" is the last of my pet's along a long lineage of pet's in our household since my childhood in Mombasa (Kenya).22 year old Alexandrine parakeet" Mittoo"  seen in the glass showcase has been my longest lived pet and was akin to a small child in intelligence and behaviour.

Similarly "Tomcat Matata" recognized house caretaker Sabina as his non human companion rather than me the person who helped in his birth and financially maintaining him.This is one reason i like my pets as unlike humans they are non-judgemental.Any domesticated animal cannot differentiate between financial or social status of its human companions and hence a street side pet will be comfortable and in awe of its homeless human owner akin to a pet living in the confines of luxury housing.Yes we humans can learn a lot by just observing nature and our pets . At least i have learned immensely over the decades since childhood owning a variety of pets

Watching vintage "T.V" on Friday(5/2/2021) in his very comic posture, the eternal clown of my house.

Since the last one year "Tomcat Matata" has developed sneezing and breathing problems which has scared us on numerous occasions. At times  he would suddenly "Sneeze" or face difficulty in breathing akin to a human "Asthmatic Patient". A few months back i had visited the "Parel Veterinary Hospital" to inquire about his strange sneezing and "Asthmatic" breathing difficulty. The Veterinarian told me that unless she examined the patient the sickness could not be diagnized and so i returned home without a answer or remedy.As mentioned before "Matata's" temperament is akin to a big wild cat and it would require anaesthesia to get him examined and handled by a veterinary doctor. On Monday(1/2/2021)  "Tomcat Matata" gave us the biggest fright of our lives when in the morning after being bushed he suddenly started sneezing and also breathing rapidly akin to being choked for air. A little blood also oozed from his mouth and  i thought this was the end of the lifespan of "Tomcat Matata".Thankfully after some time the sneezing and coughing stopped and he resumed to his normal behaviour.Beside's these strange attacks akin to "Fits"he is perfectly normal.Nothing can be done and as "Matata" ages hope he survives these sudden attacks of "Sneezing" Breathing" difficulties.

"Ain't i a handsome specimen of my species " say's Tomcat "Matata" on completion of 12 years on Monday(29/3/2021)..How soon the decade and the years have passed my household with "Tomcat Matata" being a permanent member having never ever stepped out of this house since kittenhood .He has also never visited the Veterinarian since the last 12 years .Sadly with the passing away of his Dam,the one and only  "Matahari" in August 2020  he is all alone at home with us humans as  his companions.

TOMCAT " Matata" on the gallery ledge after over a year since the demise of his dam and companion Queen cat " Matahari".

Monday(27/9/2021):- After over a year since the demise of his Dam " Matahari" was surprised to see 12 year old Tomcat " Matata" sitting on the gallery ledge early in the morning. .This was a daily habit of cat " Matahari" during her 13 years in my house.On seeing me " Tomcat Matata" felt guilty and  got down from his lofty seat 5 floors above earth.I thought he had forgotten this dangerous habit after the demise of his dam " Matahari" in August 2020.

On Monday(31/1/2022)  got a candid photo of "Tomcat Matata" resting  among my collection of magazines, books and brochures. As a Voracious reader and writer and traveller  my pet's have been my solace at home  having never ever felt lonely. 

"Tomcat Matata" suffering from cough &cold
also excessive drinking of water. His 
presence adds to the natural decor of my 
house along with the Bonsai tree's and vintage Television.

Friday (11/11/2022):- " Tomcat Matata" was seriously sick with cold just 2 days ago.Thought this was the end of his life but thanks to judicious care and nutritional feeding he recovered and regained his appetite although the " Asthmatic " cough which he has been living with for almost 2 years persists.He is 13 years 8 months old , equivalent to 70 years of a humans lifespan.I couldn't get him examined by a veterinarian as he is a wild cat in temperament and has a tendency to bite and scratch if provoked. After his initial kitten inoculation " Tomcat Matata" has never been to a veterinarian. Any " ORAL MEDICATION" for cough and cold in cat's.How many Cat parents have had such experience with their pets and what was the remedy ? Posted his ailment symptoms along with the brief video of his heavy wheezing akin to snoring. on " Mumbai Cat club" group site on "FB(Facebook)"which is the largest "Cat Group" in India  administered and started by me of which he is the mascot .Thanks to " Mumbai CAT club" member Ms Alison.Keve that I was given the name of a cough syrup "ASBRIP" meant for both for cats and dogs. On Monday(14/11/2022) went to "Mumbai Pet Shop" situated across Prabhadevi main road just walking distance from my house.This pet store  also had a veterinary clinic of which i was not aware .They didn't have "Asbrip" medication and hence veterinary doctor Dr Sushma.R.Suryawanshi recommended "Feline Breath Syrup" costing Rs 170 only. Back home mixed a littl syrup with water and to my relief "Tomcat Matata" drank a little of the mixture.Later in the evening he was fed his normal food by House keeper Sabina, the person to whom he is totally attached in my house.His condition was much better after administration of the "Feline Breath Syrup" and now hopefully the reason for his excessive water consumption is not a  "Kidney Ailment". 

The above video was produced on Friday(18/11/2022) and gives a brief glimpse of my "WORK -FROM HOME - STUDIO OFFICE/RESIDENCE".Over the decades since 1975 to the present day in 2022 the interior decor of my "One -Bedroom/Hall Apartment" has evolved as have my pet's.Upto 1993 i had dog's,my first dog being "Blondie(1976-1984), a spitz purchased with my pocket money from "Crawford Market.After the demise of "Blondie" my next pet was "Lucky(1984-1993) purchased in Calcutta in 1984 and one of the best of her species in the Dachshund breed, winning a few prizes at "I.N.K.C" dog show's in Mumbai.After the demise of "Lucky" from 1995 onwards to the present day it has been cat's as my non-human companion.My longest lived pet "Mittoo" the wonder Alexandrine parakeet, featured in a "B.B.C" radio talk show in Mumbai entered my household in 1992 as a nestling expiring in 2014.The plant in the video is a "Bonsai Fig tree" and late 22 year old Alexandrine Parakeet "Mittoo" sits perched inside the glass showcase thanks to the wonders of taxidermy. I started the unbelievable mega sports game "Mittoo alias Mittoo the Poppat" in 2013 , a year before the abrupt unexpected demise of Mittoo. After the death of "Mittoo" continued with the game ,making "Mittoo" the mascot and over the years this notional money sports game has been baffling Mathematics scholars and professional bettors by its stupendous percentage success."Trixie(1995-2007)", my first cat's photo is on top of Mittoo's glass casing.Hope "Tomcat Matata" has a few more month's or years of companionship with me as he seems to have recovered a little after the cough syrup medicine.

Saturday(19/11/2022):- One of the  last photograph's of  13 year 7 months old "Tomcat Matata" before his eventual total physical collapse due to "Kidney Failure" when he stopped his intake of food and survived only by  drinking water.

The Last Days's of "Tomcat Matata" November 2022 :- Sadly the recovery of Tomcat "Matata" was a futile glimpse of hope as on Saturday(19/11/2022) he totally stopped eating food and was just on a diet of drinking a little milk and water.He also began hiding in corners of the house with his photo beneath the teapoy in the hall being his last before  total collapse in physical health.Next day the entire Sunday he was just confined to sleeping under the cupboards or sofa's.The "Qatar World Cup-2022" had its inaugural match on Sunday and after watching a late night game on waking up in the morning on Monday(21/11/2022) found "Tomcat Matata" sprawled in the bathroom and i presumed he was dying as he was not moving, absolutely motionless .Later Housekeeper Sabina to whom he was totally attached gave him some milk and miraculously he got up , drank a little and headed into the bedroom under my cupboard.Later in the morning at approximately 1100 hrs when i looked under the cupboard found him lying lifeless under my parent's cupboard with blood oozing from his mouth.Caretaker Sabina was not at home and presuming he was dead went to the temple florist at Prabhadevi and purchased some flowers and a garland for his burial.On returning home and looking under the cupboard to my disbelief found him looking at me with glazed eyes , a la non-human " Rasputin " and realized he was hemorrhaging, with death approaching him slowly and the end being very near.I was later  busy on my computer when suddenly  saw Tomcat Matata on his feet walking towards the bathroom to urinate, "Rasputin" in the form of a Cat! Unbelievable and realized the reason for the quote "A cat has 7 lives".

NOTE :- Above Video filmed on Monday(21/11/2022) shows "Tomcat Matata" guzzling water like a thirsty horse/mule .First symptoms of kidney malfunction is excessive consumption of water in a cat. Here he is in a critical state. He lay down on the bathroom floor as he had early in the  morning.

Unbelievable:-Till his death 
toilet trained "Matata"
used the bathroom.

Later he drank water akin to a horse  and walked into the kitchen and to my amazement jumped onto the arm chair and sat down on it.Caretaker Sabina arrived home in the evening and she cleaned his face from blood  stains he had vomited. He later went under the cupboard and on Tuesday(22/11/2022) was lying face down in a sleeping posture under my cupboard with no signs of "Blood Vomit" as  had shocked me yesterday afternoon when i presumed he was dead. As usual had been for my regular morning swim at "M.G.M.O" pool and on returning was happy to know that "Tomcat Matata" had drunk some water and was sitting on the armchair of my Office/Dining table .He was stinking, a typical symptom of final stage "Kidney Failure". The "Qatar World Cup-2022"  had its biggest upset in World cup history with Saudi Arabia at odds of 750-1 defeating Argentina by  2-1 goals.

On Wednesday(23/11/2022) a critical "Tomcat Matata" managed to jump onto the sofa and view the vintage "Box T.V" from one of his favourite locales in my "One Bedroom/Hall house". "Qatar World Cup-2022" was his last T.V show .Whenever i watched T.V either late "Cat Matahari" or Tomcat "Matata" would be sitting alongside me either on the coffee table or the sofa. I will miss these cherished moments in future. " Change is Permanant, Good or Bad".

On Saturday(26/11/2022) this was the last spot in the house where Tomcat Matata finally lay totally paralyzed with multi-organ failure.Notice his mouth that is discoloured due to oozing blood/Vomit  over the day's.This locale is just below the sofa and the book shelf under the Coffee-table which has a display of books on my  hobbies over the decades.During my most challenging years  when i had leap frogged into the World of "Stock Market Investments"leaving behind a steady well paying profession it was "Horse-Racing" and my pet's that kept me sane and normal in times of economic volatility let alone personal life volatility. From here he was kept on top of the "Coffee-Table" where be finally succumbed to the fatal sickness at 2130 hrs . 

On Wednesday(23/11/2022) morning found "Matata" in the bathroom and later after drinking a little water he went onto the sofa facing the vintage box T.V.He was alive to witness the greatest "World Cup Football" upset and clicked a photo of him along with his lifelong care-taker Sabina, amazed that he was still functional with all his senses intact while we human companions were making arrangements for his funeral akin to Royalty or a "V.V.I.P".

Sunday(27/11/2022) :- The Last rites of "Tomcat Matata" in my house.He is laid to rest on the same coffee-Table on which i was lucky to click this candid photo of him and his Dam "Queen Cat "Matahar' way back in 2013 when both were in the pique of health and model's of the "Traditional/Long Hair Persian Cat" breed.This breed of cat's have been immortalized in the initial  "James Bond Franchisee" movies most notably , "From Russia with Love", "You only Live Twice" and also in the Kungfu all time classic "Enter the Dragon".

He was able to walk although his eyes were watering and at times saliva being discharged from his mouth with a strong odor around him.To me he was the luckiest cat having spent 13 years 7 months in a house where he was the centre of attraction to his human caretakers, living a ultra luxurious "Cat Life" in comparison to the average pet cat.

All my cat's were alway's fed "Home Food" and "Tomcat Matata" was the human equivalent of a troublesome complex human requiring psychiatric treatment. He didn't know how to mate being a "Cat Celibate" throughout his life and was also not the typical copybook "Laptop Persian Cat" seen in fancy commercials and pet magazines. He was very aggressive to us his caretakers if handled rudely and hence never ever taken to a Veterinary doctor or a "Cat Show".

Sunday(27/11/2022):- "Tomcat Matata" in 
his grave in the same location of his Dam "Matahari
on Old Prabhadevi Beach in Mumbai.

Till the age of 10 years he was scared of strangers entering my house,always hiding when someone barring his 2 human caretakers entered the house.Visited "Mumbai Pet shop" but as Veterinarian Dr Sushma.Suryawanshi was not in the dispensary consulted her over the phone explaining the critical situation and remedy in easing "Tomcat Matata" from his suffering.She advised taking him to the hospital which i refused stating that i would rather prefer he die in my house, the place he was born which was his own "Cat World" during his entire lifetime.I was told to add Gluecose-D in the water and did the same on arrival at home but he just refused to drink going back to his hiding locale under my cupboard in the bedroom of the house where he was born, the first kitten among the 6 kittens in the litter delivered by Queen cat "Matahari" on Sunday(29/3/2009).

House Caretaker Ms Sabina.Dias
whom "Tomcat Matata" followed
and obeyed like a child.

On Thursday(24/11/2022) as usual found "Tomcat Matata" sprawled in the bathroom, conscious  and able to stand on his four  feet and walk.He later went into the bedroom under my cupboard. Next Sabina  cleaned him akin to a nurse and miraculously he seemed normal with the bad stench totally absent from his body odour.Drank a little "Glucose water" and as usual spent the entire day under the cupboard.Next day on Black Friday(25/11/2022) which is a shopping bonanza across the Globe but sadness in my house on waking up as usual found "Tomcat Matata" in the bathroom .Later he drank some water and for the first time passed some loose motions as he was totally on a diet of only water and nothing else.In the evening was away from home at "N.C.P.A" to watch "Mingus Big Band" of New York perform for the "Jazz Yatra Festival".On arriving home "Tomcat Matata" was sprawled under my cupboard in the bedroom.On Saturday morning found "Tomcat Matata" in the bathroom and his condition had deteriorated badly overnight with a strong stench emitting from his body.The most unbelievable fact was that throughout his terminal illness as his body functioning deteriorated "Tomcat Matata" never forgot his lifelong toilet  location in the bathroom of my house. All my pet's beginning from  dog's were toilet trained .Sabina lifted him from the bathroom floor and kept him on the sofa couch where he vomited after a short  time. Later i lifted him and kept him on the floor and he slumped under the sofa.This could be his last resting place in the house before death finally takes over his long colorful life .As mentioned "Tomcat Matata" got paralyzed under the sofa next to the coffee table unable to move as his organs gradually stopped functioning.

In the evening Sabina lifted him and placed him on the "Coffee Table" his final resting place as he lay totally paralyzed with just his chest heaving and a few twitching movements of his legs."Tomcat Matata" was totally attached to housekeeper Sabina akin to a human kid to a Nanny and she also being a spinster treated him like her own non human kid.She cleaned him and tried putting a few drops of water in his open mouth.Later at about 2130 hrs he suddenly gave a loud cat scream and ceased breathing. The "Miniature Lion Matata" had finally succumbed to his terminal illness unbelievable to me as he was a model of toughness in a average cat, never having been to a veterinary doctor throughout his 13 years + lifespan and in the end dying in the comforts of his house.Left him covered on the "Coffee Table" for the entire night and as there was some religious " Sai Baba" Bhajans being sung at the temple situated outside our building compound couldn't get proper  sleep.Woke up at 0230 hrs on Sunday(27/11/2022) morning to the music of " Sai Baba " bhajans and later at 0400 hrs  bathed him with shampoo. Got his fur dryed with the hair dryer, something he never allowed me when alive.

Sunday(27/11/2022) :- The final resting location of  13 years7 months old "Tomcat Matata" on Old Prabhadevi Beach in Mumbai.He was buried along with his favourite toy, a ball and his grooming comb.Ironic that the "Qatar World Cup-2022" was in progress and Tomcat Matata loved playing with the ball as a kitten and later also as a young grown up cat.He allowed only House caretaker Sabina to groom him,the ultimate freak semi-wild Traditional/Long Hair Persian cat of his breed.

Later at daybreak went to the market locale and purchased flower's and garland's.Placed a garland on his body with the lucky photograph portrait i managed to click of him and"Queen Cat Matahari" sitting on this table,absolute "Cat Models" placed next to his head.Later akin to late "Queen Cat Matahari" carted his body in a bag and walked the short distance from my house to Old Prabhadevi beach.Managed to get a local Shri Mohan Temkar to dig a shallow grave near the same place where "Queen Cat Matahari" was buried.

Finally at approximately 0800 hrs we finished the burial of "Tomcat Matata" and returned home.On entering the house got that absolutely lonely feeling which i never ever felt before although have been a single child since birth and a "LONER" throughout my adult life to the present day with numerous  acquaintances but microscopic number of friends .Always had a pet in our house, beginning from childhood in Mombasa and continuation in Mumbai in India upto the present day.Realized that at age 62 Years i would have to "RETIRE" from owning any pet's as travel would consume most of my time and hence maintenance of any pet would be difficult in my absence from home in Mumbai.Hope to be actively involved in "Animal Philanthropy" and as usual would continue my cat articles on "Mumbai Cat Club" but definitely "Tomcat Matata" is the last pet i would own and henceforth thanks to "Internet" could bring back cherished memories of all the pet's i owned during my lifetime to the present day.Crow's have always been around my house as i would feed them leftover food of the cat's and amazingly one particular crow whom i named "Tahatsu" regularly visits my house kitchen eating morsels of food from my hand and on whom i have made a few video's .Similarly a pair of crow's daily visit my balcony and same photographed and mentioned in this biography. Seems my tiny one bedroom/Hall flat has become the equivalent of a room in the "TOWER OF LONDON" in England which has a group of at least 6 captive clipped wing Ravens on its ground's maintained and fed in captivity by the "Raven Master of the Yeoman Orders " of the Tower of London.Hence after the death of my household pet's i would at least still be in touch with nature, this time with the free living crows in my vicinity. Change is Permanant.