“She really liked it,” Aleesha Imanina shared with FMT Lifestyle, referring to her pet Asian palm civet.
“Suki was introduced to customers when she was just a baby. They would pet her and interact with her,” the 20-year-old model added, inadvertently making Suki comfortable and sociable, in contrast to the typical shyness of civets.
Native to South and Southeast Asia, the palm civet or musang pandan are cat-sized omnivorous nocturnal creatures famed for the kopi luwak, a pricey coffee made from their partially digested coffee beans.
Even now, Suki is unhesitant to greet and play with people. Aleesha, a Kuantan native, got Suki in 2022 when she worked part-time at Aqua Exotic Kuantan. She remembered a friend bringing in captive-bred civet kittens and Suki was the runt of the litter.
“Although she was the tiniest and scrawniest among her four siblings, Suki had the biggest personality and life in her. I fell for those big, beady eyes. It was love at first sight,” Aleesha reminisced.
She named her furbaby Suki, meaning love in Japanese, to reflect her instant affection towards the pawsome civet. It was also a word that kept appearing in a Japanese music game her sister played. One look at the baby civet and Aleesha instantly knew Suki was her destined name.
Suki sleeps in a three-tiered cat cage but spends most of her time indoors, sometimes snuggling up with Aleesha in bed.
Aleesha’s family, initially taken aback by the introduction of a civet into their home, soon discovered the joys of having a furry friend with a penchant for playfulness.
“My family is used to cats. We have nearly 50 cats at home. We run a cat shelter. So, they weren’t expecting me to bring home a civet. At first, seeing how tiny and scrawny she was, they called her a rat.
“But when they saw her playing with the cat toys and seeing how she behaves like a cat and a puppy, they began to like her. They became very attached to her,” Aleesha shared with a hint of pride.
The unexpected bond between Suki and Aleesha’s family members further solidified the civet’s status as an endearing member of the household. Indeed, Suki’s integration into the family extended to unique experiences, such as sharing a love for durian with Aleesha’s grandfather.
“When my grandpa opens the first durian, you would think he would want us to have it. But no, Suki must have the first bite! She even comes along with us to eat durian by roadside stalls,” Aleesha revealed.
Recognising Suki’s love for fruits, Aleesha feeds her papayas and mangoes among other things and also boiled meat. Thankfully, said Aleesha, Suki is not a picky eater. However, Aleesha ensures Suki gets a balanced diet.
Beyond her love for durian and fruits, Suki exhibits a mischievous side. Aleesha recounted an incident where Suki climbed a shelf, knocking down figurines one by one, until she got Aleesha’s attention.
Even at the veterinary clinic, Suki demands attention. Unlike most cats, she willingly takes medications due to her food-driven nature.
“She would climb onto the doctor and chase the doctor, wanting more of the medications!” Aleesha recounted, emphasising Suki’s lively nature.
From durian dates with grandpa to playful pranks, Suki’s unique personality continues to win hearts, proving that love and care can transform even the most unexpected companions into cherished family members.
This article was written by Dinesh Kumar Maganathan @ FMT Lifestyle. Read more pet stories here.
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