Joy and Depression

 "A mad man does not know he is mad, but it is felt by others, same happens when someone is stupid." "Because a man has injured your goat, do not go out and kill his bull." "A pretty face and fine clothes do not make character."   Ubuntu African Proverbs.                Ramadan has ended. A nice tradition here is taking a plate full of food, usually couscous, to your neighbors and donating a little bit of money to the poor. So you can see folks walking to various houses with hot food in the evening after fasting all day during Ramadan. But Ramadan also means a lot less business, during the day cafés, restaurants and fast food facilities are closed, in the evening most folks eat at home with their families, banks and several shops, etc. work shorter hours. In addition not everybody copes well without food, gets a bit confused or falls sick unaware that their physical condition doesn't allow them to fasten. Not without reason elderly, sick people, pregnant women, travellers and children are exempt from fastening. During the 27th night of Ramadan angels are supposed to come down to earth, a very special night. Unfortunately those who lost their religion, have no love for their country, no respect for humans and animals, no empathy, just a lot of anger and aggression, blame others for their misery, take drugs, think this is a night to let out hate and revenge by killing innocent defenceless animals. An unknown number of such individuals got together and unfortunately managed with a lot of force to enter the cats' shelter of the Association RPA in Sousse, Port Elkantoui, in spite of high fencing and 40 strong expensive padlocks. It happed during the night, most cats must have been sleeping in what they considered a secure shelter. Many had suffered a difficult life before, threatened by disturbed stone throwing kids / youngsters and traffic, uncertainly of food, in addition often of  bad quality, kicked out off houses for convince, a tough life on the road. Innocently sleeping, expecting no bad, made them easy prey for those with evil intentions, torturing and killing them with stones. When the massacre ended 40 cats had lost their life, some cats manged to excape the horror, probably traumatised. The people in charge of the shelter and who work there are under shock. They cared for all those beautiful little treasures, fed them, looked after their health, got to know all those Habibis with their different characters, cuddled with them, enjoyed their love and gratitude, seeing them lying there, beaten to death, an absolute nightmare, difficult to stomach. The shelter is financed with donations from animal loving folks, including the Brigitte Bardo foundation, as far as I know, thus no money that was taken away from locals. Those (often women with roots in Europe or even US) who see the dire situation of cats and dogs here and feel forced to act, are frequently "advised" to help the poor instead. Is it envy? All bad I ever experienced came from humans, never from an animal (they don't lie, cheat, steal, use dirty tricks, start wars). Anyhow, cameras are installed near the RPA shelter and the videos should enable the police to trace, arrest and imprison the evil criminals. They are dangerous, it is a proven fact that those who abuse/kill animals often later in life commit simular crimes against humans (American survey on Death Row). Folks frequently believe that not  any animal protection laws whatsoever excist here, because so little action is taken. But that is often because of lack of knowledge, no money for lawyers and too little trust in the work of the police. Of course if you don't speak to the police then they can't act. Anyhow, we have got laws that can be helpful, but we urgently need stronger animal protection laws that should also make the ignorant understand the value of animal life, animals have feelings too and after all  Allah created them as well. By the way, the daily praised Prophet Mohamed loved cats and he advised: "Have sympathy with the animals on earth and then Allah will also have sympathy with you." It is also a proven fact that pets usually have a positive  effect on kids, they learn empathy, responsibility, solidarity, the meaning of true friendship, receive love and joy from their animal comrade. We need such kids, they grow up as good citizens that help create a great society. 

Postscript Come Rain or Sunshine

 "As long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seeds of murder and pain cannot reap the joy of love. Pythagoras ( C. 570 - C. 495 BC).     An ugly man does not look in the mirror, he is comfortable with his looks. Ubuntu African Proverb.                                                                                                                                Last night lovely Fleur gave birth to 4 sweet kittens, 1 grey and 3 resembling dark fur beautiful mummy. Fleur is a regular visitor to my Cats' Table and I couldn't miss noticing her pregnancy. I created a temporary shelter for her in good time. Previously she had her baby (only saw 1) between my plants and I also took them then inside. I did not have the money to prevent her falling pregnant again and there are at present another 2 cats in the same situation. Not sure where they sleep, but they visit my Cats' Table every day. I wish that I could do more for these poor innocent little treasures. Those who are poorly fed, lack vitamins, live under difficult circumstances and have a weak immune system, often fall sick and usually die young. Precious Mary (spayed and neutered) likes to  spend most of the day outside, usually next to or near our house (my guard cat) but at night sleeps  indoors. I noted her being in a bad mood and having problems with eating. She didn't allow me to check her teeth. So I had to leave this task to our veterinary. It turned out that her gum was in an extremely bad state and 5 tooth had to be removed. Poor darling, no chance of receiving false teeth..... Cats are amazing, they can cope fairly well with hardly any teeth. Wales, though, don't need a dentist - just as well - they grow a large number of spare teeth, a third row. Humans could do with the same solution, but it would leave dentists bredless. Still, I'd wish their charges would be as low as that of vets. ( I keep postponing my visit.) - Christmas mail from U. K. reached me after 4 months, of my X-mas cards sent to Germany only 1 was delivered, after 2 months. Lots of other mail also disappears, it's worse than ever, but I am pretty sure it's not our postman's fault. SONET (water supply) try to save water by cutting the supply every night now. STEG (electricity and gas) have increased their prices  close to European levels. Heavens know how folks manage to pay in view of general rising costs. Still, electricity bills include also the consumption by street lights, as far as I know. Nowadays scientists and environmental aware citizens regard too much and too bright street as well as other outdoor lights as air pollution. Nighttime glow of artifical light causes big problems for humans, insects, birds and other wildlife, and in general the environment. Artifical light contributes to the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it also interrupts human sleep and obscures the night sky. Light pollution is like noise pollution a form of waste energy. It degrates the environmental quality and effects also the daylight air pollution. Unfortunately there appears to be very little awareness here of the aforementioned. The street lights are very bright and we have too many of them. Whenever the one opposite our house is defect, we enjoy a bit of natural darkness, less noise and a good night sleep. - Two days ago Carrefour sold sugar again. A sack full caused a que, one employee filing a kg or a bit more in a plastic bag, weight and labeled by another and then quietly handed to customers, one bag

each as long as the stock lasted. Though there doesn't seem to be a shortage of milk only 2 packets are presently sold per person. Strawberries are fairly cheap, but in my opinion sugar needs to be added for more flavour. Since last year we have a new quality of strawberries, less waste because they are less soft, but this has also reduced the flavour. I guess it's like with the roses, those looking perfect have lost their lovely scent. At long last we had a bit of rain, but require more. In Algeria a Mosque had an unexpected visitor. A cat jumped on an arm of the Imam leading the Ramadan prayers, climbed on his shoulder and decided to kiss him. The beautiful video can be viewed on BBC World Africa, a message sent from heaven.