Curfew, Corona and Cats

"He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with man. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." Emmanuel Kant 1724 Philosopher, Prussia (Germany)
On account of Ramadan we are allowed to be outside from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. but of course not in order to visit friends or family members, only for a reason like buying food or medication,  seeing a doctor, going to the bank or to work where admitted. Police check in the capital and on main streets, several cars have been stopped, yet I viewed a motorcycle with two adults and two kids; one approx. 6 year old boy with his friend sitting on the back, riding a motorcycle (he does this a lot, usually on his own). Now in a taxi two persons are allowed and one child (previously only one person). Domestic violence is on the increase. It is of course not easy to stay most of the day indoors with those family members who aren't accustomed to this, men who used to go out to work or sit in a cafe, kids who would be at school or roam the streets. During the first few days of the curfew it was pleasantly quite here most of the day, but now folks discovered that when there is no police or military to check you don't have to obey orders! The crossroad serves as a "football field", adults standing or sitting outside together, kids doing their usual yelling and running like lunatics (disturbed and neglected children) or sitting next to each other on the pavement. Social distance? Zero! If you say something, they just laugh. Yes, the ignorant know better! Curfew starts when they are tired, approx. after midnight. At three o'clock in the morning we get woken up by the drummer in order not to miss the last meal before the sun rises and the fastening begins. We hear wild geese flying over our house. Our official Corona infection and death cases are still low compared to several other countries, but there again not many have been tested. Too many don't take the pandemic seriously and the ignorant don't teach their children to respect authorities, not even when it is in their own interest. With restaurants and cafes closed, as well as most hotels, hardly any tourists, cats have difficulties finding food. Some folks leave leftovers from their meals outside for them, this is very helpful, but one should ensure tidying up afterwards. Bowls or ice cream boxes that I use are often stolen (take away food for the dog?), sometimes those for water removed, the water thrown away by people who don't like cats, or by bored kids. Someone knocking at the door, a young man and a girl with a beautiful Burmese cat outside. She used to be the most expensive cat in the world. Once upon a time only the royal family in Burma was  allowed to keep her. The guy falsely declared this cat to be Turkish (usually folks here use this name for Persian cats, because Turks introduced them to Tunisia).  The Burmese cat has lately become very popular in this country. I sometimes joke, if you are not Noble, at least your pet should be.... Anyhow, he wanted to sell her for 40 Dinar. We weren't going to take another cat and never bought one. Following a short conversation we feared " Minusha" would be put out on the street if we don't take her and she obviously wasn't accustomed to live like that. We finally paid 30 Dinar and worried if she would integrate well, our other Burmese beauty did so. Afterwards I was shocked to discovered that Minusha must have had babies lately and wondered what had happened to her little ones. Sold? Died or willfully killed? Everything is possible here and if we had a chance to ask the reply wouldn't necessarily be truthful. Anyhow, the gorgeous one had a look around and wasn't happy to discover so many cats, but she was prepared to accept my husband and me. Our fur angels viewed the newcomer without a comment while madam advised all not to mess around with her, she likes to keep a social distance! That was last night. In the morning I couldn't discover Minusha anywhere and called her nanme in vain. Fearing she might have jumped off the roof, I went outside and when I called her this time there was a reply coming from out awning. So I got out our big ladder and took her down. Fortunately the little lady is gentle and didn't scratch me. We decided to give her special attention and help her as far as possible to integrate and accept her new home. It is getting quite hot now. Cats and dogs need to drink. Whichever item I use to leave water for them outside, I am no longer surprised to see it disappeared some time later. (In front of my house it is better now.) At least during the Holly month of Ramadan this shouldn't happen? Wishful thinking! Looks like some take their instructions from the devil, trying to ensure their ticket to hell. Yes, it makes me very sad and angry at the same time. Kids, youngsters or adults wanting cats or dogs to die of thirst. The same folks who begrudge them a bit of food. So sickening, such a bad character. I whish them to encounter equally cold stone hearts when they need help. Thank heavens not all are like that here. Warm hearted animal protecting folks do exist and some tell me they believe I do a good and important job.

PostScript Cats my Destiny

"Man is the only creature that refuses to be what he is." Albert Camus
Following the discovery of four cat babies dumped on my property and my provision of temporary shelter, food, water and milk (1/3 milk, 2/3 water as advised by our vet), I was in for another surprise. Three additional helpless little beauties had arrived. So more food and drink, they were quite hungry. How did they get there? Did folks from the neighborhood bring them? Only the other day a lady and a young lad tried to persuade me to accept more baby cats in my house. As much as I would love to, I have to stay realistic, I neither have got the space nor means to do so. Further, our big fur angels community doesn't want to welcome any more newcomers. It always makes me sad that I can't save all. Unfortunately it is not a very common practice here to have one's cat spayed and neutered. All too often kittens are killed and/or dumped with the rubbish. If they don't have to meet the costs at the vet's more folks would take their pets there and help to prevent an influx of unwanted cat babies. At least some guys try to find homes for them! Anyhow, the next day awaited a new surprise for me. All three little beauties were gone. The most likely explanation is that their cat mum brought them, decided it's already too crowded and took them, one by one, to another place. I hope all are well and the cat found a suitable place to raise her siblings. Cats are usually great caring mothers, better than some humans, but then again, they don't worry about having nice clothes and shoes. Maybe I can feed the mother at my Cats' Table (I presume we know each other) and at a later date her kittens also. 

Cats my Destiny

Siegmund Freud commenting about animals:  "Only  as a human did the child distance itself so far from animals that it can insult humans by using animal names."

A little boy whom I had asked to stop yelling in front of my door wanted to insult me and called me an elephant. I replied that I like elephants and all animals. He thought for a minute and then changed my name to cow (those animals with lovely big eyes and all too often terribly abused). Not so easy to insult me, but it was a good attempt. Knowing that we live in an interesting neighbourhood, I tend to check the surrounding of our house from time to time. Just as well, the other day I discovered 4 kittens behind our iron fencing, between tall cactus plants (previous flowers I had to remove as they got stolen or damaged, often willfully). A neighbour told me she saw a young man on a motorcycle throwing a plastic bag behind our barrier, it contained those kittens. They were left there without food and water, in an area not easy accessible and view. Luckily the little darlings were not aggressive, only hungry, thirsty and frightened. The only shelter I managed to offer them is a box-like opening in the house wall, with a little door, fairly well hidden behind another part of our barrier. It is where lately another cat gave birth to four lovely babies. Though I fed them there, one day all disappeared, only the mother still comes to my door, but I never viewed her carry away bits of food for her babies (unlike many did before). I really don't know where she took her kittens to nor whether they are still alive. With a bit of luck the cat mum would feed the new little fur treasures, well at least worth a trial, she actually had a look at them but decided they don't belong to her family. Not easy to find a good home for them (one grey shortened tail, two all black, one black with white bits). One had an eye closed. (Can even be with pus.) So easy to treat: First Physiol solution for rinsing, then a bit of Oxytetracycline pommade for further treatment (very cheap from the pharmacy), great result, a lady from the neighborhood taught me this! By the way, kittens are born blind, then often have blue eyes but this is likely to change. Either way, they are so sweet and worth protecting. From time to time folks try to persuade me to accept further additions to our big cats community, it always makes me sad having to refuse this request. Had I known earlier that cats would be my destiny I would have bought a farm with ample space or at least made sure there is a fair sized garden. We had to give up our plan to "discover" Africa (lots of travelling) in order to have enough money available to provide for our gorgeous fur family. In view of the Corona virus visiting many African countries is generally no longer a recommendable idea anyhow, at least for the near future. The love  we receive every day from our fur angels is plenty of reward. Living with them is better than any holiday! - A cartoon from the internet: little dog talking to his daddy. Dad, why do humans now have to wear muzzles? Reply: Because they are too stupid to understand simple orders like Sit and Stay.

Cats sent from Heaven

"One can of course also live without animals, but it isn't worth it." Erich Kaestner
Cute baby kitten Capucco (named after the late Archbishop of Jerusalem) sleeping on my lab while I am typing. He is just a few weeks old. I discovered him at my Cats' Table. I wasn't going to take more addition to my big fur family ( had to send several folks away that were looking for a for- ever home for cats). Unfortunately I haven't got a farm, only limited resources. Further our little treasures must accept any newcomer and he or she must feel well here. Some take longer to integrate than others, every cat has her/his own personality. Capucco knows where to find me and it is amazing how quickly this little bundle of joy manages to jump on my lab. Every morning he leaves his tree basket and punctually waits for me in front of my bedroom door. My husband proudly declares Lilly, Mallek and Diana love him more than me. I joke: " I don't understand what they see in you, I am more beautiful, more charming, more dedicated....should we ever (highly unlikely) separate, I guess you would go to court so you can keep them?" As a matter of fact just like us cats have their favourite human and/or animal. Our late Bijoux adored my husband, while our late Honey, Saladin and Filou believed that I am the greatest.  (Cats die much too young I still feel very sad when I think of these wonderful little darlings no longer being there). Quite a few cats manage to share their love equally. Several, 4 or 5 at a time, like to cuddle together before going to sleep. The black beauties, Lilly, Adamo and Natasha  are no longer all black (with a bit of white: socks, bib, part of the face), the sun changed 3/4 of their body to a lovely warm brown colour, while the fur of Grace changed from grey to a beige colour. Nathalie and Khaled kept their pretty black fur, Alien and Adele their grey patches. Tariqqa, Aisha and Myriam experience no problem with having only one eye, while Grace repeatedly started to bled where the eye had to be removed and in addition suffered nose bleeding. Thus had to take the little darling repeatedly to the vet. Poor sweety accepts it all without mourning. Mallek is blind on one eye, I am glad it doesn't have to be removed. We can learn so much from cats, it is better to be modest, learn to appreciate having someone caring for you then you can find happiness.

Cats, Concerns, Careless Life

Lucia, great mummy

Janina and kitten Capucco

Disinfection of streets

"Men, children, cats and dogs, I treat them all the same." Marita Seneca (late friend of mine, psychologist, never found out whether the great ancient philosopher Seneca was her ancestor.) -Curfew, this "stay at home" has just been extended for yet another two weeks, this means five weeks altogether. Some kids want to play football again, they are addicted and don't understand what it's all about. Almost no traffic, quiet roads, silence in a normally rather loud and busy quarter. With restaurants and meat selling shops (apart from supermarkets) closed, there is less food available now for homeless cats and dogs. In addition some really uninformed cold hearted guys kick out their innocent  animal, thinking it might transmit the virus (utterly nonsense). I checked some places where cats tend to meet (thereby protect us against rats, mice, etc) and was happy to note that here are folks who share food with these little four legged darlings and also don't forget to leave water for them, usually in a shortened plastic bottle. I hope croquettes will continue to be on sale in Tunisia as a lot is imported and with Corona production is likely to be slowed down. I would hate to see my gorgeous little treasures hungry. They really need and appreciate my "cats table". Today I overslept and my lovely Tiger did his best to wake me up, he knows the right time without ever employing a clock. And there they were, all these beauties singing for me: "We are hungry, hungry....". The water meter is installed behind a kind of box created in the house wall. For a while I noticed that the door of this box was being opened and wondered why as it was not easy to access behind flower pots and a fencing. The explanation came as a real surprise to me, Lucia, one of my regular visitors to my cats' table, had chosen the box to have her kittens there, four of them. Not a bad choice, well protected against bad weather and little hooligans, food and water pretty close by. Only regret I couldn't clean and make the floor more comfortable for the little family. I have been told that some folks around here envy my cats, they believe that the cats are better cared for than they deserve, salami and mineral water, expensive for the poor. Actually, I don't think these persons should be eating pets' food (salami for cats and dogs), okay, sometimes in the past it was also turkey sausage - but then I myself stopped eating meat many years ago. Concerning the mineral water, we have too many cats to afford buying this for them. Our doctor advised us not to drink the tapped water in Tunisia as it contains too much lime and would make us sick. I guess we have been watched buying much mineral water. By the way, with less tourists here for the time being, shouldn't our good citizens perhaps start to understand the importance of expats for the economy? They bring more money than a tourist on a short, often all inclusive, holiday. Further, several Europeans help and support homeless animals here, feed them and take them to the vet if necessary. To those who say that they could also do with someone paying for their medical treatments, I would like to answer that the money the vet receives also helps others, money circulates, besides, I have helped some persons - within my limits - to pay for necessary medical treatments. During this difficult time with the Corona virus, threatening young and old, rich and poor, black and white folks, we don't need envy and selfishness, but solidarity and wisdom.

PostScript A different Spring with Corona Virus

"Throw me to the wolves and I shall return leading the pack." Seneca
Africa has faced Corona  pandemics with  medical services  not available to everyone at the same time. The power of communities helped to overcome many obstacles. The figure of those infected and known deaths is still low, but will surely rise once more tests are carried out. Very sad is the situation of those refugees who often risked their life to get to Europe hoping for a better life. Instead they frequently ended up in overcrowded primitive camps, close together in difficult hygienic conditions. Many are terrified in view of the Corona pandemic. Urgent action is required before the situation becomes really horrible. Unthinkable if the virus is spread to such places, the same applies to other poor quarters anywhere in the world. Someone from Germany suggested to put old folks in a home as a protective measure. I don't think Trump would like that as it would probably mean people of his age. He always wanted America First, this now happened, more than 100.000 infected, more than anywhere else in the world. The virus doesn't differentiate between rich and poor, black and white. Time to pray for wise men to find solutions and act unselfishly. A lady throwing me kisses, cats purring when they see me, those moments make me happy and help to think positive during this difficult time. In a video I saw a robot car patrolling streets in Tunis, remote controller speaking via an installed loudspeaker to folks stopped on the street and checking on their need to leave the house. Modern times are here, but different from what one would have imagined not so long ago! In a factory, rural area south of the capital, 150 volunteers (110 women, 40 men) including one doctor, one pharmacist, cooks, are working for one months in self isolation in order to produce facemasks (50.000 per day) and other protective gear. They want to enable doctors and medical staff to continue working without endangering themselves. Great people, citizens that Tunisia can be proud of. Hopefully they will all stay healthy, heroes that deserve our highest respect, also their families that accepted them being away for a whole month. We should not only appreciate their sacrifice but also reward them, they deserve it.

I

A different Spring with Corona virus Threats

A wise man is contend with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not. Seneca

Lucky are those countries with wise men in government during this difficult time, I think this can be said about Tunisia. Since Saturday, 21st of March, 2020, curfew has been ordered for the whole of the country, as a rule only one person should go outside to buy food or medicine, see a doctor if necessary. Taxis may only transport one passenger. To start of with minibuses were allowed to take three persons (usually 8), this was ignored, in a way understandable as the fare is very low, it has now been stopped altogether. A truck heading for Sousse, was carrying 30 people wanting to work there. Police charged the passengers 60 Dinar (20 Euro) each and arrested the driver. The other day I saw an approx. 8 year old boy driving a motorbike. I know him by site, several weeks ago I viewed the same and spoke with his father who declared that's okay, his son would not drive a long distance, just along a few roads in the neighborhood. I told him I am surprised this should be allowed and what if he has an accident? That didn't seem to worry him. With more police controlling the streets hopefully they will put a stop to such irresponsible behavior. Some folks still have a problem with keeping a one, or better two meter distance, poor eye for distance, I guess. For dictators it is easier to manipulate ignorant uneducated people, they are not interested in teaching them to use their brain. After the revolution I discovered quite a few times "F... Police" written on walls. There was a time when youngsters would just laugh if you threatened them you would call the police. This has changed. The president sounded quite annoyed with folks ignoring the curfew. Can't be easy to govern a people who after the revolution had to a great part, mainly the younger generation, decided not to respect anyone, not to take any orders. Those who won't listen have to be forced, a language they will understand. Thank heavens our president is determined to protect this nation. No traffic apart from occasionally a taxi, no airplanes, gives nature a chance to recover from pollution. I only hope the poor, pets and various businesses won't suffer too much. Time to show solidarity and not an ugly selfish face. There is so much we don't really need. I am happy as long as I can still support my little four legged treasures. Many shops are closed, no more chairs on pavements, cafes are closed, so are restaurants, hairdressers, stationery's, all those men now at home and so are all those constantly yelling and running kids. No more non ending football games in front of my door, I enjoy the silence, something I often dreamt of, but of course I neither wished nor imagined it to happen this way. Can't be easy for the poor, being forced to share perhaps only one room, in particular if this includes neglected kids accustomed to roam the streets. I guess some will rediscover their family.