The Good, the Bad and the Ignorant

This is Sousse

Activists in Ukrainek, and some other countries meanwhile, who had enough of animal abusers. 
Maybe one day the table will be turned.

 Men generally more judge by the eyes than by the hand, for everyone can see and few can feel. Everyone sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are. Niccolo Machiavelli

Happiness is having a beautiful fur angel (or more) purring on my lap, thus telling me: I love you, it's great to be with you. You are all I need. Perfect love! Animal abusers don't know what they are missing. In Tunisia you can find absolutely gorgeous cats out on the street. Often placed there by families that did not appreciate what they had. Some try to find an alternative so that they can feel alright. Sorry, I am not your solution. My husband and I, as well as our fur family have reached our absolute limit concerning space, energy and finance. We are neither rich nor young and are self-financing. We would love to help all animals  and all unfortunate folks, but that is totally unrealistic. The situation of animals, in particular cats and dogs, is depressing. The other day a woman tried to persuade my husband that we can and should take her cat with the four babies. While she didn't see herself fit to look after the little family and didn't understand her responsibility for the babies (spay and neuter if you don't want your cat to have babies), we are expected to do miracles. Very strange. I hear cat babies screaming, one golden yellow behind my metal fencing, between my cactus plants and another one, black and white, shivering on top of my yucca plant. They were placed there by some selfish persons, who just don't care whether I can cope with more additions or not. And then there are those clever folks who believe it is Haram (forbidden according to the Quran) to have cats and dogs spayed and neutered. Killing them though is okay? A man viewed a dog having sex on the street and believed this would entitle him to beat the dog to death. Twisted mind. I hope he will be held accountable for his evil deed. Strange things are going on in some folks head. Hope it won't get worse with Corona, which effects the brains of several survivors. While in the beginning of the pandemic it looked good and promising in Tunisia, we now managed to have the highest death rate in the world. In view of our poor health service system, we urgently need experts and international help. Many continue to ignore the protective measures. Like children, only follow if this is controlled. In Kairouan military does this with success. In Sousse folks seem to be free to accept or ignore the restrictions. In the German newspaper TAZ was recently a long article printed about the present situation in Tunisia. They stated that even diplomats are shocked how Tunisian customs work and compared it to the colonial time. Not surprising then that important articles, e.g. imported medicine, is maktur (at present not available). Veterinarians complain that products are unnecessarily held back at customs. I remember during Ben Ali's regime being blankly asked by airport officials to give them small presents (shampoo, chocolate, etc). This has stopped. We have a lot of diabetics, medicine often maktur, nevertheless many cereals, fruit juices, etc sold with an extra portion of sugar or honey, very strange. My only alternative is frequently to drink water or with some luck fresh fruit juice without additions. There appear to be more beggars, their story may or may not be true. Be careful if you get out your purse that it won't get stolen. I viewed five sheep in the neighborhood bought to be slaughtered for the big religious celebration. Prior to this the sheep spends a few days with the family that will try to fatten it and the children take it for a walk, play with it, all too often without regard that it is an animal that feels stress (taken from it's usual surrounding), fear and pain. Buying a sheep is a big expenditure for a poor family, in my opinion not a must. A woman married to a poor sick man, selling self-made flat round bread, told us her daughter's biggest wish is that they buy a sheep and wanted us to donate for this. My husband told her no, we ourselves won't buy a sheep and when you are poor there are better ways to spend your money and you ought to teach your daughter to be modest with her wishes, that will make life easier for her and her family. One can buy a piece of meat instead. A few days later that woman's husband arrived and told us that they have no money for food.

Don't Worry, maybe joking helps

 You can't be funny by yourself. Funny is only what others know about you. Chris Rock

An Israeli arrives in Paradise. He discovers that there are many Palestinians in a huge dinning room, enjoying a big buffet with the most delicious food and fruits, etc, while in another dinning room for Israeli there is only a choice of two dishes served. So he complains. Why aren't we treated equally? The Angel replies: You are so few, a big buffet wouldn't be appropriate, besides, equality? Don't you come from an Apartheid state?

Dictators from various countries in an aeroplane. The aeroplane crashes. Who survives? The world.

A North African asks his Iman: I don't understand why so many Christians have more money than me. Iman: I know you, you are lazy and unreliable. The guy thanks and goes home. There he prays: Allah please make me diligent and reliable, but not straight away.

Teacher: Ali, how much is 2+3? Ali: 7 Teacher: No, how much is it? Ali: 9. Teacher: No, wrong again. Ali: Teacher you are always criticising me. I hate school!

An Iman and a mini bus driver arrive at the same time at Paradise gate. The Iman is asked to wait while the mini bus driver is allowed in. Complains the Iman: What does that mean, don't you know who I am? Reply: Sorry but, when you were preaching many didn't listen, while when he was driving everybody prayed!

An Angel visits a good citizen and says: I am going to show you heaven and hell, you can choose where you want to go after death. In heaven he finds people with excellent manners, singing and praising. In hell there is a big party going on, much laughter. So he decides it must be more fun to be in hell. The Angel advises him to choose carefully and he can still change his mind before he passes away. Well, he doesn't. Arriving in hell he discovers a totally different situation, it is horrible and a real hell. He complains to the head devil: What is going on here, I don't understand and would have never chosen this place had I known! Replies the head devil: Sorry mate, the first time you arrived you were a visitor, now you are an immigrant!

Meeting of an Iman, a Bishop and a Rabbi. Says the Bishop: Wouldn't it be nice if we could all together enjoy a beer and a nice piece of pork. When will this be possible? Replies the Iman: At the wedding of your son, Bishop.

In a train an Algerian, a Moroccan and a Tunisian travelling together, with them they have a sword as a present for someone. A fly molested the Algerian, he tries in vain to chase it away. So he takes out the sword and with one movement cuts it in half. A little while later another fly arrives, this time molests the Moroccan. He takes the sword and quickly cuts the fly in four parts. The next fly decides to molest the Tunisian. He tries very hard to chase it away, it keeps returning. Getting funny looks from the other guys, he finally feels forced to act. He takes the sword, one swift movement and...... the fly flies away. Well, says the Tunisian. that fly will never have any children!

A group of men meeting, all of them what you might call good-for-nothing, some burglars, other thieves of life stock like e.g. sheep, some drug dealers. Says one: Our work used to be much easier when Moslems didn't like dogs, thought they are dirty. Now dogs are kept in houses, on roofs, it is difficult enough with Corona more folks in the house. Yes, says another, even on airports sniffing drugs. And dogs are out on the fields, barking when we arrive and trying to chase us away, interrupted another. So we all agree, remarked another, dogs are bad for our business. A young guy declared that he may have the solution: let us find out whether there is rabies anywhere in the country and then call it a big problem. Luckily some folks in power also don't like dogs and they will be happy to act. Who needs dogs!!!

A Comparison, Cuba and Tunisia

 Wealth is not about having a lot of money; it's about having a lot of options." Chris Rock                                   

Both countries had dictators, a revolution,are not very big in size and have approx. 11 Million citizens. While Cuba is like an open air vintage car museum (vehicles that the mafia left behind when Fidel Castro and Che kicked them out), Tunisian streets are congested with new cars (most of them "belong to the bank" I am told). Those cars in Cuba are well worth seeing. I asked my husband to pretend he is about to enter one, so I can take a nice picture. A man appeared and nicely asked whether he can now have his car back. By the way, getting spare parts being impossible due to sanction measures restricting/stopping imports, the inventive genius Cuban folks helped themselves with spare parts from Russia or created these themselves. In Tunisia bad streets lead to more repairs to vehicles and the owners facing bills they have difficulties to meet. Education and health services are considered a human right in Cuba, free and open to all citizens. People not only from other American countries, including USA, can only dream of this. In Tunisia much requires improvement, insufficient hospitals, in particular in the south, the poor are more or less supported, not everything is for free, medication is often maktur, meaning sold out, no longer available (may be stolen, given to non- untitled persons), in particular imports. In Cuba more is own production, now also  Corona vaccines. They even send medical specialists to help other countries, often poor ones. They are great people. It is amazing how much they can repair with little resources, here you quickly hear that items are beyond repair, so much, too much is thrown away. I love Cuban music, my favourite is Bona Vista Social Club. Tunisia has of course also good music, at festivals/ celebrations often played at an ear splitting sound level, unfortunately. Animal rights generally exist in Tunisia (Penal Code, article 310 and 317 Section IV 3), 4) ). This comes as a surprise to many, as cats and dogs (not all strays), are shoot or poisoned on the streets at night, many of them, through authorities, in various places. Frankly it depresses me and viewing photos or videos is hard, I often cry. The result of this murdering of innocent animals is that kids/youngsters seeing it become insensitive, lose empathy, throw stones at animals, hit them, treat them like vermin, seldom stopped by their ignorant parents, who may even kill cats and dogs themselves. It is sadly not unusual to kick out a cat or dog that becomes inconvenient, perhaps sick, has unwanted puppies (the little family may even get brutally murdered). So not all straits originate from the streets. It shows, lovely gentle  animals with a shocking destiny. When Cuban citizens demanded animal protection laws, these were introduced (sadly still allowing traditional cock fights and religious sacrifice): Animal welfare and raising awareness in our population on the care and respect of animals is a demand of our society objective to achieve a harmonies relationship between human beings and other species in despensinate condition for the existence of all. Animals must be cared for and protected by man.- At presence we  can only dream of generally animal rights in North Africa, why folks here can be so brutal and believe it's okay to abuse, torture or even murder them, only the devil knows. It is against the Moslem religion (HARAM). The Mufti of Tunisia declared those who kill dogs and cats will go straight to hell after death. We need to educate the ignorant and their kids, teach empathy, respect and appreciation for animals and nature. Too many strays on the roads? The solution is simple, learn to take responsibility for your pet. In order to reduce the number of unwanted ones get them spayed  and neutered, authorities could partly finance this instead of their killings. If you want tourists, don't shock them with inhuman senseless and gruesome actions. By the way, Prophet Mohammed (constantly praised here) loved and  kept animals, his advice: Have sympathy with the animals on earth and then Allah will also have sympathy with you.

Amazing Amira her Life and Death

Rest in peace, my lovely one, thank you for the love you gave us. We will never forget you.

 "We must learn to live together or perish together as fools." Martin Luther King

When we arrived in Kairouan 2013, many lovely cats came to our house to welcome us, among them the gorgeous Amira, white with orange and dark brown patches. She chose us and we chose her, love at first sight! A very sportive little darling who liked climbing on roofs, in the beginning not easy for me to watch, always happy to have her return safely to spend the night with us and during the day checking that we are okay, a real treasure! When the young lady decided to get engaged, she did so at least four times, as far as I could see. We provided the food for the short- lived engagement and as Amira was our first Tunisian cat, there was no need for "family planning" at that time. So in May 2013 Amira gave birth to Tiger, Sandy, Bijoux and Soleigh. All looking differently, only Bijoux resembling mummy (this is usual here). Amira allowed me to be present a great experience. Her babies were so cute. Tiger and Sandy, meanwhile eight years old, are still living with us. Bijoux suddenly fell ill and died in November 2019. Soleigh, a beautiful white feline with yellow patches went outside in Sept. 2019 and never returned, most probably stolen, as we tried in vain to find her and she had no reason to stay away. One day, my husband was sleeping, Amira decided he might as well be her babysitter and brought her babies, one after the other, to him in bed. (My hubby just continued snoring) Great girl pity I didn't make a video. I studied her education method: watch your kittens, interfere only when it's necessary. Don't scream at your babies, show them that you care for them and that they are very special to you. Gentle mothers have gentle well behaved kids/kittens. We moved to Sousse, Amira and her family got a new home and had to adjust to a different life style. The street with all those cars, motorbikes, racing from time to time around our house, we considered too dangerous for our little treasures, as a substitute we offered two terraces, the big one on the roof. One day Amira ran out on the street and returned after a little while. When her children were old enough we had the whole family operated. Amira stopped liking her gentle son, even though a bit of a gentleman with other cats, I guess she feared he may see her as the female rather than just mummy. So we separated them. The vet discovered that Amira had just started to fall pregnant again when she operated her. We hadn't expected this and felt very sorry for our little darling. She had lately changed her way with her kittens, maybe so they perhaps leave and make space for a new family? Anyhow, it turned out that she wasn't very happy with us accepting more and more cats in our house - nothing we originally planned. We didn't buy them but we were and still are confronted with street cats needing help or simply folks dumping their unwanted felines at our door step. So depressing and irresponsible. Anyhow, beautiful Amira decided to leave us. She walked out, only returned once for a bit of food and another time to day hello from the roof of a house opposite. I tried in vain to persuade her to come down and live with us a again. It hurt so much. For some time we tried to find her in the neighborhood. Not very long before she left we discovered a lump on her tummy. The vet diagnosed that the growth may be cancer. We had her operated, actually twice. Our sweetheart unfortunately did not think that she would need to be looked after much. We felt so helpless. Time passed, after 18 months we had to fear the worst, leaflets with her photo brought no result. Nobody seemed to have seen her anywhere. A few days ago an adult cat, looking tired, sick and dirty, came to my house, calling me. I did not recognize Amira at first, her voice had also changed. I felt so happy to have my wonderful love back. While combing her fur, I was shocked to see a new big growth on her tummy, shaped like a thick cone, looking bloody. Amira refused to eat, just drank water. She had pain. We contacted an animal surgeon. The blood test showed that her kidneys were not working as well as one would wish, age and living rough took its toll. While the operation would be recommendable, it's not without risk. We decided to take the risk. All went well, but Amira again refused to eat, just wanted to drink a lot. I cooked chicken with rice and carrots for her. She just took the broth. The veterinary gave her an infusion, also the following day. It started to look promising, but then Amira had a lot of pain. On account of her kidney problems we were advised not to give her any drugs. I cuddled with her, stroked her fur, gave her a massage, fell asleep holding her. She enjoyed it, but her pains remained. She collapsed on the toilet, I gently lifted her on her bed again. During the three hours I slept my lovely precious darling passed away. I can't describe the loss I feel, she didn't deserve all those pains. I am grateful for the love she gave and all she taught me. 

Feline Lives Matter

 "Only the one who walks his own way can't be overtaken." Marlon Brando

Spring is here, no more cold and damp nights, life could be easier for the homeless, but Corona created a new problem, less places where food can be found, travelling restricted, restaurants closed, folks with less money. Most of my usual visitors to my Cats' Table still turn up, but some that have become dear to me are missing. Unfortunately I can't provide shelter for all. Gaby, a young inexperienced cat mum had two babies in a box I provided for emergency cases. Just like some humans she didn't seem to be willing to spend too much time with her little ones, after two days her first baby died, the other poor little darling after another week. I don't know what became of Mary's kittens after she took them away on account of excessively loud music last year. Lately Mary was on heat again, I hope I can get her operation (spayed and neutered) financed before the next generation developes. Last month I found five black/ black and white kittens in front of my door, the next day another black cat appeared, all approx. 6 weeks old. At least no longer new born babies, still blind. Looks like my message spreaded that if separated from the mother so extreme quickly their chance of survival is zero. Anyhow, another two yellow golden kittens followed. That is not the end of it, the latest arrival a little kitten, grey, yellow. white with both eyes sealed. I ignored her telling me to leave her alone. With Physiol solution I gently cleaned her eyes and then put a drop of Tobracort 3M in both eyes. And wow, the sweet little treasure managed to see the world again. Just as well there is mother milk powder on the market, even croquettes for kittens and thanks to my vet I knew how to treat her eyes. Quick reaction is important, the little treasures can end up blind otherwise. It is a hard world for the innocent darlings. The special croquettes I bought for my babies they enjoy, but they also want to try those for my big girls and boys who in return are interested in baby food. Experts say that cats ' IQ can reach that of an average two year old child. They can be little mischiefs as well. All are not alike, some are very gentle and love to cuddle, others are shy and prefer human to feline company. My Suzy is very fond of eating, it shows, and from time to time she likes to act like a male but she is always gentle with me. Suzy has got lovely fur with a red shine and managed to keep her full teeth, she's been with us since 2017. Next week we can celebrate Tiger and his sister Sandy's eights birthday. Their gorgeous mother was our first Tunisian cat, we are still very sad that she's no longer around. Having many cats doesn't prevent us from feeling deep sorrow every time one passes away. In the mornings I get very spoiled, woken up with purring (Tiger and Sandy) and a massage by Sandy, later on another one by Malek. His name means Angel. I couldn't have found a more suitable name for my lovely golden and white big boy, blind on one eye, part of our family for three years now. Great to have him! A young lady turned up, she wanted a cat, white, Turkish (in Europe called Persian), with vaccine, checked by a vet, spayed and neutered, could she choose one from my house? I advised her that though I have many cats there aren't any to choose from, most of them have become part of my family, only one of my cats has vaccine, I can't afford that treatment for so many. She was shocked. Folks here know what they want and they want it for free. You can have everything in Europe, including a chip, so if lost or stolen your cat can be traced. But there is a snag, you have to pay for all that and it's not at all cheap. By the way, the number of very young kittens secretly left at my front door lately adds up to eleven. I could of course ignore them and risk that they get run over by a car, which unfortunately happens around here from time to time, in particular to the inexperienced little ones. Another danger are sometimes dogs ( some folks even train their dog to hunt cats) and stone throwing kids, which my husband and I managed to reduce. The kids in the neighborhood all know that we won't tolerate this and several now even come to inform us if a cat gets injured and needs help. Positive changes are possible, they require patience. At present I don't know how to finance vet treatments including the family planning (spayed and neutered) and the extra food when my babies start growing up. I hope they can get adopted one day. They deserve a good family, not where they are treated like toys or worse. 

Continued: One Decade after the Revolution

"There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.Wonder is the beginning of wisdom. To find yourself, think for yourself." Sokrates.

A middle-aged unknown woman knocks at our door asking for money for medication which she said her mother needs. She was not amused when this was denied. We experienced that it's better to help folks that we know, as the story you are told may not be actually true. Besides, we spend a lot on homeless/ previously with a family cats, and that doesn't exactly make us rich. Prices are rising, this applies to fruit, vegetables, coffee, bred, pet food, medicine - often imported - for humans and animals, medical examinations and treatments. On top of this, whenever you discover a product you like or which seems to be an acceptable substitute, next time you want to buy it, you may be in for a surprise, it's gone and it will be for a while. Corona doesn't improve the economy, just like in other countries. The restrictions, though comparatively mild, and most certainly not abided  by all, led to various businesses to close down. Sad to see. I remember a time when it was difficult to get a seat in a cafe or restaurant. I wonder who is less motivated, the students or their teachers. Long holidays, less hrs because of Corona, and then students on the street saying that their teacher didn't turn up or on strike for more money. Not that the kids and youngsters mind very much. More time to play football and who needs education? Some call them the lost generation. The street doesn't teach self-control, empathy or respect. In Denmark empathy classes are part of the national curriculum, brilliant idea. Much better than spanking children, which the ignorant consider to be perfectly okay, though it usually doesn't improve bad behaviour, spanked kids on the contrary are likely to develop anxiety, depression, behaviour problems and other mental health problems. Recently a 14 year old boy from the neighborhood died, he was riding a motorcycle and had a fatal accident. Hopefully this will put another boy here, half his age, off risking his life and that of others, by riding a motorcycle as well. I watched a young man with a bleeding slight injury and treated him with Betadine and a plaster. A few days later young ladies knocked at my door. One of them had a scratch on her face and politely asked for a plaster. Before folks only asked from time to time for medical aid for cats. If you help one, word spreads and 

and someone else turns up asking for the same. I am not a vet, but I learnt how to treat common health problems of the local cats (i.e. pus in the eyes, can lead to blindness, blocked nose, makes a cat stop eating, as they won't eat what they can't smell, mites in the ears, can destroy the ears, effects the balance). Some street vendors have a motorcycle to pull their cart, others have to pull it themselves, just to earn a little money to get by. A hard life.

o 

Sweet Grace, an Obituary

 "One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and be understood." Seneca.                                    When the cat passes away all her servants are in mourning. Sweet gentle Grace, grey fur, was born underneath my yucca plant in Oct./Nov. 2018, a daughter of Esperanza, a street cat and regular visitor to my Cat's Table. When I discovered the little family, Esperanza at first didn't allow me to touch her babies which she moved to a place behind my metal fencing that was difficult for me to reach. This changed after two of her tiny ones died. I made space in a small corridor for the little family. From time to time Esperanza desired to go outside. Two kittens that I found in front of my door I added to baby Grace and her brother Sami. Esperanza seemed to be happy to adopt them, but unfortunately they didn't live long. Their vice mummy disappeared for 18 days. I looked in vain for her everywhere. Then Esperanza returned, I discovered her under my Yucca plant, bleeding from her mouth and nose, broken jaw. The vet did a good job and my little treasure recovered. I was happy to see her doing so well but then she disappeared again and never returned. Being a beautiful three coloured fairly young cat she may have found a good family, hopefully, otherwise if still alive she would at least arrive at feeding time, she knows my house, so I fear she may have passed away. - Esperanza's gentle daughter Grace integrated well into my big fur community. All accepted her, but she turned out not to be very healthy, she lost one eye, had breathing problems, coughed a lot, sometimes a bleeding nose, obviously a weak immune system (like many cats here). We often took her to the vet for inhalation, to give her some relieve. Saladin developed a method to knock at our sitting room door by banging the key attachment against that door. She watched and copied him. Some cats become especially attached to my husband, so did Grace - daddy's girl! I joked "Don't know what she sees in you....." We always fear the day one of our beloved little treasures passes away. In Tunisia cats are considered to be old when they are seven, in Europe at least 15-20. Suddenly Grace acted strange, she wet herself, went in hiding, reappeared, screamed a few times. I stroked her to comfort her. My husband desperately phoned the vet. Grace passed away, we lost our unforgettable darling much too early, end of March 2021.