More about my Little Darlings

When cats decided to live with human beings they discovered that language is useful for communication. Of course their language differs from ours, but they have a choice of sounds for various situations. While everybody talks about cats' miau/meow they really only use this when they require help.  Our vet noticed that one of our cats voice changed when she addressed us. My approx. 6 weeks old lovely little Leila appeared to suffer from constipation, so I massaged her little tummy. When she made a special sound at first I didn't understand why, well she tried to tell me she needs the toilet . The next time when I had her on my lab and heard the same sound I quickly brought her to the sand filled box, her toilet and she did "her job" immediately, so amazing. Honey and Bella, when they see me outside they call me, it almost sounds like "don't leave me".  They come running, always great to see so much love and affection from my little treasures. I couldn't take Bella in-doors as she didn't get along with my other cats but I had her operated at least to save her from one pregnancy after the other. Honey is the only one of my beautiful darlings who spends part of the day outside. Whenever I call her, even though I don't see her, she usually appears, some times out of "nowhere". Always happy to note she is fine. When I say: " Honey come home" she follows me to the house, not always willing to enter straight away, prefers to have several invitations that have to come from me rather than from my husband. Well, she is my girl! Cats are a great gift from heaven. Couldn't image life without them. Even though I had all our cats operated (family planning), we continue to have baby kittens and yes, I tried to inform folks around here that we no longer have the capacity to accept more cats. Nevertheless little ones keep appearing in front of my entrance door. Often brought by kids who mean well and want to save their life. Experience shows those that are separated from their mothers less than 6 weeks old are most likely to die in spite of all efforts. One exception were lovely gentle Eileen and Allan whom I fed with milk that I bought at the vet's, sold as milk powder for baby cats. This was rather expensive and is no longer on the market here.

Postscript Don't worry could be worse

"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you" Friedrich Nietzsche
It is kind of a new fashion that governments all over the world don't want criticism, while Trump calls such "fake news" the  previous  Kazakhstan government declared: "everybody in the country is happy and rich". - Prices will most likely rise yet again after Ramadan and the Laid celebration. Not surprisingly many are unhappy and complain, not enough jobs until the tourist trade really picks up again. Luckily the rate of exchange enables tourists to enjoy a holiday at low costs. So there is
hope. I noticed we haven't got many coloured folks in Sousse, in spite of lots of sunshine, after all darker skin is a natural protection by nature (is the opposite of coloured colourless people?). There is a British saying: Beauty is only skin deep. Anyhow, we haven't  just got many gorgeous cats but also beautiful kids and adults, but unfortunately not all possess matching manners, good education or morale, at least in the quarter of town where I live. Why one shouldn't neglect children can he studied here, so sad to see pre-school kids roam the streets, at an age that influences their later development. While they test how far they can go, their limits, several local parents appear to believe if you excuse everything with "they are children" then this makes them good parents. One rarely hears around here parents e.g. telling their kids not to scream so loud, show respect, don't drop their litter just anywhere, etc. Since some adults do just that one cannot expect kids to know better. Taxis shouldn't transport cats and dogs I am told. If this applies to animals without a transport box then this makes sense to me. In Germany I used to frequently travel in an expensive new Mercedes taxi accompanied by a lovely cat in a transport box. No hygiene nor security problem as these boxes are specially designed to be safe and remain clean. As far as the transportation of other goods, e.g. bricks, cement, large items, are concerned there remains much to be desired. In Germany I once spent a day with authorities who check whether goods on lorries are secured according to regulations in order to avoid unnecessary severe accidents. They stopped lorries and several drivers were prevented to carry on without additional measures to secure the load properly. If this wasn't possible on the spot, they had to phone their company to deal with the problem. No exception made. Like in Europe it is forbidden to phone while driving, but nevertheless it is quite common here, even on a motorbike or by mini bus (luage) drivers. The new four-lane road from Sousse to Kairouan is almost completed. The middle strip (concrete and soil) deviding the two directions should prevent quite a few accidents as those who believe "time is money" unfortunately often practise dangerous overtaking. A big problem remain those drivers who believe they can phone or use the internet while driving, even a minibus, apparently not aware of their responsibility towards their passengers. We prefer not to experience their "multi tasking" attempts and got off after a short trip, three times lately. By the way, the bus is much safer to use and several are modern and even cheaper. Strange none of the other passengers said anything, frightened an angry driver will be even more dangerous? Or just the result of a long dictatorship that many learnt to keep quiet and accept whatever happens.

Don't Worry, Could be Worse

If you never leave the house, you'll think mother's cooking is the best. (West African saying)
Ramadan is a Holly month, religious people fasten from sun rise until sun set, don't smoke and even with hot weather don't drink anything. This is mend to give them a feeling of what it is like to be poor. Working like that isn't easy. Those who can afford it work reduced hours, e.g. half day. Less cafes and restaurants are open during the day as only tourists are mend to come. Poor folks can hope for a small donation, just like Christians do around Christmas (for various charity purposes, including animals and environmental protection). Last meal before the sun rises means late extended nights not only for adults. Youngsters and even very small kids, only 3 or 4 years old, are out on the street, lack of sleep gives them additional energy, (screaming, running, acting like hooligans) should it be good for their development though, then they must be quite different from let's say European kids. I am under the impression that those who are not religious are often specially misbehaving during Ramadan. Even if you can say no, no, no in Arabic (le le le), they don't understand you. When we first arrived a lady from the neighbourhood's advised us never to give any presents, not even bonbons to the kids here, as they "would always chase you, demanding more, they don't know any limits". It seemed to be strange, in view of several children coming from poor families. But  we didn't have any experience with neglected kids who are out on the street all day, those who attend school often before and straight after school, mainly playing football. On the radio a father complained that by end of May this year there were only two months of school. As a kid (until today) I loved my books, learnt a lot without noticing, pity they don't know the joy of reading. Those growing up with ignorant parents are highly unlikely to find books at home, but most probably will receive some cheap plastic toys instead. - Scientists tested what is most important for cats: food, toys or the company of their human friend. The result didn't come as a surprise to me, I experience it every day, they are so loyal and love to be with us (if not abused). This is why cats don't like closed doors. Whenever I closed the bathroom door behind me, my late Filou used to sit in front of the door and complain. Another time as I was about to enter my apartment, a neighbour addressed me, we discussed politics while my Mucker was waiting for me on the other side of the door. I obviously took too long for his liking, so he started to hit the door, sweet darling. One day when I returned home a few hours later than usually, my cat punished me by not allowing me to stroke his soft fur - at least for 10 minutes! The kitchen of this house here is much too small. All our cats want to join us there. Luckily there is more space on the terrace but the weather is not always inviting. "The more I come to know people, the more I love animals" (Erich Kaestner).

Until the Cows come Home

"And it's so wonderful here I feel quite dizzy" August Macke wrote of his fortnight trip to Tunisia April 1914 together with his 2 painter friends Paul Klee and Luis Moillet. They visited Tunis, Hammamet and Kairouan. The Medina in Tunis (world heritage) has 700 monuments, including palaces, mosques, mausoleums, masjids, fountains, dating from period of almohad and hafsid. The paintings of the aforementioned artists resulting from their trip to Tunisia became famous as "Die Tunisreise" . Strange, I have yet to meet any Tunisian who heard of August Macke, his beautiful paintings and those the other two painters did of Tunisia. Pity, many tourists only come here for the sunshine, the beech and low hotel prices. Though lately with all that climate change, Moscow has the same or occasionally even a higher temperature than Tunis. I joke those tourists from Russia all took a bit of sunshine back home, that's why. Anyhow, great to have more sun again and less sneezing of my little treasures on four legs. The cats here are so beautiful, well worth viewing as well. A young lady told me her English teacher adviced her to never use he or she when talking about a cat, thus making a living creature a "thing", doesn't sound very bright to me, wonder how a vet could work with her way of thinking. We achieved less stone throwing at cats but the stealing of cats' food (which I donate for those homeless) continues. The other day I secured a pot outside with a lock and chain in order to stop this theft, only to discover that breaking a lock is just another talent for some.

August Macke: View of a Mosque 1914

 Merchant with Jugs

                             Man on a donkey

Postscript My Gorgeous Cats

"Men, children, cats, I treat them all the same," an European woman once said. - When we first arrived a lot of cats came to our house, "introducing" themselves as possible community members. We decided to welcome Amira as our number one. Good at climbing on all sorts of roofs (not always easy for me to watch) this lovely gentle white, brown and orange coloured darling moved in with us. She got "engaged" several times before we had her sterilised. On 24th of May 2013 she gave birth to 1 male (black and brown streamed Tiger) and 3 female kittens (golden/white Sandy, mainly white with golden spots, Soleigh and Bijoux copy of her mum). It is quite common that kittens of different fathers are born on the same day and one of them resembles her mother. Amira remained the only cat living with us with her children, all others we had to have operated at an earlier stage in order to avoid overcrowding. As we discussed a little party (with sardines) to celebrate the forthcoming birthdays, Amira disappeared. We searched for her everywhere in the neighbourhood's, all in vain. I then decided to create a leaflet with her photo and point out that she is likely to be stuck somewhere in a room after walking through an open door. As an incentive to look for her we offered a reward. This worked before. We hardly started to distribute Amira's leaflet when she returned to our great delight. Did she see the leaflet, recognise her picture? A little girl discovered Amira underneath a car (I had checked there again and again....), where she stayed before we still don't know. Amira was very thirsty, a little bit hungry, had lost some weight but otherwise looked as neat as ever. Having our lovely little treasure back surely made our day! We are so happy to hear her purring, stroke her soft fur. Life isn't always easy, but it is important to appreciate what one has got.

My Gorgeous Cats

"I do not like it." Why? - "I am not up to it." -  "Has anyone ever answered like that." (  Friedrich Nietzsche)
If you have many cats you never sit alone. Sometimes they give me the feeling my lap is not big enough, just as well their foster father is around also and there is additional space at our feet or shoulders. We get plenty of a warm welcome every morning or whenever we return home. Purring, cuddling, maybe "a wash", cats have so much love and appreciation to give. Those who believe in throwing stones at cats (or dogs), abusing animals, don't know what they are missing. Not all cats are the same, in that respect they are not unlike us. Lovely black Burma breed Lilly demonstrates that she loves her foster mum and dad equally. When we go to bed she joins us and wants to cuddle with us  before going to sleep. We share the bedroom as well with Tiger and his golden coloured sister Sandy.  Thus we possess the most beautiful alarm clock in the world. In the morning feeding our "children" takes first priority. The less fortunate homeless cats, regular guests to our "cats' table" are already waiting for their breakfast. If I am a bit late, they call me, singing all together. A quick count, maybe 2 or 5 missing, hopefully turning up a bit later. Strange, on some days my little treasures (those indoors and outdoors) are very hungry, on others not exactly. Most stray cats' life expectancy amounts to only 3 years, many don't survive the first 3 months, quite a few get run over. Cats' gum and teeth often cause problems, already for fairly young little darlings. The price they have to pay for living with us or from the food we throw away. I haven't seen gorgeous Gloria (the most beautiful cat I've ever seen, a great mother and perfectly gentle) for a long time, she unfortunately had to make space for Alice who was about to give birth right in front of my door steps, just like Esperanza. Both also disappeared, returned after 2 or 3 weeks, but then disappeared again. Hopefully having now a new family elsewhere. If you like noble purebred cats, you can find them here, some purebred to a lesser degree, but still obvious the Persian gene, strange, they are homeless. When we first arrived, we could hardly trust our eyes, all these beauties out on the street? Hayet, daughter of Esperanza, has black fur with what looks like blond streaks. Whenever we accept a new-comer, we have to insure the sweetheart gets along with the others. Unfortunately we have to say further additions aren't possible. It depresses me to keep finding helpless little kittens in front of our house, folks who can't  or don't want to keep them, appear to think we are in a position to provide unlimited help. They mean well but overestimate our abilities. Anyhow, lately golden coloured Johnny, black and white Melanie (both with long fur) and white (bit of black on the face and black tail, looks really cute) Leila. They run fast and I have to ensure that they don't have different kinds of food as this quickly leads to diarrhoea, their intestine is so sensitive. Nature taught the little ones they need to be tough in order to survive. Those who grow up with their mother can be more relaxed. Anyhow, kitten Johnny decided to lay on top of the food bowl, "all his" and inform the big cats that they better not mess around with him. My husband even watched him making the famous cats' hunchback, then jumping sideways in order to make believe this is his front view and thus impress by his big size. Quite a boy!

My Mother never told me

Madness is something rare in individuals - but in groups, parties, peoples, ages it is the rule. Friedrich Nietzsche. -
Degaulle once said: "How can one govern a country with 365 different kinds of cheese?" Well, there are not very many locally produced cheeses on the market in Tunisia, I  guess we are very lucky then. Very loud barking of dogs, I go outside to check everything is okay. No dogs in sight, it turns out young kids are imitating a horde of wolves, at an ear-splitting level. The cats on the street are frightened. It is near feeding time. I shout at the kids: "Go home, yell at your place." Four boys approximately 5 or 6 years old, start throwing a handful stones at me. Instant revenge by neglected kids. We do need anti-aggression training and street workers in this part of Sousse, money well spent before the problem grows. There are an amazing amount of school holidays, yet the kids here don't know how to spend their spare time, roaming the streets, playing football all they can think of. The street belongs to them and if they damage the walls of your house? Hard luck, some folks have stopped redecorating over and over again. Since the beech is within walking distance, one cannot say there is no alternative. If you come across well behaved lads, well they usually attend private schools. - A young boy asks me whether I am well. I reply: With all that noise, yelling and shouting, how can I? His friends ask him what did I say? He translates: She is fine.  I guess he thinks if I haven't got other problems I must be. Clever boy! In Germany I discovered nice fruity mini bonbons at a doctor's reception. I couldn't find them in any shops there but here in Tunisia. To my surprise these are actually produced in Kairouan ( the 4th most holly town for Muslims) with many beautiful sites, and famous for various types of excellent bred. Whenever we travel to Kairouan I am surprised how well behaved the children are in comparison. Well, one can find folks in Tunisia with excellent manners and in contrast those who believe in "me first" (Trump style). With so many unemployed why is everyone in a hurry? Those pushing in front ( I advised my husband, if a woman does this, tell her she's lucky your wife doesn't see this, she doesn't tolerate other women touching her husband!) I guess they are the same people who are happy to snatch the taxi you stopped and for which you waited so long before he or she arrived. Most taxi drivers don't care, they drive off with the fittest. More respect for elderly folks would be nice, or do we want an elbow society?