Hell on Earth

 "If you are not careful, then the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppression."  "The Zionist argument to justify Israel's present occupation of Arabic Palestine has no inteligent or legal basis in history." Malcom X.   "We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of Palestinians."  "Having achieved our own freedom we can fall into the trap of washing our hands of difficulties that others face. Yet we would be less than human if we do." Nelson Madela 1997.  "Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country and a finer world to live in. " Martin Luther King. 1959.      Netanyahu had promised to make Israel a safer place for Jewish people, yet he achieved the opposite. He did a lot of harm not only to Israel's reputation in the world but also to folks of Jewish religion all over the world, including those who absolutely appose his politics and brutal merciless war in Gaza, many call it a war against children, 70 % of the killed Palestinians are women and children. Did the Israelians think they are terrorists? The military employ a lot of artificial intelligence (AI), killing and destroying is easier and more extensive that way. In addition, when they want to sell their weapons, they can promote these as already successfully tested. The former Israelian Prime Minister (2008/09) Ehut Olmert called Netanyahu a distaster and said that he should go/resign immediately, "We must completely move out of Gaza. Two states are the only solution". He further stated that in his opinion it is essential to have a different government in Israel and different people to represent Palestinians, a solution can only be achieved through negotiation, Palestinian must decide who should govern them, not Netanyahu, he is not a politician and doesn't want a Palestinian country., he tries to make it impossible. Contrary to international laws there are already thousands of settlers, often with extreme ultra orthodox views, living on occupied land and Netanyahu intends to build another 1,600 homes in East (Arabic) Jerusalem. Settlers are allowed to carry guns, they are accustomed to getting away with murder and in addition, when they attack Palestinians, burn their olive trees, etc., army and police don't try to stop them but rather protect these criminals. Recently settlers even managed to dress up in uniforms in order to terrorise Palestinians. Following the murder of several Palestinians by settlers, France, US and other countries want sanctions and demand Israel to  stop and punish them. By the way, Netanjahu' s  war minister is a settler himself. One day, when all illegally on occupied Palestinian land living settlers are hopefully evacuated, they should have to leave everything behind, as a small compensation of what they destroyed. Further, it is high time to make Israel pay for what they willfully destroyed, schools, hospitals, houses, infrastructure, etc. Several buildings and institutions were built with money/donations from other countries, they must have the right to demand that. All too often what properties Israel destroyed, were simply repaired or rebuilt with money from EU, UN, etc., again and again, thus the Israelian governments had no reason to change! Several days ago the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz said in an interview that in his opinion Israel is "a democratic state with very humanitarian rules" and he trust them to do what is right. In a discussion a professor, (sorry, didn't catch his name) from Oxford University, who specialized in International Human Rights and laws, expressed his surprise that Scholz made such a statement, after all Germany signed the Geneva Convention!  Letting people die of thirst, hunger, for a military advantage, violates International Human Rights. His Israelian colleague, Eitan Diamond, advised that there are so far no proofs that the war in Gaza is in proportion (as retaliation to the mascara committed by Hamas)  The consequences of the army attacks are predictable as Israel receives reports and exact coordinates from the concerned organizations, including number of civilians in a school, refugees camp, hospital etc. Nevertheless water and electricity are cut off, hospitals are forcibly evacuated without any respect to patients in intensive care or even in the middle of an operation. According to the WHO representative there have been 160 attacks on medical institutions and 17 UN schools, (figures constantly rising, so probably higher meanwhile), never before have so many UN members and journalists (64, 14 injured, 3 missing) been killed, NGO folks risks their life, as well medical staff, ambulance drivers. The recent killing of an Aljazeera journalist, his colleague injured near a school, was particular brutal, medical help was prevented by Israel, he was left for hours to bleed to death. Aljazeera deferred his case as a war crime to Den Haag. Israel admits that 10 % of their soldiers died of "friendly fire", thus killed by mistake by their own army. The first time I heard this expression was in connection with the Vietnam war. The reason given was soldiers being under the influence of drugs. Now Netanjahu had to admit that 3 Israelian hostages that escaped from Hamas hostage-taker, have been shot, mistakenly (in spite of a white flag, wearing no shirt and shouting "Help" in Hebrew, source France 24) "regarded as a threat". One can assume they didn't carry any weapons, so why shoot? Trigger happy or trained to kill whatever moves? All of this must end. As a Professor for International Human Rights and laws suggested: "Forget America, they always unconditionally supported Israel, we need a new sensible and honest government in Israel and Gaza." They must  negotiate a 2-State solution and Palestine must be provided with everything and all the help she needs. It will take generations to overcome all the hate and trauma, but it is the only solution. 

What Happened to Our Civilized World?

 "If I were to remain silent, I'd be guilty of complicity."  Albert Einstein   "Nothing is more important than sympathy for another human being's suffering. Nothing, not career, not wealth, not intelligence, certainly not status. We have to feel for one another if we are going to survive with dignity."  Audrey Hepburn   " How could we become what we are oppose to?"  Hadar Morag (Israeli film maker). " Hell is other people. "  Jean Paul Satre                                                          It is the 60th day of war in Gaza. Officially are nearly 18. 000 Palestinians killed, many women, 6000 are children, this doesn't include maybe a thousand or more persons who are still lying underneath crushed buildings. 7600 Palestinians are missing. 46,000 are injured. Figures are constantly rising. Doctors including those of International Human Rights Organisations, UNICEF, Safe the Children Fund, Doctors without Borders, etc, said the situation of the children is unbearable, broken bones, kids losing limps, a hand, arm or leg because there aren't the resources to operate them or Israel ordering the evacuation from a Gaza hospital before or during an operation. The military Israelian spokesman declared they killed only 2 civilians for every Hamas terrorist, a ratio that is acceptable, he says. That would mean they killed approx. 9.000 Hamas members. Besides, even if the figures are correct, is it really okay, is it human? Don't folks of Jewish religion believe that if someone saves one human life it is as if he/she saved all mankind? The children are traumatised, what they have seen and suffered even at a very young age, is undescribable horrible. Many have lost one or both parents, no home no save place, no protection any longer possible from the persons they love and trust. A hopeless world, what happened to our civilization? How can US vote against an immediate cease fire on humanitarian grounds, while even (though a minority)  Israelians and Jews in Amercia and Europe demand an end to that war ("Not in my Name. ") 'Doctors' without Boarders ' condemn the US decision, they call it a complicity in killings. Golda Meir once said: "We can forgive Palestinians a lot, but we can't forgive them that they force us to kill their children." Is this how they justify in their head their cruelty? During the 2 year war in Ukraine considerably less people died than during the 2 months in Gaza and there is less destruction. Since the UN's excistance there have never before been so many UN employees killed. Those attacks on ambulances and hospitals, clearing hospitals, are all international humanitarian war rules no longer applicable? Israel appears to be willing to make Gaza uninhibitable for Palestinians, destroying the infastructure, flattening residential areas. There is no longer a save place for civilians, not even UN schools, shelter, hospitals, ambulances, Netanjahu and the members of his far right government seem to play a bloody game with Palestinians. The already in a most densely area living folk in the world squeezed to constantly smaller areas. Looks like Palestinians are told to walk around in circles, a "soft target" with hardly any /or no food, water, medical aid, shelter. No hope, no security, no future. 

Postscript Sow Wind, harvest Storm

 "All war is a symtom of man's failure as a thinking animal." John Steinbeck.   "Lies often appear more logic and appealing than the truth, because the lier has the big advantage to know in advance what the audiance wants to hear." Hannah Arendt.  " An African can not be a foreigner in African country."  Ubuntu African Proverb.                                                    Scientists discovered that the intelligence of the human race is not only no longer increasing, but actually decreasing. In German parliament a discussion about the war in Gaza and the terrible Marsarce on 7th October. One German MP said the people " were killed because they are Jews." As simple as that, nobody pointed out that there is a history to it, unbelievable suffering of Palestinians, a brutal occupation force (read the reports of international human rights organisations and see the documentary "Breaking the Silence", made by ex - forces members), a desire to take revenge led to this horrible massacre on innocent folks. And now Israel (not supported by all its citizens) takes terrible unlimited revenge on innocent Palestinians. That has nothing to do with the constantly quoted "right of self-defence". Besides, if anybody has this right, then surely the people whose land is illegally occupied. Half a million settlers, most of them ultra orthodox with extrem attitudes, live occording to international law illegally on Palestinian land. Settlers have recently killed six Palestinians in the West Bank, they repeatedly burn very old valuable olive trees, threaten to kill and shoot at Palestinian farmers who want to harvest their olives. France 24 showed a video, no mention on German news or "ntv". Limited information leads to double standards. All lifes matter! In Gaza hospitals without fuel for generators, incubators, supply of oxygen for the severely sick, no electricity in operating theatres, premature babies forced to die, doctors overwhelmed, close to a nervous breakdown, no water, no anesthesia, no medication, medical staff having to fear for their life, attacks on ambulances - are such circumstances acceptable? Haven't we achieved already internationally valid laws to be observed for the protection of civilians? Aren't ambulances, the Red Cross (and the equivalent in Arabic countries), UN schools, hospitals, UN employees, journalists supposed to be protected? Humanity seems to be taking a big step backwards. Violance creates violance. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, leaves half the world blind and toothless. But anyhow, the "an eye for...." demand was made to say: Don't let your revenge get out of proportions. Does the Moslim or Judaism religion justify hatred of the other religion? As a matter of fact there are many simularities, even more than with the Christian religion. Halal is the equivalent of Kosher (though kosher is even more strict). "Tahara" means pure in Hebrew and Arabic. Islam requires Muslims to respect people of all faiths, and this clearly includes followers of Judaism. Doesn't happen? Well it did in the south of Spain, El Andalus, 9th-12th century, The Golden Age, which ended sadly when backward Christians took over and the church created hell in a former paradise. Listening to Netanyahu, I feel he learned a lot from D. Trump: Deny the obvious, even when caught with a smoking gun, say you never touched a gun. Repeat your lies over and over again, make your audience confused and wonder whether you are perhaps speaking the truth? Don't trust your eyes, trust my words..... Not all Israelians and other Jewish folks support Netanyahu and his politcs. Moslims all over the world need to understand this. (For heavens sake no witch hunt). Hadar Morag, an Israelian filmmaker, said: When my grandmother arrived here, after the Holocaust, the Jewish Agency promised her a house, she had nothing, her whole famly was exterminated. She waited a long time in a tent." Then she was given a house, fully furnished, with the plates of the Palestinian owners still there. She left and declared that she wants to move back to her tent." I will never do to anyone else, what was done to me. " Hadar Morag asks: "How could we become what we opposed?" 

Sow Wind, Harvest Storm

 "When you bury the past, make sure you avoid friends that know your graveside." Ubuntu African Proverb. " Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world would do this, it would change the world ."  Wilhelm Faulkner.                                                                 We keep hearing about Israel's legal right to defend itself, strange, in several European countries and US, it seems to be seen as a right that doesn't exist for Palestinians. The other day Netanyahu advised that "all civilized countries support Israel." (Reminds me of Gandhi who visited UK and when asked what does he think of civilization in the western world, replied: "I think it would be a good idea.") But what does "self defence" stand for? If being attacked it is acceptable to defend yourself or others in a Reasonable manner, using Reasonable force to prevent the attacker from causing further harm or injuries. This means, if you e. g. kill a burglar in your house, there should and in most countries would, be an investigation whether you absolutely needed to kill him. Now that more than 10.300 Palestinians are killed, among them many women and 4.204 children, 88 UN employees and 30 journalists, is this legal self defence? How many of those killed and those injured (23.000) were actually attacking Israel? Did the patients in the Al Chud and Al Shifa hospital in Gaza, many severely sick, thus unable to get up, represent a threat to Israel? Dr. Mads Gilbert and another doctor who worked for many years in the aforementioned hospitals, stated that they received many threats and were warned by Israelian authorities /military that they would be classified as terrorists and killed if they don't leave. Interesting definition of terrorists. Netanyahu justifies Israelian strike on an prior announced ambulance convey in front of the largest hospital in Gaza with there being an important Hamas terrorist on site (who in their opinion must be eliminated) and bunkers (many counties have shelter bunkers, is that a crime?) as well as tunnels used by Hamas terrorists, who would carry out their attacks from the hospital. So Israel killed at least 50 Palestinians in order to terminate the life of one Hamas member. Is this acceptable occording to the Tanakh (Torah)? An extract of the Ten comandments: "Do not commit murder. Do not steal. Do not tell lies. Do not be envious of others." YHWH (God) told Moses that if these rules are not followed, YHWH would punish people who disobeyed these. The commandments aim to help Jews to become better people, treat others with respect, show solidarity with the poor and helpless, brotherly assistance to those in need. Not unlike the demands of the Quran and Bible. Israel as a religious state, how does it all fit together? Settlers are all too often Extremists, used to getting away with murder in an Apartheid state, presently attacking Palestinian villages in the  West Bank. Israel proudly declares that they have now succeeded in dividing Gaza in 2 parts, North and South, like Korea or formally East and West Germany? Gaza is very small, less than the size of the German town Cologne. 25 000 tons of bombs have meanwhile been dropped there, more than in any previous wars. Do they want to make Gaza a graveyard? UN chief Antonio Guerres said that it is becoming a graveyard for children (less valuable than hostages )? Why doesn't Israel allow independent monitors? I remember a time when Israelian forces on purpose broke bones of Palestinians with stones. The at the time American minister of foreign affairs, Henry Kissinger, advised the Israelian government to learn from apartheid state South Africa and make sure there are no journalists etc. on site. At least South Africa learned from history, like the Irish, as well as some South American states, and now support Palestine. High time to end the illegal occupation and stop the war crimes. Why should Palestinians pay for the crimes of Nazis? It is a sad truth that most countries are capable of committing terrible crimes. The Nuernberg trials after the war, where several big nazis (not enough, the DDR was more thorough than West Germany) were held accountable ( death penalty) were a brilliant idea, judges from America, Russia, Great Britain and France. In my opinion, unfortunately not even those countries learned from history. At least we now have the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Den Haag. Germany's unlimited support for Israel is understandable, but being blind reference the atrocities/war crimes, is it a real help? Quite a few Israeli and other Jews consider Netanyahu a threat to their safety. He clings on to power because he would go to prison in Israel for corruption and money laundering when he loses his immunity, his wife also participated. If I am on the highway to hell, I would hope my real friends would tell me so and try to stop me!!! I believe several other European countries and US support Israel because of a bad conscience, their lack of help for jews (not just from Germany, Hitler also transported jews from many other occupied European countries) during that horrible Nazi period. Many knew of the Nazi crimes, some even of the Holocaust, but pretended they didn't. Even the pope was informed, Rolf Hochmuth wrote a play about it: "Der Stellvertreter" (The Deputy, meaning God's deputy, the pope), also published as a book, well worth reading. Most stages at the time refused to play it, a subject considered too hot. As a child I believed that these unspeakable Nazi crimes, hell on earth, would cause Jewish folks to become extra sensible to human sufferings, make them a mountain of empathy. Now I wish to shout from every mountain: Palestinians are not Nazis, don't take revenge on them. 

Postcript A bit of History

 "The idea that we could control the course of our life through rational choices is as absurd as a fish trying to control the ocean in which it swims."  Elif Shafak  "A fool sees another man's downfall as a topic of discussion. But a wise man sees it as a warning to himself." George Bernhard Shaw.  "If you never met the devil along your way, just know you are both heading the same destination."  Ubuntu Proverb.                                          There is much talk about Israelian right to defence itself, does this right not exist for Palestinians? For all I know Israel is the best and most modern equipped army of the world and they sold a lot of  "already successfully tested" weapons.  Nevertheless US /Joe Biden appear to feel they need more. When an elephant is at war with a mouse (somebody famous used this comparison, not sure who) then I have problems supporting the elephant even though I like elephants. Israelian refusal to allow the delivery of fuel, electrity e. g. badly needed by hospitals (in one alone  pre-mature 50 babies will die once the hospital runs out of fuel, needed for generaturs, doctors advised ) may well constitude a war crime. UN stated that at least 100 daily trucks of aid (food, water, medicine, plus fuel) are badly needed, what is presently allowed is "a drop in the ocean."  Aprox. 3000 Palestinian children, including babies, have already died, as well as 29 Palestinian journalists and 19 employees of an UN aid organisation. An orthodox Christian Church has been hit, where refugees were expecting to receive save shelter. 18 died, including 1 baby. An UNRWA school was bombed, leaving 6 dead. The international rules for protection of civilians are pretty much ignored in the most densely populated area in the world. One million people, including children, old, handicapped, sick, pregnant women are told to leave, when there is no safe way to leave and no safe place to go to. The Gaza Strip is quite small, only 41 km long, but can that be an excuse to kill so many civilians? Israel says Hamas hides behind civilians and even in hospitals and they absolutely need to crash Hamas.... those who want to support Israel unconditionally seem to believe that " eliminating Hamas" takes first pirority, over protection of civilians. When Antonio Guterres secretary-general of the United Nations, stated the need to protect civilians and to abide by international humanitarian laws, which are clearly violated, and  that one must also understand that Palestinians suffered 56 years of depressing occupation..... he remained one of the few voices with empathy for both sides. The Israelian minister of foreign affairs condemned this statement (is it a crime to criticize Israel, no matter what they do?),  demanded Guterres resignationand and called Hamas the New Nazis. Is this the latest fashion? I remember Putin telling Russians that they must free the Ukraine of New Nazis. Anyhow, I strongly believe that without that evil Hitler and the horrible holocaust committed by Nazis, Israel would be a different country. Scientists say that what parents and grandparents experienced leaves marks on their grandchildren's brain. This terrible feeling of being defenceless several try to overcome by committing atrocities themselves, (a phenom not unknown in psychology)  in my opinion Palestinians are "the Jews" of the Israelian government, many settlers and other parts of the society. By the way, collective punishment was a Nazi method, they called it "Sippenhaft." They also knew the importance of manipulating public opinion. One could get the impression that not only the whole Jewish population in Israel, but also the Jews living in other countries fully support Netanyahu and his actions. Fortunately this is not the case. "Not in my name" - European Jews condemn Israel's war in Gaza. They don't want to be the human shield of the state. The "Jewish voice for peace" petition calls for an immediate end to Israeli attack on Gaza. They don't believe that "Jewish supremacy" can achieve peace.      A different world is possible. Let us not forget the great Uri Avnery, writer, journalst, politian (member of the Knesset 1965 - 74, 1979 - 1981) founder of the Gush Shalom Peace Movement, veteran of the 1948 Palestine war. Uri Avnery received the Sokolov Award, Right Livelihood Award, Bruno Kreisky Price for Services to Human Rights, he was the founder of the Israeli Council for Israelian-Palestinian Peace. Born in Beckum (Germany) on 10.09.23, this Ray of Light passed away in August 2018. - In America students (e. g. Harvard University) demonstrated for Palestine. One should think in a democracy it is okay, freedom of expression, but their names were blacklisted, meaning they will face in future problems finding jobs equivalent to their academic education. "Brave new world." 

A bit of History

 "The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak the truth." Seneca  "Tolerance becomes a crime when applied to evil." Thomas Mann   "When you destroy someone's life with lies, take it as a loan, it will come back to you with interest." Mercy Guinita.                                          I remember a time when Israel/ Sharon advised that Yessar Arafat prevents peace with Palestinians, he must be deported. Bruno Kreisky, Socialist, Jew and chancellor of Austria, replied: " If you ask Arafat to show the grave of his father, he will say:" No problem, I can show you the grave of my father, my grandfather, my great grandfather, and so on. " If you ask Sharon to show the grave of his father, he will have to travel to Russia." Bruno Kreisky also stated that he is the only European head of state whom Golda Meir can't blackmail. Several Jews would love to call him an antisemitic as he criticizes the Israelian politics. Golda Meir said:" Following the Holocaust we can now do whatever we like, no one has the right to criticize us."  Listening to statements from various heads of state and several European citizens I sadly miss empathy and knowledge concerning Palestine, or mentioning the constant violations of International laws by the occupation force. When I was approx. 10 years old I heard that Israel created a flowering landscape where before only a kind of dessert existed. Later on I learned that Israel destroyed and flattened Palestinian villages, made the population flee through terror, and planted trees to hide the truth. The other day I was shocked to hear the CDU politian Latschek in a discussion repeat what I heard as a child. No one corrected him. Going further back in history, when Israelian terrorists blew up the King David Hotel, at the time the Head Quarter of the British Army, they killed 91 officers. Begin's photo appeared on a poster as a "wanted terrorist." The British government decided to withdraw from Palestine earlier than planned as the situation seemed to be unmanageable. They further decided (for reasons I can not understand) to leave behind their weapons and other army equipment. So the first killings of Palestinians started even before the British army's withdrawal was completed. Many Palestinians fearing for their lives left their fully furnished houses, just kept the key, hoping to be able to return one day. These houses Israel then offered to jewish immigrants from various countries, no explanations, but some wondered what happened to the original owners. - It seems to me that not many citizens in Europe and America are aware that about half the Palestinian population consists of children, many under the age of 5. The director of "Save the Children Fund" pointed out that a survey carried out last year brought to light that 4 of 5 Palestinian children suffer mentally. Hardly surprising in view of the conditions under which they are forced to live, experiencing that even their home is not a save place, Israelian forces and settlers being allowed to humiliate their parents and other family members, being helpless when subjected to often practiced collective punishments (e. g. complete distruction of houses belonging to big families). Liberal Israelians don't want an Apartheid State, they don't support rasism against Moslems, Christians and other religions, they fear Netanyahu destroys their Democracy. "Breaking the Silence" is, by the way, an interesting Documentary by Israelian ex army members, reservists, shocked how Palestinians were treated by members of the forces. 

My beautiful big Wild Family

 "Beware of people who dislike cats." Irish Proverb  "Without tolerance our world turns into hell.  Humor is the mask of wisdom.  Who sows fear, reaps weapons.  Nothing that    has been thought, can be taken back.  The world is bad, but not without hope. It is only hopeless from an ideal viewpoint."   Friedrich Dürrenmatt.                                                       My first worry in the morning, are all my adopted feral kids of various ages (from 3 weeks to 11 years) okay? Due to a usual poor immune system especially the young kittens are endangered. A sudden death is always a shock. For two years now Calcivirus is a big and often deadly problem. It effects the gum (red, bleeding) and teeth (brown, starting to decay) and gives a bad smell from the mouth. So it is not just blocked noses but a. o. also the Calcivirus that makes a cat /dog stop eating. Those infected need a veterinarian, dental treatment, and injections etc. as soon as possible. The best preventing is always vaccination, but unfortunately I can not pay for 30 cats getting vaccinated. Ignorant folks who keep dumping their unwanted kittens in front of my doors (and those of other animal supporting citizens) don't think of this or just don't care. Seeing the plight of innocent animals and being unable to help is difficult to take and terribly depressing. For unknown reasons even women (usually) driving big expensive cars, kick out cats and dogs, either secretly or saying they haven't got enough space /an animal that fights with this one, etc., the mother of the kittens/puppies disappeared/ died, or they found these animals outside. All very strange. I would suspect that they have more space than me, most probably even got a garden, unlike me. Those citizens know a lot of Fairytales. Nevertheless, I love my big feral family, children of all colours:  golden-orange with white bits, black/white, all black, grey, cream/white, all white, 3 colours (always female my vet advised) orange/black/white (Chiquita, Esperanza, Celine) mixed dark colours, light yellow, golden yellow, long or short hair, expensive breed e. g. Persian, Siamese ( Amelie, Minusa) or not, mixed with Persian breed thus long hair (Melanie, Maruth, James) dainty (Paulinchen, Chiquita, Daisy) or overweight (Riccardo) , more or less handicapped: only one eye (Tareka, Myriam) half blind (Malek and Mary), fully blind, ( sweet Lulu), young black beauty with complicated broken bones near back leg that cannot be operated here (amazing Johnny decided to ignore his handicap, one can feel one of his bones almost sticking out), one baby of Madonna paralyzed back legs (born that way). Those with one colour plus white often have a white bib, tummy and socks. Some are easy to care for, love to cuddle and get along with everybody, others dislike certain cats (for unknown reasons, wrong perfume?), some kitten orphans that arrived without a mother teaching them, recognize straight away their toilets as such, some mothers gave birth in my absence without leaving any blood stains. My big boy Riccardo doesn't get on with all of my other children, but he is never aggressive with me, not even when I end a verbal or actual fight and carry him downstairs from the roof, or give him some kind of medicine - which usually is the moment when other feral family members hate me (briefly). Malek, my daily "masseur" and cuddle champion, unfortunately suffers liver problems, as the blood test brought to light. The prescribed special croquettes appear to be very delicious and are at the same time quite expensive. Luckily (for my purse) he should only have 40 grams, maximum 50 per day. Malek finds this okay as an hors-d'oeuvre, yet he doesn't understand why the main meal isn't serviced. How can a big boy live on a kid's portion? Does his mummy no longer love him? It is those questions I fear and I try my best to convince him of the opposite. In addition his expensive medicine doesn't seem to agree with him. I have decided to split his daily (liquid) medication into 3 portions. In order to prevent Malek helping himself to the usual croquettes that I feed to my other little treasures, or them "stealing" his, I have to seperate Malek at feeding times. Soon after he starts to complain about his plight, poor boy. All not easy. The croquettes for kittens are difficult to find. Tunisians rarely buy them, unlike those for puppies. I guess it's because they prefer to take very young puppies, (often too young to be seperated from the bitch) and they value kittens less high as one can find them all too often forced by ignorant persons from their loving mother's paws and thrown out on the street, with good chances to starve, die of invections or abuse, get run over by vehicles etc. or are just too young to survive without their mother's milk plus having to cope with a rough world. Anyhow, not only my kittens love their croquettes, the adults too show great interest, so I here too have to interfere. My very special darling Madonna allows me to work as her waitress (she would look me straight in my eyes and declare that she is hungry and I must serve her some delicious food), assist her with her babies (if one climbed out off the basket she calls me to find and return it for feeding and cuddling with her), do the toilets - but not touch her as I am only a human and not a cat! I respect her attitude and I am prowd of having her in my house. My husband said: " We have so many children, pity they can't help us with the work in the house, or at least the shopping (we appear to be constantly buying mineral water as that from the tap is not recommended as drinking water)." As long as my wild family is reasonably health I shan't complain. Why wild? You should see them first thing in the morning, when nearly 30 cats rush into my small kitchen and demand to be fed first....