The mad cat lady rides again ...

...by motor boat, ferry and taxi!

I have had a bit of a frantic week this week. I had to take CC back to ACE (animal Care in Egypt) on Tuesday as her poorly paw was infected again and I got pus out of it on Monday evening. Anyway it turned out that the infection had gone down to her bone and was affecting her nerve endings.

So on the way home on a motor launch, bi el nas, a little boy was staring at me and the cat basket and so I told him, in Arabic, that she was not well and she was sleeping. An older woman then asked me, in Arabic, whether it was a qota (cat) or a kelb (dog) so I told her it was a qota. She was surprised that I knew Arabic …

The vet gave me an injection to give to CC on Thursday but I have to make a trip there again today and it was hot. I checked the temperature at the roundabout near the HSBC bank in Luxor which said 56 degrees C which was probably 6 degrees out and was in full sun!!!! So yes it was hot.

So between now and Wednesday I need to get my residency visa on Monday – hopefully this will be a less painful experience than last year, inshallah. I will let you know.

By the way, yesterday I was followed round the football pitch by Ambrose again – in full voice. He did not follow me to the Nile where Kayla and I had a game of catch.

It appears that I have a nickname ...

I think I have become known as the strange/mad cat women by my neighbours and the local boat boys. The reason I think this is because I am often asked how my biss (cat) is.

I can trace this back to when Willow one of my newer furbabies was spayed at the beginning of March. She managed to chew the glue that was holding her scar together and open the wound. I panicked. The following day was a Friday and technically the vets were only open for emergencies. Well I tried putting a dressing on the wound – she didn’t like that; then a bandage which again she didn’t like. Now covered with scratches I called the vet who said she would meet me at ACE (the vets) at 8am the following morning. She was cleaned and re-glued. She was given a collar but she managed to get it off! 1. Suffice it to say that she took that out on the Saturday evening so I was again at ACE on Sunday and Willow finally got stitches which stayed in for about a week! Again she managed to get the collar off. Luckily the scar was healed enough for me not to have to rush to ACE again.

The next incident involved CC. She had badly injured her paw. My visit to ACE this time was delayed as I had found a tiny kitten that I rushed to ACE to see if it was worth working with. Well it was but unfortunately died the following week. So that Thursday I took CC to ACE and her wound was cleaned and dressed. I returned again on the Monday more cleaning and dressing; and then again on the Wednesday more cleaning and dressing however it took her ages to come out of the anaesthetic and she managed to get her bandage off, for two times she was still out enough for me to get the bandage on again but on the final attempt of reapplication she scratched and bit me in the process.

We Europeans love our pets and take them to the vets when needed. This is not the case with Egyptians not least because they often do not have the money to do so and its not really in their culture.  Therefore they think it strange that Europeans do this, hence me being labelled the mad cat woman!

This image has been compounded by what has happened this week.

I have been looking after my neighbour’s dog and their cats. I have been walking the dog in the morning and on Thursday my little Willow followed me all the way to the football field, making no end of noise about it! She was scared because it was new ground for her. Well again today I was followed but this time by Ambrose. He even followed me for one circuit around the football field! Like his sister he was very vocal, telling everyone within hearing distance about his adventure. Good job there were not many people out and about and on the football pitch that time in the morning.

Then this afternoon I was followed by one of the neighbour’s cats and three of mine as I took the dog for her afternoon constitutional.  It must have been a sight!!!  I'm just sorry I couldn't take a picture of it!

My Action Packed Week - Part II

Friday - TV problems - Although I did not have to leave the house on Friday by television (which is all of six months old) decided to start playing about. I turned it on that morning and I was getting sound but no pictures. So I duly checked the manual and did everything it said. So I gave up and turned it off and watched some Grey's Anatomy 'bliss'. So two hours later I turned it back on and the television was OK.

 

The above scenario was repeated again later that same evening - not good.

 

Saturday - I called my landlord about the TV and he was taking a neighbour into Luxor so also took me and the TV. After telling the man in the shop what was wrong he said that is "had the devil in it". He then informed me that the repair would take one month OMG!!!. This is because the van that collects the broken TVs only arrives once a fortnight, they are then taken to be repaired and returned on the next van.

 

So, although I was planning on getting a new TV in the future, it was a case of needs must and so have purchased a new 32" HD TV. It has 4 HDMi slots; a cooling fan inside and I can connect my TV and Wii and everything when it eventually arrives. It’s very very nice!!!

 

While I was at the shop I also saw a new Stereo that has a 7" screen (for some unknown reason!!), a USB port (which means I can plug my IPod into it), a MP3 port, 3 CD changer, radio and 2 tapes. I think I might get that tomorrow - Wednesday. :)

 

One of the things about Luxor is that you go to the shop to get the goods then you have to go to their warehouse to collect them! It’s like a little hole in the wall. I will try to remember to take my camera when I get the stereo.

My Action Packed Week

You know that they say about buses, there are none for ages and they all arrive at once; well that is a bit like my outings. I don’t gop out for ages and then I’m out every day! My week so far has gone like this:

Sunday - at home – missing Neil who went home yesterday (8 January)

Monday – went to Luxor with my neighbours for shopping, a food treat at Tutti Frutti (The English Tea Room in St Joseph Street Luxor)

Tuesday – Animal Care in Egypt ‘ACE’ – Cupcake aka CC went out yesterday and was beaten up and had a nasty cut on her right front leg. She came in last night limping and this morning it was not clean and she would not let me get anywhere near her to clean it. So I umm'ed and ahhhh’ed and decided to take her in and get it cleaned.

CC’s wound was dressed to keep it clean and she had a very fetching bright pink bandage over the top (see below)

Got a birthday phone call from my husband and my mum.

Wednesday – my birthday – I had a phone call last night from the lady I was going to get some baby kittens to say they were ready. I was going to get them on Thursday but decided to do it today as a birthday treat to myself ...

The babies are now called Willow (female, looks like button) and Ambrose (ginger and white male).  This is Ambrose (below) has taken to CC but she wants nothing to do with him at the minute anyway ...

The neighbours agreed to go out to the local restaurant the Africa for something to eat. We all had a lovely meal then all of a sudden the lights went out and the waiters lead my Ahmed and Ali the owner brought out a cake and sang Happy Birthday in both English and Arabic very very loudly. I was rather embarrassed and totally surprised. The cake was a Twinky cake and a gift from my middle neighbours and it was made fresh that day as they did not have a chocolate sponge cake. It was very very delicious and I was very surprised and delighted.

Then I came home and saw all the well wishes and birthday messages on Facebook and made my first birthday in Egypt really lovely.

Thursday – ACE – took CC back for a wound check and she has been signed off.  The babies have now had their first injection. On their return home Willow decided to hide under the cabinet next to the gas bottle and Ambrose played with me and we had cuddles! They are settling in well although Button comes in and hisses at Ambrose and bops him on his head; CC tends hiss and then ignore them both.

Oh and have been sneezing my head off and am streaming with a cold :(

Had some more cake and tea at the middle neighbours.  There is still a bit more cake left which I will have tomorrow - yum yum

Baring any further overnight developments I intend to stay at home tomorrow Friday … and rest after all this activity.

The process of grieving

I had a weird dream (26 October 2010); that my dog Odin had been put to sleep but that he came back to life.  We then went on to do all the things that he loved.  Walking in Buckham Park and wondering through very very muddy puddles; swimming in Tilgate Park (both in West Sussex) and then the Nile.  Going for early morning walks with 'Uncle' Les.

Because of aforementioned dream the next two days (27th October and 28th October 2010) were more difficult than usual.  My Arabic teacher asked me how I was and I said noss-a-noss (or half and half).  She asked why and I told her the back story and then that I had had a strange dream.  She asked me what the dream was as she interprets them.  She said that this type of dream after a bereavement is very usual as you want to be with the 'person' that has passed hence them being returned to life.

I have been better the last couple of days having posted on here and sharing some of my memories of the Monster.  Plus I have a little one (a kitten) to look after. 

Although Odin can never be replaced I have compant again;  the kitten is four months old (an a lot smaller than European kittens of the same age as they have a harder start to life.  He arrived at my house two weeks ago (11 October) and has been causing mayhem even since.  He does occupy some of my day and makes me laugh with his antics. He's a typical baladi cat and his name is Button. You can guess why!

He enjoyed eating feet, playing with his balls.  He can finally go out on 9 November 2010 but we have the facility of letting him roam in our villa.  He visits upstairs alot eating their cat's food (see above) mooching around and sleeping.

(11 October 2010 - my tail is 10.5 inches and I am 12.5 inches in length from the tip of my nose to the base of my tail!?

(14 October 2010 - see I told you my tail was long!!  Aww mum did you have to post me yawning?!!)

(15 October 2010 - meeting one of the neighbours - Gismo (aka The Ginger Whinger!)  I wish you could have heard the noise that Gismo was making - would love to know what he was saying!)

(17 October 2010 - oh I'm just too cute.  I love purring, padding (even in mid-air), sitting close to my mum and snuggling up!)

Follow my story as I grow ...

In Memorium

On 22 October 2010 at 6.10 am, the time that Odin would wait at the back door for 'Uncle' Les to take him for his morning walk, the following dedication came to mind.

"My darling Bugajugs, Mutley, Dogly, Odin - one dog with many names.  A big dog with a huge personality and the gentlest of souls.  Everyone who met you loved you.  I miss you each and every day in each and every way.  I know you are now at peace with no pain and that you no longer have to struggle for breath.  Although my life has a huge void since your passing I know that we will meet again one day and together cross the Rainbow Bridge.

Memories:

When I first got Odin I wondered how I would ever tell the difference between my Labrador and all the other labradors - but it was easy in the end!

Typical labrador poses (not that you were a typical labrador although you loved water and food!!)

(7 October 2005)

On our walks together you had to say hello to every dog and their owners in particular - you had many friends and loved to play - these are just a few favourites the big group were affectionately called the posse!

(15 July 2005 one of the black one was harvey and his 'brother' was henry, I cant remember the names of the other three - one of each colour!)

(14 July 2005)

(20 July 2005 - Harvey a german shorthaired retreiver who was also slightly mad!)

(7 September 2006 - A friend and then you followed by Doodle, and Jerry the Springer!)

If you saw a water, in any shape a form you had to go in. 

Be it clean and shallow ...

(2 May 2005)

(22 January 2005)

... clean and deep ...

(7 October 2005)

... or muddy ...

(9 May 2006)

(10 May 2006)

... cold and frozen (oooooh I love snuffling in snow)!

(6 January 2010)

... or even better, clean and wet on the ground and frozen in the sky!

(4 March 2005)

You would never guess you were a retreiver.  You loved your ball and racing after it but only rarely would he bring it all the way back and bribes with treats were needed so you would relinquish the ball to allow me to it throw again!  Once you got it you would not let it go!

(20 July 2005)

Rest in Peace my darling dog, my memories of  you will keep me warm, until we meet again - Mum xxxx

My beloved Odin

My beloved companion Odin was put to sleep on 5 October at 7:50pm after a very short illness.

I have not been able to write a homage to him and then all of a sudden on 20 October 2010, about the time he would go for his morning constitutional , this poem by AA Milne came to mind.

He had such an attitude even when he was very young; we bought him home on 6 March 2004 and this photo sums up his attitude to life ...

(23 March 2004)

Now I am Six by A A Milne

When I was One,

I had just begun.

(6 Jan 2005 - 1st birthday)

When I was Two,

I was nearly new.

(10 February 2006 - Look mum don't I look lovely!)

When I was Three

I was hardly me.

(30 March 2007)

When I was Four,

I was not much more.

(21 July 2008 - ohh grapes, one of my favourite things, along with water, mud, walkies, apples and any food group really!)

When I was Five,

I was just alive.

(4 October 2009 - my first trip to the seaside)

But now I am Six,

I'm as clever as clever,

So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

(6 january 2010 - ahhh snow I like to eat snowflakes and catch snowballs ...)

(... and running really really fast!)

In June I moved continents and so did Odin - and here he is in his new home telling me all about it as usual.  Its a shameI didn't get a photo of him swimming in the Nile with Ali holding the lead.  Odin was swimming and swimming yet not going anywhere - his face was just priceless!

I do have a photo of Odin taken on his last day but I prefer to remember him like this ...

(9 August 2010 at home in Luxor, Egypt)