Not a Fan

So, not a fan of Jodi Picoult then !

Introducing ... Noodle

Well this is Noodle, one of the 4 week old kittens from the mom that just got 'fixed'. Right now I'm not happy with him/her as s/he has just wee'd on my nice soft blannket I thought s/he would like to sleep on...and s/he is jumping all over me and the keyboard. Oh yes, and biting my socks ! Obviously s/he is doing ok right now !

Noodle behaving a little better.

Scamp...he's still not happy but has come home so far but wants nothing to do with it whatsoever, and right now I feel the same !

Happy Birthday

Oh how the years have flown...he's nearly a teenager! 11 years old ! Who'd have imagined the little scrawny pre-termer would be a strong healthy 11 year old...it seems just yesterday that he was just a baby.

I think he had a good time, we had a pool party and sleepover which keeps him happy.

Happy Birthday William, x

PAWS for Thought

'Ginger' one of the kittens up for adoption on the PAWS website. Also a half brother of Noodle from the previous litter before 'mom' got fixed !

I have been putting this one for sometime, but when we first moved onto the compound we noticed that there was a particularly thriving semi ferile as well as totally ferile cat population. This is how we aquired Scamp our stray. I live a couple of doors down from the PAWS representative on our compound and really did want to help out but didn't want the stigma of 'the old mad cat lady' as my very first image and introduction to everyone else when we first arrived. I no longer need to worry on that score as I believe I'm already getting to be known as a little bit mad about cats as well as socks !
'Pitbull' not one of the most attractive cats. His time is numbered as a Cassenova... we'll catch him one day soon!

Anyway, this week I had my first experience of taking one of the poorly kittens down to the vets for I'm sorry to say an extra long sleep. He really wasn't very well, he'd gone blind in one eye and couldn't see well from the other and couldn't walk very well and at 3 months its quality of life surely wasn't going to be too good. The mum cat really did her best but it wasn't fair to either of them. Now she needs to be caught to 'fix her' so she doesn't have anymore kittens.

The very next day a set of kittens and their mum was caught and were taken off for 'fixing'...and then the latest litter of kittens were found huddled up in someone's garden. They were so tiny and only around 4 weeks old. Unfortunately my 2 (or perhaps I should say 3 if including my DH) kids just kept on about having one to try to save it. So in the end I gave in and now we have 2 cats ! Scamp is not impressed at all but I'm hoping he'll come round and that they'll become company for each other.

The new addition is 'Noodle' and has started to eat and drink and we're hoping he or she will thrive.

Looks like I'll be getting more involved in the PAWS 'thing' afterall !
Also looks like I'll be needing a job to be able to bring them both back to the UK when this posting is over !

PAWS 'People's Animal Welfare Society', Saudi Arabia
Website:http://www.saudipaws.com/index.htm

South Africa

Well we are back and the kids are back at school and life is returning to normal again...apart from the fact that its Ramadam and very hot !

Our holiday was just fantastic and I'm really suffering after being away and having such a wonderful time and returning to Saudi to doing very little at all !

Still stop moaning and get on with the reporting :

We spent the first 10 days in the UK catching up with family and friends and I had that all important 'curry night out with the girls' at the Nepalese Restaurant in Portsmouth. I even managed to have a temporary membership at Roko and got to several 'Spinning' classes...which now seem pretty pointless as I did nothing since once we got on with the holiday and back to Saudi...I will start my exercise regime again... promise ! I need to after all the food !

Then we were off, South Africa...12 hour flight in 'economy' ... urgghhhh ! But it was worth it. We were met at Jo'berg airport by Tracey from 'Get-About Tours and Safari's' whom we booked the holiday with.

We had just the best time in South Africa and went from Jo'berg to Kruger Park, to Moholoholo Game Lodge, to Nkhuru and then onto Cape Town.

The kids loved our visit to the De Wilt animal rehab centre where we met a special character, 'Ambassador Byron'...a cheater that allowed us to pat him and have some pics taken.Another cheater from the 'De Wilt' Cheater Sanctuary

On one of the trips, to the Hippo Hut in Moholohola we were treated to a hunt and capture of a South African Rock Python by our guide..the fantastic Eric who really made this such an exciting place to visit with his speciality subject of snakes.
We also spent our 20th Wedding Anniversary at the Moholoholo Lodge where on a return safari trip we had a wonderful surprise of a beautiful spread of leaves and candles and an iced bucket containing a bottle of Champers ! We sat outside listening to the nocturnal animals munching and chomping around us...the kids were inside in their camping beds!

There really are just so many pictures from this holiday so I'll post just a few at a time.

And YES we saw the 'BIG 5' !

Special thanks goes to our tour guides, Tracey and Clinton from, 'GETABOUT TOURS AND SAFARIS', who put this fantastic holiday package together for us.
Website: http://www.getabout-tours.co.za/

We will be returning to South Africa again for sure.