Pets

As you know, we brought both of the cats and one of the dogs with us here. Mac was too old to make the trip and Boxers are on the forbidden list, so we just have the Spaniel with us. Dogs are rare here and most locals are scared to death of them. Oliver is a huge hit with all of the kids in the compound, for many of them it's the first time they have ever seen a dog up close. The cats have staked out their territory and wander freely throughout the compound. There are tons of feral cats here and they are simply everywhere, but no longer anywhere near this house. Our cats have let all of the local cats know, this is out of bounds.

Oliver has to be walked as there is no yard here and the cats have decided that joining us for every walk is a good thing. It's like having a little parade behind you wherever you go. Alex walks with you but Winnie tends to be the rear scout, she stays behind about 30 feet and then catches up from out of nowhere. David said it started after I left for the states. Apparently the paranoia of the animals was such that they must have decided we are no longer allowed out on our own; as long as we stay in sight, we can't disappear on them. They were very happy to have me home again, I feel as if I have furry appendages wherever I go.

Pet stores here do not have all of the things we are used to, especially for dogs. I bought rawhide bones and new collars back in the states because they are nigh onto impossible to find here; there are no dog toys at all. The price of dog food is outrageously expensive. I don't remember exactly how much it was for the 40 pounds of dog food but it was somewhere in the neighborhood of $60; good thing Oliver is a light eater. Cat food is the same brand selection as we have in the states but when you open the can, all resemblance stops. There are actual fish pieces (like the heads) in the can...ick!

Finding vet care is another challenge. Oliver needed to be groomed and they wanted to anesthetize him. I wouldn't let them. Somehow I think it ought to be a prerequisite that if you groom dogs for a living, perhaps you shouldn't be scared to death of them. Just a thought. Our vet is Dutch and she's pretty good.

Fish and aquariums are very popular. People here use unconditioned tap water with their fish. I meant to buy a water testing kit and water conditioner when I was home. I went to the pet store and it was closed and I never got back there again. Darn. Oh well, there's always the holidays.