Wellington and Napoleon - the two newbies

[elizwithcat]

Originally Posted by jennyranson

This is Bosnia! No, there are no vet boarding services, no animal shelter, no animal organisations even. There is a City-run dog patrol, that catches the ferals left from the war and euthanises the same day, and every couple of years they do a cull (by shooting) of feral cats! That is animal welfare, Sarajevo style. Although a few Bosnians I know feed 'their' outside cats, no one has inside cats - they are usually considered vermin. I am thought very odd and I had search long and hard before I found a landlord who would let me have one in the house. But his patience was exhausted at three, and I had to really show him they are not destroying everything. I can't have more.

Wow. What a strange country! I have been to other countries, and in every country I have been too, people had cats, at least inside-outside. How did you end up there, by the way? Are you from US originally?

 

[jennyr]

No, I am from the UK originally and came here as a journailst during hte war then stayed to help wit reconstruction of media and training young journalists. Now I teach English at the University. It is a strange country, but you must remember that only 10 years ago they were in a terrible ethnic war that devastated the country, and htere is still incredible poverty and up to 70% unemployment in some cities. When people cannot feed their children they cannot feed any pets, or even worry about animals living outside. Some people do have dogs but in my ten years here I have only met two Bosnians who had indoor cats, and maybe four or five who had cats they petted and fed but who lived outside. I caused great offense once when I went to buy goats muilk and explained it was for a sick cat - it is expensive and people cannot buy it for their kids. They thought I was showing off as a rich foreigner, not my intention at all. And another strange thing is that although everyone deplores the number of feral dogs and cats, no -one will neuter an animal - they believe it is totally unnatural and that God and Nature are responsible. They are very fatalistic. I caught and neutered my neighbour's feral cat, that he feeds, and I don't think he ever noticed!

 

[elizwithcat]

Originally Posted by jennyranson

No, I am from the UK originally and came here as a journailst during hte war then stayed to help wit reconstruction of media and training young journalists. Now I teach English at the University. It is a strange country, but you must remember that only 10 years ago they were in a terrible ethnic war that devastated the country, and htere is still incredible poverty and up to 70% unemployment in some cities. When people cannot feed their children they cannot feed any pets, or even worry about animals living outside. Some people do have dogs but in my ten years here I have only met two Bosnians who had indoor cats, and maybe four or five who had cats they petted and fed but who lived outside. I caused great offense once when I went to buy goats muilk and explained it was for a sick cat - it is expensive and people cannot buy it for their kids. They thought I was showing off as a rich foreigner, not my intention at all. And another strange thing is that although everyone deplores the number of feral dogs and cats, no -one will neuter an animal - they believe it is totally unnatural and that God and Nature are responsible. They are very fatalistic. I caught and neutered my neighbour's feral cat, that he feeds, and I don't think he ever noticed!

Are you moving to France now? Life has got to be much easier in France. I imagine French have pets inside.

 

[rosiemac]

Just make sure you tell her to make sure their door is shut so they can't get downstairs at anytime, which i'm sure you will, but just to drum it in to her.

Do you have those gel air fresheners over there at all?

 

[gilly]

Owww they are both cuties... thanks for sharing with us!

 

[jennyr]

I am not moving till next June _ I signed on for an extra year here, especially since the house is not ready yet. And yes, I have plug-in air fresheners in every room, but some people hate them. I am going to take both kittens back to the vet tomorrow as they are very loose - one tonight was really liquid, though not sure yet which one. They shouldn't be like that now.

 

[bigkittendaddy]

Originally Posted by jennyranson

I am not moving till next June _ I signed on for an extra year here, especially since the house is not ready yet. And yes, I have plug-in air fresheners in every room, but some people hate them. I am going to take both kittens back to the vet tomorrow as they are very loose - one tonight was really liquid, though not sure yet which one. They shouldn't be like that now.

Jenny I know you are a smart woman but may I remind you of the odor control wonders of everyday baking soda, I should think it is available even in Bosnia which to a hick like me while it is not quite the ends of the Earth it seems that way sometimes... If you cannot get it there, if you would like I will be able to get your address from the mailing list next week when my threee months are up and I would be glad to send some of the scented baking soda carpet powder which I also sprinkle in the litter pan to you. Just let me know. Your Friend Howard.

 

[dmcwlvssr]

what an interesting read this was, I just caught up. Giant hugs, prayers and belly rubs being sent. They are the cutest little kittys! You are a wonderful person for caring!

 

[valanhb]

Jenny, my heart goes out to you every time I read of the issues you have there, which can be so foreign to us who are used to living with every luxury available to us.

I have to tell you...I had a dream about these two last night! I dreamed that you found a wonderful home for Wellington, but since Napolean had been so sickly and little you just couldn't bear to part with him.

 

[jennyr]

Oh Heidi, may your dream be prophetic! I would let Wellington go to a home now - he is fine as long as he gets plenty to eat, and he is really tame and socialised. Howard - yes, I can get baking soda, though not the scented kind. Thanks for reminding me of its properties. But I am going to France and the UK on Thursday and I will bring back loads of goodies as usual! I already use Canaillou litter freshener that I bought in France, but it doesn't have any effect on the air. And I won't describe the appearance of the litter trays -suffice it to say I have had to wash it out twice today.

Here is a picture of them tonight

 

[rosiemac]

Awwww look at those gorgeous boys!

I use the plug in fresheners as well, but didn't know if you could get them there otherwise i'd have sent you half a dozen of the gel ones to keep your housemate from whining!

I'm like Heidi on this one as well, because you must be getting attached to them

I know your coming over to the UK during your trip, but if theres anything that you can't get in Bosnia just let me know and i'll send it no problem!.

 

[captiva]

Jenny - I just saw this post. They look so happy now. I will ask my uncle (he is home now from Bosnia) to see if he knows anyone in Sarajevo. I wish I could help you

 

[pat]

I am so sorry there is nothing I can do, or say, except these two are so very lucky to be in your hands.

 

[elizwithcat]

Originally Posted by BigKittenDaddy

Jenny I know you are a smart woman but may I remind you of the odor control wonders of everyday baking soda, I should think it is available even in Bosnia which to a hick like me while it is not quite the ends of the Earth it seems that way sometimes... If you cannot get it there, if you would like I will be able to get your address from the mailing list next week when my threee months are up and I would be glad to send some of the scented baking soda carpet powder which I also sprinkle in the litter pan to you. Just let me know. Your Friend Howard.

Hah! My cats refuse to use litter that has baking soda sprinkled in it (and i used a special kind for adding to cat litters, sold in pet store). So, you got to be careful with this stuff.

 

[elizwithcat]

Originally Posted by valanhb

Jenny, my heart goes out to you every time I read of the issues you have there, which can be so foreign to us who are used to living with every luxury available to us.

I have to tell you...I had a dream about these two last night! I dreamed that you found a wonderful home for Wellington, but since Napolean had been so sickly and little you just couldn't bear to part with him.

Well, that did bring some memories for me. I am not from US originally, so I remember a time when there was no cat food and no cat litter, and no cat toys. Ooooohooo.

And the commercial kept playing "your kitty cat would have bought Whiskas". Maybe she would have, if she had any money.

But it wasn't all bad. Vets were free.

 

[jennyr]

Where was that, if I may ask? It was like that here during the war of course, and for a couple of years afterwards. But then there was no food for humans either - cabbage and turnips were the only veg in the winter. I remember every time I did a trip bringing back cans of cat food for the cat at the British Embassy - they used it like treats. Now Friskies and Whiskas products are everywhere, plus some very dodgy local ones, but I bring back Royal Canin whenever I can get away.