The Great Bag Dispute of 2009

Tchoup wants to live in Josh's bag.

Josh is not such a fan of this option.

These photos chronicle a 10 minute dispute over bag use rights.

Eventually, Tchoup was asked to leave the salon, without the bag.

Big Kittehs

IMG_1797
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

On safari in Uganda we met some big cats. However, we found the behavior of the baboons far more like that of Tchoup than these lions. Could Tchoup be some sort of kitteh/baboon hybrid creature with a raccoon tail?

Mystery Solved

I have often wondered how this often slow and rarely stealth cat could kill birds. My mother explained that birds are very stupid and that they will forget a cat, even if they see him or sort of see him, if he keeps perfectly still. That seemed to possibly explain it but then yesterday I learned his real trick.

Tchoup lives in the mud room, which has one wall of glass. This is, of course, the wall with the door in it. Yesterday he and I were napping on the couch when I heard a small, clumsy noise, much like I hear when he's decided to climb on top of the cabinets and throw the baskets on the floor so he can play with them. But he was laying on top of me. Then I heard it again. I really didn't want to investigate it. Then again. And then again. He was not moving, deep in cat lethargy. I got up and found, to my surprise, a small sun bird had flown into the mud room and gotten himself stuck there. It kept beating against the glass but couldn't find the open door. So I shut the door, which got Tchoup's attention finally, and set the bird free. He flew away and Tchoup mewled from inside the house with a sad, deep mewl that was reminiscent of when he woke up from anesthesia very ill.

But so that's how he gets them - the cat lives in one big bird trap.

Tasty Data

Tasty Data
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

He sat on my data, licking his chops for quite some time.

Bird Flu has arrived in Rwanda...and the embassy can't help me

Warden Message
U.S. Embassy Kigali
October 14, 2009

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens residing in Rwanda to the
latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 influenza,
sometimes referred to as novel H1N1 or swine flu. The Rwandan Ministry
of Health confirmed 14 cases on October 12, 2009 after initially
confirming the first 4 cases in Rwanda on October 9, 2009. Rwandan
authorities have activated their response group, are closely monitoring
the situation, and are preparing for emergencies.

Although we do not anticipate such measures in Rwanda, if you are
quarantined or placed in isolation due to 2009-H1N1 influenza, please
contact the Embassy at the number below and let us know, so we can
monitor your situation. However, please be aware that the Embassy
cannot facilitate your immediate release if you have been detained or
quarantined in accordance with local public health and legal
authorities.

The Embassy is not in a position to provide private citizens with
pandemic-related supplies, medications or medical treatment, including
vaccines, and we cannot provide specific medical advice due to legal
restrictions. Questions and concerns about influenza or other illnesses
should be directed to a medical professional. A list of local hospitals
and doctors can be found on our website at
http://rwanda.usembassy.gov/medical_information.html. Toll-free
hotlines are also available within Rwanda by calling 3334 and 3335.

What did you bring me

What did you bring me
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

Turns out he quickly found the catnip mice. And then got stoned.

Nom

IMG_1611
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

Let me help you look for that cord...

In drawer
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

Yoga kitteh burrito

Yoga kitteh burrito
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

Cats Manipulate Humans

Well, it isn't exactly a news flash, is it? Though its creepy to think that Tchoup might know he's doing it. Though there's one cry that he only makes when he wants to be fed. It's distinct and very much like a kitten cry rather than a proper adult-cat cry.

In the bushes

In the bushes
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

He just plopped down and lay there for a while, ate some leaves, and then ran off. No clue what he was doing.

Tchoup's new fave napping spot

Tchoup's new fave napping spot
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

Is it dead?

Is it dead?
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

Poison!

We learned last week that the Kigali City government has decided to address the stray cat problem. I was unaware of a stray cat/dog problem, but evidently, it needed to be resolved. The solution is to lay out poison at night for the animals. As a pet owner, I see an immediate and horrifying problem with this plan. Tchoup, as a result has been on lock down at night since we heard about this. During the day he mostly naps and patrols, but stays in the compound, so we let him outside during the day (I also couldn't imagine trying to deal with him if he was couped up all day everyday).

Of course, there are some other things besides pets that I see potentially negatively effected by this: children, ground water, and anything else that might eat it, like the occassional monkey and the birds. They're laying rat poison, I've been told. I hope we don't lose all our lovely birds.

Lying on the couch

Tchoup squinting
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

Collar Update

Well, the safety collar worked, in that evidently Tchoup got stuck on something while out cavorting and it came undone and now he's collarless. That lasted, what a month, maybe? He might not be one for collars, which may pose a problem if we move to a place where we need to worry about fleas...

He is not a groomer - the hair that was pressed down by the collar is still pressed down - he's not bothered to tidy that area up. Or maybe he slyly has left it there thinking we wouldn't notice the collar was missing? Hmm, clever is not his strong suit...

Ahh, isn't that cute?

Ahh, isn't that cute?
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

The collar is on!

Collar with bell
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

It actually was very easy to get it on, but then he FREAKED out and was trying to figure out what was touching him. He doesn't really like to be touched. Then, I fed him some treats and he calmed down. Now he just scratches at it occasionally but seems rather unbothered. He's even managed to learn how to move with minimal bell jingling. It's disturbing to realize that perhaps when he's unstealthy it's on purpose rather than his clumsiness.

The Creeps

Tchoup has the creeps. We don't know why but he hid under the couch most of last night and then didn't want to go outside when it was time for bed (he still can't be trusted to sleep in the house with us - Josh tried while I was in the US and woke up at 4am to claws and teeth in his knee). This morning he was a bit more like normal but still skulking around, very nervous.

Is there a monster out there?

No to the Collar

Because I've been told that Rwandans tend to kill cats they encounter out and about unless they have a collar and thus seem to belong to someone, I bought Tchoup a safety collar on the last trip to the US.

However, I've not proved agile enough to get it on him. I did manage to get it attached, but it was too loose and he got is mouth under it. Thank goodness with enough force it will unsnap because he really turned into a quick, angry ball of sharp when he was fighting with the collar. As a result, he's not let his guard down around me again.

It's even got a bell. And it's argyle. I'll get it on him one day... Maybe if he's sedated again for some reason.

Grrr

Grrr
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

Kitteh in the mist

Kitteh in the mist
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

'You're not getting into this bag'

I go to gym
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

I see you

I see you
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

Dangerous Luggage!

Kitteh in the luggage 2
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

Nom nom nom

Nom nom nom
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

This disk was full of catnip. Until he nommed it open and spread catnip all over the floor.

Primates are more dangerous pets

The NY Times ran an article about people who take in primates as pets. Wow. It doesn't make Tchoup seem dangerous at all by comparison. He doesn't even need a cage - we just lock him out of the house when he goes berzerker.

"I love drawers"

I love drawers
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

"I ate this bird...eventually"

I ate this bird
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

Almost a companion

Yesterday walking to my office from a nearby shop I heard the distinctive mewling of a hungry kitten. In the bushes by a construction site were two tiny little white and grey kittens, who looked too young to be without their mother. The guard at the office next door came over and explained to me that his office had thrown them out to abandon them. They were the office's cat's kittens, but they office didn't want another cat. He asked if I would take them because they were hungry and would surely die. Another pedestrian came over, an anglophone man, who said he would take one if I took one. I wasn't sure that I could just take one without discussing it with Joshua, so I went back to the office and called him. Given how awful Tchoup is to have around (what with the trying to eat us and his overal bad temper), I was somewhat surprised when Josh said we could try it out. We both had the same concern - that Tchoup would eat the kitten or at least try to hurt it.

My officemate was also interested in the kittens, so we went back out to see them and bring them back. It was too late! The guard at the next office had decided he wanted the cats and had taken them. He insisted that he would feed and care for the kittens and that he wanted them. The first guard said he was certain this man was not capable of adopting the cats.

But in the end, no new cat for Tchoup. 

Ssstttrrreeetttccchhh

Ssstttrrreeetttccchhh
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

HE BEHEADED A RAT

He beheaded a rat!!!!!!!!!!!!! And left it by the door for us, without the head. WE NEVER SAW THE HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Josh cleaned it up. He's too good for me. I don't deserve him.

And no, I didn't take a photo of it.

The Bird Chronicles

Tchoupitoulas came in first thing Wednesday morning with a dead bird. Luckily, I saw him before he'd gotten too deep into the house and when I yelled for him to leave with it, he did. Josh hypothesized last night that Tchoup brings me the dead things because he's hoping that I'll be able to reanimate them. He's always so disappointed when they stop playing and just lay there. I don't know what happened to that bird.

Then last night at 10:30pm he dragged a small bird (Josh says it was a baby) into the house. Josh got it away and put the bird outside, locking Tchoup in. This morning, the bird was gone. I'd like to believe that it was rescued by it's mother bird or was well enough to fly away, but I suspect that the bird was carried off by some other animal, like the black cat that terrorizes Tchoup.

Good Morning, in Tchoup Speak!

Tchoup brought a dead bird into the house first thing. Did he kill it? Did he just find it dead? I didn't ask questions. I just screamed and pushed him out of the house with it.

Good morning, Tchoupitoulas style.

I have put my new toy in your box

I have put my new toy in your box
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

Josh had a big box of computer equipment when he got back. Tchoup loves boxes. He managed to consolidate his love for his new toy and his love of the box into a game wherein he put the new toy in the box and pulled it out. He was in heaven. Josh promptly pulled him out in order to protect the computer equipment.

Thank you so much for my new toy

Thank you so much for my new toy
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

Tchoup really, really loves his new toy. Really. Loves. And there's not even any catnip.

Tchoup finds his new toy

Tchoup finds his new toy
Originally uploaded by l'exterieur

When I got back I had about 3 new toys for Tchoup. He found his toy the same night I arrived back in Kigali and proceeded to play with it in and around the suitcase. It's basically a stuffed hamster with a feather tail.