When news came that the adorable kitten that hung around our office might be picked up by the city for extermination, I kidnapped him.
In February 2008, I borrowed a carrier from a friend, picked him up and popped him in it. The poor thing had no idea what was going on. He was had no idea his new name was Rory.
We immediately headed to my prearranged appointment at the vet to ensure that he was not seriously ill, and to get him started with much-needed vaccinations.
This kidnapping might seem like an extreme measure to gain a pet. But, in truth, there are thousands of other street cats and dogs that need proper care in the UAE. Rather than spend thousands of dirhams purchasing an animal from a pet store, why not shell out a fraction of that and help out the country's veterinary
clinics and shelters?
The veterinarian I took "my" cat to checked him for feline AIDS, which is very common here in street cats. It cannot be transmitted to people, so I would be safe, but it might have meant higher medical bills in the future, and the cat's eventual demise.
I noticed I was holding my breath as the vet announced the results of the test. He was safe. In fact, he was amazingly healthy for an animal that had spent most of his life scrounging in garbage cans for food.
Getting him in tip top health cost over Dh2,000. The consultation was Dh169, the first round of shots was Dh415, and a microchip, necessary to export the cat to some countries, was Dh162.
Over the next year I would pay Dh830 for the rest of his shots and Dh519 to have him neutered.
In addition, I had to buy a litter tray, food and water dishes and a scratching post.
While you could easily get away with paying less than Dh100 for all of this, I spent much more than that. How much more I won't divulge, but suffice to say that I drove all the way to Dubai to get a custom-made, 6-foot-tall scratching post that set me back Dh800.
The cat and I were very happy together, and I had no plans to adopt another one.
About four months later I met with a veterinarian to write a story about Feline Friends, a charity that helps find homes for stray cats, and fell in love with a cat at the clinic.
She had green eyes and a bad attitude. When she was let out of the cage she tore around the office, exhibiting a high level of energy. I was sure this specimen would get along perfectly with my first adoptee.
After filling out the paperwork, I took Jane, my new cat, home for a donation of Dh450.
She was already spayed, and had been tagged through the ear. With one round of shots left to go, her medical bills totalled Dh865 - much less than the costs for the first cat.
Because I already had all the accoutrements I needed, I didn't need to buy anything else.
I expected the new "siblings" to hate each other at first, and they did. After about a week, however, they settled into a weary truce, and a week later they began to play properly.
Although the second cat from Feline Friends was much cheaper, saving the first from certain death was rewarding in other ways.
(For more information about adoption, log onto Feline Friends at felinefriendsuae.com, or call 050 582 2916.)
amcmeans@thenational.ae
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Brief scores:
Manchester City 3
Aguero 1', 44', 61'
Arsenal 1
Koscielny 11'
Man of the match: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Saudi Cup race day
Schedule in UAE time
5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)