Veiled Chunk needs advice!
So I get a call on my mobile from Genetica (aka: Curie) in NYC, no doubt expressing concern that she woke up and read my blog and found out I was now a woman, and the reception in my office is so awful that I had to go outside. Outside, the connection was lost, and as I waited for Genetica's return call, the worst thing happened: I fell in love -- with a baby, honey-eyed, sweet little tiger-print grey and black kitten. I can't explain how delicate and sweet she was (she was in such need of affection!) and we cuddled for about 10 minutes with her on my lap, eyes closed, licking away at my arm (watch -- tomorrow's post will be: Veiled Chunk, hospitalized for ringworm). Anyway, I don't know what to do. I wasn't ready for love. Now is not the time or the place. Do I get her spayed, immunized, and declawed IN KABUL? Then what? Take her with me for a week in Pakistan and a week in Dubai and THEN back to Cairo? She can't even stay in my guesthouse as it is. It must be my new maternal instincts (even powerful international businesswomen chunks have biological clocks!), but this cat really took to me, and I took to her. I decided to name her Sher, after my officemate (a really kindhearted Pakistani guy named Sher Ali), which also resembles Genetica's real-life name (since her phone call brought us together), *and* can be short for the timelessly-gorgeous "Scheherazade" from Arabian Nights.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
VC (X2) = Very Confused Veiled Chunk
PS: About 4 hours have passed since I tried to publish this post, originally, before leaving the office, and I think I am going to go take my favourite guard to go by anti-fungal body cream (it would be totally wrong to ask for assistance in application, right?) -- I don't yet have any symptoms of ringworm, but why wait?
UPDATE: Bad news. Even if I cancel my plans to go to Pakistan and UAE in order to facilitate things with Sher (and I have gotten approval from my guesthouse AND found a pet clinic to fix her up), Emirates won't allow me to take her in the cabin. From the Emirates FAQ:
12. Can my pet travel in the cabin with me?
Pets are not permitted in the cabin. They may be accepted as checked baggage (and carried in the aircraft hold) for which normal excess baggage rates will apply or, as cargo at applicable cargo rates. The rules for travelling with your pet may vary according to size, type of pet, destination and connecting carrier. For more information please contact yourlocal Emirates Office.
I have said (and a LOT of pet lovers say) that I won't fly with an animal I can't sit with -- especially not my scared little baby (who will have just been declawed, immunized, AND sterilized!). The throught of her sliding around in the belly of the plane with no temperature controls and no me to cuddle with is awful. Besides, what if we had to make a water landing (over IRAN? lol). Case closed: Kitty Stays in Kabul.