Compound Cats

Cats are quite ubiquitous in Egypt, partly due to Egyptians' long history of revering cats and partly due to most Egyptians' lack of interest in spaying and neutering their animals.  A few years ago several Americans living in our building took pity on a few cats that hung around our compound and started feeding them.  This led to spaying and neutering those few cats and making sure they had their shots.  

Our compound is now the proud owner of four cats.  It seems likely that the people who took care of the cats' medical needs also gave them names, but those people have now moved on.  Another new family took over feeding duty, and their seven year old daughter Amelia has given them new names. 

The oldest cat is called Princess.  I reluctantly adopted this name after calling her 'Loud Mouth' for a few weeks.  Amelia insists that the reason she is so loud and demanding is because she is acting like a princess.  

Princess' mortal enemy among the compound cats is Tigress.  Tigress is unimpressed with anyone's efforts to befriend her— cat or human.  She hangs around merely for the food.

The nicest cat of the four is called Mamma Cat.  If you sit down next to her she will climb into your lap and settle down.  She has a soothing purr and loves to be pet.

Mamma Cat got her name because she arrived with a daughter.  Amelia calls the daughter cat Gemila, which is Arabic for beautiful.  As Gemila is still quite young she loves to play but does not usually sit still long enough to be pet.   We all hope she will grow up to be as nice as her Mamma.

  

All of this is technically against US Government housing rules, but we have a very nice building manager who looks the other way.  Four cats is manageable, but we are nervous about what might happen if any more very nice cats start showing up for free food and petting...