So here we are again.
I'm packing up my little kitty and dog and we're relocating to Kurdistan.
Passage has been booked for all of us.
Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Good luck and safe travels!

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Dallas, TX USA
Diesel - snow Bengal born 09/01/2013 adopted Feb 2014
Tuck, Chloe, Buddy, Lewis & Tia - rescue kitties
Clyde, Bleu & Coal - Great Danes

...don't know when I'll be back again...

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The little monsters 3

Wishing you a safe move and hope the babies settle in quickly.

We made it! We're here in Kurdistan.
When we arrived the heat was 116 F (43 C) and that was at 10 am.
Whoever told the driver to put Dahab and Lola at the back of the van, with NO A/C, should get a tongue lashing.
(Yes, there was a moment where I said to myself that if they died of heat exposure, I was getting on the first plane out of this country. Dahab was panting and we know that cats don't pant.)

Anyways, after changing Dahab's breed to domestic shorthair and a rough start, we have A/C and we are in one piece.
Hooray!

The locals aren't too friendly to dogs and I would hate to see how they react to a cat on a leash.

I'm just taking it one day at a time.

I think you are very brave to make the move. Hope it all settles soon. That's the one thing that upsets me about far flung places, they way they treat animals in some countries. I went to India where cats and dogs treatment is so heartbreaking. It actually shapes my decisions on where I travel. The Far East is a no no for me because of the animals. Good luck in Kurdistan with the leash walking. You could become a local celebrity......the crazy cat lady!!!!

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Melissa

UK
Oscar - Rescue (Rascal!!!) Bengal

Glad you arrived safely. I hope things go well for your fur babies! A lot of countries have different attitudes toward animals. Let us know how it all goes for you.

To be quite honest, not that great.
So Dahab (the Bengal turned tabby) will be staying inside while he's here.
Lola, the dog, has already had 1) a fist-sized bit of concrete thrown at her head and 2) a water bottle thrown and hit her. Keep in mind that she is an 11-pound dog that is a terrier/Chihuahua mix. I'm not walking some massive 200-lb dog here.
That was in the 1st week. To say the least, I was ready to pack it in.

All I can say is that I'm taking it one day at a time.

Oh this is so sad. Not all countries cherish animals the way we do. Hopefully, you can get settled in and keep your babies safe from harm's way.

Have have things been for you over there this past week? I hope they're looking up.

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Guardian of Zelda - Brown Spotted Bengal

There will be no outside trips for the kitty, only the puppy.

Otherwise, it's one day at a time.

It was nice to have that week off for Eid. The joys of working for a school that celebrates both Muslim AND Christian holidays are all the days off. :) We should also take time off for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Kwanzaa.

Sounds like your job is great over there -- just not so safe for your kitties!

I'm teaching English to 1st and 2nd grade.
It should be easy enough.
But my supervisor has 0 management skills and HER supervisor also has 0 management skills.
This is just an example of a school failing its students.
The irony is that no matter what I suggest (extra classes, homework (since they don't get ANY at the moment), whatever), it all gets shot down.

Like I said, I take it one day at a time. We've just had 2 teachers quit in the past week.

How long are you committed to this country? Hope your babies are doing fine.

A friend of mine who was a teacher in Dallas went to Sharjah (in Dubai) and taught math, English and "history" for about 1 1/2 years. He encountered a lot of the same issues you've mentioned so he returned to the U.S.

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Dallas, TX USA
Diesel - snow Bengal born 09/01/2013 adopted Feb 2014
Tuck, Chloe, Buddy, Lewis & Tia - rescue kitties
Clyde, Bleu & Coal - Great Danes