For three months now there has been a stalemate over repairing the water system and I have been without running water all that time - plants and flowers have died and the garden, already with a layer of fine sand uncleared from when I moved here but retained by Saluki request, now has the look of the Negev, only palms surviving in the intense above-average temperatures.
Nothing works properly so there is no air conditioning as well as no water. Michael and friends bring me plenty of carboys of fresh water and we manage. The landowner gushes water everywhere in his olive/fruit grove and offers me none. Being in Jerusalem in both Arab intifadas, as well as having landlord disputes there too, I am well used to dealing with this but my Salukis are the worry as usual. Roman is a constantly panting wreck most of the time and only gains a respite late in the nights, sleeping on the cooler floor between two fans. I have had showers and managed to do basic washing at other homes but keeping the dogs, dog bedding and other dog things clean has been a challenge. I am angry most of the time, frustrated the rest. I try to concentrate on writing and have new books coming out soon - this prevents me from going crazy - just.
One benefit, I thought - erroneously - was that I would be less likely to be bothered by snakes. Ever since a couple of blunt-nosed vipers invaded some summers back I never keep water outside but the tank often overflows (when the pump actually works) and the watering system for the garden leaks - so this year I should have been free of these deadly creatures. Not so! I found three Salukis standing over a hissing huge horror by the rubbish bins. I somehow got them away and then stalked the thing for half an hour while it hid in some old netting but remained loudly aggressive until I threw a rock at it to get it in the open whereupon it disappeared through a tiny gap into the open country. A few nights later Shavav found a couple of feisty hissing young ones and since then I have had a nightly patrol every hour or so until the dogs are confined on the veranda or in the house for the rest of the night. I have remained hysterical about this problem and harangued the house owner to check sheds etc, and spray a deterrent - this last costs money so of course has not been done but he has put down some (probably illegal) poison inside the nearest shed which could possibly destroy my hounds quicker than the viper.
So, anyway, I only have 4 Salukis now - I had nine once. Golly lives with Michael but visits often. Before he used to fight with his brother, now they don't speak. Paschale's loss is still keenly felt and I know I must steel myself for more losses in the future as the rest reach the fullness of canine years - but not yet, please Lord - I love them so much.
I have just read an interesting article about Saluki health problems which highlighted cardiac cancer and other heart abnormalities - I hope to add a link to that in the near future. I shall also be adding more pages in the hope of other contributors out there adding their knowledge/stories - many view the site but few seem interested to write anything - please do!
Nothing works properly so there is no air conditioning as well as no water. Michael and friends bring me plenty of carboys of fresh water and we manage. The landowner gushes water everywhere in his olive/fruit grove and offers me none. Being in Jerusalem in both Arab intifadas, as well as having landlord disputes there too, I am well used to dealing with this but my Salukis are the worry as usual. Roman is a constantly panting wreck most of the time and only gains a respite late in the nights, sleeping on the cooler floor between two fans. I have had showers and managed to do basic washing at other homes but keeping the dogs, dog bedding and other dog things clean has been a challenge. I am angry most of the time, frustrated the rest. I try to concentrate on writing and have new books coming out soon - this prevents me from going crazy - just.
One benefit, I thought - erroneously - was that I would be less likely to be bothered by snakes. Ever since a couple of blunt-nosed vipers invaded some summers back I never keep water outside but the tank often overflows (when the pump actually works) and the watering system for the garden leaks - so this year I should have been free of these deadly creatures. Not so! I found three Salukis standing over a hissing huge horror by the rubbish bins. I somehow got them away and then stalked the thing for half an hour while it hid in some old netting but remained loudly aggressive until I threw a rock at it to get it in the open whereupon it disappeared through a tiny gap into the open country. A few nights later Shavav found a couple of feisty hissing young ones and since then I have had a nightly patrol every hour or so until the dogs are confined on the veranda or in the house for the rest of the night. I have remained hysterical about this problem and harangued the house owner to check sheds etc, and spray a deterrent - this last costs money so of course has not been done but he has put down some (probably illegal) poison inside the nearest shed which could possibly destroy my hounds quicker than the viper.
So, anyway, I only have 4 Salukis now - I had nine once. Golly lives with Michael but visits often. Before he used to fight with his brother, now they don't speak. Paschale's loss is still keenly felt and I know I must steel myself for more losses in the future as the rest reach the fullness of canine years - but not yet, please Lord - I love them so much.
I have just read an interesting article about Saluki health problems which highlighted cardiac cancer and other heart abnormalities - I hope to add a link to that in the near future. I shall also be adding more pages in the hope of other contributors out there adding their knowledge/stories - many view the site but few seem interested to write anything - please do!
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