Archimedes wrote:miltiades wrote:As a young boy growing up in Cyprus I partook in cruelty to animals, birds and all living things apart from humans.
I knew no better and behaved as all my piers did, neither the schools nor the church instilled in us kids the sanctity of animal life, the beauty of birds singing, little kittens and puppies, the fact that they too shared this planet with us and had feelings not dissimilar to our own, they felt pain, fear and joy at getting something to eat.
Much has changed since the 50s, thanks mainly to Brits and Charlies, animal welfare has improved and Cypriots are more aware of the feelings of animals than in years gone by.
On my recent visit to Limassol, I visited my late wifes grave, at the entrance of the cemetery in Ayios Athanasios there exists a large number of abandoned cats, in their hundreds, a sad sight. Some are run over by visiting cars oblivious to the need to exercise care in driving at the entrance, the cats run to greet every car hoping for some food.
After a family dinner we were left with an abundance of meat, chicken, pork, sheftalies, kioftedes and much more.
I cut it all up and on my visit to the cemetery the following morning I distributed the food to the cats making sure that little kittens also received their share. My other third and her daughter who absolutely adore cats were with me making sure that the little ones had some leftovers.
An old boy was coming out of the the cemetery entrance and called out to me.
" O KOSMOS PINA CHE ESI TAIZIS TOUS KATTOUS " (People are starving and you are feeding the cats )
Not one to take easily to unwarranted reprimands I approached the old boy and politely asked if he believed in God
Veveos he replied , I don't, I responded, but I believe in the sanctity of all life and since you believe in God therefore you must also believe that all life was created by Him.He turned and got into his car not saying a word just shaking his head.
Such comments typify the absence in some Cypriots of the need to care for animals.
As I was getting into my car to drive away, a car pulled up next to me and an elderly couple of Cypriots got out carrying bags. The lady approached me and asked if I was the one that put the food for the cats, getting ready to rebuff her as well, I listened as she politely asked if next time I come with food I put it on the pavements as to avoid having cats in the concourse where visiting cars might run them over.
Of course I said, I didn't think of this.
I watched as she and her man begun feeding the cats from the contents of their bags. I approached and told her that what she was doing was extremely kind, thank you she said, we have been doing this for over 20 years since we came back to Cyprus from the UK....
They originated from the Famagusta region.
This is just rubbish!We have many animals posting on this forum, more than humans.
here puss puss puss ...
They are the most heavily guarded areas of our free territory.
