Collect the whole set

A brief excuse for the long delay since the last post: I’m working on a new project which includes setting up a new website and home for this blog, which I was hoping to have done a couple weeks ago but of course the planning fallacy has reared its ugly head again. Anyway, I was trying to hold off on updating until I had the new site ready, but I’ll give you a brief rundown now.

We already have two Africats and a North Americat, so how could we say no to a South Americat?
Actually, the story is a lot more complex than that, but at the moment we are the proud parents and caregivers for a tiny little kitten that Sandra found dying in the hallway of a hospital here in Lima (yes, IN the hospital). He’s been seeing the vet daily for a week getting IV fluids, antibiotics, blood tests, etc, plus all the yummy cat food he can stomach at home. When we got him he had a very swollen abdomen (which was drained a few days ago) and he’s still very jaundiced and hemolitic. We still don’t know exactly what’s wrong (vet suspects exposure to something poisonous at the hospital) or if he’ll survive, but we’re doing our best. His temporary name is Squeaker, which provides quite a bit of amusement when Spanish speakers attempt to spell it phonetically. And now all we need is an Antarcticat to complete the set.

One awesome note: veterinary care here is excellent and cheap. The place we’ve taken Squeaker has staff who speak English, they’re efficient and knowledgeable and kind, and the cost of medicine is clearly socialized because a round of antibiotics and IV fluids plus the cost of the visit is 30 soles or about $10.80.

His leg is fine, the bandage is just to protect the IV catheter

Here's his skinny butt looking all crabby at dad for taking these pictures

Besides cat rescue, I’ve been working on a bunch of web design projects, both through the regular job I have here plus some contracts. I hoping to turn that into a real business that can pay for all the new gadgets I want. On a related note, if you’re in the market for a new crock pot please hold off on buying one for a few weeks.

In two weeks’ time we’ll be home for the wedding of one of my best friends. We’ll only be back for a week, and a lot of that time will be taken up by the wedding (I’m a groomsman), so if you want a chance to see us I would recommend booking that ahead of time, as my parents have already so intelligently done. Appointments can be scheduled by email.

The food in Peru continues to be awesome. Some friends recently took us to try Anticuchos, which were incredible, although not for the faint of heart (har har). And yesterday mangoes were on sale at the grocery store for 69 céntimos per kilo, aka 11 cents per pound. You can put that in your dollar menu pipe and smoke it.