"Do you think it's too much or not enough?" I ask Ernesto as he takes measurements in the backyard. Even though it's May and the temperatures have warmed, he seems enthused to be outside and with the choice of space I've given him. "No, they'll love it," he reassures me.
It may seem silly to some, but when recently shifting houses in Abu Dhabi, I had to consider what my cats would also enjoy. When I finally moved into a two-storey villa (which offered a staircase for them to get in more exercise), I also took note of the backyard, trying to figure out how to best utilise it.
Having lived in apartment buildings for the past six years, this was the first time I had my own outdoor area. I had thoughts of hanging up lights and hosting my friends for a barbecue night – but I also knew I had to do something for my cats.
After all, my four rescues had always been cooped up indoors, so it seemed fair to share the space with them, too.
Creating a safe space for my cats
I was recommended Ernesto by a friend who had recently used him to build a small catio (yes, a patio for cats) in her villa. After getting in touch, I sent him a photo of my backyard and asked if he had any ideas on how to best make use of the space. He came back to me with two drawings outlining possible ideas.
Once I settled on a design, we agreed upon a price – Dh3,000 in total – and we were off. In all, the project only took three days for him to build after taking measurements of the space.
Some people might wonder why I don't just let my cats roam outside as some of my neighbours do. Indeed, I've had a few cats (some stray, others clearly pets) visit my backyard or even my front door looking for food. Even my family's cats back in the US are free to roam, only usually coming back at night when my mum calls for them. But for me, I just didn't want to risk it.
The idea of something happening to one of them if they were allowed out around the neighbourhood would be too heartbreaking. After all, they were all rescued from the streets at one point, with one needing to be nursed back to health after she was found dumped, matted and malnourished.
Too often I hear stories of pets getting into fights with other stray cats or, even worse, getting accidentally run over. In my mind, it seemed a catio was the best solution as it allowed them to enjoy the outdoors while also staying in a safe space.
A new world for them to enjoy
So far, it's been about a week since the catio was completed and my cats seem to be enjoying it. All four have ventured out at least once to explore. Suddenly, they're able to see birds more closely without a window pane in the way. I like to imagine this new world is one they are quite happy with.
However, it is still a work in progress. I'm hoping to eventually add more interactive elements so they don't feel like they're just stuck in a big cage. I've added an old cat tree as well as a scratching post, with more ideas to come later.
But for now, they're able to get fresh air and sunlight and I get the peace of mind of knowing they'll be OK.
One of my Arabian Mau cats loves it so much, he spends all evening sprawled out on the top ledge. I like to joke that he's no longer part of the family; he's gone to the world, he's an outdoor cat now.
But, of course, I know that thanks to having a secured catio, that he'll be back inside sooner or later.
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
%3Cp%3ECory%20Sandhagen%20v%20Umar%20Nurmagomedov%0D%3Cbr%3ENick%20Diaz%20v%20Vicente%20Luque%0D%3Cbr%3EMichael%20Chiesa%20v%20Tony%20Ferguson%0D%3Cbr%3EDeiveson%20Figueiredo%20v%20Marlon%20Vera%0D%3Cbr%3EMackenzie%20Dern%20v%20Loopy%20Godinez%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETickets%20for%20the%20August%203%20Fight%20Night%2C%20held%20in%20partnership%20with%20the%20Department%20of%20Culture%20and%20Tourism%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20went%20on%20sale%20earlier%20this%20month%2C%20through%20www.etihadarena.ae%20and%20www.ticketmaster.ae.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The End of Loneliness
Benedict Wells
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
Sceptre
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the most popular virtual currency in the world. It was created in 2009 as a new way of paying for things that would not be subject to central banks that are capable of devaluing currency. A Bitcoin itself is essentially a line of computer code. It's signed digitally when it goes from one owner to another. There are sustainability concerns around the cryptocurrency, which stem from the process of "mining" that is central to its existence.
The "miners" use computers to make complex calculations that verify transactions in Bitcoin. This uses a tremendous amount of energy via computers and server farms all over the world, which has given rise to concerns about the amount of fossil fuel-dependent electricity used to power the computers.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHayvn%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristopher%20Flinos%2C%20Ahmed%20Ismail%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efinancial%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2044%20employees%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eseries%20B%20in%20the%20second%20half%20of%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHilbert%20Capital%2C%20Red%20Acre%20Ventures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
