Evening fun for vets: looking at veterinary tools and supplies

We didn't pause for very long after checking into the hotel in Chenini before we got back into the truck to drive to Dr. Ahlem Lahmar's hometown, Ksar Oun. It was very late in the afternoon and the temperature had cooled off so we optimistically thought we could see a few donkeys before night. The drive to Ksar Oun took longer than expected (about an hour) - a winding and windy journey through the mountains. The rock formations turned to sand and the road became quite narrow as the wind blew sand drifts and the edge of the road disappeared. There were places with barriers to stop the sand which was very interesting for Tricia who is used to snow drifts and snow fences in the northeastern United States.

We were greeted warmly by Ahlem and her extended family at their beautiful home. Tricia goofed up and said goodbye instead of hello in Arabic which elicited a few giggles. 

An impromptu veterinary seminar was held at the back of the truck as the sun set, and we showed our tools and the donated supplies from Medivet we had brought.

We had a brief viewing of the animals in the family compound, and then all thoughts of work came to an end, because in normal Tunisian style - it was time to eat!  A welcoming feast had been prepared for us which we ate outdoors under the stars.  It was delicious: tunisian pepper salad, soup and bric (a savory fried pastry dough filled with potatoes and other veggies). We ended up spending the night because it had gotten so late and we needed to start our rounds early in the morning. We were serenaded to sleep by an amazing symphony of animal noises - mostly dogs - but a few other odd noises - including some very confused roosters.

Our first donkey

We stopped to get diesel for the truck close to Jaber’s home on our way to meet with another veterinarian. Surprise! We saw a man walking next to his donkey pulling a cart. Tricia is still not used to such sights and asked Jaber, “Can I take his picture?”. Yes, of course. The first shot was from afar so as to not disturb the man, but as soon as he saw me with my cell phone camera, he waved and stopped to pose. Then he left the donkey hanging out and he went across the street.

We walked over to say hello to the donkey and check out the cart. The small donkey had slits (fully healed) extending up from each nostril and moderately long hooves with chips. The man came back and had a conversation with Jaber. He told us the slits were to help the donkey breath better and be stronger. Tricia asked, “How old is the donkey?” and the man spread the donkey’s lips to check his teeth, and pronounced “ not very old!” However, Tricia thought otherwise based on the grey hairs, sunken eye orbits and the aged incisors but kept her opinion to herself.

Tricia’s been here only a few days, but it is obvious language lessons are in her future. Jaber is a great translator and information collector but it is frustrating to not be able to speak up. Smiles can only get you so far.

Getting the official authorisations to work

Today we had a meeting with Dr. Hajer Kilani Dequiche at the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture – she is responsible for information collection, communications and international inspections. She endorses our work with the donkeys and will send an email letter of introduction and support to the state veterinarians in the areas we intend to work. This will help smooth the possible conflicts with local private veterinarians.

Jaber made contact with Malek Lakhoua from Zaguan Olive Oil Farm (Malek's website) who is very interested in working with us. He is a medical doctor who has a few donkeys and would like to develop ecotourism in his region. His farm is about 2 hours away in the northern half of Tunisia.

Jaber made arrangements for donations of vaccine and dewormer from a veterinary colleague who works for a pharmaceutical company in Tunisia.

Thursday's Meal

We ate well again in Tunisian style at Jaber's home. Liver with garlic; sauteed potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, butternut squash; rice with carrots; fresh figs, grapes and the teeniest sweetest yellow pear.