Living in Malta:

                     Mystery Solved

 

 

Remember when I told you that my cat's face smelled like a drainpipe?

 

We finally figured out what it is--and it is disgusting.

 

Last week, Mr. S, daughter B and I hosted our very first dinner party in Malta.  We had over five Maltese friends--who we met years ago when we used to visit Malta.

 

We were eating at the kitchen table (old Maltese houses don't really have a dining room; their whole focus of eating and socializing was--and still is--at the kitchen table), when all of a sudden we all smelled a very pervasive, unpleasant smell.  I should say, stink.  At the same time, our cat was trying to get under the sideboard.

To me, the room stank of cat poop.  I was very irritated as I made my way over to the litter box in the hallway. There was no poop in it.  So I began to wonder where my cat had dropped it.

 

Then M, one of our guests, said, "I know that smell."

 

I said, "Sorry. It's the cat."

 

He said, "Well, your cat is definitely after something.  I bet there's a centipede in here."

 

So our six-foot-six friend (very tall for a Maltese) lowered himself to the floor to lie side-by-side with my cat and peer under the sideboard.

 

"Yes, there it is," he said.

 

I couldn't believe it.  There was a centipede.  Our whole dinner party now congregated face-down around the sideboard.  If this stink hadn't occurred, I would have thought this was an after-dinner Maltese tradition.

 

I still could not believe that a small centipede could let off such a smell.  But it did.  The entire kitchen smelled like a cat poop, or should I say, centipede.

 

And now, we've figured out why our cat smells like that: she's always hunting, sniffing and probably eating Maltese centipedes.    I now have to find some scented wipes to de-stink her face and paws.  And I've decided to stop kissing her on the lips for now.

 

Scutigera coleoptrata, known as a stinking centipede, is indigenous to the Mediterranean region, according to Wikepedia.

 

P.S.  (Post Stink)  Happy Obama Inauguration Day to all!

 

Comments

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Dee, you know mothers--I still kiss her. It's hard to believe that Obama is finally president. We all have such high hopes----Ilene

[Dee Owen]

Hope your cat gives up the stinky cenitpede hunting so that you can kiss her again! We recorded the inauguration so we can watch it at out lesiure. Holding dual citizenship, we also hope Obama will do good for America and the world too!

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Katie, thanks for tip. I think I will get some pet wipes and try them. And then I might try them on Egypt! Yes, it was a great day to be an American Expat yesterday----Ilene

[Katie]

WOW! I had no idea! Funny but not funny. Maybe some lavender oil (1 drop) mixed in about a cup of water, put in a spray bottle and spray on a cloth and wipe? There should be something at the health food store that is natural and wont harm you or Egypt.
It was an incredible day for sure!
Cheers to Obama!

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Lynda,

Now that I've found the cause of the stink, I have to find a solution to it. Thanks for your good wishes for our new President Obama. I hope he will do good for the world and not just the US.

[Lynda Adlington]

Well done,
1, for finding the cause of the stink and
2, for getting such a great president. I watched it all and thought his speech was awesome. Bet it made you feel fantastic. A great day for the world.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Steve, did you ever smell a centipede? Yes, I will be celebrating inauguration day with my daughter. And I'll be calling friends back in the US today. I hope he succeeds in something. I think there's going to be a big letdown after the ceremony and inaugural balls (costing $165 million--which I think is terrible) because everything will be the same for a long time-the wars, the economy, lack of accessible health care in the US. Obama gave us hope before the election; I hope there is some left after he's sworn in----Ilene

[Steve H]

Well that's a new one for me, insects that smell. I suppose in the US they have skunks, here in Malta we have smelly centipedes.

Will you be celebrating Obama's big day?