Kind-hearted volunteers bid to rehome emirates' abandoned pets


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DUBAI // Marwan Awad breaks the monotony of his Dubai to Abu Dhabi commute by giving a ride to special passengers.

The 39-year-old's companions are easy going, non-smokers who do not even need conversation to keep them entertained - just a towel to lie down on.

Mr Awad volunteers to transport dogs between the emirates in a bid to help them find homes.

"Generally, they are very well behaved - I just pet them while I am driving," he said. "They usually sit right down. They can tell they are in between homes and are a little bit shy or quiet."

Mr Awad, a Canadian of Lebanese origin, works in the capital but lives in Dubai.

He started chauffeuring dogs a month ago when he joined Animal Action Abu Dhabi, a small group of volunteers who find new owners for abandoned dogs and cats.

Mr Awad, the general counsel for an investment and development company, has offered lifts to three dogs and feeds a stray cat colony one night per week in Abu Dhabi.

Animal Action matches abandoned pets and strays with potential new owners via a page on the social networking website Facebook.

The brains behind the idea was Melanie Stones, 24, who runs the group with her sister, Nathalie, and several other volunteers.

"I have always loved animals," said the artist, who splits her time between Abu Dhabi and Toronto.

About a year ago she found a dog, later called Sammy, on the street and found him a home.

She now goes to municipality kennels with other volunteers to find dogs that would be suitable for adoption.

"We usually choose the ones who have been there the longest," she said.

As the web page's popularity has grown, Ms Stones has grown busier - people alert her if they have seen a stray and ask for help if they must move away without their pets.

"Last week was the worst week," she said, explaining that she re-homed three dogs in Sharjah, two in Dubai and another in Abu Dhabi.

Most of the animals she helps are abandoned. For a dog, being deserted by its owners is a devastating event.

"They are heartbroken and they take a while to warm up again," said Ms Stones, who has three dogs and is fostering a fourth until she can find it a permanent home.

"If you are going to take a pet, make sure it is for life."

Mr Awad, who has nine cats, agreed, saying that although people benefit from a pet's company, they must also consider practical matters, such as the animal's needs.

"People should know what they are getting themselves into," he added.

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The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm

Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km

Price: From Dh796,600

On sale: now

The specs

Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder

Power: 70bhp

Torque: 66Nm

Transmission: four-speed manual

Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000

On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970

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2pm, UAE Conference final

Dubai Tigers v Al Ain Amblers

4pm, UAE Premiership final

Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons

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Selected fixtures

All times UAE

Wednesday
Poland v Portugal 10.45pm
Russia v Sweden 10.45pm

Friday
Belgium v Switzerland 10.45pm
Croatia v England 10.45pm

Saturday
Netherlands v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Denmark 10.45pm

Sunday
Poland v Italy 10.45pm

Monday
Spain v England 10.45pm

Tuesday
France v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Wales 10.45pm

Fixtures

50-over match

UAE v Lancashire, starts at 10am

Champion County match

MCC v Surrey, four-day match, starting on Sunday, March 24, play starts at 10am

Both matches are at ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City. Admission is free.

Meydan card

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (PA) Group 1 US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,200m
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) Group 2 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
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  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
  • Grade 5 = between grades B and C
  • Grade 4 = grade C
  • Grade 3 = between grades D and E
  • Grade 2 = between grades E and F
  • Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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Director: Rupert Wyatt

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Name: Colm McLoughlin

Country: Galway, Ireland

Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free

Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club

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TOURNAMENT INFO

Opening fixtures:
Friday, Oct 5

8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers

Saturday, Oct 6
4pm: Nangarhar Leopards v Kandahar Knights
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Balkh Legends

Tickets
Tickets can be bought online at https://www.q-tickets.com/apl/eventlist and at the ticket office at the stadium.

TV info
The tournament will be broadcast live in the UAE on OSN Sports.

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Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

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Series information

Pakistan v Dubai

First Test, Dubai International Stadium

Sun Oct 6 to Thu Oct 11

Second Test, Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Tue Oct 16 to Sat Oct 20          

 Play starts at 10am each day

 

Teams

 Pakistan

1 Mohammed Hafeez, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Asad Shafiq, 5 Haris Sohail, 6 Babar Azam, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed, 8 Bilal Asif, 9 Yasir Shah, 10, Mohammed Abbas, 11 Wahab Riaz or Mir Hamza

 Australia

1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Mitchell Marsh, 5 Travis Head, 6 Marnus Labuschagne, 7 Tim Paine, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Jon Holland