"The Embassy Cats": Human Stories from the Memory of Kuwaiti-British Relations
The corridors of the British Embassy in Kuwait were not only witnesses to diplomatic meetings and official negotiations; for decades, they also hosted silent human stories whose protagonists were cats and dogs that lived within its walls, accompanied ambassadors and diplomats, and became part of the place’s memory and history.
Among rare photographs, documents, and anecdotes is the book “Pets of the British Embassy, Kuwait,” authored by researcher on British affairs Issa Dashti and Rachel Riley, Executive Secretary to the UK Ambassador to Kuwait. The book reveals an unfamiliar aspect of the British Embassy’s history in Kuwait, documenting a special bond between humans and animals and illustrating how these pets became bridges of affection and communication within a diplomatic community far from home.
At the book’s launch event, British Deputy Ambassador to Kuwait Stuart Summers emphasized that the publication offers a different perspective on life inside the British Embassy, moving beyond the traditional image associated with diplomatic work. He expressed his delight at launching this edition, which documents the history of pets at the Ambassador’s residence and the British Embassy.
He noted that “the British are known for their love of animals, so it was natural for pets to accompany British ambassadors in Kuwait over many decades, becoming part of the Embassy’s history and daily life.”
He added that the book includes photographs and stories documenting this human side, pointing out that he had tried to include a picture of his puppy, “Vidgit,” in the book, although the dog did not reside at the Ambassador’s residence.
Summers congratulated the book’s authors, considering its launch a notable milestone marking the end of Rachel Riley’s professional career after more than fourteen years at the British Embassy in Kuwait, and he praised her efforts and contributions throughout those years.
For her part, Rachel Riley stated that embassies are not merely institutions concerned with diplomacy, politics, and international relations; they are also communities where staff live for many years, and within which memories, human relationships, and stories worthy of documentation emerge.
She explained that during her tenure, she cared for several cats that lived at the Embassy, from “Mrs. Pickles” to the animals currently residing there, noting that these pets became part of the Embassy family and helped build human bonds among staff members of different nationalities and departments.
She added that the idea for the book stemmed from her desire to preserve these stories and prevent them from being lost, emphasizing that the book is not only about cats and dogs but also documents the stories of people, the values of kindness, and the community spirit that form within the workplace environment, highlighting the human side of the British Embassy.
For his part, Issa Dashti, a researcher in Kuwaiti-British relations and co-author of the book, confirmed that the publication documents, through photographs, documents, and historical information, the pets cared for by the British Legation in Kuwait and later by the British Embassy, as well as those adopted by British envoys and ambassadors over the past decades.
He pointed out that pets were part of daily life inside the Embassy, and their presence was linked to several historical events and human stories that have become part of the shared memory of Kuwaiti-British relations. He emphasized that this edition represents a first step in documenting this unknown aspect of the Embassy’s history, and that future editions will include additional information and documents as more sources become available.
Dashti commended the contributions of Stephen Freeth, grandson of Colonel Harold Dixon, and Abdul-Ali Samir Al-Hindal, for the photographs, documents, and information they provided, which enriched the project. He also expressed his gratitude to Rachel Riley for her cooperation and great enthusiasm in preparing the book, driven by her long-standing interest in animal welfare at the British Embassy.
He further extended his thanks to the British Embassy in Kuwait for sponsoring the book launch event, and to his family, particularly his father and brothers, for the material and moral support they provided, which contributed to the completion and publication of the project.
