22nd January

The kitten is making amazing progress. When I go out to her now she is ready and waiting to see me. She lets me stroke her and purrs and chirrups, rubbing her head against my hand. I have to make sure she sees my hand coming though, as this evening I touched her when she wasn't looking and she jumped in the air with all her toes spread wide.

I've put some new toys in, which she loves. When I am in the kitchen I can hear her batting her ball around.

I thought I'd better start the worming treatment as her belly is so round. I wasn't quite sure how best to approch it. No cat that I have ever known will eat the paste mixed into meat. They turn their nose up at it and shake their paws in disgust. With tiny kittens its relatively easy to just hold them steady, and dispense the paste into the corner of their mouth. If you then hold their mouth shut they will swallow, or at least that's the general idea. If you don't get this bit right they spit it straight back out all over you. The first time I ever tried I got completely covered. It was at that point that I checked the information leaflet in the box which said in no uncertain terms to avoid skin contact with the stuff. Its a bit late for that when its dripping off your nose. Still, at least I'm not likely to suffer much from worms.

Anyhow, I tried the usual trick of holding her head to put it into the side of her mouth. Predictably enough that totally freaked her out. I should have known better than to try. Not wanting to upset her when she is just getting used to me I decided to try mixing it with her food. I fully expected her to take one sniff and back off, so was amazed when she put her head down into the bowl and scoffed the lot straight off. She then sat back licking her lips and looked me straight in the eyes saying "Well why didn't you just ask me in the first place."

I just hope its that easy tomorrow. Its a three day course. It also tends to give them the squits - so we've got that to look forward to.

The other two boys are doing fine. Herbie seems to think I keep forgetting to let him out in the evening, as after I have fed them at tea time he miaows and miaows. When I go to check he's okay, I find him sitting at the front of the pen, huge green eyes staring at me, trying to communicate with the stupid human to Let Him Out. "I always go out at this time, can you not understand?" I've tried telling him that he can use the litter tray but he says its not the tray he needs, its the Hunting.

These two are incredibly good natured cats. Here they are, cooped up in a pen together when they have been used to having complete freedom. And apart from the intense looks and the miaows, they are very gentlemanly about it. I'm glad they have got a good home to go to. Only a few more days.