THURS 12TH NOV. I know that I keep saying that Charles is absolutely full of life and usually swinging from the curtains but if I keep printing photographs like this I know you don`t believe me! This was Charles helping in the packing department this morning!!

Sunday 8th Nov. Went to a flea market at 6am, there in a box in the dark were three tiny bewildered snow white kittens to be given away. They had the bluest eyes I have ever seen and were huddled together for comfort. I don`t know how I stopped myself but now back at home I can`t help thinking about what their fate will be and I am feeling SO guilty.

CHARLIE NEWS 4TH NOV.....The stitches came out today and Charlie has become so used to going to the vets now that he sleeps soundly in his cat carrier all the way and then shouts as loud as he can the minute he gets to the vets! I know that the removal of the stitches did not hurt him at all but I would not be suprised if you had heard his shouting from where you live.....but then he is still a baby! Unless you saw the amputated leg you would never believe he had been injured, he leaps from chairs to tables, runs up the curtains, ambushes us all and makes poor old Diggers` life a misery by constantly sneaking up on him and them hurling himself at full speed at his tail! He tried very hard to get into Digger`s basket with him yesterday but good old Digs simply sighed in disgust and relocated to the sofa only to be followed by Charlie who was determined to snuggle close to him. I went into the sitting room to find one previously cat hating Jack Russell cuddled up to a kitten both of them fast asleep. What worries me now is that very shortly Charlie is going to want to go outdoors................alone........eeeek!!!

CHARLIE NEWS SATURDAY 1ST NOV....... As you will see the dressings are off and as soon as the stitches come out and the fur grows back he will be very presentable. Its tough being a kitten with nothing to do but yawn and sleep!!! Charlie has spent the day running up and down the curtains, ambushing poor Digger and generally causing trouble! At 6am this morning he clawed his way up onto our bed and got quite comfy between our two pillows but we were unable to sleep due to his loud purring which sounded like a motorbike! We had some children from the village call on a Halloween trick or treat and they were fascinated to know if his leg would grow back. Try explaining that one in French!!!!

CHARLIE NEWS WEDNESDAY 28TH OCTOBER......We kept Charlie in the  lounge last night with lots of beds for him to chose from so he could get comfortable! He had a huge duvet on the floor,Digger`s bed under the radiator, a quilt on the sofa and a sheepskin blanket on the chair! He had been very sleepy all day yesterday but had eaten and drunk plenty and had lots of cuddles! I went down at 6am this morning to find him happy, very quirky and full of life!!! He has had a very busy day exploring the house, running up and down stairs like a lunatic and generally exploring. At one point he managed to find his way up to the attic on the 3rd floor! Unless you saw the injured leg all bound up you would never believe what he has gone through or that he is on 3 legs! He is such an amazingly tough little chap. We took him back to the vets tonight for an antibiotic injection and they were suprised to see he was not wearing his pink head cone, but he has not touched the dressing at all. We got home to find someone waiting for us with three freshly caught mackerel for him....he has of course touched the hearts of our neighbours too and can you believe this kitten has received a get well soon card?!!! We have to go back  to the vet on Friday for his dressings to be changed. I hope tomorrow is as good as today for him.

CHARLIE UPDATE TUESDAY 27TH OCTOBER.....Charlie came home this morning and the operation is over. He has lost the bottom half of the leg and to say the least is whingy and miserable. He has eaten tuna and drunk quite alot and as we speak he is lying on a plump quilt sleeping in the sunshine streaming through the windows. I have taken off the girly pink head cone he came home in as he couldn`t eat with it on. He didn`t bother with the first lot of dressings so I will give him the benefit of the doubt with this, but if he touches his bandages the cone will have to go back on! We are taking it in turns to sit with him today and I am unsure who is enjoying the sun more....Mark or Charlie! We have to go back to the vets tomorrow for the dressings to be changed and antibiotics. I will keep you posted on his progress but at least the worst is over now.

THE CHARLIE UPDATE...SATURDAY 24TH OCT

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If you missed my original about me explaining the arrival of Charlie I have left it below so you can catch up! Charlie has been here a couple of weeks now and has absolutely forced us all to adore him! As you will see above he is totally content !! The vet took his dressings off yesterday and sadly the bottom half of the leg is cold and lifeless. There is no option at all other than to remove it and he goes back to the vets on Monday for the operation. I have been assured that a 3 legged cat can survive very well, and , if the way that Charlie has bounded all around the place on 3 legs whilst he had the fourth bandaged is any indication we know he will be fine. Still a very trying week ahead and yet another of his nine lives used up!

I will keep you posted.