The worst news

Our lovely little Batman disappeared last Wednesday. He had been allowed out for about 3 weeks beforehand and we thought he could probably take care of himself. We were wrong.



We leafleted and put posters up. People were amazingly helpful. One black kitten from the next road was brought round to us on 3 separate occasions. After 4 very long days and nights we were visited yesterday by a family from over the road. The dad had seen a fox with a black kitten in his mouth running past his house on Wednesday afternoon - they had been away since and of course the posters were not up then. There is little doubt it was our Batman as I had not mentioned anywhere when he had disappeared.



Batman was like a kitten on speed and from the early days when he broke his paw I think we knew he was always going to be "high risk". We are all still very upset but are grateful too that we were told what had happened. Rest in Peace little Batman.

Batman 2

I just thought I'd share this. No, they're not really friends but Batman absolutely idolises Panucci and won't leave him alone.

Just after my last post Batman managed to "do something" to his front left paw. No-one saw it happen or is owning up to squashing him. He couldn't put any pressure on it and it was very swollen. This necessitated a trip to the vet. No. Of course he wasn't insured.

The vet wanted £300 to perform an X-Ray!! No way José. This in turn could have led to several thousands of pounds to repair a broken leg. I am coming back as a vet in my next life.

We went for the cheaper option, although how they justify £90 for antibiotics, paracetamol and ibuprofen will still remain one of life's mysteries to me.

Thank goodness it worked. She thinks he'd fractured the metatarsals (hope I've got that right).

Anyway now he is fine and, as you can see, can jump up onto the ironing board.

Batman!

We have another new member of the family. Meet Batman.

There was no way we were getting another kitten. The present cat incumbent Pannucci rejoices in being an only cat and has come into his own following the demise of the previous two during the last year. He is bossy, talkative in the extreme and makes Ozzie's life hell on occasions.

But we keep being offered kittens . . . .

Batman is our first completely black cat. His mother is, apparently, a pedigree. A pedigree what? Josh (who procured Batman) didn't ask.

So far Batman and Ozzie are friends. More or less.

Batman and Pannucci are not. But we've had him less than 24 hours so we have a while to go before we reach a verdict.