Dear North London Cats

I thought I'd send an update and the attached photo to let you know how Spooks (formerly Blackie) is doing. These days, he's also fondly known as Boo-Boo and/or Bunny.

I adopted him on 30 October 2006 and he was really timid and seemed quite down at first. He had only been in the shelter for two days when he came home with me so I think he was quite bewildered by all the moving about. He was also a bit of a scratchy, bitey boy whenever I tried to stroke him. He's still jumpy and easily spooked and is nervous with strangers, but seems much happier now and is fine with familiar faces. I get a huge welcome when I come home every night and he loves to snuggle up for cuddles, tickles, strokes, chin scratches and forehead and nose rubs in the early mornings and at various times throughout the night! Only thing is, you mustn't even think about touching his tummy........Yikes! Oddly enough though, if I'm careful, I'm allowed to tease burrs and sticky grass seeds out of his bushy tail. It's been great seeing him gain more confidence. He has now firmly claimed various places for snoozing purposes including the left-hand side of the sofa, my bed (yes, and he's often indignant about being asked to move over so that I can get in!) and a window box looking out onto the back 
garden. And when he's extra happy and content, he sleeps with all four paws in the air!

He absolutely LOVES the garden and has enjoyed chasing and leaping around after bumble bees and butterflies this spring and summer. He follows me around like a little dog whenever I do any work out there, inspects what I'm doing and joins in with digging when I'm planting in the flowerbeds. And I am very pleased to see that he's come to an 'arrangement' with the 
neighbour's cat. These days, they often snooze in the bushes together when it's sunny whereas in the past he used to chase the poor thing out of the garden whenever it dared to set a paw anywhere near.

The most bizarre present I've had to date is an empty birds nest which must have been a real effort to squash through the catflap! I have a theory that all this present giving is just in case I get any funny ideas about leaving him, which of course I wouldn't dream of so he gets lots of reassurance whenever I'm presented with an offering.

Spooks will only eat dry food now. Don't ask me why, he used to love sardines, moist cat food and the odd bit of chicken as well as his dry stuff. His all time favourite now is dry Purina One Turkey & Rice, hairball control. Tesco has just stopped stocking it though and I haven't got round to finding another place that sells it, so he's been a bit huffy lately!

Attached are some photos of him relaxing in his new home and to remind you of what a beautiful boy he is

Vicky