I took on Marty from one of the local animal refuges at the beginning of April last year. A lovely 11 year old red&white tom. He came with a few problems however: FIV, diabetes and a pancreas problem. But that wasn't enough-the vet at the animal refuge had realised that he is insulin resistant and had therefore decided that there was no sense in subjecting him to further injections and blood tests and that he should go to a home where he could live out his remaining days in peace and comfort on his special diet. I notice a very gradual 'run-down' and there have recently been a couple of small problems but 16 months on Marty is generally doing well. There's a net on the balcony so that he can't run lose. A young tom comes by quite often and silent cat conversations take place. The young one stays below the balcony after he realised that trying to jump up was doomed to failure because of the net and because Marty immediately went on the defensive.

Some birds are so stupid and/or cheeky that they deserve their fate. Blue Tits use the balcony net for gymnastics- this cost one it's life after it performed right in front of Marty's predecessors. More recently, one flew bold as brass through the open cat flap into the living room. Marty initially couldn't quite believe his eyes but quickly made sure that it was a one-way flight.

As I write this he's curled up on the scanner.......