Well Jon, things have certainly progressed with Furball haven't they?!
It's lovely that he lets you pick him up, and that he's getting into a routine where comes in at 6am and eats then has a sleep etc.
How kind and patient you and Pip are! Honestly, in a few weeks he'll be almost completely 'civilised'.
Fur coming out means that he's nourished and new fur is re-growing under the old, making the old stuff shed.
I felt quite choked up reading your latest bulletin. That is one very lucky cat!