KITTEN NEEDS AMPUTATION SURGERY

Now living in his forever home, Shirley Longstaff shares how Reggie's enjoying farm life since she adopted him in January 2022.

Not surprisingly Reggie is a determined wee chap. He adores Shirley and follows her wherever she goes on the farm, happily meeting all the other animals and bellowing when she heads out of sight. He's learned to keep his tail down when clambering under the electric fence, and on occasion when leaping through the paddocks gets tiring, Shirley carries him.

Climbing trees is a kitten fave but Reggie came unstuck after his first attempt when it came to getting back down. Bellowing for Shirley she came armed with a small ladder to reach and help him down.

His second go had a similar outcome, only this time Shirley needed a bigger ladder to reach him.

Since then, Reggie's decided that in order to maintain his dignity, he shall climb only small trees now.

Reggie's naturally curious so of course, the fish pond piqued his interest. Turns out he can't walk on water (or oxygen weed) as he believed and it was a slimy green kitten that greeted Shirley when she came to his rescue. He also discovered he's not particularly fond of baths either.

Like all teen boys, Reggie has a robust appetite. When he came across the stash of cat food Shirley had stored in the walk-in wardrobe he decided to take matters into his own paws and help himself to some snacks. Needless to say, the treats are in a new hiding place now.

Reggie's also an efficient hunter. When Shirley found 3 dead mice in a bucket, she put them in the garden.

She was coming out to collect more wood when Reggie proudly presented her with a dead mouse. Not fooled for a second, Shirley found somewhere else in the garden to deposit the rodent. Reggie, not thwarted, headed straight back to the remaining two dead mice and 'caught' one as a gift for Mum.

One of Reggie's favourite games to play is 'super sliders'. It requires a lino floor, and a black supermarket bag (his preferred choice).

The rules are simple. Shirley places the bag on the floor, Reggie sprints towards it, and taking a flying leap lands on it, sliding all the way across the kitchen.

Wheeeeeeee....such fun!

Reggie's providing plenty of entertainment. The first time he spotted his reflection in the mirror he leaped into the air and fluffed up like a porcupine. He then spent the next 20 minutes in a confused state as he patted and sniffed it, sneaking up then running away. Shirley says it was more fun than watching the telly!

Reggie's adjusted to his new home beautifully and is absolutely thriving on the farm. He's very enthusiastic about life and sees no barriers to having only three legs. He's won over Shirley's other cat Sparky who, after a short spate of sulking, decided to welcome Reggie into the family with open paws.

Reggie's living his best life, thanks to the support and kindness of others.