Pjevs had a close call earlier this year. Something went wrong with his support structure on the farm....he was banished from the feeding area by the Big Nasty Farm Cat. Eva found him more than half starved and badly injured: a front paw was not working at all. The injury had prevented him from catching mice, making his problems much worse. He could not feed himself and his enemy prevented him from feeding at the farm.

It seemed the end for the joy-bringing cat. The vet said one entire limb was atrophied and the best option was to euthanize him. Eva insisted no. Pjevs came home to begin his recovery. He was gimpy, sore and troubled, but still his old affectionate self, broadcasting a joy in living which has always had an uplifting effect on those around him, be they human or feline.

Because Eva paid for his treatment Pjevs was now our cat. So when I met him again on my return from France we were no longer just friends: we were family. His troubles have aged the joy-bringer cat. He seems well on in life. But his injured paw is much improved. Though it will never be 100%, it is good enough and will not prevent any of his activities.

Pjevs is jealous of the kittens and needs constant reassurance. His place with us has greatest value for him: and strange that he knew what our relationship would be from his first sight of us. He must be Number One Cat. Assured of this rank, his tail is always up. He and his constant companion, his younger brother César, will make the journey that Little Grey and Matalike made, and move to the Pyrenees to sit in the mountain garden there. His troubles are over. He can protect me and fling his joy about, and I will try to do the same for him.