by Margaret
(Vayrac, France)

It's a hard life!

Hello I'm Esta,

This photograph was taken when we first moved out to France from the UK. We rented a tiny cottage until Mum and Dad found what they wanted.

We now live in an upside down house.

Mum and Dad re homed me in January 2003 as my first Mummy died. She was a breeder of Burmese cats and I was her favourate and last to leave the home. My new Mum and Dad are brilliant and give me so much love and attention (ha ha, got them there!). Mum is especially fond of my kissable tummy which I am proudly displaying in the photo.

In January this year 2009, I was feeling very poorly and Mum and Dad took me to the vet. He is a lovely vet and whispers 'sweet nothings' in my ear in French. It makes my Mum's knees wobble! So I've been diagnosed with Diabetes. Mum and Dad were devastated and many tears where shed especially as the vet wanted to keep me for a few days. The first day I went home I did not eat enough and I was on 3 units of Insulin. I went 'HYPO' but the vet made me better again and I am pleased to say I am trying really hard to eat now. Mum follows me around with my food. I know it's important for me to eat so I'm going to try harder. Mum is very gentle with the injections and now she has to train Dad to do them - I feel for her!

So that's my little story.

I love living in France and we have a balcony where I lounge in the sunshine on my special chair watching the birds in the garden below. No, I don't eat them, is that what I am supposed to do? Ummmmm food for thought there then!!!

Love Esta
x