Win signed copies of the Gruffalo author's new book Tabby McTat plus interview with Julia Donaldson

Hello feline friends, Charlie here, I've given Gemma the day off.

I was well chuffed when Gemma brought home a copy of Julia Donaldson's new book Tabby McTat.

Julia is well-known for her books about the Gruffalo. Gemma was really lucky to grab a quick Cat Chat with Julia.

So, Julia tell me about Tabby McTat?
He's a busker's cat and he accidently gets separated from his owner and thinks he has been abandoned.

Where did you get the idea for the book from?
As a student I went busking in Paris to try and make a living. I write songs and poems. Then I thought 'what about writing a story about a busker whose best friends is a cat?' And it just went from there, plus I love cats - I have two I have two cats. Campsie is the mother cat, and Goblin is her big tough son. When I'm writing they have a habit of walking over my work with their dirty paws!

How did you become an author?
Like I mentioned before I  write songs and I sent a tape of songs to the BBC. They started to use them on children's television programmes. One of my songs, "A Squash and a Squeeze" was made into a book in 1993 and that's when I turned my hand to writing books.

Axel Scheffler illustrates your book - how does that work? Do you tell him your ideas?
No. I write a story and send it to the publisher. Then the publisher sends it to Axel to illustrate and he does a great job, they always turn out better than I imagine them.

Gemma has four signed copies of Tabby McTat to give away. To win answer this question: What is the latin or scientific name for a cat?
Email your answers to catchatwithcharlie@live.co.uk The winners will be announced in the New Year.

Dogs are better than cats? I don't think so...!

I felt compelled to write this blog entry myself this week instead of my gorgeous assistant/owner Gemma. So

I have put claws to keyboard after spotting an article on the Telegraph website with my cat's eyes entitled, "Dogs are better than cats - at least scientifically speaking".

According to researchers, they have found that when it comes to a number of criteria including intelligence, bonding and obedience, dogs narrowly beat their feline adversaries.

I bet my catnip mouse these 'researchers' are dog lovers! Out of 11 categories selected by the magazine New Scientist, dogs won six compared with five for cats. I hardly call that a conclusive result!

Despite cats deemed overall to have a more powerful brain, dogs showed greater ability to understand commands, problem solve and were generally more helpful, it was said. Just because we don't do what you say, doesn't mean we don't understand!

Cats on the other hand had better acute senses, a smaller carbon footprint and their miaowing and purring was considered less intrusive than dogs barking and whining. Not only are we clever, we are doing our bit for climate change!

While dogs were thought to bond better with their owners especially as they appeared to offer unconditional love, cats were more independent and needed less care. This was all down to evolution said the scientists that pointed out that cats were generally loners and dogs pack animals. However the study admitted that despite the dog advantages, cats remained the most popular domestic animals in the world. The top 10 cat owning countries in the world had an estimated 204 million felines, compared the top 10 dog owing countries having fewer than 173 million canines. 

Ha, we will rule the world - cats rule dogs drool! Charlie

Russell Brand wants a passport for cat to visit girlfriend Katy Perry

Russell Brand wants his little kitty, Morrissey, to be able to travel with him to the States to visit his latest squeeze Katy Perry.

Asked whether he had resettled in Hollywood, Russell, 34, said: "I would never do that because the cat lives here, my cat, and someone has got to feed him... You can't just send him the occasional postcard saying things are going well - I've got to look after him."

He continued jokingly: "He hissed at me yesterday. I tried to explain to him but he doesn't understand concepts such as international travel and work. He certainly doesn't understand the concept of a bikini."

The comedian told GMTV: "I am getting him a pet passport which means he can travel around as much as he likes. Unfortunately, they don't do photos. I was really looking forward to that."

Forgetting Sarah Marshall actor Russell has been dating I Kissed A Girl star Katy since September. Yesterday, he was puckering up to presenter Lorraine Kelly under the mistletoe on the GMTV sofa.

He joked of his former womanising: "There was a deep craving within me. I mistook it for lust. I thought I was promiscuous. It turns out I was thorough. 
"I'm happy. It's really nice and relaxing (being in a relationship)."

Russell has previously hinted that he could be ready to tie the knot, saying: "I'd love to marry Katy - hopefully it's heading that way." Today he said on marrying: "I don't know. That would be good. I do want to have children."

Weightwatchers cat in need of owner

A rescue centre in Cambridgeshire is looking for a owner for a cat who could identify with a "food-obsessed" cat on a strict healthy eating plan.

His name is Higgins and when he came to the Block Fen Animal Centre he was bigger than a small dog.

Poor Higgins, I know whats its like to love your food! Garfield, eat your heart out!

Higgins weighed a "massive" 11kg in March but has managed to lose almost a third of its body weight. The RSPCA say that he is still very competitive for food.

He needs a very special new home as he is obsessed with food and will need someone who can commit to helping him towards a healthy lifestyle.

Cattery supervisor Rita Austin added: "He has a long way to go to reach his target weight, but we think Higgins will make the perfect companion, especially to anyone who can identify with the trials and tribulations of weight watching."

Cat survives 3,000-mile trip from Egypt in a container

A cat endured a two week, 3,000-mile sea journey from Egypt to the UK in a shipping container.

The animal is thought to have survived its epic trip from Port Said to Felixstowe, Suffolk, by licking condensation from the inside of the container.

The male cat was only discovered when the container was unloaded by freight handers GMA Freight in Ipswich. Staff then alerted the RSPCA. The cat, nicknamed Pharaoh, is being held for six months' quarantine due to anti-rabies regulations.

Jon Biscoe, of GMA, said: "He was very scrawny. One of my colleagues gave him his sandwich. He ate the meat very quickly. He was very happy to see us."

Send me pictures of your Christmas Cats!

Charlie is calling on all his feline friends to get festive! Next week we are launching Festive Pets across all our titles. But he is looking for Christmas Cats to feature on his blog.

Here he is with housemate Mitzy - Charlie wants to make sure she is looking her best! Charlie wants pictures of all sorts of cats, black, white, big, small - send your festive felines to me and we will feature one each day up until Christmas on Cat Chat. Email your pictures to catchatwithcharlie@live.co.uk.