Thankyou everyone for replying to my questions about a new 14 week old kitten. He is doing much better - lies on our bed instead of under it, and my wrists are full of scratch marks from his playing. He still will not easily come to us and hop on our laps - but will come purring when it is feeding time and stand still for us to stroke him (he purrs like a tractor then!) - so it seems asif he will be okay. Our 3 daughters also spend time with him each day. He will sleep on our bed with us at night - slightly seperate from us. Am I right in thinking that abbys are not lap-cats, but active critters who would follow you around rather - they have quite an independent streak...