In Memory of Charlotte
It was Boxing Day some 17 years ago that the call came. The owners had 'had it' with this 'blankety-blank cat that was messing all over the place' and he had to go.
Sensing that time had run out for this unfortunate creature, I went immediately and picked my way across a floor littered with babies, mobile phones and worse. The little cat that was shoved into my hands was no more than a large kitten and 'he' was a 'she' - a fact I didn't bother to share with my new friends. On may way down to the car a particularly sweet child kicked the cat carrier, then danced about in front of my car, pulling faces. And yes - I know it wasn't the child's fault, but I hope some of you will understand when I say that my foot hovered over the accelerator.
The kitten was wearing a horribly tight flea collar and the first thing I did was to cut this off, exposing raw flesh and weeping sores. The kitten scratched obsessively and after a few days I took her to Lynton House as I was seriously concerned that she would damage her eyes with her frantic scratching. This turned out to be one of the more subtle homings, as Charlotte had found a loving and safe harbour which she would never leave.
The dreadful irritation persisted and Charlotte had two visits to the Royal Veterinary College at South Mimms, Hertfordshire. By this time, she was modelling one of the frocks designed to stop her damaging herself and gentleman walking his German Shepherd dog past my car in the car park of the College nearly broke his neck when he saw me adjusting the pink frills on Charlotte's dress.
Extensive tests confirmed that Charlotte was allergic to just about everything, but she wasn't going to let a little thing like that get in her way. She had a surgery to run and a whole adoring public to look after. Charlotte was so much more than a cat - she was a celebrity: a celebrity with an extensive wardrobe!
In her youth she could be seen 'helping' the receptionist make appointments and indeed, she made a few impromptu phone calls of her own. She always enjoyed a fuss but had to make it clear to various vets with vampire tendencies that she wasn't keen on parting with any blood. Charlotte was always very firm with any dogs. Whenever a member of staff needed to bring their dog into Lynton House, Charlotte made it clear that she was the boss and wasn't prepared to take any nonsense - and cat-chasing was very definitely off the agenda.
Everybody at Lynton House will miss this little character, as will numerous clients and friends, but the grief will soften over time and Charlotte will be remembered for all the lovable and entertaining things that she did.
By Heather and also Pat, Lucy and Sabrina at Lynton House