Beverley was asked by Simon of Kelperland  Vets if he would take in a 17 year old cat whose owner, a valued client of his, had died without making any provision for her cat.

Fortunately there was a space so Beverley went to collect her and that is ow DINKY came into our lives.   She was put in a pen in the run of six with a warm igloo, food water and a litter tray and left to settle.   At first she screamed her head off and would not be pacified but gradually she calmed down. When the library became free Beverley decided to transfer her.  She still shouted but enjoyed watching the comings and goings.

On sunny days Beverley puts her in with the Chalet girls (Joules and Violet) so she can enjoy the fresh air.  On the first occasion they could not believe their eyes.  Who was this interloper invading their space?    Dinky, unperturbed, spat at them and marched off to explore, leaving the girls "lost for words”.   It didn’t take long for them to accept her and, apart from the occasional raucous shout from Dinky, peace reigns.

One morning Dinky escaped into the garden.  We were very concerned and searched high and low for her without success.  We needn’t have worried - spot on lunch time (our oldies are fed three small meals a day as it is kinder on their digestive systems) into the kitchen came Dinky shouting her head off for food !

Since then she has been allowed free access to the outside as her in-built food clocks brings her back spot on time for the next meal.   She is an outdoor girl and even sits out there in the heaviest downpours (just like Dilly used to do).    Beverley always towels her dry (amid yells of protest),   Waste of time -  she goes straight out again.

 She suffered from hyper-thyroidism for which she needed medication.  And that was the problem.  You risked  a sharp nip if you tried to put a pill in her mouth and she refused to eat any food which contained even a hint of a crushed up tablet !!

A gel applied to the inside of her ears helped but didn’t solve the problem so it was decided that she should have her thyroid gland removed.   She came through the operation with flying colours and now a monthly long lasting steroid injection keeps her in good health.    Although she is still feisty, and screams a lot, she has calmed down and can sometimes be seen sharing a bowl of food with members of the Bear Cottage gang.  Mostly though they just ignore her – the ultimate compliment !

She has become "famous” !   People who ring up on a regular basis say "Is that Dinky I can hear shouting in the background " ?      

Life with Dinky can be demanding   but it’s  never dull !!