Charlotte, Chicken Superstar

As you may or may not recall, last year I took Charlotte the hen into Cornwall to get her photo taken with Santa. This is an annual event in aid of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry OSPCA, our local animal shelter.

This year, we did it again!

Santa remembered Charlotte. Of course, Santa remembers all the good little girls and boys!

Charlotte was extremely popular. Our friend Christina, a volunteer at the shelter, was happy to give Charlotte lots of tender loving attention...

Christina's quite the hen-handler!

As is...

...Mai Habib, a local journalist and broadcaster. Yes, Charlotte had a brush with fame!  She was very happy to be held by Mai. And when Charlotte decided that it was time to poop, she considerately aimed away from Mai's coat, sparing me untold embarrassment.

Three happy chicks!

The staff of the Pet Valu store on Brookdale Avenue in Cornwall kindly gave me a lovely holiday bandanna for Charlotte to wear! They also generously provide a nice space for this annual event.

Christina lives around the corner from us with her parents roommates. We went to visit her and her miniature horses this weekend.  Photos of that outing (and a fashion show by her beagle Yagger) to follow soon! Christina does great work for the shelter and always has a smile on her face.  Charlotte loves her.

As you can see, Miz Charlotte was the feathered calm in the midst of chaos. She is comfortable around dogs and didn't bat an eyelash (do chickens have eyelashes?) at all the canine commotion.

Does she not look splendid in her party clothes?

Christina dressed for the occasion too. I made her turn on her Christmas-light necklace for me. I now have bulb-envy.

Our Charlotte is now 3-1/2 years old but still pumps out tasty brown-shelled tasty eggs. She's quite the coop hottie, and the roosters' enthusiasm for her shows in her worn back feathers. Time for me to get out the chicken saddle again!

After an hour or so, Charlotte's annual public appearance drew to a close.

 For a minute, I thought she was going to lay an egg in there.

I'm not sure what the next cat to use that crate will think... "For some reason, I'm craving catnip omelette!"

If you want to give a holiday donation to our shelter, just click here and designate the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry branch as recipient

Someone from the shelter suggested I look into turning Charlotte into a therapy chicken. No kidding, they exist! I would love to do this and am making enquiries.  She loves attention, makes people smile, and is always calm, cool and collected. Sounds to me like she has the makings of a perfect certified therapy chicken. Plus she rocks a bandanna. I'll keep you posted.