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She came for the first time two years agoShe listens to the word “after work”! Lotti the cat lives in the hardware store
Lotti the cat roams the aisles of the hardware store during the day.
picture alliance/dpa | Marcus Brandt
This is their kingdom!
Anyone who goes to the hardware store in Plön, Schleswig-Holstein, will find a cat among the drills and paint. She has been living there for two years and is winning the hearts of customers and employees.
First she only came to the farm, then to the market
The cat lady Lotti came for the first time about two years ago, says Jennifer Scheel, an employee at the store and affectionately known as “cat mom” by her colleagues. At first Lotti just wandered around the yard and dozed in the sun.
Lotti has been in the market every day since last summer and wanders through the aisles – past screws, potting soil and light bulbs – and let the market employees pamper you with treats. However, the 18-year-old cat is most often found sitting on a blanket between the shelves. Her food bowl is also here.
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With blanket and cuddly teddy! Lotti has her own hut on the farm
Sometimes the cat lady also walks to the gas station around the corner. The employees there are always happy about your visit. “Suddenly Lotti appeared, came in here and lay down,” says Bodo Bucherer, an employee at the gas station. Since then, the cat has come and gone as it pleases.
Lotti sleeps in a small wooden hut in the yard of the hardware store. The hardware store employees, together with customers, lovingly prepared it for the cat – including a blanket and cuddly teddy as well as insulation for cold nights. The cat can't sleep in the market, says Michael Schröder, deputy market manager. That doesn't work because of the alarm systems.
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Unique! Hardware store with a “cozy atmosphere”
Lotti comes from the neighborhood, says Scheel. She chose the market as her home – just like cats do. Customers' reactions to the animal are very positive. The animal is like a “decelerator” and creates a kind of “cuddly atmosphere,” says Scheel.
Only once did a customer try to pet Lotti, whereupon she ran her paw through his face. “Lotti doesn’t let everything get to her and likes to show her claws when it gets too much for her,” says Scheel. “Otherwise she is very quiet and reserved, likes to lie around, doze and explore the market.” Many customers were happy about the animal and also asked about her, says Scheel. Pec Arsen is a regular customer in the market. “I always go and say hello to her when I come. I think it's nice – you can't find that in every hardware store”he says.
Lotti the cat listens to the word “after work”
A sign in the entrance area points to Lotti the cat in the hardware store.
picture alliance/dpa | Marcus Brandt
At the entrance to the market there is a sign pointing to the cat. Allergy sufferers can borrow a mask there for free, says Scheel. During the week, the market employees all look after Lotti together. At the weekend, colleagues coordinate so that Lotti is well looked after every day.
However, when the market closes, Lotti also says “it’s time for work!”. An employee taught her the word, says Scheel. When she hears it, she knows it's time to go. (dpa/vho)
Source used: DPA
