We now know what nightmares are made of.
Early Sunday evening, around 7:30, our Sierra was taken from our front porch.
For ten years, she has sat out there, after dinner, on the warm nights enjoying her time on her red bench.
I was out and the retired guy was home.
I returned at 7:45 and she was not on the porch.
Our nightmare began.
Our neighbour told us that she saw a white car stop in front of our home, a woman got out and picked up Sierra. She spoke to a younger woman in the car and then handed the cat to her. They then quickly drove off.
Our neighbour tried to memorize the licence plate and got all of it but one letter.
We notified the police and with their wonderful assistance we began the heart-wrenching search.
As you can well imagine, I was hysterical.
Who were they and where was my Sierra?
I can't even describe what was going through my mind.
We were told by locals of a mother/daughter team that were known in the past for trapping and selling cats. The police were very much aware of them and put most of their time and energy on the area where these people lived.
With the help of so many people, our plea went viral and was on every search site.
My daughter-in-law posted it on a site that drew in thousands.
Last night, as we walked around trying to think of what to do next, our cell-phone rang.
"I have your cat, the woman said."
Gary asked her a few questions and she said she was on a site on her computer and saw the posting where the police were looking for her car.
She said, "I do have your cat but I think this was just a mistake on my part. I drove by your house and saw your cat and thought it was one that I had lost 4 months ago. It looked identical. So, I picked the cat up and my daughter and I took it home.
So, now that I know it's not my cat I will return it.
I will be there in a few minutes."
We did not phone the police because we did not want a cop car sitting near our home when she arrived for fear she would just keep driving.
She arrived, stepped out of the car and I grabbed Sierra from her arms.
I wanted to slug her.
She had pictures of her lost cat and apologized for the mistake.
I put Sierra in the house and then returned to tell her what I thought of her.
She seemed oblivious to the nightmare she had caused.
She kept saying "It was just a stupid mistake on my part."
We got all the information on her we could and then notified the police.
The police feel it was a mistake of identity and that she handled it very badly.
They know her now and she will not ever set foot on our property again.
It was a coincidence that she drove a white car and was with her daughter when she stole our cat. Her car was new where the team of cat-nappers car is older.
She also lives in a different part of our town.
But, saying all that, I don't trust her.
Changes will have to be made now for Sierra.
She will never be allowed on our porch alone again.
When I brought her in she was confused, growling and grooming excessively.
It took time to calm her down.
Some food and being with the retired-guy again has settled her down and she is now back to herself.
I took this photo last night around midnight.
I am so thankful for all our family, friends and their friends who shared our plea for the safe return of our cat,
Sierra. She is our family and we have loved her for 10 years. I am still so angry from this 25 hour, horrid experience but so very happy to have her home with us again.
We have changes to make and I am asking anyone reading this to please supervise your cats and dogs when outside your home, even in your own front yard. They are a target for thoughtless, stupid people and we need to protect them.
hugs, Deb
