Furry companion missing
Since the death of her husband four years ago, Tigger the cat has been a loyal companion and source of comfort to owner Helen Lang.
But now, at a time when the social 85-year-old is most in need of company, the grey tabby is missing.
‘‘This distresses me terribly,’’ Lang said from her New Plymouth retirement villa yesterday.
While most people are sharing their coronavirus lockdown bubbles with loved ones, Lang suffers respiratory issues and so was in strict isolation. Tigger was her only companion.
‘‘I just miss him so much,’’ she said.
The 7-year-old feline, thin in build with distinctive white boots on all paws, has been missing from Fernbrook Rd in Vogeltown since Thursday.
His lengthy disappearance was out of character for the ‘‘nervy’’ cat, but Lang was not giving up hope.
‘‘I wasn’t doing anything and I was getting very weepy about him not being here but I’ve pulled myself together and
I think ‘come on you need to be positive’.’’
Tigger found his way into Lang’s life about six years ago when he jumped in through a family member’s window.
At the time Lang’s husband had not long moved from their home and into a care facility, where he resided until he died in 2016.
Lang quickly grew fond of Tigger, describing him as a ‘‘one person cat’’.
‘‘He was mine. He used to follow me everywhere.’’
Daughter Christine
Shotbolt said
Tigger’s vanishing act had devastated Lang.
It was tough not being able to visit her mother during lockdown or to ‘‘give her a cuddle when she’s upset’’.
The family remained in contact with Lang over the phone and were doing what they could to help bring Tigger home.
They have issued a plea on social media site Neighbourly asking the public to keep an eye out for Tigger.
‘‘I’ve been telling mum that he’ll be back. He’s just being a real little pain in the butt.’’