A heartwarming “pet returned after a long absence” story can be hard to resist, and this week gave us one.
Chubbs, the cat, has been missing from his Weymouth, Dorset, home since 2012, according to the story. Reports indicated that Chubbs had previously vanished from his family twice and had a well-deserved reputation as an escape artist. As the weeks became months and eventually years, his third departure appeared to be permanent.
Nevertheless, Chubbs’s family persisted, and her mother, Donna Gallacher, frequently shared updates and images on her Facebook page. Then, in May, Chubbs was discovered.
“It was surreal when I got that phone call,” Gallacher told the Echo. “I didn’t think I was ever going to see him again. I’ve been searching for Chubbs for 10 years.”
Chubbs was found by a hedgehog rescuer (a job title that doesn’t get nearly enough examination in this story) in the small town of Ashton-in-Makerfield, around 260 miles from his home.
According to the BBC, Chubbs was seen wandering slowly and dodging through traffic by the hedgehog rescuer. She caught the unfortunate boy and carried him to a nearby vet rather than allowing him to get hit by a car.
Chubbs was in poor shape. The 15-year-old cat was matted, had difficulty walking, and lacked teeth. But, the veterinary clinic discovered his microchip. The staff was able to reach and inform Gallacher that her lost kitten was found with the help of the chip.
Gallacher said to BBC, “I didn’t know anything until I got this email from the vets, and when I saw Chubbs’ name my heart skipped a beat.”
Since he returned home, Chubbs’s condition, according to Gallacher, has gradually improved. He appears to be moving easily and is putting on weight. When she calls for him, he even recognizes his name and rushes to her aid.
Although we’ll never know what happened to Chubbs during the ten years he was away, we do know what will happen next.
According to Gallacher, ‘He’s happy now, and I’m going to let him live out his older years.
