The Facebook community is rallying to help search for a little boy’s lost teddy after it became separated from its family during a visit to a Geelong shopping centre.Ted the Cat – best friend and travel mate of 6-year-old Henry – went missing during a trip to Belmont Village on Saturday, leaving Henry devastated and his dad Phil determined to find him.
“They’ve been together since Henry was born in 2016 and Ted has been loved as much as any pet cat can be,” Phil told Geelong broadcasters.
“He has always been Henry’s comforter and has been his best mate through so much – two siblings, starting school, birthdays, Christmases, parent separation – Henry is a sensitive little guy and has held onto him through it all.
Phil believes Ted was dropped somewhere in the K-Mart/Coles carpark while out to lunch with his mum on Saturday.
“Someone said .. on Facebook that they saw Ted sitting on the bench seat near the TAB so he’d obviously been picked up and put under shelter.
“I went there a few hours later after we realised we couldn’t find him but he wasn’t there, so my hope is he’s been picked up by someone who wants to return him.”
Henry’s adoration for Ted, and his determination to have him with him wherever he goes, is evident in Ted’s well-loved appearance.“He’s had a few repairs along the way, as you might expect,” Phil said, “but he’s a tough little cat.
“Ted has travelled across Australia and to Singapore with him; he’s been on boats, planes, and just about anywhere Henry can take him.
“Over the nearly seven years we’ve had a few close calls where we thought he was lost, but they’ve never been apart for more than one night.”
Anyone who has seen Ted the Cat or knows where he may be can contact Phil on 0409191984.
Images: Henry and Ted on some of their many adventures together (supplied)