MARJORIE LANDERS REPORTS:

Bootsie Almost Came Home…

My sweet cat, Bootsie, went missing on the evening of Nov. 2. That night I walked the local streets calling her name, knowing that she always came when I called her.  Every day since, I’ve walked more streets, hung posters, told the post office, the vets, and SPCA. Many businesses were kind enough to post her picture. The Freeman’s Journal posted on line.

I received many leads over the past few weeks and I was grateful for those. But still no Bootsie.

On Dec. 2, I received a call regarding Bootsie.  On Monday, Nov. 9, one week after Bootsie’s disappearance, Bonita Gibb, a Bassett employee, was driving home from work when she witnessed a cat get hit by a car near the corner of Chestnut Street and Glen Avenue (Route 28).  She stopped to help. The cat was badly injured but still alive.

She called the police, and while she and the police officer who responded tried to reach a vet to attend the injured feline, the cat died. Bonita and the policeman did not want to leave the poor animal on the roadside, so Bonita offered kindly to take the cat to her home and bury it.

A few weeks later Bonita saw my poster at Mel’s Restaurant, and called me. “I recognized the cat to be the little one I buried” she said. “I’m sorry, I believe it was your Bootsie.” Bootsie almost made it to her home on Glen Avenue.

I would like to thank Bonita Gibb and the Cooperstown policeman for their kindness. I would also like to thank the many people who called with tips to find Bootsie. I will always be grateful for the concern and compassion of all in the Village of Cooperstown, where people genuinely care what happens in your life and reach out to help and share your sorrow.

Thank you all.

MARJORIE LANDERS

Cooperstown