Many tears have flowed for Fluffy, who is away without leave, and her absence is heartbreaking for Wanganui owner Sarah Mars.
The teddy bear named Fluffy went missing on Tuesday around 9.30pm, Miss Mars thinks, from a seat in Victoria Ave outside Angora Cafe Restaurant.
Miss Mars was moving flat,and for safekeeping she wrapped Fluffy in a pink baby blanket and placed it in a "Bras and Things" black-and-white plastic bag.
When she left Angora, where she is a waitress, she sat on the seat waiting for a ride home and believes she left the bag containing her precious childhood bear behind. "I just hope that whoever picked it up did not think it was something that had no value and threw it away," she said.
Fluffy is no ordinary bear, though the name belies her physical condition. She has had all her fluff loved off her over the 20 years Miss Mars has owned her.
The special bear was given to Miss Mars by family friends Carol and John on the day she was born.
Family photos over the years are testament to the importance of Fluffy - asleep on the little girl's pillow; as important as the first day dressed in her St Mary's Primary School uniform; on Christmas Day; watching television with Miss Mars and brother Ruben; and in the basket of her bicycle.
And there's the smell of the little bear, which Miss Mars says makes Fluffy special and has given her constant comfort. "She smells like me - no smoking, no perfumes, no other smells."
Even washing powder could not override Fluffy's smell.
There have been times in the life of Fluffy and Miss Mars that have caused her mum angst. Fluffy was in the washing machine when Miss Mars asked where her bear was. "She opened the machine to see Fluffy being agitated in the wash, and other times I had to dry her quickly so she would not see her hanging by an ear from the line," Mrs Mars said. But this is no laughing matter for the young woman who is bereft at her loss, enough for friends to call the Chronicle to ask if we could help reunite Miss Mars with Fluffy.
A reward is offered for Fluffy's return. Please call Merania on 349 0710 extension 50940.
