GUNNR IS FOUND! (Alive and Well)

Gunnr, a Norwegian Forest Cat that had escaped from the Budget Host Motel in the early morning hours June 20th/June 21st, 2010 has been reunited with his owner. After Gunnr’s escape, his owner Charles M. "Mike" Turner began to search for Gunnr. Turner placed numerous ads in the Sheridan Newspaper, passing out fliers, and contacting Sheridan residences in the Fort Road area. Shortly after launching his search Janelle Anderson contacted Mike wanting to help. Janelle was instrumental in Gunnr’s recovery by acting as a local contact. Janelle would respond to sightings and would organize searches on her own.

About three months later a gray cat was seen in the area of the City of Sheridan Wastewater Treatment Facility. Workers there had observed a cat they believed to be Gunnr about a month ago. They would call to him by name and he would stop; but no one could approach him. A live trap was set the night of October 21st, 4 months to the day that Gunnr escaped from the Budget Host Motel.

On the morning of October 22, 2010 Wastewater employees were able to confirm that Gunnr was captured. Gunnr was pretty annoyed, it must be that he had been avoiding capture for the past four months and that he was mad that he had been finally been trapped. He was transported by Animal Control to the Dog and Cat Shelter of Sheridan. Once at the Shelter, Gunnr was seen by the shelter veterinarian. The Staff at the shelter did a wonderful job of tending to Gunnr while he waited for his owner to drive from Big Piney to Sheridan for the Reunion. They even stayed late to facilitate a speedy reunion.

Gunnr has lost about 3 pounds -- a 3rd of his body weight. He has lost most the hair from the plume of the tail he had, but it is expected that it will grow back as soon as Gunnr is back on a healthy diet. Gunnr has a few scars on his nose, but he is as loving and affectionate as he always was and it is expected that he will make a full recovery. Gunnr is resting comfortably in Big Piney with the rest of his family; Bulifwy (Bull Vi), Beowulf and Valkyrie. All of Gunnrs’ companions are Norwegian Forest Cats.

"We want to thank everyone who called, or searched, or followed Gunnr’s “adventure.” It truly is amazing to us of how fast the information got out and how many people were looking for Gunnr. A reward was offered to a representative of the wastewater treatment center. We received the following email back…."

"Mike... well I talked with all the guys from the wastewater plant who helped catch Gunnr and they were thrilled that Gunnr was back with you. I explained there was a reward and we unanimously decided to help out the shelter rather than split it up, most of us own pets and realize what you have went through for the last 4 months and we are just thankful that we could do anything to help out a pet owner in need."

If you ever find yourself separated from your best friend... never, never give up... it won’t be easy but it will be worth it.

Beowulf's Friend is Missing:

In the early morning of June 20th, 2010, Gunnr, a 14 month old Norwegian Forest Cat escaped from the Budget Motel, 2007 North Main Street Sheridan, WY 82801-2541, (307)674-7496.

• 14 Month old, neutered, male Norwegian Forest Cat
• Approximately 10 lbs, gray tabby
• Tattooed in both ears with green ink
• Not wearing his collar

Gunnr has a very thick coat: his color is Silver Gray Tabby with light brown nose and very dark paw pads and mouth. He holds his tail straight up, but it curls over at the top and is very bushy. He is very friendly has had all his shots, but was upset the night he got away and can be very spooky. Gunnr is accustomed to riding in a vehicle and prefers men to women.

Gunnr is younger in the pictures shown, he is bigger now.

BEOWULF IS FOUND! (Alive and Well)

What we know is that on Friday Jan 15th, 2010 a JoAnn Hoff went to her mother's trailer. Her mother is in her eighties and lives in a trailer court in N. Casper on Center Street. JoAnn drives out to her mother’s a couple of times a day to take care of her. JoAnn was aware of Beowulf's situation because of the billboard located on Center Street. She said Beowulf's face was burned into her memory because of that sign. On Friday she noticed a cat in a tree that she believed was Beowulf. She told her boyfriend and her son, Damion BurBack; about it...they both laughed...and said, "no way!" But she finally convinced her son to catch this cat. Damion was able to coax the cat into the trailer with promises of food and after some time they were able to check the ears for the tattoo.....and there it was "59". They knew it was Beowulf!

They tried to call us on the 888 number but did not get a response....this is a voice mail only number and we had just failed to check it that night. It was late. I was sending out more emails... working on the new strategy for searching/advertising for Beowulf when I saw a message about Beowulf from an address I did not recognize.....The message read....”Does your cat have 59 in his ears? If so, then I have your cat.” No hesitation, not I think it is your cat, not it looks like your cat......I have your cat! It was 11:00 PM....I took the computer to my husband, Mike so he could read the message...his response, “You haven't called her yet?" So I called. JoAnn and Damion had taken photos of Beowulf and sent some through the phone, but we could not really make out any detail...Then her son sent several by email and the very and the last one showed a profile of Beowulf's face and we could see the tattoo in that Photo....no doubt it was Beowulf.

By this time it was midnight and my husband and I were scheduled to work the weekend...I started working my way through our schedule and finally Mike stated..."We are getting up early and we are driving to Casper!" I was trying to be practical.

I did not get any sleep...it was way after 3 am before I got off the computer....I started notifying people that we had found Beowulf immediately. We left Gillette at 5AM and we were at the Grandmother's trailer by 8:30 AM. As I walked up to the front door it opened and JoAnn Said, “I think he knows something is up.” I said, “I did not get a wink of sleep." JoAnn responded, "Neither did I." I walked in to the trailer. Beowulf was in the kitchen...He was anxious...but as soon as he saw me...he came to me. He clearly recognized me and nervously walked to me. It was clear...he was ready to come home. We paid the reward to Damion Burback...and thanked them again. JoAnn got a hug from me. We were on our way back to Gillette by 9:30am.

Beowulf had grown a super thick winter coat. One his ancestors would be proud of...his Norse heritage and all. His hair is twice as long as when I last saw him. There is no doubt that this helped him survive. His coat is heavily matted and dirty. In some places it is so bad that it has made bald spots. He put on quite a bit of weight and he has GROWN! (Go figure . . . I did not expect this) He might have some ear mites, and his nose looks blistered...probably from reflection off of the snow. But considering what he has gone through, he looks remarkably well.

Beowulf translates into Bear Wolf...he is pretty gnarly looking like a bear. He is a little subdued, and jumpy . . . to be expected. His appearance suggests that he has been out for some time, but one interesting detail is that the white hair on his tail tip has been cut off...straight...this was done with a blade. Beowulf holds his tail straight up...this white hair waived like a flag and was one of the things I had asked people to watch for...we will probably never know what happened but it is strange. When Beowulf went missing I was so glad that he had been tattooed because it would make it easy for someone to identify him, but the truth is he had changed so much that I was glad he was tattooed so I could identify him! His changed appearance may have delayed his return...I think it is very possible those young boys* did see him in September behind the University Park.....How Beowulf ended up in north Casper is beyond me.

Beowulf is getting used to being around activity again. His brother, Buliwyf, and he are getting reacquainted. Beowulf has a new sister and cousin to get used to....so I am sure there is a little bit of overload going on. I liken it to the movie “Castaway” with Tom Hanks. One minute you are in the middle of the ocean about to die and the next you are back in civilization where much is taken for granted... Beowulf just needs some time....lots of sleep, lots of love and time.

After I got home, I received a text message from JoAnn. That read....”Every time I drove by that billboard and was sad because I knew Beowulf was lost. Today, I drove by that billboard and for the first time was able to smile because I knew Beowulf was safe and with the people who loved him! (How cool is that?) She also told me that her son split the reward money with her and grandmother...so everyone is pleased. A real life story with a happy ending...how cool is that?

I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone in Casper who looked for Beowulf. I very much appreciate your concern for him. During the 4 months and 4 days Beowulf was gone...I had some pretty low days. It was so frustrating not living in Casper and being able to search regularly for him myself. I realized I was going to have to wait for someone there to find him...there were many days of doubt, not that Beowulf had perished, but that someone would not do the "right thing". Every time I started thinking that way...I got a call from someone who offered help; or made a suggestion; or had a sighting. That was enough to pick up my spirits and keep me moving forward and thinking positive. The people who called because that wanted to help were every bit as important as JoAnn and Damion who found Beowulf. Those people, and there were many of them, kept me going....I could not have done it without them. What wonderful people live in Casper...I am so privileged to have meet so many of you. Thank you.

We will keep you updated ….please check back often.

Click on any photo to enlarge

• 16 Month old Norwegian Forest Cat
• 12lbs tanish/orange tabby with white face, chest, belly, four feet and tail tip
• Tattooed in both ears with green ink
• Last seen wearing a loose green figure 8 collar
• In your face affectionate
• Loves to play
• Is a climber
• Trills, purrs and squeaks
• Has chronic bad breath and a dirty nose

Beowulf & his brother, Buliwyf, came to live with my husband and I in Big Piney, Wyoming in October 2009.

We had begun training them to be mascots for our service business. Both cats were harness trained, they would walk on a lead. They were trained not to leave our vehicle because they traveled with us so much. They were being trained to do other behaviors that were unusual for most cats.

There have been approximately 10 sightings in Casper with two areas of concentration.

• Several around Hobby Lobby, both to the North and South
• A number of sightings in the 12th street area.
• UPDATE: Beowulf was found in N. Casper near Center Street

A $500.00 reward is being offered to anyone that provides information or has a sighting that leads to Beowulf's recovery.

If we receive several calls regarding a sighting in the same area...the reward with be evenly divided between the witnesses.

In any case the distribution of the reward remains a my discretion.

UPDATE: Beowulf was found on 01/15/2010!