Last September, John and Carol Strack lost their cat, Furby, when they were visiting their son and daughter-in-law in Latigo Trails in Falcon. They never found Furby during that visit. However, based on a tip that Furby had been sighted, the Stracks drove back to Falcon – 700 miles from Idaho Falls, Idaho – this month to keep their hope alive that Furby would be found.It was the Stracks’ second trip to look for Furby.Furby went missing when the Stracks first arrived in Latigo Trails last fall. John Strack got out of the car, and Furby jumped out at the same time and ran away. The Stracks, their relatives and friends searched for Furby, posted flyers and contacted local animal shelters – without success.Carol Strack said Furby is the favorite of several cats the Stracks rescued from euthanasia during the Christmas season several years ago. “I knew I could find homes for them,” Strack said. “But when the time came to give Furby away, we had fallen in love with her, so we kept her.”Furby loves to run her paws through her husband’s beard. “It’s her favorite thing to do,” Strack said.On this trip, the Stracks stayed with Robert and Paula Brightwell, a couple the Stracks met when they posted a notice about Furby on Craig’s List.Paula Brightwell was searching craigslist.com because she found a cat in April that seemed to match Furby’s description. When she saw the Stracks’ notice, she contacted them. Unfortunately, the cat she found is male and Furby is female.”We’ve met some good people here in Falcon,” John Strack said. “The Brightwells let us park our trailer on their property and hooked us up with electricity, too.”Paula Brightwell is especially sensitive to the Stracks’ plight. Seven months ago, she lost her cat, Simba, in New Mexico; somewhere between Las Vegas and Albuquerque. She isn’t sure where because their RV had a flat tire between the two cities, and Simba could have gotten out while the tire was being repaired.”Maybe somebody has my cat and treats my cat well,” Brightwell said. As her voice cracked, she added, “I’m afraid I’ll never see my cat again.”Like the Stracks, the Brightwells have returned to New Mexico, visiting animal rescue facilities, posting flyers between Las Vegas and Albuquerque, running an ad in a local newspaper and even setting out traps on a property where a cat that looks like Simba was sighted. They haven’t had any luck, either.”We’re retired, and we can’t afford to drive to New Mexico every time we get a tip,” Brightwell said.Meanwhile, she is hoping that the stray cat she thought resembled Furby will find his owners.Brightwell took the cat she found to Four Paws Veterinary Clinic because he wouldn’t eat. They force fed him and treated him with antibiotics, and he’s now a healthy cat.He is about 3 to 4 years old, with tufts in his ears, a broad nose, a wide face and big feet – all characteristics of the Maine Coon breed.”He is docile and loves to snuggle and purr,” Brightwell said.She can’t keep him because her own cat takes every opportunity to start a fight. She has to keep the stray cat in a separate room. “That’s no way for a cat to live,” Brightwell said.Anyone who sees a cat that might be Furby should call the Stracks at 208-529-4695. They are offering a reward.Anyone who has lost a neutered male cat that looks like a Maine Coon should call the Brightwells at 719-683-7556.
