Miracle as elderly, deaf and blind pet returns to her family after six weeks in cold

Collette Wall, of Harold Road, said that Soxie went missing late on December 27 and over the following days she, along with her husband, Peter, son Kieran, aged 15, and daughter Aoife, aged 13, went from door to door around the village trying to locate her.
After a few days her family began to fear the worst when Soxie did not return home. But, she turned up last Thursday, after being spotted in a distressed condition in the road by a passing van driver, who moved her on to the safety of a nearby driveway and the homeowner contacted Mrs Wall immediately. Soxie was kept over-night at The Veterinary Hospital, Hungerford before she was reunited with her family.
Mrs Wall, who works as a receptionist and administrator for the Newbury Weekly News, said: “I burst into tears when I saw her, I couldn’t believe it,” said Mrs Wall. “I lifted her up and she snuggled straight into me. My daughter was ecstatic, she had really missed her.”
Both the family and the veterinary surgery refused to accept payment for taking care of Soxie, so the Walls made a donation to Newbury Cat’s Protection, which takes in between 15 and 20 stray animals each week.
The family is now appealing for information on Soxie’s whereabouts during the time she was missing, so they can thank anyone who might have taken care of her.
“I thought that, given she’d been gone a month and it has been so cold, she would be in a complete state,” said Mrs Wall.
“She’s definitely thinner, but her coat was in good condition, so I think maybe somebody did care for her. She’s had this little adventure and she can’t tell us. She obviously wasn't far. She could have got locked in someone’s garage. We’re just delighted to have her back.”
To get in touch with Mrs Wall, email reporter

or call (01635) 886639, who will be able to put you in contact.