‘We love you, Elwood': Fans rejoice at return of stolen hospital cat
'It's like you can't stop him. This is what he wants to do.'
On Friday Elwood was sunbaking, strolling around, and enjoying receiving pats and the odd cuddle.
Jacqui Dingle, a nurse unit manager in the Epworth's orthopedics department says her reaction to the reports of a theft were 'is this a made up story? I don't know why anyone would steal a cat'.
'It was a scandal,' Dingle said, of the mood at the hospital.
'Everyone was saying, 'Who could take Elwood? How could they do this'? It was outrage.'
Her message now is: 'We love you Elwood, and we're so glad you're back.'
On stressful days at work, interacting with an animal can bring joy, Dingle said. 'He just brings happiness to everyone.'
Diana Lee, a structural heart coordinator at the hospital, said she was 'happy he's back where he belongs' and says he cheered-up staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Romi Basiri, a prosthesis co-ordinator, said: 'It's a relief that he's back. Because we love him. He's like family to us.'
Similar messages inundated Elwood's Instagram fan account, elwood_security_cat, (a reference to his name tag), which has more than 10,000 followers.
One post said 'so happy he is back home, he saved my emotional well-being for 3 months. I was there for spinal surgery recently. Woo hoo so glad [he] is home.'
Another said: 'OMG I was at the Epworth as a patient and I tell you this gorgeous creature would make you feel so much better by simply coming up to you and putting a smile on your face.
'Cannot believe there are idiots out there trying to rob pets and sell them ... hope this never happens again.'
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