The little bronce cat on John's gravestone...

[Randi]

Thank you, all!

I’m very angry about this, and also dissapointed that anyone could do such a thing.

I went to tell the office at the cemetary about it, the woman there told me that lots of old bronce chains around the old graves has been stolen too, rencently. Also from another cemetary in town. She was sympathetic and we talked for while - I suggested to send a picture of the cat, and she thought that was a good idea, so all the gardeners can see it. I talked to one of them - she was outraged!

However, I don’t think there’s a big change of getting it back, I think that the one who took it, has seen it and then come back with tools to get it off, and I don’t think it’s a child.

I have been in touch with the guy who made the stone and got the cat, he will see if he can get another one - it may take some time, as this one did. Some are not so nice. The one that got stolen was probably designed by a German, he said. I will replace it of course, but not immediately.

Today after my jobinterview, I went to the police to report it, they can’t do anything about it, they didn’t even want a picture, but he wrote a report for me to send to my insurance. They may or may not cover it.

Poor John without his cat!

[Catty1]

Hi, Randi - you know, if this has happened to so many people and at other cemeteries too - maybe the news people should know about it. Then they can do their own interviews with the cemetery staff. And it's the staff or managers that should notify the media too!

If this is widespread, and the news can get out to the public - someone is going to know SOMETHING!

More crimes have been solved by somebody hearing someone else bragging in a bar!

Hmmm....any brass foundries where you live?

[Karen]

I'd call or send a note to every scrap metal place in town, that if they receive this piece, please call you. The price of metals as a commodity has been going up, and because they have been stealing brass chains, I'd almost bet someone took it because it was a nice, heavy piece of brass to add, so he'd get more money.

Just a thought.

[Randi]

Catty1, I can follow your thinking, but the media already know about these problems, and they have written about it earlier - it doesn't seem to help. The kind of people doing things like this are beyond reaching/saving? (can't find the right word). Even the police have given up - not enough resources, they say.

Karen, I honestly don't think that the person who stole the cat will try to sell it because of the price of the metal, it's not very big (see attached!). I believe someone fell in love with cat. It's another "story" with the huge chains - I bet they'll end up being melted.

I did ask the police about this, and that's why I wanted to give them - or the right people, a picture, so they could check IF anyone tried to sell it.

[Catty1]

Hi, Randi - I didn't know the media had reported on this already, sorry!

Pawn shops?

Other than that, if only there was a popular city-wide blog where you are, so you can post a picture...in case someone got it as a 'gift'.

I hope and pray it turns up.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

I just found this thread!

Oh Randi, what a horrible thing to do; stealing an object from a grave... . It is so disgusting, I have no words to express how I feel about this...
I cannot understand how the thief was able to unscrew the cat from the stone... ; maybe next time you can use very strong glue and also screws again (and put glue in the hole for the screw too)

I am so sorry for you, and for John too !!