URGENT UPDATE: Residents of Greater Cleveland, your heartwarming pet stories are needed NOW! Local resident Karen Schnurstein has shared an incredible tale of her cat, Willow, who mysteriously vanished and returned with three names, highlighting the deep bond between pets and their owners.
In an emotional recount, Schnurstein, from Lakewood, Ohio, describes how she fell in love with Willow while browsing the Kalamazoo Animal Rescue website. Despite already owning two cats, Nelly and Tinkerbell, she couldn’t resist adopting Willow. This was in early autumn of 2015, when tragedy struck. Willow disappeared after an incident with a broken window screen.
Over the next year and a half, Schnurstein took desperate measures to find her beloved cat. She plastered flyers around her apartment complex, contacted local veterinarians, and even set traps—only to catch opossums. As seasons changed, hope dwindled, leading Schnurstein to accept that she might never see Willow again.
Then, in February 2017, a phone call changed everything. Schnurstein’s mother informed her that Willow had been found at Kalamazoo Animal Services. The microchip that Schnurstein had forgotten about had finally led to a breakthrough.
Willow had been living with a neighbor who named her Cinnamon due to her winter coat but was ultimately taken to Animal Services for safety. After two months of waiting, she was almost adopted by another family until they discovered her true identity. Thanks to the microchip, Schnurstein was reunited with her long-lost pet.
Upon Willow’s return, Nelly and Tinkerbell greeted her with casual indifference, proving once again that in the world of cats, life goes on. Schnurstein now encourages others who lose pets to consider bringing another animal into their home—not to replace the lost one, but to fill the void left behind.
Do you have a special pet story that can inspire others? Share your experiences with us! Send your anecdotes and photos to Ann Norman at [email protected]. Make sure to include your Greater Cleveland community.
Your stories are a reminder of the joy and connection pets bring into our lives. Don’t wait—reach out today!
