Missing Massachusetts Stuffed Animal Carrying Ashes Mysteriously Returned

Just a few weeks ago we shared the story of Mary Mellinger Kirk, a Massachusetts woman who accidentally donated a stuffed animal containing the ashes of her father.

We are happy to hear that, after a long search, the cat, named Cheshire, has been returned.

Kirk was desperate to find the cuddly cat, which had been a treasured part of the family for more than 20 years. It became special the day her father gifted it to her 1-year-old son, Paul, now 22 -- and then even more special after a vial of her father's ashes was placed inside the cat following his 2018 death.

Hundreds of thousands of people across the country learned of the lost item online, many via a Fun 107 story and Kirk's Facebook post, and no one raised their hand to say they had it.

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Then, this past week, Kirk received a package without a return address. Cheshire was inside.

"I didn't want to give up hope, but as time was moving away from that donate date, I thought I wasn't getting it back," Kirk told Fun 107. "I didn't want to delete the story from my timeline, just in case."

Kirk, an Agawam resident, was cautious at first. She had to verify that the cat in the package was, indeed, the one she donated.

"I opened it and I thought someone was sending me one as a replacement, as many had offered," she said. "He was dirtier than last seen, but he had the meow box on his arm, so I took scissors and poked a hole in his neck for me to stick a finger in and feel. I felt the vial and then found the serial number and pulled it out."

Yes, the stuffed animal has a serial number.

In an April 13 Facebook post, Kirk wrote, "Cheshire is home!"

She also thanked the mystery person who sent Cheshire back to her, asking them to send her a private message. She promised not to release their identity if they want to remain anonymous.

So, at last, this important stuffed animal with very important contents has been returned to its rightful place. Kirk is in awe and disbelief.

I'm pretty sure this is just the kind of joy and happy ending we all wanted for this peculiar story.