A Long-Awaited Reunion
A Glasgow family has joyfully reunited with their beloved cat, Kylo, who went missing on Boxing Day seven years ago.
The Disappearance
In December 2017, Kylo, a grey tabby, followed his owner Gavin Hopper outside while he walked his dog in Maryhill Park. Unfortunately, the adventurous cat did not return home, leaving the family heartbroken.
A Surprising Phone Call
Two weeks ago, Gavin and his wife, Frankie, received an unexpected call from a vet located four miles away in Bishopbriggs, announcing that their feline friend had been found alive and well.
Life as “Poppy”
Kylo, who had been mistakenly identified as a female and renamed Poppy, had been living with a kind woman across the city. Now, he has returned home and is settling back into family life.
Years of Searching
Frankie shared that they had searched for months for Kylo, with their dog Harley actively looking for his scent in the park. Even when the family moved to a new house, they asked the new owners to reach out if Kylo ever returned.
The Miraculous Identification
The reunion became possible when the vet scanned Kylo’s microchip during a routine vaccination. Frankie recalled the moment they received the news: “They asked, ‘Do you want your cat?’ and I couldn’t think of anything else in that moment. We were all sobbing.” She added, “Deep down, I did think he was gone, and just to know he was still alive was amazing.”
A Caring New Home
Frankie learned that Kylo had shown up at the woman’s back door, who lovingly took him in. “She thought he was a girl and had been calling him Poppy this whole time,” Frankie explained. She expressed sympathy for the woman who had cared for Kylo and contemplated the difficult decision of bringing him back.
Gratitude Over Anger
“Many people asked if I was angry, wondering why she didn’t take him to a vet, but I can’t even think about that,” Frankie said. “I just think if it wasn’t for her, maybe he wouldn’t have been here, so I’m just really happy that we’ve got him back.”
Adjusting to Home Life
Kylo, now almost eight years old, has happily reacquainted himself with Harley and met the family’s new dog, Tinkerbelle. Frankie mentioned that Harley remembered Kylo and was “happy and excited” to see him return. “She was going crazy, so happy, and acted like nothing had changed,” Frankie said.
A New Indoor Life
Although Kylo was previously an outdoor cat, the family has decided to keep him indoors for now. “He’s grounded forever,” Frankie declared, noting that while Kylo is fit and healthy, he has taken to “sleeping all day” since coming back.