Lost 'companion'

[Tiggerstoebeans]

I'm probably asking for a miracle here, but maybe the power of Mumsnet can help.

We recently went to Cyprus and my son (15 today) took his much-loved little teddy mouse that he's had since he was a tiny baby. He doesn't play with it, it's more of a little companion, and travel buddy. I didn't know he'd taken it till I saw it on his bed in the apartment.
On the last day after we'd packed up and vacated the room, I asked him if he had 'mouse'. He frantically checked his case and his backpack, but the mouse wasn't there.

I spoke to reception who were able to contact the maid, and she confirmed that she had thrown it away because 'it looked old' (well loved).
My son tried to track it down, but I explained he couldn't go through the bins as they were full of dirty loo roll!
The further we got from the hotel the more upset my son was, in fact we all were, as mouse held so many memories.
My son struggles with his MH and this has really affected him. He's a massive empath and gets extremely attached to things, I'm the same so I totally get it.

I know we won't get mouse back but I'm hoping someone somewhere may have the same toy they are willing to part with. We would be ever grateful.

About Mouse.

He was about 8-10 inches tall
Cream/beige in colour
Embroidered face (no plastic bits)
Dark brown oval nose
Three whiskers on each side of his face
the Inner ears were green spotty as was his chest
He was soft velour with floppy hands and feet
Lopsided embroidered smile
He didn't wear clothes.

I've attached a photo which I appreciate isn't the best. Here's hoping.

Have you tried google search using the image? It might be possible to buy one.

@Lexy2345 I've tried absolutely everywhere. I think it's about 15 years old so was hoping someone might have one in the loft or somewhere.

https://www.littlebluecup.org/

This organisation might be able to help you.

Do you recall where you bought it and have anymore details? I’m having a chat with ChatGPT for you, but a few more details would help.

Does this description ring a bell?
The item in the image is a vintage 2011 plush mouse from Sainsbury's. It is roughly 8 inches long, featuring a cream-colored body, an embroidered face with whiskers, round ears with polka dot accents, and a distinctive green spotty chest area.

Are you sure he wants a replacement?
I sympathise because my DDs(24 & 20) have their teds who have been with them all of their lives.
But I know that Puddin and BedTed would be irreplaceable.
new ones would never be the same or have the original battle scars and baldness that they had endured.

@Itsasecretnow exactly!

@drivinmecrazy I think he would. He has had a look with me online but just says that nothing I have chosen is the right fit. He knows it will be lacking the love and filth of the past 15 years haha.
I can only assume the maid didn't have children as I can't begin to imagine finding a toy and throwing it way!

It’s the Sainsbury’s one? Unfortunately I used up my free chat time on ChatGPT before I could add the Sainsbury’s detail, which I got from Google ai. However it says that it rarely comes up for sale on second hand sites. It also brought up what I assume is your post on your local facebook group! So maybe someone on there, or any other parenting portal/site you might use. Parents that might have children your age so might’ve bought the same one and is willing to give it a new home? Good luck! I know how upset we’d be if my dc’s 31 year old ted was ever to go missing! It’s pretty much like a member of the family and frequently goes between their house and mine for “holidays” so I know how attached anyone of any age can still be to that one special toy that they’ve had since birth! 🥰

Am gutted for your son OP! Who the hell throws other people’s possessions away!? It must’ve been obvious it was a much loved item.

how handy are you with your needle? It shouldn’t be too difficult to find a pattern similar to that and make it from cream velour. Then embroider the detail on.

I can’t believe she threw it away! I would have gone mental!

Have you tried vinted?

This might be a stupid idea but what about buying him a Jellycat parmesan cheese?

It’s something associated with a mouse but not a mouse- if you know what I mean.

His Mouse is irreplaceable but a Jellycat cheese is something with a vague connection. Therein lies the continuity if you can’t find a true replacement.

Good luck!

What on earth possessed the maid to throw it away. "Looking old" is irrelevant. It's not like it was a crumpled up tissue, it was obviously an actual possession! Does she also throw away people's flip flops and T shirts because they look old.

@Itsasecretnow Thank you so much. It came from Sainsburys, around the end of 2011. It was from a nursery collection called something like Woodland Pals or Forest Friends.

@ginasevern I know. I can only assume she doesn't have kids!

@Norugratsatall that's my next step. I'm not great but given that the old mouse loked like he was auditioning for the part of Frankenstein's Monster, it might go as planed 😂

Not that I’m overly invested or anything 😆 but after running out of free gpt yday I’ve just gone back on and added the Sainsbury’s description of possible toy, so you never know!!
I could just imagine how we’d feel if our stuffed family member ever went missing! (Yes, we are all fully functioning adults, honest guv! 😂)

I’m going to go the opposite direction here and say maybe take it as a sign that it’s time for him to grow up a little and use it as a opportunity for him to learn to accept loss and change. Time to move on.

@Tiggerstoebeans so this is what we have so far 😂 hopefully ChatGPT will keep a search going and you never know! It’s very focused on the green spotty fabric 🐭
I think I tend to not want to be beaten when it comes to things like this, so I think I’m now just nope, it’s not gonna get the better of me 🤣

How about the people who make memory bears frOm clothes? If you got the fabric could they?

Mad answer, but a very typical mn answer, and really a little irrelevant to what the op asked 😂I’m pretty certain that a sentimental toy in the background of life isn’t going to stop him - or anyone else - growing up (that’s incredibly rude and patronising to say, btw) or imply that they can’t cope with “change and loss”, simply because of this. Also, remember, all kids are different, they’re not all robot clones, or, equally, sucking on the ear of a tattered teddy bear in their 40s still. Mine has one they’ve had 30+ years now, but is also a fully functional and very successful adult, who doesn’t need to “grow up” just because they still own something that’s always been there 🤷🏼‍♀️

Surely people working in hotels where there are kids must encounter toys on a daily basis? Who on earth throws them out? I haven’t got kids but I had a toy I took everywhere and know they have meaning.
I hope someone has one somewhere for you.

That was awful of the maid to do that, it's your belonging!