Please help! Beloved soft toy cat missing...

[StoryOfANewName]

Some time ago I bought a soft toy cat for 50p in a charity shop, and it became my son's most prized and favoured toy. Very stupidly, I never thought to look at its label so as to know its brand etc should I ever need to source a replacement. You can probably see where this is going...

Cat has been lost, and I've no idea how to set about finding another. Reverse image searches of the few photos I have bring back photographs of actual cats, which may explain this toy's popularity with my son (he adores cats).

She was in new-looking condition when I got her so I'm hoping the toy might still have been being made recently and perhaps someone here will recognise it and either have another of the same they're willing to part with (I'll pay, of course!) or know the brand/model name so I can start trawling the internet. (Or, dare I hope someone might have picked up said lost cat in Newcastle upon Tyne?)

Cat is about life-size, very soft, in a lying down position with faint brown tabby stripes, white tummy and paws and fluffier white cheeks. Photos attached!

AIBU to ask for your help?

www.johnlewis.com/mog-the-forgetful-cat-plush-soft-toy/p3331585?sku=237098480&s_ppc=2dx92700054285811454&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3Z-WoIvs6wIVRrTtCh2VxQRkEAQYBCABEgIBwfD_BwE

Is this it?

Unfortunately, I don't have one but the closest looking one I have come across on the Internet is by Keel Toys. Have a Google. Don't think it's quite the right size or colours, but perhaps it would help your son feel a bit better.

Good luck!

She looks a bit like the teddies they sell in Waitrose, I think they are Keel/Keelle/Keele (sp) toys

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363104897023

Looks similar to this Bear Factory one, which could help narrow down the search.

It definitely looks like Mog the cat so that might be a starting point.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Keel-Toys-Signature-25cm-Grey-Tabby-Cat-Kitten-Cuddly-Plush-Soft-Toy-New/264204042395?hash=item3d83c9c09b:g:~BwAAOSw8Ipca8eD

www.shpock.com/en-gb/i/Xm48hk6tWhKxCvfQ/bear

I’m sure it’s a keel too. They come in a smaller and bigger size - DD has several but not a grey tabby. The bigger one is about the size of a real cat - maybe search ‘large keel plush cat’ as that’ll bring up a few to compare?

Thank you all very much! None of these are the same cat but all of them could soften the blow if I don't find another exactly the same.

I bought the cat thinking it looked like Mog, though in fact my son disagreed and named her after a real cat he knows and loves...sob!

I've actually just found it!

It's not Keel Toys, but something about it Keel Toys reminded me about TY so I looked that up too...

It's actually not new at all, but really old and obviously had been kept in great condition.

Here we are: a bit of a markup from 50p!

www.ebay.co.uk/i/274483235767?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=274483235767&targetid=938697917686&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006948&poi=&campaignid=10199419192&mkgroupid=101401895225&rlsatarget=pla-938697917686&abcId=1145983&merchantid=116312711&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5NqPko_s6wIVybvVCh0xrgZNEAYYASABEgJpqfD_BwE

That's great news! Did you buy it?

Honestly I’d buy it now, I’ve seen stuff posted here gone in 2 mins...

Thank you, I have just bought it!

I also got scared someone would buy it, and the only other one I could find was in America for £5 but with £58 shipping!

Thank you all. Really, something about what you posted re: Keel Toys triggered a memory/hunch about the red label I think

Keep an eBay search going OP, and look for a spare! DD is nearly 9 - she tumbled that there were 2 “Dolly”s a few years ago, but but that there are 3! If you do go down this route though, rotate them so there wear and smell the same.

Expert advice there, @BikeRunSki! Thank you!

Well done for finding one, OP! In case you don’t know you can set up an eBay alert so you receive an email when a new listing matching your key words is available. Fingers crossed you’re able to get a spare.

Given the number of lost beloved toys, is there a tagging system? Perhaps a teeny key ring with phone number on?

I hadn't known about the eBay alerts so will set one up now (though need to give my poor bank balance some time to recover!). That's such a good idea about a tagging system - you're definitely onto something there. Perhaps our cat could have a collar with real name tag/number.

@StoryOfANewName, no worries!! I hope you can slip in the new cat easily.

DS’s giraffe once lost a lot of weight when he was “on holiday at Cardiff Services” (last known location), because M&S had changes the filling from beans to fully stuff. They looked exactly the same though.

Obviously you've got one now but that shape of cat was around for a while and was a ty beanie buddy. I couldn't see the buddy bit of the listing you linked so thought I'd add the info for you if it helps? Maybe some have been listed without them knowing the full details like year made?

I've got one that looks identical in shape/size only a different colour and without the longer fluff on the chest and mine was a given to me I think for Christmas '95 and was my most cherished possession for many many years!

Thank you @Lackadaisically! That’s very helpful to know for future searches. Your cat sounds lovely! What colour is it? I think this colour was made 2002-2004, so a little later than yours.

Had a mini heart attack when I clicked the link and saw that it had sold. So glad it was you who had managed to buy it!

Glad you found one! My son would be the same