Usually ‘Teddy’ would stay at home while Sofia Catoni and her 18-month-old son go to the local shopping centre but on this particular day, he came along with them to give some extra comfort to little Frankie who had an ear infection.
The trio headed to Whitsunday Plaza, where Sofia was hoping to settle Frankie who had been grizzly and ill all morning.
Eventually the walk soothed the little guy and Sofia decided to return home, tucking Teddy under her son’s arm in the stroller.
When she arrived home, however, she looked down and suddenly realised Teddy was gone!
Panicked, Sofia knew it would be impossible to settle Frankie without his much-loved soft toy who he’d been sleeping alongside since he was four-months old.
But Teddy was more than just Frankie’s comforter, he was also Sofia’s best pal since shortly arriving to Australia from her home country of Argentina.
Their friendship began when Sofia was rushed to hospital for an emergency operation and Teddy was given to her by a dear friend.
For the past few years, Sofia had been sleeping with Teddy by her side and had now given it to her own son.
Realising Teddy was missing that day, meant Sofia was devastated.
She raced back to the shopping centre and asked everywhere, even checking under cars.
Other mums saw her plight and joined the search.
Shopping Centre staff announced it over the loud speaker and a message was posted on social media.
Eventually, after the community rallied around, a message came through Facebook that Teddy had been located.
“I would like to thank everyone who helped,” said Sofia.
“We are new to the area and haven’t made a lot of friends yet, but I really felt the love of the community that day.”
Sofia, Frankie and Teddy
