A belief in Santa Claus turned into a bit of a Christmas miracle recently for a young Ladner girl.
Dana Kaneko said her six-year-old daughter Sachi had wanted a cat for as long as she could remember.
“Last week I broke down and took my kids to the Delta (Community) Animal Shelter to look at the cats. Oliver, a two-year-old cat that had been surrendered by his previous owner, picked my kids. They were completely in love with him and we took him home the next day.”
She said it was an early Christmas gift for Sachi.
“He sleeps with my daughter every night and puts up with being carried all around the house,” said Kaneko.
She said the cat had only been with the family for four nights when it got spooked and bolted out the door while the kids were leaving for school.
Kaneko posted on the Ladner’s Landing Facebook group and her own personal page, and even went door-to-door looking for Oliver.
“The community lit up with support. It was amazing the amount of people that took the time to search for him,” she said. “I decided as a distraction I would take Sachi to the (Ladner) Rotary Club’s event in Memorial Park. She went and sat on Santa’s knee and asked for two things: the return of her kitty and a spy kit. Santa was absolutely amazing. He told her it was a very tall order but he would try his best.”
Kaneko said Santa also took the time to speak to Sachi about cats and how they have a tendency to come back. Sachi also wrote Santa a note during the event with the same message.
“Well, 1:30 a.m. that morning a very cold, hungry and dirty kitty returned home. It was a Christmas miracle and I have a true believer in Santa on my hands,” said Kaneko.
“We also received Santa’s response to her letter, which was amazing. It was personalized mentioning the happy return of her cat. Only in Ladner would so many people take the time to care this much.”
