‘We love you, Elwood': Fans rejoice at return of stolen hospital cat
'It's like you can't stop him. This is what he wants to do.'
On Friday Elwood was sunbaking, strolling around, and enjoying receiving pats and the odd cuddle.
Jacqui Dingle, a nurse unit manager in the Epworth's orthopedics department says her reaction to the reports of a theft were 'is this a made up story? I don't know why anyone would steal a cat'.
'It was a scandal,' Dingle said, of the mood at the hospital.
'Everyone was saying, 'Who could take Elwood? How could they do this'? It was outrage.'
Her message now is: 'We love you Elwood, and we're so glad you're back.'
On stressful days at work, interacting with an animal can bring joy, Dingle said. 'He just brings happiness to everyone.'
Diana Lee, a structural heart coordinator at the hospital, said she was 'happy he's back where he belongs' and says he cheered-up staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Romi Basiri, a prosthesis co-ordinator, said: 'It's a relief that he's back. Because we love him. He's like family to us.'
Similar messages inundated Elwood's Instagram fan account, elwood_security_cat, (a reference to his name tag), which has more than 10,000 followers.
One post said 'so happy he is back home, he saved my emotional well-being for 3 months. I was there for spinal surgery recently. Woo hoo so glad [he] is home.'
Another said: 'OMG I was at the Epworth as a patient and I tell you this gorgeous creature would make you feel so much better by simply coming up to you and putting a smile on your face.
'Cannot believe there are idiots out there trying to rob pets and sell them ... hope this never happens again.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
6 hours ago
- Perth Now
Danielle Lloyd in second skin cancer scare
Danielle Lloyd has undergone surgery amid another skin cancer scare. The 41-year-old model had a mole removed from her collarbone earlier this year after being diagnosed with melanoma and she now faces a lengthy wait for results after having a changing blemish removed from her torso in order to be sent for a biopsy. Showing the mole in a video she shared to Instagram, Danielle said: "It only looks small but it's definitely changed in colour and size." The former Miss Great Britain was nervous ahead of the procedure. She admitted: "I was a little bit apprehensive when I was waiting but then I was absolutely fine going in." Despite the situation, Danielle was able to find some amusement in the situation. Showing off the markings on her body ahead of the surgery, she said: "I had to laugh because it looked like they'd drawn the evil eye on my belly." Danielle then revealed the scar she'd been left with after the mole was removed. She said: "When I got home I was a little bit sore and a little bit swollen but overall I'm just looking forward to getting some positive results." She then urged her followers to "know the signs and protect yourself from the sun." Danielle - who has Archie, 14, George, 13, and Harry, 11, with ex-husband Jamie O'Hara, as well as Ronnie, seven, and Autumn, three, with Michael O'Neill - now faces a lengthy wait for the biopsy results. She captioned the video: "Trigger Warning "Today I had another surgery to remove another mole — this time on my stomach. "We're hoping it's just a precaution, but I'll be waiting 8–10 weeks for results. "Please don't ignore any changes to your skin. I never thought this would happen to me… until it did. Early detection saves lives — skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early. "If something doesn't look or feel right, see a doctor. Protect your skin: Use high SPF. Cover up. Say no to sunbeds. Look after yourself and those around you. #SkinCancerAwareness #Melanoma #StaySafeInTheSun #GetChecked #SunSafety #protectyourskin.(sic)" Two months after her diagnosis, Danielle admitted it had changed her "outlook on life". Filming herself before getting a spray tan, Danielle said on Instagram: "I used to be a total sun worshiper, never really thinking about the risk of skin cancer. Sunbeds before holidays? Absolutely! "But now, I've decided it's better to fake the glow because my health and being there for my kids are what truly matter. I'm still waiting on the results from my second operation, but I'm keeping my spirits up and pledging to keep my skin safe from those pesky UV rays in the future!"
Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Perth Now
TV presenter admits to eating sister-in-law's placenta
Jess Roberts has admitted to a squeamish confession on the podcast she hosts with best friend Bec Judd. The co-host of Vain-ish on Wednesday admitted to frying and eating her sister-in-law's placenta, an admission that might leave some people squirming in their seats. The TV presenter and influencer with more than 42,000 followers on Instagram said she ate it after having her own placenta dried and put into capsules. 'It was actually my sister-in-law's. And even though I've had the dried, you know, the capsules. My sister-in-law gave birth to my little nephew. She wanted to cook it and have it in a different kind of form,' she told Judd. 'Anyway, they chopped it up. They put it in the wok. They put herbs and spices in it. Heaps and spices…garlic, everything!' According to Mayo Clinic, some people believe that eating a mother's placenta can prevent postpartum depression; ease bleeding after delivery; promote a healthy hormone balance in the body; improve mood, energy and milk supply; and provide important nutrients, such as iron. However, there's no evidence that eating the placenta has health benefits and can, in fact, be harmful. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Association actually advises expectant mothers to be aware of the potential risks associated with placenta consumption. The TGA warned that eating another person's placenta may increase those risks. 'Human placenta is a biological material and is capable of containing and transmitting infectious agents, including bacteria and viruses,' the TGA website stated. 'In addition, preparation may inadvertently introduce infectious agents. 'The risk of transmission may be even greater if your placenta is ingested by another person or you ingest another person's placenta.' Last week, the besties made headlines after each revealing their incredible near-death story on live radio. Judd revealed the scary moment her parachute failed to open while skydiving on a date with her husband Chris Judd in Perth. She said she free-fell 'almost all the way to the ground' before an emergency parachute could be activated. 'We secretly went and did a skydive together in Perth when he was playing for West Coast and my parachute didn't open,' she told SAFM Breakfast with Bernie and Emma G. Roberts' unbelievably true story was when her child was almost abducted from a car in Naples a decade ago.
7NEWS
16 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Chikungunya virus ripping through China prompts COVID-style quarantine response
A mosquito-borne virus spreading in parts of southeast China is triggering a COVID-style response there. Cases of the mosquito-borne virus chikungunya have spiked to more than 10,000 in the country, with more than 7000 of those reported in Foshun, in the southeast Guangdong Province. People who contract the virus in Foshun are being quarantined in hospital for a week, or until they test negative for chikungunya. Sanitation workers have also been seen spraying insecticide through outbreak areas and cleaning up green spaces in the Guangdong Province. 'If you have chikungunya, it is important to avoid mosquito bites while you have a fever ... because you could pass the infection on to the mosquito, which can then spread the virus to other people,' according to Health Direct. Chikungunya symptoms 'can be very similar to dengue fever' and the two viruses are also carried by the same type of mosquitoes, according to the NT Government. Fever, joint pain, nausea, fatigue and rashes are the most common symptoms of chikungunya virus — but, in rare cases, life-threatening complications of the brain and heart can develop. Most symptoms of the virus generally disappear within two weeks, however joint pain has reportedly persisted in some patients for years after they have contracted the virus. The virus is more serious for newborn babies, people older than 65, and people with a high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart conditions, according to Health Direct. The virus is not endemic in Australia but there is the potential for it to exist 'There have been no locally acquired cases, though mosquitoes capable of spreading the virus are present in some areas of Queensland,' according to the Australian Department of Health. 'Travellers can become infected with the chikungunya virus if travelling to a region of the world where chikungunya is found.' In the US, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention is advising travellers to wear long clothing and insect repellant, and to vaccinate against the virus if heading to outbreak areas. But there is no approved vaccine to prevent against chikungunya in Australia, according to Health Direct. Last year, there were 200 travel-related cases of chikungunya in the US. — With NBC
