ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 5, 1996 TAG: 9601050030
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: PINEHURST, N.C.
SOURCE: By PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
Sammy, a 6-year-old cat whose owner thought he was lost in Virginia, made his way back to Pinehurst, N.C., on his own.
Donna Palermo now believes the 18-pound black and white cat slipped out of her car at a stop about eight miles from her and Michael Palermo's condo in Pinehurst. They were on their way to their home in Toronto, Canada, last month when she realized Sammy was missing.
She initially thought Sammy had slipped out of the car during a stop along Interstate 77, and posted offers of a $2,000 reward to anyone who found him. She also contacted sheriff's offices and state police in Wythe and Bland counties about the missing cat.
"I still can't believe it. It was 17 days that we hadn't seen him," she said. "He was a little ragged, but he's better now."
"We didn't find him. He found us," said Michael Palermo, who returned to their condo a week ago and was unlocking the door when he heard a familiar meow from under the porch.
"He's great. I mean, he looked a little haggard, but he's good right now," he said.
Donna Palermo, who works as a registered nurse, got Sammy a year and a half ago from a terminally ill patient whose last wish was that Palermo take care of the cat.
Donna Palermo left Thursday to return to Toronto. Sammy accompanied her, but would not be disappearing under the back seat or anyplace else, she said.
"Got a cage this time."
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB