Desperate search as cat who saved life of pensioner disappears
He saved her life two years ago, and has been a loyal friend ever since.
But now Stanley the cat has gone missing, leaving 92-year-old Olive Rodgers devastated.
Stanley, 11, visits Olive every day, leaving his home in Wheatstone Road, Southsea, and making the journey to see her a few doors away.
His owner Patricia Pemberton-James picks him up at about 6pm each day.
One day in January 2008 when Mrs Pemberton-Jones went to collect him she heard Stanley miaowing loudly because Olive had fallen on the floor and hit her head.
The cat had stayed by her side, and Mrs Pemberton-James called an ambulance.
Olive had gone into a state of hypothermia, and could have died if she had not been found sooner. She was released from hospital two days later, after being treated for cuts and bruises and having stitches in her head.
Since then Stanley has remained a loyal companion to the elderly woman, keeping her company throughout the day, every day.
'He always sat on my lap, he never wanted to go. I used to read and he would fall asleep, or we would watch television together,' said Olive. 'I am very sad. I have cried so many tears I have none left. I loved him. When I fell over he saved my life, he was so clever.'
Speaking about the last time that she saw Stanley, she said: 'I saw him on Saturday night and he went home. I waited for him on Sunday morning but he never came.
'I don't know what happened to him. I miss him so much, I don't know what to do with myself. I do nothing but look out of the window, wondering where he is. I have asked all the people that come to my door if they have seen him; bin men, removal men.
'I can't do any more, I can't walk about and look for him because I am not safe on my legs.'
Stanley was last seen on Sunday, August 29. Owner Patricia has put up posters in the hope that someone might have seen him, but to no avail.
Despite this Patricia, 60, remains hopeful that the beloved cat is still alive. She said: 'He loves company and attention so I would guess someone has picked him up.
'I have contacted all the shelters and put up posters and, to put it crudely, no bodies have been found, which leads me to think he is still alive. He spends his days with Olive and comes home at bedtime.'
If anyone knows where Stanley is contact The News on (023) 9262 2540.
BRAVERY AWARD
Stanley the cat was awarded a bravery medal for helping Olive when she fell unconscious.
The black moggy alerted owner Patricia Pemberton-James that her neighbour, Olive Rodgers, was on the floor.
Members of the religious group Ching Hai International read the story and visited Stanley and Patricia at their Southsea home to give him the award.
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