Ann Arbor store Downtown Home and Garden still searching for Lewis the cat
(Update 7:17 p.m.: Lewis the cat is returned safely to Downtown Home and Garden)
Downtown Home and Garden’s favorite feline, Lewis the cat, is still reported missing from the century-old shop on South Ashley Street in Ann Arbor.
The 15-year old, 15-pound orange tabby went missing from the store last week, where he’s lived for about 12 years.
Lewis the cat has gone missing from Downtown Home & Garden.
Photo courtesy of Downtown Home and Garden
Since posting fliers for Lewis around town and sending out communications through social media websites like Facebook and Twitter, storeowner Mark Hodesh has received several calls from people believed to have spotted the cat.
This morning, Hodesh was alerted that Lewis was spotted in the Old Fourth Ward - just north of downtown and east of Kerrytown - and he is asking residents in the area to be on the lookout.
Since living in the store for over a decade, Lewis has become a staple of Ann Arbor’s Downtown Home and Garden. Hodesh said many customers come to the shop specifically to visit with the cat.
“Lewis has regular visitors,” he said. “He means a lot to a lot of customers.”
The shop is asking that if you’ve seen Lewis, call (734) 662-8122.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
djm12652
Thu, Aug 4, 2011 : 7:27 a.m.
Phew..glad Lewis made it home...I had a gut feeling that my Dottie may have hired a couple of thugs to pull off a daring catnapping! But my quandry would have been, if it had been my Chihuahua calling the shots, even after turning her over for questioning, would I have to pay her legal fees?
jrigglem
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 6:32 p.m.
Does the updated link not work for anyone else?
BC
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 1:31 p.m.
This is excellent news. Hip, hip, hooray! It'll be nice to stop by and say hello to Lewis again on my walk to work.
Jeff Renner
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 11:27 p.m.
I don't understand the posters who think that this story is a waste of resources (newsprint?). It is part of what makes Ann Arbor a community, not just a city. I'm not even a cat person - I much prefer dogs, but I can appreciate cats. I've always enjoyed seeing Lewis, and I'm glad he's been found. For the curmudgeons, please take a look in the mirror and think about what makes life worthwhile. I don't think it's cynicism.
Jack Gladney
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 11:56 p.m.
I agree. I propose that annarbor.com add a feature called "Cat's Corner" where they could feature a missing cat every week. Depending on the response they could add "The Doggy Den." I am glad Lewis is home safe. Does anyone need some yellow ribbon?
Sallyxyz
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 10:51 p.m.
@bmoran has posted that Lewis has been found. Hooray! He's a great cat and always brightens my day when visiting the Home and Garden store.
al
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 10:44 p.m.
How about a $150,000 statue of Lewis using his litterbox for the courthouse?
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 10:41 p.m.
Please let us know if nothing changes tomorrow as well. Thank you.
bmoran
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 9:48 p.m.
Lewis has returned! Near the corner of Catherine and Division, laying in the sun. A few kind souls brought him home.
chipper
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 9:42 p.m.
I have been concerned about Lewis and I appreciate getting an update. Yes, there are bigger crises going on, but I can't spend 100% of my time thinking about them, and I'm not interested in living a life where I don't also care about things like what has happened to Lewis, who brightens my day every time I go to Downtown Home and Garden.
Donald Martin
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 9:36 p.m.
Thank you for the update. I am hoping Lewis comes back safe. He's a great cat.
Deb Kern
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 9:29 p.m.
We hope Lewis finds his way back home. We'll keep an eye out (at the Humane Society of Huron Valley) in case someone should bring Lewis in as a stray. We would like people to remember that if you do have a lost or found pet, it is crucial that you call HSHV at (734) 661-3545 to place a lost or found report. HSHV is the shelter that all strays in Washtenaw County, Canton and Plymouth will be brought to. Pets can be re-homed if their owners to do not report them as missing. You can also post your lost and found information for FREE at <a href="http://hshv.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=LF_Home" rel='nofollow'>http://hshv.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=LF_Home</a> There are many cats that could benefit from having a place like Downtown Home and Garden to call home. If there are other businesses around the area that would consider an office/store cat, the Humane Society of Huron Valley would provide a low cost adoption if the conditions are beneficial for both the cat and staff in the business. Please call (734) 662-5585 if you would like more information.
xmo
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 9:27 p.m.
Is Lewis the Cat running for City Council? I like him a lot more than I like the current members. He sleeps and eats and when he does something it doesn't cost me anything unlike the city council.
Chase Ingersoll
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 9:22 p.m.
Yeah, let's have Ann Arbor's "finest on two wheels" stop and see if any of the stray dogs might know of Lewis' whereabouts. It's not like we have any serial rapists rapists to otherwise occupy their their limited investigative resources. Please, just save the "fluff" pieces for when there is absolutely nothing of any gravitas going on. As a business reporter, why not report on how local business and their patrons are being affected by the serial rapist(s) and/or what they might be doing to assist the police, by reviewing their security cameras, posting photos for their employees, etc.
Jack Gladney
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 9:19 p.m.
Seriously? A second story? A follow up? Does annarbor.com have a lost and found classified section? Maybe it is a payment in kind arrangement for advertising dollars. One has to question a lot of the 'business' stories that appear on this site. Mr. Editor?
zeeba
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 9:14 p.m.
I can't believe this story was run the first time, let alone twice. Lots of business owners have a pet that they allow to wander the premises - so what? This is about as close to a "dog bites man" story as it gets - except A2.com has been running those as well! Don't you guys have any crotchety old editors down there to rip you a new one whenever you try to file a story like this?