PHX Perspective

A Purrfect Reunion Courtesy of Phoenix Sky Harbor

Shawna White was heartbroken.

The Salt Lake City resident was in the Terminal 4 garage at Phoenix Sky Harbor with her cat, Bonnie, when suddenly the 12-year-old Persian-Siamese mix bolted from her kennel.

Accompanied by Airport staff, Shauna searched for several hours in and around the garage, but Bonnie was nowhere to be found.

Dejected, Shawna made her way back to Salt Lake City without Bonnie and carrying a heavy heart.

Bonnie captured Shawna’s and her husband’s hearts 12 years ago when as a stray little kitten, she appeared at their house one day. (Shawna and Bonnie are pictured above and above right.)

Bonnie, who also went by the name Bon-bon, was their pride and joy, preferring to stay indoors with the family instead of going outside to a spacious backyard.

For several days, Bonnie called Sky Harbor asking if her beloved Bon-bon had been spotted or found.

“I thought I would never see her again. I was so afraid for her and thought and prayed for her the whole time she was out there among strangers,” said Shawna, who added it was the first time Bonnie had ever experienced an airplane trip.

Sky Harbor assured her that a look-out bulletin had been issued and that appropriate personnel were keeping their eye out looking for Bonnie.

Bob Bogardus and Johnny Deserano (pictured above), Building Maintenance workers from the Facilities and Services Division, were standing near a loading dock near Terminal 4 recently when they spotted a cat that matched Bonnie’s description.

They walked over toward the cat, but Bonnie made a mad dash to the west exit lanes of the Terminal 4 parking garage.

Bob and Johnny called for added assistance and pursued Bon-bon.

The extra assistance wasn’t needed, however, because the pair managed to corner Bon-bon and captured the cat, using a crate provided by their supervisor Allen Larsen. The three men are picture above. The cat was a little thin, but overall in pretty good shape.

A couple of CSI techniques by Airport staff confirmed Bonnie was, well, Bonnie, AKA Bon-bon.

Stephanie Gauna from the Airport’s Lost and Found section managed to track Shawna down in Salt Lake City and gave the owner the incredibly great news.

Stephanie also provided Bonnie with some much-needed water, cat food and TLC. Lindsay Bowers (pictured above right, on the left) facilitated the reunion between Bonnie and Shawna.

Shawna wasted no time in boarding a Southwest Airline flight that same evening and made her way back to Phoenix.

“I was so happy to see her,” a beaming Shawna said afterward. “At first I don’t think she quite recognized me, but when she heard my voice, she knew it was me.

“I am very grateful to (Sky Harbor) for finding and taking care of Bonnie. Thank you.”

All in all, it was a purrfect reunion between Shawna White and Bonnie courtesy of America’s Friendliest Airport.®