Last weekend I left Ian’s pride and joy, his yellow Gund duck on the plane. Ian got Ducky when he was born as a gift, and it has been around the world with him. When we realized I left it on the plane, Southwest’s world class efficiency already had the plane in the air to San Diego. We spent several hours contacting baggage claim and searching for a replacement just in case. I never thought I’d be so concerned about recovering a stuffed animal, but somehow, this little yellow piece of fabric and cellulose is like a family member. Like the beloved family pet.

Gund retires their ‘products’ every couple years. And this duck “Tweeter” was sold about 4 years ago. Gund sales team told me it was retired. eBay indicated one was sold a few weeks prior, which was unfortunate because we’d looked many times before to preempt this exact scenario. Gund has made many yellow ducks over the years, but we hadn’t seen a Tweeter come up.

I contacted the winning bidder of this one and would you believe it, she replied. Not only that, she had 6 of them because her kids loved this particular model duck too. I offered to pay her whatever she thought fair if she were willing to sell one of her kids’ Tweeters. Instead, she sent it next day priority mail and refused payment.

It’s cliché to talk jaded about the world, and that people just don’t care about others anymore, and all that. But it’s not true.

Here is Ian, 4 days after my leaving Ducky on the plane, clinching his new, pre-own duck, happy as ever.

Thank you eBay member, for your kind and generous gift. We won’t forget.

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P.S. No luck with Southwest baggage claim

UPDATE: Ducky has been recovered!! Southwest managed to find and return Ian’s duck lost luggage. Gotta love Southwest!