A Langford resident fell victim last week to a Grinchy spirit.

And as Dec. 25 drew near, Lynn Gauley hoped that, like the Dr. Seuss character, this thiefB次元官网网址檚 heart will grow a few sizes and her beloved Rudolph would be returned in time for Christmas.

B次元官网网址淭hey just took him,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hey left his red nose sitting in the grass.B次元官网网址�

While she was still holding out hope this week, Gauley was realistic about the chances that her illuminated metal-and-wire reindeer would be returned to her lawn on Young Place, near Ronald Road. She suspected her lone outdoor Christmas decoration may have been the object of some horrible prank and was laying in a dumpster somewhere.

SheB次元官网网址檚 gone to great lengths to search for Rudolph, scouring surrounding ditches and a nearby forest, but to no avail. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e never had anything stolen from my property in my lifetime.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 not about the monetary value of the decoration. It was a family event to put him out every year B次元官网网址� her son even adorned him with a colourful crown to make him different.

And it wasnB次元官网网址檛 just her own family to which the little lawn ornament brought joy. Two young children from down the road came out to regularly see the reindeer, she said.

B次元官网网址淗ow does one explain to a two-year-old that Rudolph was obviously stolen?B次元官网网址� Gauley asked. B次元官网网址淚t was upsetting to me and the neighbours.B次元官网网址�

She suspects the reindeer was stolen the night of Dec. 18. She turned off the lights at about 10 p.m. that night and she discovered it was missing the next morning when she got up around 6 a.m.

Gauley said none of her neighbours in the close, tight-knit community have reported any missing decorations. But the theft of her reindeer so close to Christmas has them wondering who could take something used to bring joy to others, even if it was just a prank.

B次元官网网址淢y spirit was broken B次元官网网址� It just rattled me,B次元官网网址� she said.

If you know anything of the whereabouts of the lost reindeer, contact her at lgauley@shaw.ca.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com