Mambo the Cat Returns Home

Whether Mambo was reading Patch or just missed his worried owner, the black cat — who had been missing for five full days — reappeared Friday at his back doorstep in Vienna.

He first disappeared around 9 p.m. last Sunday on Cottage Street in Dunn Loring woods.

Two days later and his owner, Carmen Shepherd, still hadn't been able to find him.

She posted a lost pet announcement Tuesday on Patch and on

But still no Mambo.

Shepherd said she received an "outpouring of support" from neighbors and others, who offered phone calls and emails with tips and potential sightings.

Then, at 6 a.m. Friday, Mambo finally came home, to the back door of Shepherd's home.

"I could hardly believe it... who knows where he has been, but I'm glad to say there is a happy ending to this one!" Shepherd wrote in an email to Patch.

"It really has restored my faith in community, and has made me proud to live in such a great town as Vienna," she added.

Editor's note: These are the stories we're so happy to write. We're glad Mambo is home safe, too!

Connect with your neighbors: Post your own announcement on Patch.