Airport Makes Lost Toy Media Star

Christmas came a little early for a Texas toddler who thought he had lost his favorite stuffy when his family passed through Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) in Texas on Wednesday. The family was returning from a trip to Denver. According to Oben Isik, his son, 2-year-old Lucas, apparently dropped his stuffed dog named Kopus (Turkish for puppy) near the elevator in the parking garage, but the family didn't realize it was lost until it got home.

"My son was asking, 'Where is my puppy? Where is my puppy?' and we thought it should be on the stroller," said Isik, adding that his son became very upset when they realized Kopus was missing. "It's not like any other stuffed animal. He can't sleep without it."

The family filed a lost item report online with the airport. This was more than an attachment object, according to Oben, as Kopus has been in every milestone photo taken of Lucas since birth. The parents spent the evening in crisis mode, trying to track down a replacement for the toy only to learn that it is no longer made.

Meanwhile, Kopus was having an adventure at the airport, said airport spokesperson Elizabeth Ferrer.

Kopus was found near the elevator in the parking garage by Sam Haynes, the airport public information officer, who was returning from a conference. Realizing that it was “part of someone's family” and knowing the power of social media, Haynes posted a photo of the black and white stuffy puppy. Here’s where things start to resemble a holiday movie, as the story was picked up by television stations in Austin that joined in the effort to get the toy back to its owner.

Isik was surprised to learn Kopus had become a media star. "I was just about to start my morning meetings when my neighbor called to tell me 'your puppy is on the news,’" he said. As that is not a phrase one hears very often, Isik was confused until he turned on the TV and saw the story.

Arrangements were made to get Kopus home. In the meantime, the stuffed animal enjoyed a day at the airport, “attending staff meetings, posing for more social media posts, and even interviewing for a ‘pawsition’ with the airport planning and development team” said Ferrer.