Jeffrey Giraffe has been a familiar sight to anyone passing along Obtuse Road for nearly 15 years. Rain or shine — but not snow — the nearly life-sized paper-maché giraffe has poked his head out of his stall at Pond Brook Farm, bringing smiles to passersby, and happily posing for photo ops.

In recent weeks, his girlfriend, Genevieve, has joined him. And it is Genevieve’s appearance that is a bit of a mystery, said Tom and Dot Dwyer, owners of Pond Brook Farm.

There are two things that many may not realize, said the Dwyers. First of all, said Ms Dwyer, the whimsical Jeffrey is actually Jeffrey II.

“I made the first Jeffrey at least 15 years go. I saw a picture of a paper maché giraffe in a magazine, for an exorbitant amount of money, and thought that I could make one pretty easily. It was a little messy, but not too hard,” Ms Dwyer said.

The barnyard giraffe was a hit from the start; Jeffrey was featured in The Newtown Bee, as a matter of fact, she said. But someone liked the spotted ruminant so much that shortly after his moment of fame in the newspaper, Jeffrey was stolen.

Not only was the original Jeffrey missed by the Dwyers, he was missed by the public.

“We had someone stop by with a bottle of wine for us, saying how sorry they were he was stolen, and we had notes of sympathy. It was kind of crazy,” Ms Dwyer said. “So, I made another Jeffrey.” Ms Dwyer said.

He has been a real attraction, with parents bringing their children by to pose for pictures, and cars pulling in to snap a photo.

“Jeffrey got a postcard from someone visiting Africa, saying ‘Your relatives are here. Come visit.’ And some girls made a whole series of note cards of Jeffrey, and gave them to me,” Ms Dwyer said.

Genevieve joined her paper-maché mate about five years ago, when Ms Dwyer’s friend, Joan Hanlon, made the feminine version.

“She gave Genevieve to her daughter,” she said, but the daughter had no space for her and the long-lashed giraffe returned to Newtown. “Joan gave her to us, to join Jeffrey. But she was only here for about three months when she disappeared.”

There was no ransom note, and they have heard not a peep about Genevieve in all that time.

“Then, about three weeks ago, Tom and I came out here one morning, and there she was. We have no idea how she got back,” Ms Dwyer said.

Genevieve seemed none the worse for her mysterious adventures, barring a bit of “neck surgery.” Clear plastic packing tape is wrapped about Genevieve’s neck, providing some needed support.

Side by side, since then, the pair of giraffes seem quite content, said the Dwyers.

“We’ll probably never know where she was all this time,” laughed Ms Dwyer, and they fully expect the duo to draw attention again — at least, until one or the other flees, or the snow flies.