COEUR d'ALENE - Bambi is missing.

The beloved deer statue was among other decorative woodland creatures in Dolores Gillett's forest yard on Centennial Drive in Coeur d'Alene.

But it went missing less than a week ago, leaving 83-year-old Gillett "heartbroken" and in utter shock that someone would steal Bambi right out of her front yard.

Gillett has macular degeneration and glaucoma in both eyes, so she is almost blind. In spite of this, she is an avid gardener who tends to her yards every day. She loves to grow red and white flowers because she can see them the best. Gillett feels her way through her gardens, so it was disconcerting to her when she felt that Bambi was no longer in its rightful place.

"I just hope whoever took her loves her like I did," Gillett said Thursday.

Gillett said she never called the police to report the theft because she feels they are already very busy.

Neighbors close to Gillett said other lawn decorations in the vicinity have gone missing in the last year, and Christmas lights have been rearranged by unknown pranksters.

But they are downright disgusted with whoever stole Gillett's Bambi.

"Her garden ornaments are very meaningful to her," said Linda Gilliland, who lives three doors from Gillett. "She loves (having) them in the front yard to show all of the neighbors that she takes care of her yard."

Gillett's gardens are full of interesting, whimsical creations, including a painted flying pig and metal kitty-cat planters. Numerous birdhouses line the fence in the backyard, resting above the multitude of colorful flowers. A sign reading "Laugh everyday" stands in the flower bed, giving Gillett's garden a cozy, welcoming feeling. She has lived in her current home for 10 years, and said it is a "wonderful, wonderful, wonderful" neighborhood.

Gillett said she has moved the remaining front-yard ornaments to her farm yard in the back "so nobody would take them anymore, hopefully."

"I feel so, so sad for Dolores. Very sad because it really upset her," said Patricia Wood, who lives across the street from Gillett.

Friend Carlina Shelby said the neighborhood lacks a crime watch system.

"We need to look into that," she said.

Bambi is described as a cement whitetail deer that stands on all fours, weighing about 50-75 pounds. The statue does not have Gillett's name on it or any mark of ownership.

"She looks just like a little Bambi," Gillett said. "Exactly like a baby deer, standing there."

Shelby said the thief should "put it back where they found it."

"We'd all be celebrating," Wood said.