This is my first post here...I'm glad I found this website...

My dog Eagle ran away...

My room mates were watching him while I went on a retreat and he ran off...

For 2 weeks I didn't know where he was...

Fliers were out, the shelters were called, ads in the newspaper, the vet was called...

Then 2 weeks ago I saw him in the woods behind our townhouse...

I ran up to him which was a mistake...I should have walked slowly towards him because he ran into the woods...

I don't know if he realized it was me or not...

I regret so much running up to him but I was so excited to see him...

So friends and family helped to look for him that day in the woods but didn't find him...

That was 2 weeks ago...

I've been putting out food in the last place I saw him but I don't know if he's the one getting it or not...

The past few days I've been seeing tiny paw prints that are not Eagle's...

Every morning I go to the site hoping to see his paw prints but I don't and then I feel down...

Every evening we bring food hoping he will get it...

A part of me is missing...

I've had him only 3 years...

He's a rescuded dog from a home where a woman had 119 dogs and a bunch of horses...

Eagle is very timid and doesn't like other people nor does he like other dogs...

My heart is breaking more and more each day...

I know God is in control and knows exactly where Eagle is...my prayer is that God will let me have him once again...

Thank you for reading this...

Maddie

Omigosh Maddie, what limbo for you! It's a really good sign you saw him at two weeks. Now just to draw him home again soon. Sure is a cute little guy. I, and I'm sure many others here will do our best to send him thoughts to head on home. In the meantime, glad you're here. You might want to read the threads by 5catsmom "Do you always feel like..." and paris "missing since memorial day." Both had happy endings.
~Kimberly

Hi Maddie,
Actually, you'll find a wealth of information in a lot of the posts here, but the most important, I'd say, is that now that you've seen him, there is a lot of hope, and so you have to hold on to that with everything you have. It sounds like you're doing all the things a responsible owner would do, and then some. If there are woods involved, it won't be long before he starts getting really hungry because I'm not sure that dogs have the same hunting abilities as cats, for instance. If there are neighbors who border those areas of the woods, contact them with a picture and flyer and explain your dilemma. I actually found most people to be very receptive and interested that I find my cat, and you might be surprised by your reception to them. Also, talk to your mailman, and any mail carrier in your area, they tend to knoe more about what's going on than we do. I assume you've already posted fliers on telphone poles - make sure they're laminated or they'll dissolve with the next rain.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know. I understand your pain of the not knowing - it's almost worse than death because then you do know what happened, and you can bury your loved pet and while there are often questions and recriminations, they aren't like these, am I right? Please know you and your family are not alone, so many of us are or have gone through these things, and are thinking of you. Please take care, beause we care - Barb

Hi Maddie.

I am so sorry that your little dog got out. You are right, if you see him, he is probably in a state of fear and will run off, so calling him quietly is a good idea. You may also try going to that spot early in the morning and calling his name several times and waiting.

Have you contacted the shelters and animal control? I see he has a collar/tag. Is there a phone number on the tag, or is it a rabbis tag only? I am sure if someone finds your dog they will know it belongs to someone...(unlike cats that people often assume are strays that are just out there living.)

PLease update us on where you are in the process.

Kimberly, Barb & Paris,

Thank you all for making me feel welcomed...

I really appreciate it...

I've seen Eagle twice since my first post...praise God!

It is now 7 weeks since Eagle's been missing...and it gets harder each day...

I purchased an animal trap and a week ago Thursday I started using it...

No Eagle...

The only thing caught was a black cat...

Now the raccoons are getting all the food...they are so smart they don't even go in the cage for the food...they use their paws to scrape the food out and they turn the cage upside down and over...

I haven't seen Eagle's paw prints in awhile...

I don't know if he's still coming to this one spot or not...

But I'm putting the trap where we've seen him these last 2 times...

Every evening I walk to the woods and put out food and every morning I walk to the woods hoping he's in the cage...

I try not to be disappointed and I have to keep telling myself, "God's Timing is perfect...God's Timing is perfect".

I miss him sooooooo much...

Maddie

Hi Maddie.

I hope you and Eagle reunite. I know you miss him.

Where did you see Eagle? Did you see him or the paw prints? What happened when you saw him? Do you put something in the trap that has your smell on it?

Paris

Hi Paris!

Since he's been gone I've seen him a total of 3 times...

Each time he has run off into the woods...

In the woods they are making roads to start a sub-division...

The roads are dirt...

The first time I saw him he was close to the street on the dirt road...

The last 2 times I have seen him he was way down the dirt road...

The woods are all around...

I know I'm not explaining things very well...sorry...

I've seen his paw prints also...at the beginning of the dirt road and way down where I saw him twice and where I put the cage...

I went this morning and the raccoons had gotten his food again...

Someone mentioned to me before to put something out there with my smell on it but I forgot...I'll try that...

But do you think he could remember my smell after 7 weeks and 1 day?

Thanks Paris!

Maddie

Yes, Maddie, he'll remember your smell. Try that, and I hope it works. It's good you've been seeing Eagle, he seems to want to stay close to home, so that's really good.

I hope you and Eagle are together again soon, so you can shower him with kisses. He looks so sweet in his picture.

-- Michelle K.

Thanks Michelle!

I'm going to put a pillow case under the cage tonight...

He is so sweet...so loving...so trusting of me...

I miss him...

Maddie

A pillow case is a great idea. Good luck!!!

-- Michelle

I can't take the credit for the pillow case...

It was my son's idea!

Thanks for your support...

Maddie

Maddie, I found a page on the internet that you should read. It concerns Shelties, but I don't think that matters. It gives some advice on trapping and locating a lost dog. You are on the right track.

http://www.canadianshelties.ca/LDGuide.html

Hi Maddie,
I wrote a long post this morning but I guess it vanished somewhere in cyber-space so I'll try to remember the gist of it here. I think you said somewhere that the area where Eagle vanished is an area where they're cutting roads for a new subdivision. Is it possible to find out where they're working from (usually the construction teams have a trailer on site) and go in and explain that you've lost your little dog and would appreciate very much if anyone could keep an eye out for him. Maybe even leave a picture. The people who are around all day tend to have a pretty good sense of what's going on.

At this point, I don't know how much the cage will help. Eagle has seen the coons eat his food and he probably feels intimidated by them. If you put some of your garments in the cage, without food, the coons may figure out after while that no food is there and move on.

The other thing I'd try, is when you do look for him, carry binoculars. Sometimes animals are hard to see, especially when they're scared, and the time he'd be most scared is when the equipment stops at night and shortly after. That's when I'd look, calling gently to him, maybe in his "dinnertime voice." He has to be eating somewhere to be getting along after all this time, so if you have neighbors around ,make sure they know what's going on too.

Well, I think there was more, but I can't think of it now, but if I do, I'll send it as soon as I can. I wish you the best of luck, and you take care and trust in God - Barb

Paris - Thank you for the link...it is informative...

I wish I would have thought to look on the internet right after he went missing and maybe I wouldn't have made the mistake of running to him and calling his name when I first saw him after 2 weeks...

I can't "what if" myself though...that would drive me crazy...

Barb - Sorry you lost your original post...that has happened to me before...

Actually, the construction company owner knows I'm missing Eagle...he even saw him running across the dirt road a week or so ago...I never thought to give him a flyer but I'm going to!

Thanks for the idea to run the raccoons off...I'm going to try that tonight!

One thing I do do is call him gently and let him know "it's time for dinner"...

I never thought about binoculars...I may have to see about getting some...

Barb, I do trust in God...He is the one getting me through this...

Thank you both for your help...

Maddie

All of us could "what if". You did what came to you naturally when you saw Eagle. I also "what if'd" when my cat, Bennett, was missing for 8 weeks. We learn along the way, as you are doing.

Setting the trap without food but with your personal items is a smart idea.

I am waiting for your post to let us know that Eagle is back.....

Me too!

Thank you so much for your support...

Maddie

It rained all afternoon here and I wasn't able to go to the woods with all the mud...

I feel guilty that I'm not doing anything to help him right now...

And it is supposed to rain all week...

Tomorrow I'm going to purchase some rubber boots so I can walk in the mud...

Hmm, I put a post here this morning, but it never showed up. Odd.

Anyway, is there any particular sound that brought Eagle running? Mink used to bolt toward the house at the sound of his food bowls rattling together. Anything do it for Eagle? Can opener? Squeak toy? Car keys? Sound of you whistling "Oklahoma" and jangling his leash? I wonder if you have the opportunity to sit quietly at the far end of that dirt road and just be still, making his familiar noises, if he might be inclined to at least approach. The hard part would be to stay completely at rest until he'd fully come up to you -- since he's made it clear chasing doesn't work.

Where are you? Do you have a canine search and rescue team near you? I was very pleased with the experience of hiring one here (even if the result was confirmation of Twitch's death). They'd be able to track him so easily. My hunch is that he's found someone who's feeding him, thinking he's stray, but he's still torn and confused about making his way back to you. (Is it possible he might be fearing you're angry with him for leaving? If so, do a meditation visualizing him leaping into your arms, covering you with kisses, and you feeling joy and relief and giggles and grat*itude, so he might be able to know for certain that's what awaits him.)

When I hired the canine SAR team, they had just found a missing cat the day before who had been accidentally locked up in a nearby neighbor's garage. If he's been feeding off of someone's back porch, they'd be able to find that out, and you could enlist that homeowner's help in trapping him. Though I suspect the dogs would be able to find him right off. If you think you might like to find Eagle that way, but get stuck trying to find a nearby team, contact Harry at www.k9sardog.com and see if he knows of any team he might refer you to that's in your area. Your local fire department might also likely know who to refer you to.

He's out there. It's just a question of patience, prayer, timing, and using all the tools you can think of until one works. Peace to you until then, Kimberly

Actually the rain might help, with finding tracks and all. And if the boots have your scent rubbed on the outside of them, he will know you've been there, so rub some old smelly socks (not that I assume you have smelly socks lying around, but anything with your scent that's strong) on the outside, not the underside of the boots; the scent will hang in the air hopefully and he'll know you've been there.

A walk through the woods when it's raining might be a good idea, actually, Eagle might be looking for comfort and associate that with you. A warm house and shelter and food are all comforts that a dog appreciates and needs.

I know you trust in God, and I have faith that he's watching out for Eagle too, otherwise I don't think he's still be hanging around. I have a strong feeling that someone is feeding him, or he's taking food somewhere or else he's be in bad straits by now, so now it's just a matter of getting him back. Kim has a good idea with the SAR, you might want to seriously consider it before winter really sets in.

Take care and good luck - Barb

[QUOTE=Eagle'sMom,Aug 28 2007, 06:31 PM]]I feel guilty that I'm not doing anything to help him right now...

No. You have NOTHING to feel guilty about. There is no reason to feel guilt. Guilt is when you made a choice to do something you know is wrong. Guilt is not when you choose to go right instead of left, or left instead of right, not knowing where Eagle may have turned.

One of the difficulties with a lost pet is this feeling of wanting every stone unturned. It is not possible to be everywhere, do everything. You are doing all that you can, Maddie. When Bennett was gone, I was torn apart with the feeling of "maybe I should put more flyers up" etc.

I agree, gently calling his name or jangling the keys, as Kim suggested, and then waiting in the early morning, is a good idea. And apparantly the rain helps keep the scent, not wash it away.

I know this is obvious, but I want to be sure you have reported Eagle to the Humane Society as missing and that you are reading the lost/found posts.

If you have seen Eagle several times in the same vicinity, I feel you will be reunited.

Kimberly - I do call to Eagle when I leave food there...

There was no sound when it was dinner time ...just my voice saying, "Eagle...time for dinner"...

And I say that right before I'm leaving the woods...

I'm in Southeast USA and don't know if there's a K9 team...I think I will call the fire department though...and thanks for the link...I may have to go that route if I can afford it...

I don't know if he's fearing I'm angry at him...oh I hope not!

I talked to a woman yesterday and she said her cat ran away for a day and was mad at her...even though the cat was the one who ran away!

Eagle can be mad at me if he wants to be...I just want him home!

Barb - We didn't search the woods yet but some friends have suggested to all get together and look for him one afternoon...

I did go out and buy some rubber boots...praise God they had my size...my shoe size is small and it's hard to find shoes let alone rubber boots in my size!

The woods are thick and I don't think we could get totally through all of it...but I don't want to be negative...

Now the people working on this new subdivision are clearing out part of the woods fairly quickly...I don't know if that will deter Eagle from coming around or not...

I just have to trust God...

One man told me this morning that if Eage goes in the pond he'd probably get eaten by an alligator...what a nice thing to say...NOT!

Paris - I know I shouldn't have felt guilty...I felt so useless at the time...

I just want to do everything that I can to get him back...I want to make right choices...

I know ultimately it's God's choice if I get Eagle back but I feel like I have to do something and that night I wasn't able to do anything...

Yes, I went to the Animal Shelter...took care of all that...

He has a micro chip so that's good...

He is also wearing his rabis tag that has a number on back that anyone could call to find out who he belongs to...

I do regret that I never bought a tag with my phone number on it...never thought I'd ever have this happen...

Thank you all for your help, your suggestions and your support...it means so much to me...

God did say to keep going [to the woods] until He says stop...so I'm "holding on" to those words...

I do get discouraged...like this morning when I saw how much of the woods has been cleared...and not seeing Eagle in the cage but just seeing that the raccoons had been there...it was 2 weeks ago yesterday that I last saw him...I haven't seen any paw prints...so I do get down and my faith waivers...

I have to just increase my faith and trust...and be hopeful...

It's hard sometimes when a "piece" of you is missing...

Thanks again everyone!

Maddie

No Eagle this morning when I went to the woods but the raccoons had gotten his food...

I did, however, see paw prints...I think they were his...I have to believe that they were...

Believe me, Maddie, those coons will keep on coming back, and Eagle will never get any of that food, and if he tries, those coons can be pretty vicious about protecting it. They see it now as their food, not his. I suggest you leave something of yours, old clothes or something unedible, it'll discourage the coons but maybe Eagle will find it and know you were there. The food will never, but never, get to him.

If the woods are that thick and there's a possibility of gators around, I really do suggest a SAR team. The fire dept is the place to start, that's a good idea. The Humane Society may even have some ideas of where to find someone. I don't know much about gators, I do understand that they go into a semi-hibernation during winter, is that right? If so, that's good, but still, I'd be worried. The idea of you and your friends searching the woods is also a good idea, as long as you all don't stumble into a pond!

It sounds as though Eagle is still around, so keep your faith. I admire your steadfast diligence, and I understand your feelings of discouragement - it's all part of the process. But you're doing your best, and there is a good chance, I still believe, of an outcome to comfort you. Take care - Barb

Maddie,

I don't think it is a good idea to leave food in the cage. Maybe you can disinfect it (to get rid of the racoon smell) and just leave your clothing. just a suggestion.

I know how hard it is to have your pet missing. It is in God's hands.

I wouldn't take to heart what someone said about the alligator. That is highly unlikely.

The one thing that lost dogs have over lost cats is that when people see a stray dog, they usually know the dog is someone's pet. With cats (with no collars) people seem to think the cat belongs to no one. So if someone sees Eagle, who has a collar and chip, they will do something to help, I'm sure of that. I found when my cat was gone that there are many good people out there.

I hope so much that Eagle finds you soon....

5catsmom & Paris,

Thank you both for your replies...

I had been so discouraged because the raccoons had been getting all the food and I had not seen Eagle in some time so I stopped bringing food to the woods for about a week...that was hard...

Some friends and I went into the woods a week ago Sunday...of course alot of it was too dense to even walk through but we walked around and looked for anything that might resemble something or somewhere Eagle might have been...but we came up with nothing...

I was really discouraged because I had no idea if he was still in the woods or not...

This past Wednesday I went to the Fire Dept., called the Police Dept. and called the Sheriff's Dept. to see about a K-9 unit...no one could help...

So I called Harry at www.k9sardog.com...

He said there was no one in my area and the only person he knew was a lady that lived in another state but he didn't have her name or anything...

He was very kind...

He did give me a suggestion...

He told me to pee and put it in a spray bottle and go to the last place I had seen Eagle and spray there and spray a trail all the way to home...I thought how strange but I ran to Wal-Mart and got that spray bottle!

I sprayed on Wednesday night not knowing if he was still there or not...

But Praise God I saw his footprints Wednesday night so I know he's still there!

He still hasn't made it home but I'm praying (and so are alot of other people) that he will come home...

Last night I brought the cage back out to the woods with the pillow case in the cage and I put some pee on the pillow case hoping Eagle will smell and go in the cage...

This morning when I went to check the trap the cage had been tripped but no Eagle...I hope the cage is working properly...

It's been 9 weeks and 1 day since he's been gone and it seems to get harder and harder...

I came here a week ago Friday and I was tired because I had worked and I missed Eagle and I was so down and when I read this Paris it made me cry...a comforting cry if that makes sense:

"I know how hard it is to have your pet missing. It is in God's hands."

It was like God was speaking to me...

Thanks again ya'll for being so supportive...

Maddie,
Hang in there! I know it's hard and it's real easy to get discouraged. But the fact that he's still around is really good news. Are there any other people who live close to the woods that you know? If so, maybe they know something. I can't help but think that he's getting food or shelter somewhere; it's much harder, I think, for a dog to live off what's in the woods than, say, a cat. The other thing that occurred to me is that Eagle may be very aware of how the cage works and may have even seen it be tripped. They do make a sound and the door drops very quickly. That may spook him somewhat. You might want to try wiring up the door for a day or so and give him a chance to see what's in there without the fear that the cage might hurt him. If you're comfortable that he is visiting regularly, you can take the wire off and next time he goes in the trap will get him. A lady who traps feral cats told me to do that to catch one of our ferals for neutering. Let them get over the fear of the cage and think that it won't hurt or trap him, and he may go in more readily.

We're all holding out hope for a happy ending for you and Eagle. I agree with Paris that this is in God's hands, so every prayer helps. You're a good and devoted mama for Eagle, and I'm sure he misses you too. Take care and let us know how it goes - Barb

Barb,

Thanks for the continued support...

There are other people that live here...it's a condo unit...and several people know what's going on...

I think that's a great idea to wire the door...

Eagle is afraid of noises and unexpected movement and if he did see and hear the trap shut it would spook him...

I'm going to do that tonight!

Thanks for the idea!

Now all I have to do is figure out how long to keep the trap opened...

Thanks again!

Maddie,

I read your last post with much pain. I am still so hopeful that you and Eagel will be reunited. Wondering if that trap you have works well, because it sounds like it has been visited several times. The urine scent may be a smart thing to do!

How big are these woods? Are you in a suburban area? I'm racking my brains to try to think of something that can be done!!

Paris,

Thanks for your continued support...

The woods are not that big...although it seems like they are when trying to find a little dog...

I live in a suburban area of town...

The condo unit is next to the woods...

Now they are clearing alot of the trees and building roads as this is going to be a subdivision...

I think it's pushing Eagle further and further back into the woods...

They are also building a business park right next to where the subdivision is going to be...

There is a patch of woods in the back that I think will be left untouched...

God said to keep looking, but I don't know what else to do...

Thank you for trying to think of other ways to get him back...

I wired the cage so it won't shut if he goes in to smell...

I pray that he does...

I just came back from the woods and the cage is gone!

They are doing construction and some of the guys know I'm looking for my dog...

I can't believe they would just discard it like that...

I'm so sad and I feel hopeless that I will ever get him back...

I know God knows where he is...

I wish God would tell me where else to look...

It's been 10 weeks today...

I'm at a loss...

Have you called the Fire Department yet to find the nearest K9 Search and Rescue team? It's probably so much less expensive than you think, and there's only one way to find out.

No, I haven't done that yet...

I will do that this week...

Thanks for reminding me!

I just called the Fire Department...

All of the SAR teams around here only do human searches...none for animals...

Hi Maddie,
It's amazing to me that the construction guys would take the cage unless they're actively working in that area. Is there a central place where they gather, a trailer or something like they have on most construction sites, that you could go to and ask about it? If you could contact the foreman or the supervisor and remind him about Eagle, he may be able to come up with something or someone who knows where the cage is. Also, I remember thinking when Shadow was missing, that the one thing I should have done was to print bi-lingual posters. I don't know what state you're located in, but some construction guys in this area work day-to-day and only speak or understand Spanish, and understand or read only limited English. Not that that bothers me at all, but I always thought that expanding my search to include more people would help. Anyway, just a thought. I think of you and Eagle every day and am praying for both of you. Please keep us updated and take care - Barb

Maddie,

I am so sorry that you are going through this. Are you fairly sure that Eagle is in those woods, or could he have wandered off? Are you posting in the classified ads in surrounding areas?

I wish I knew what to say. You believe in God. You know that everything is in God's hand and happens for a reason. I do not know why God has put this obstacle in your path, why there is so much suffering in the world. Every time I come to this site, I hope and pray that you will post that you have found Eagle.

I do think that if someone finds a dog the chances are much greater than with a cat that they will report it to the local shelter or lost/found ads. I wish I were in your area and I would go out looking with you.

P.

Barb - No, there's no trailer or anything where they hang out...

I went over there a little while ago and gave everyone I saw a flyer...

I looked for the foreman and didn't see him today...but I will ask him when I see him...

I only had flyers for English speaking people...

I didn't see any who were unable to speak English...

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers...

Paris - I don't know for sure if Eagle is still in the woods or not...

One of the guys I gave a flyer to today said he saw a little dog around 6:00 a.m. a few weeks ago...but it didn't sound like Eagle's description...it could a have been him though because he's been out in the elements for 10 weeks and 2 days so no telling what he looks like now...he said he always sees paw prints and I asked him to call me the next time he sees them so I can go and see if they're Eagle's...he also said he stays around this one place...the one place where we've seen him and where I put the [missing] cage...I have to believe it's Eagle...

I'm going to look at Harry's website (www.k9sardog.com)...he said he has ways to find lost pets on there...

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers....

One thing that is bothering me is that I'm going to be moving in about a month...

I don't know how I'm going to feel if I don't have him back by then...

I know everything is in God's Timing and He did stay to continue looking until He says stop...so that's what I'm doing...

It's so hard to think I might have to leave him in the woods...

Hi Maddie.

I'm thinking of you. I didn't know you were moving....I suppose it is somewhere far away. That must be so agonizing to leave the woods. I still think if someone finds Eagle, they will try to find the owner, so be sure to have your bases covered. He has a rabies collar on, so can that be traced to an owner?

I'm thinking so hard of what to say or do for your....I feel your pain. You have done so much. Did you try calling that fellow at the KSar? Maybe you can speak with him, to get some advice.

My thoughts are with you always,
Paris.

Oh, gosh, Maddie, what you must be going through, I can't imagine. Do you need another cage? It may be that your local shelter will lend or let you rent one, or know where you can do so. I know that a lot of wildlife rehabilatators in this area have cages that they use, but I don't know if they lend them out. When I trapped my feral (now rehabilitated indoor) cat, our local chapter of Alley Cat Allies had steered me to a lady who lived nearby and makes it her life's work by catching,neutering and releasing feral cats, and had lots and lots of cages she lends out. She let me keep a cage for over a month till I caught Bear. It was a cat-sized cage, but I'd think the shelter might have an idea of who might have a dog-sized cage lying around. Or if Eagle is small enough, maybe a cat-sized cage would work. And if so, then you can put a sign on the cage telling whoever finds it that it must not be touched, or you could somehow secure it so it can't be moved. Stake it down or something. It's a great idea to keep in touch with the guy who has seen paw prints in the woods. And with the leaves coming down soon, the woods should be a little more transparent so it might be easier to sight a dog. The only other thing I can think of is to call the SAR man and see what he can do. Will you be moving far away? If so, leave a forwarding address with everyone around (which you'd probably do anyway). And have you notified your mail-person about Eagle? They tend to be pretty observant about dogs anyway, for obvious reasons, and one of them may know where a little white or beige dog is, cause it may very well be that someone has taken Eagle in. I'm just racking my brain thinking of what you can do, so I'll keep brainstorming with myself. And as always, I'll keep you both in my prayers. Do take care, and keep us updated - Barb

[QUOTE=5catsmom,Sep 20 2007, 09:19 PM] It was a cat-sized cage, but I'd think the shelter might have an idea of who might have a dog-sized cage lying around. Or if Eagle is small enough, maybe a cat-sized cage would work. [ /QUOTE]


Eagle is a small dog and would fit in the cat cage. Taping a note put in a plastic sleeve is a good idea. The problem is she's moving soon. But yes, for the time remaining, a cage is a good idea.

I'm wondering if someone did take in Eagle, though I still believe that people who see a stray dog (unlike a cat) would not think the dog is abandoned or feral...but maybe I'm wrong. Maddie, how far out have you posted your search....and are you in the classified section, do you have flyers w/ photo posted? Have you posted and looked in Craig's List (you have to select the closest city)? craigslist.com


When my cat, Bennett, went missing, I was interested in speaking to someone or reading about cat psychology. In your case, dog, in other words, what is the behavior of a lost dog? Does it hide, circle an area, move farther and farther out, etc.....

I'll write ya'll back this week...

I just want to say it's been 12 weeks today...

And I really do miss him...

Hi Maddie,
I know you're moving soon, but will you have friends remaining in the area who would be willing to watch and/or maintain the cage? Even a kid could do that, if you pay them a small stipend it might be a real incentive. You might check at a high school or middle school and see if they know of anyone who might do that if your friends are busy. And especially if you emphasize the reward aspect, that might be a real motivator for a kid or kids who would be willing to tramp through the woods and see if they see anything or will watch the cage. If you have a 4-H club or a Boy or Cub Scout troop nearby, it might be easier to advertise that idea. I don't know how practical these ideas are, but at this point, desparate measures are called for.

You know, Eagle really is a cute little guy, and someone may well have taken him in, I hate to say, maybe thinking he's a stray. If so, and they've bonded with him, it would be hard to find that person willing to give him up. That being said, he looks like a breed that needs grooming occasionally, so I'd also suggest, if you haven't already done so, that you contact local groomers.

I hope some of this may help. I think of you and Eagle every day and pray for you both. Let us know what happens, please, I hope against hope that you'll have your little one home soon. Do take care - Barb

I saw him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's still in the woods!

He looks good and he wasn't limping or anything...

I walked towards him...he didn't see me...

Then I went in the woods calling his name softly...

But I didn't see him anymore...

Now...how do I catch him?

I didn't know know what to think and I was worried...and God answered my prayer!

Praise God I saw him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay! Hope lives! Do you have an option of sitting where you saw him, quietly, for several hours? Take a good book, a beach chair, and sing softly while you wait for him to wander up? Since he looks healthy he must be getting food from someone, I should think. How soon are you moving, and how far away? ~Kim

Oh Maddie, This is great news!

I don't know why he didn't come when he heard you, though, and what to do to catch him! What time of day was it? Is there some kind of meat or food that has a strong smell that you can put down and then wait nearby? You said you saw him and then went into the woods. Did he seem to be coming out of the woods? Oh, I wish I knew!! this is encouraging, but frustrating. Did you ever call the K9 person to maybe have a phone consulation?

Kim - I've been going by the site around 6:15 pm and staying until almost dark but I haven't seen him again...

I think it's 3 weeks that I'm moving...I'm not sure of the exact day yet...

And I'll be moving about 45 minutes away from here...

Paris - He wasn't coming out of the woods...he was walking around the woods from what I could tell...

It is frustrating because he's so close...ugh!

I called Harry the SAR expert and he told me to pee and put it in a spray bottle and make a trail from where I saw him all the way home (I did this once before)...so off to Wal-Mart I went to get another spray bottle!

Then he said to cut up a pair of socks that had not been washed so I just took off the socks I had on...he said to cut them up in little pieces and throw them around which I did...

He said to us a trap as a last resort (and the trap I had was either stolen or discarded by the construction workers)...

He said steak is good to use...but I don't want some other animal to get it...I want Eagle to get it!

Since I don't have much time I may have to just go buy another trap...

I don't know what else to do and I have only a certain amount of time to try and get him...

Oh, I want him back so bad...

I just have to keep trusting God...

Thanks for your support and your help and your friendship!

Hi Maddie.

At least you are 45 minutes away and can drive back easily. Have you tried going there at the break of dawn? That seems a time animal awaken and things are very quiet. Can you bring some meat with you, and if you see him throw the meat out for him to get? Then maybe you can try to approach him and throw a net over him or something. Sorry, I'm getting desperate to catch Eagle!!

Wow, what a breakthrough! He's still out there, and if he looks good and is moving easily, he must be developing survival strategies to keep himself going. I think Kim's idea is good, to sit quietly and read aloud or just make yourself heard in a non-threatening way. And the urine and socks will keep him thinking about home and where he should be. Being alone in the woods would also be a good time to sit and pray and visualize him coming up to you too. I send all the best and my prayers too - Barb

Paris - This is so true:

QUOTE

I'm getting desperate to catch Eagle!!

I really am getting desperate!

I have not tried going out at dawn...maybe I should try that...

If I saw him and threw anything at him he'd definitely run away...

Barb - yes, it was an answer to prayer!

It's so frustrating because he's sooooooo close!

I'm going to buy another cage and try that...I just called the place that has them and there's no answer...ugh!

So I'll have to go Monday...but until then I will be out looking for him...

Thanks so much ya'll!

Luv,
Maddie

I just saw him!!!

I saw him coming around the corner then I lost site of him...

Then I saw a dog coming close and I thought "that's not Eagle...he's too small"...but it was Eagle...

This is the closest I've been to him...

He is thin and he is dirty but he is still my Eagle...

I called his name and he stared at me for a long time...

And I called him again and he stared at me for a long time then too...

I called him one more time and he ran off into the woods...

I don't think he'll come to me again...

Unless I go out there every night but go a little bit closer...I don't know...

I thank God that I got to see him again...