Little Lady Lost – The Latest
Update (3:50 PM CST) – No new sightings of Lady today. There was one sighting north of Yankee Doodle, but this dog had a collar so we are sure it is not her.
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Normally, today would be my Wordless Wednesday post and I would be trying to decide which picture to post. But, today is not a normal day. Instead, our search continues.
I pine for normal days.
Here is what I know about losing a dog so far…
– The ups and downs are uncomfortable and often extreme – fear, hope, discouragement, hope, frustration, hope, sadness, hope. Repeat.
– People can be amazing in a time of crisis. Twice yesterday I had complete strangers offer to help because they had heard about Lady’s story. One couple Michele and Steven live in my neighborhood and offered to get the signs from the city so we could use them again. Another, Dena, a teacher in Dakota County,offered to drive around for a few hours and look for Lady. I even ran into her last night and she said she would keep looking.
– Spreading the word is so very important – fliers, signs and word of mouth. I received 6 calls yesterday. All people who thought they had seen Lady and wanted to help. God bless them for calling. It widens the search area quite a bit, but the fact that people were watching out for her and were willing to call me or Minnesota Sheltie Rescue and report it is wonderful. It means that there are hundreds more eyes out there than just ours. It makes a huge difference.
– Sometimes when helping you to find your dog, people also help someone else find their missing dog. Yesterday, I received a call from a Joanne, who thought she had seen Lady. It wasn’t far from where we were looking (based on a previous call), so I asked a lot of questions and texted her a picture. She called back and apologized (no apology necessary, trust me) because she had run into the owners of that dog and they were looking for him. Because she was watching out for Lady she noticed a dog running by itself and reached out to help. She was able to tell them where he went. That is wonderful isn’t it?
Also, while out on that same call about Lady, volunteers and staff for Minnesota Sheltie Rescue came across another dog who was in the same location as Lady iss suspected to be (in fact, we thought it was her at first). This dog iss clearly lost as well. A trap has been set for him. I’m hoping we catch him and he is reunited with his owner soon.
– There are SO many people who have lost a pet and had it return. I have received Comments on my blog, on Facebook and even on Twitter from people who have been through this with their own pets, or a foster pet. The fact that so many have come back, even months later, gives me hope.
– Taking care of yourself in the midst of searching for a lost dog is so very, very important. Although, Estelle and the other staff and volunteers from Minnesota Sheltie Rescue, have said repeatedly that I need to take care of myself so I can be healthy and ready to help when that ONE call comes in, I haven’t taken it as seriously as I should have. I reached burnout last night, or maybe it was shut down. The ups and downs, the constant searching, the handing out of fliers, posting signs, talking to people and sharing the message, while all valuable, is mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting and I couldn’t do one more thing last night. So while many, many volunteers were out looking for Lady (based on two very good eyewitness accounts), I came home. I was emotionally void and physically spent after chasing down leads and searching several locations over several hours last night.
So today I am taking a step back to take care of some of the things I have been putting off because the search had consumed so much of me, my life (and Daisy and Jasper’s lives). I’ll be working from home, but I will be focused on the work I neglected at my job while I was out searching for Lady. I’ll also be conserving my energy for the calls that come in so I can race to where she was seen and help catch her. What I have realized is that if I am shut down when that right call comes in then I am no help to Lady at all. That’s what happened last night and I can’t let it happen again. And, you can’t forget that life has to go on too. The world can’t wait until you can catch up again.
So here is where we stand as of last night.
Yesterday, we received several sightings in Eagan, back where Lady was first seen on Friday and Saturday evening. The first caller saw her running across Pilot Knob Road from Wendy’s and Chilis area towards U.S. Bank and a tire shop. Pilot Knob Road is a very, very high traffic road with 4 lanes, so this was frightening to hear.
Both me, My brother Tom, Vicki from Tuff Start Rescue and Cindy (who has been there every day) scoured the area or over an hour. No luck. We had given up the search and were heading out when Vicki saw Lady standing in the middle of Pilot Knob Road, trying to cross over. She slammed on her brakes to try and stop someone from hitting Lady, who was next to her driver’s side car door, but was going too fast to stop next to her and ended up flying past her. Because Lady was behind her then, she could not see if she had made it across or ran back to where she had been. Volunteers raced in from everywhere to look for her. With a confirmed sighting it was all hands on deck. They searched for over an hour with no luck, but at least now we know where she is (we think). As I mentioned above, the volunteers came across another lost dog hanging out in the same area and they set a trap for him. Hopefully, he is caught soon too.
In addition to the sightings in Eagan, we received two in Rosemount about a Sheltie that looked matted and muddy. He/She was roaming along Hwy 3 at the intersection of Hwy 55. Both the people who saw him/her called it in right away (God bless them) and I raced out there to see if I could find it and confirm if it was Lady. I did not see the dog, but I did run into an Inver Grove Heights officer and informed her. I also texted pictures of Lady to the people who had called in and they both said that they didn’t think it was her unless she was really, really muddy. Each had described the dog as being black and tan or black and gray. I left the area in relief, thinking that I would rather her not be out there alone where coyotes roam in packs, but you know that still leaves someone else’s dog out there all by itself. 😦
So, the search continues. I think our best bet is the Pilot Knob area, but after talking to my friend Kellie, I am not completely closing the book on the sightings in Rosemount either. When Kellie saw Lady on Saturday morning, she was completely black from her midsection on down. And, she certainly would be muddy and matted if she had traveled out Rosemount way. There’s just no way of knowing. So Lady, we continue to watch for you and search for you and hope you make it home safely soon.
My continued thanks to those of you who have tweeted, shared on Facebook and who have volunteered or offered to help in some way. You are amazing people with huge hearts. I have a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. Thank you.
Please continue to pray for Lady’s safe return and to share her story and pictures. You are making a difference. It’s only a matter of time – at least, that is what I hope and pray every day.
If you tweet, please retweet: Lost #Sheltie in #Eagan #Minnesota. Brown and white. Afraid of people. Tweet @melzpetpals if you see her.
If you are on Facebook, please ask your friends to share with their Minnesota friends a picture of Lady or refer them to her blog post from last weekend. I have pictures and video of Lady here.
Previous Post: Little Lady Lost – The Latest
You can read more about the search for Lady and how she was found in the posts listed below.
Post #1: The search for Lady, my foster dog. How you can help.
Post #2:Foster Dog Lady – Still MissingPost #3 (This Post): Little Lady Lost – The Latest
Post #4: Thanksgiving Gratitude Despite Little Lady Still Being Lost
Post #5: Little Lady Lost – Chasing the Wrong Things
Post #6: A Sunbeam of Hope? The Latest on Little Lady Lost
Post #7: Little Lady Lost – The Saturday Update
Post #8: Little Lady Lost – Latest Update & Do’s and Don’ts
Post #9: Little Lady Lost – A sense of peace
Post #10: Little Lady Lost – HOME AT LAST!
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No Dog About It Blog 
Have you tried large animal traps? I wish I was close – I have several I could loan you (plus I’d be out searching!).
Sam
Mel, are their any search and rescue dogs trained to find lost pets in your area? We’ll continue sending love to you and Lady. I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself – Jasper and Daisy need you, too!
We would like to help. We are available Fri, Sat or Sun or all. Please contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX
Keeping Lady in our thoughts!! May she make it home soon! 🙂
Big woofs & hugs, ❤
~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)
Thanks for the update Mel. You are doing the right thing in taking a step back today, you need a mental rest, no matter how hard it may seem to do! You are getting closer to having her back I just know it:)))
I’m not sure all that you’ve tried so far… I’ll just share what I know from years of working the Lost & Found at the Golden Valley Humane Society…
*Places to contact: all veterinarians in the area, the city (especially if she’s wearing tags), pet stores & groomers, pretty much ANY place that has anything to do with animals. You never know who people might contact if they find a lost dog. Leave your phone # everywhere!
*Post signs out in public; light poles, laundromats, grocers, banks, post office… anywhere that sees large amounts of foot traffic.
*Contact local media with the story… radio, tv, newspaper. They can spread the word quickly and reach a wider audience.
*Don’t just call local shelters to see if she’s there… go in person & see for yourself. Make sure to ask if there are any dogs being kept in the infirmary as well.
*Contact the DOT… their workers are out on the highways 24/7. Give them a head’s up to keep an eye out for her and make sure they have your phone #. Let them know to call you, anytime time of night or day, if they spot her.
*Place an ad in your local paper… and check the found pet section on a regular basis.
On a personal note… stay strong & don’t give up. It’s amazing what an animal will do to get back home. They’re tenacious and won’t give up on being found! My best to you… leslie
Mel – thanks for your updates, I know this is difficult for you, but I appreciate them. I am a dog lover since I was very, very little and had a collie mix run away after a sheltie we’d had was killed by a car. We think he went looking for her as he seemed very enamored of her. I had another dog of mine run away – my parents never took the time to try and find either of these wonderful animals – and it’s a shame, too. They were wonderful additions to our family, but my mom never saw it that way and I think that’s why they never looked. Anyway, I know what it is you are going through, I promise. Losing a pet is terrible and at times devastating. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family (4 legged included!) until Lady is brought home safely.
Donna
Good luck from me and my sheltie rescue, Brooke. Love hugs and sheltie kisses.
Keeping you in my thoughts… the sightings are very encouraging! I hope Lady is back in your arms very, very soon.
Mel, thanks so much for the update. We have never met, but I have been worried sick about Lady. It is encouraging that there are so many sightings and so many people rallying around her. I have been tweeting and spreading the word and praying daily for her. I really wish I lived closer to you so that I could go out and help look, but please know I am sending positive thoughts to you and your search team! Stay strong!
Reblogged this on Laurie Bartolo and commented:
Lady is still missing. Please help Mel at No Dog About it Blog find Lady by spreading the word.
I can only try to imagine what you must be going through. Furiously hoping Lady is found soon.
The other dog people saw last night might belong to a family of a student who goes to my school. When I posted Lady’s picture at my school, the school counselor told me that one of our 6th grade student’s dog had also escaped recently and described it as a beagle mix (I think) so that kind of sounds like the dog you saw in the hotel parking lot. I had the school counselor call the mom and tell her that a dog was seen behind Chili’s and Wendy’s and that we would keep an eye out as we look for Lady. If found, tell the Eagan Animal Control that it could belong to this family but I won’t be able to contact them until Monday. You can call me if you happen to pick up this dog. This dog was recently adopted (only a few days ago) and the family has been calling it “Louie” but again, it was recently adopted so I don’t know what the name was before that.
Hi Dena – I know of the dog you are speaking of and I believe it was a Beagle or Bassett mix. My understanding is that Eagan Animal Control was informed because they told us that there was another dog missing. I received a call on that dog from a woman last night as we were looking for Lady. She last saw him running into a field of corn and some garden patches near Falcon Way and Lexington in Eagan. I was so hoping they had already found him because the woman was able to tell them where he went. I guess he was just adopted 5 days ago and doesn’t know his name.
The dog seen behind Wendy’s was posted on Craig’s list and Eagan Animal Control called to say that they had received a call on that dog as well. I believe MN Sheltie Rescue contacted the owner. We had thought this might be Lady at first, but it turned out not to be so.
I think it’s a good sign that Lady’s been spotted! Hopefully she’ll be back with you soon!
Hi Mel, thinking and praying for Lady’s safe return. The word is spreading. Lots of people looking till we can get her home to you.
Hi Mel, I do hope Lady is found soon, safe and sound. I am thinking of you both.
Thoughts and prayers your way. Hope Lady is found soon.
Mel, we are keeping Lady in our thoughts and prayers, don’t give up! She needs to come home! I was so hoping for an email tonight of a sighting so I could head over and help out! Please stay stong! She needs to come home!
Praying for you and Lady that you will be reunited!
We are searching for a dog lost from the Joplin, MO tornado of May 22, 2011. There is a group of volunteers doing the ground work, while many of us are using our online resources to search. Over 300 pets are still reported missing from that disaster, but some have been trapped and reunited as recently as last week. Surprisingly, several indoor-only cats have been found safe after 5 months in the wild. One of the things that has really helped has been the posters they have put up. They are using a large 8×10 picture mounted on neon posterboard. The words “LOST DOG” and a phone number are written in big black letters on the posterboard. These are laminated against the weather and posted on wooden stakes in yards (with permission from owners) where pets have been seen or at the address where they were originally lost. One cat was reunited after 5 1/2 months because a large poster was put up. A woman had been feeding him since the day after the tornado, but never noticed the small black & white fliers that were posted on every available surface. With dogs, it’s been helpful to take a small grill to the area of a sighting and cook bacon. Be prepared to “find” other dogs. 😉 Please post Lady on “Lost Paws Finder” and “Dog Missing / Pet Lost & Found Alert Group” and “MISSING/FOUND DOGS & CATS WORLDWIDE” on Facebook if you have not already done so. I will share on my page and our missing dog page (“Where’s Leslie”) as well.
Oh Mel — I’ve been away from Twitter, etc for a few days and seem to have missed the plight of Lady. OMG I am so sorry! I do hope you find her soon – surely she can be found? I can’t bear to think of her being out there alone and scared. You must be beside yourself. I will have to go back and read the story from the beginning. Bless your heart and Lady’s. I will pray for both of you and for her healthy and speedy trip back home! ❤
I thought this dog was found? Please update post
She was found last Wednesday Judy, thanks to the kind heart of a stranger.