Animal House

If you want to donate for the pet detective, please send a check to Lois at:

Lois Baker (make check payable to Lois Baker)
PO BOX 211604
Eagan, MN 55121

Or donate to the Bobbi & the Strays website.

Posted by: Beth Thompson | March 20, 2006 at 10:17 AM

I read here last night that someone had blocked the part of the fence that she could slid under and come and go into the cemetery as she pleased. Can someone unblock that area... she may have liked the cemetery to hid or seek out shelter... having a place she likes to go will help keep her in the area. I hate to think she will get locked in or out of a place she is used to going... she needs to be able to come and go into the cemetery as she is used to.

I am wondering WHY there are not searchers at all exits to the cemetery, including the holes in the fence? Is this not possible? Are the fence bars wide enough that she can go in out and anywhere she wants to? Will someone PLEASE let me know if they need more searchers??????? I am about 4 hrs away, but can possibly arrange to go if need be. I am free on weekdays if that is when they need people. Is there someone I can contact to see if they need searchers? My email is bellacani@aol.com, 607-592-0544. I have Italian greyhounds and have been involved in many searches. Thanks.

Mary, try calling Bonnie. Her cell is 917-626-1374.

Time to pull an "all-nighter" and set up a grill cooking hamburg in the cemetery. Surely the caretaker would allow it if he is in line for part of the reward!! Maybe the smell of beef cooking will entice her...it would my whippets! Also- heat sensing device and night goggles are a must during these last few days! I would be there in a heart-beat if Maine weren't so far away. All the "retired greyhound" placement folks here are following the story and sending positive energy. We will not give up hope!

Are the searchers carrying those kind of leashes that they give you at the vet (lasso type)? It sounds like she is coming close to people, but it's hard to grab a wiggly whippet. Getting a leash around her neck is going to be the only way to catch her, unless she is caught in a trap.

Thanks Dina....I will!

The kind of leash is a catch-pole. We used those when rescuing dogs during the Katrina rescue -- it's actually not a bad idea, but the person who spots her has to have one!

Mary, also try Honi Reisman, NY ground coordinator at 516-776-0923 or 516-378-9081; email: roxiethedoxie@aol.com

I had suggested a grill be set up yesterday, but with the wind, maybe a camp stove would be better. A big pot with something good cooking.

Leave this post open for people searching, so they can update here only. Go to Note from Bonnie.

NO keep posting under Vivi Sighting Flushing

This is a real good thing, if she is being locked in the cemetery at night, at least we know where she is. Has anyone contacted the Humane Society (you know those "Animal Precinct People from Animal Planet". They have extensive experience in catching run-a-ways and have the equipment to do it too. I might know someone who can help in contacting them directly, just let me know. I also live in Bayside and in the morning I take the bus which passes the area where Vive has been seen alot lately. I am not seeing any posters along the cemetery route. Please contact me and I will drive by after work and put as many posters as you have up. I have a staple gun and would be happy to do it. You can call me at 718-428-9525..

If she isn't inside the cemetery when the gate closes at night then she will be locked out of the cemetery. I think she had a way to get in and out on her own... I am concerned when I heard that the part of the fence she could slip under that someone blocked it off last night. She needs to come and go as she was used to... it might of been her only safe haven that she would go to.

KEEP POSTING UNDER VIVI SIGHTING FLUSHING until we hear further notice.

Kathleen: Pls contact Honi Reisman @ 516-776-0923(Cell)Thanks

It is such a helpless feeling to be so far away from all of this, read about it every day, and not be able to do anything except pray. I can't even imagine how Vivi's family feels. To all of you who are donating your time, energy, and hearts to this effort -- I commend you. I would want you on my team if my Whippets were every lost (God forbid). I believe she has not forgotten her mom and dad. She's a pretty smart little Whippet, if she's gotten this far. I hope and pray that Vivi will soon come into contact with the just the right, gentle-spirited person, and she will sense that she can trust enough to allow them to rescue her so she can be returned to her mom and dad.

Susan, I hear your concerns - perhaps you can contact Honi to let her know. She is the NY ground coord. and let her know. 516-776-0923 cell and 516-378-9081 home and her email is roxiethedoxie@aol.com - things have come too far to chance her "moving on" .....if you cannot contact Honi let me know I will.

i was just viewing some websites...i found one
that is ' the north american police work dog'
website....they work with k9 law enforcement all
over the country, and have specially trained
search dogs, and offer training and seminars to
the police on k9 search tactics....could they
be of assistance...? melanie

DebbieK, Honi doesn't know me... i don't know if she'd except my calls? If she knows you it might be better if you contact her... PLEASE do because i don't want anything to interfere with ViVi's normal habits...they have been what is keeping her alive so far... also don't want her to leave an area she has started to feel comfortable with!

Susan - done. Seconds ago, I spoke with Honi about that blocked area at the cemetary & she said "somebody already took care of that." Whew!

Sorry Sophie...last one here...promise...moving over to "VIVI SIGHTING FLUSHING"

Just wondering if the man who tried to reach for Vivi commented on her condition.

Hi, I would like to find out if I can come out tonight to help in Vivi's search. If so, is there an organized group meeting place? I would like to help in any way I can and I only live about 35 minutes from the cemetary area.

cb:

The people that are out and about searching for Vivi aren't around computers reading this Blog. You should probably call either:

Honi 516-776-0923
or
Bonnie 917-626-1374

I'm sure they would be HAPPY to have help.

LET'S ALL BUT THE LOCAL SEARCHERS HANG OUT ON "A NOTE FROM BONNIE" THREAD? MAYBE IF WE LET THE MOST RECENT POST BE THE LOCALS "POST", THE ONES THAT ARE OUT OF TOWN CAN GO TO THE SECOND TO THE MOST RECENT ONE? SOUND OKAY?

I am wondering....is Vivi still wearing her collar and/or coat?

PLEASE set up in your cars, with the heater on ALL NIGHT, by the cemetery..will the keeper allow you to STAY INSIDE THE CEMETERY OVERNIGHT? Can you use a NET to throw over her when she approaches? IT'S SO COLD and will be for the next week. Maybe we should hand out HOT DOGS to everyone in Flushing along with the posters...my dogs can't resist the smell and taste of a hot dog. WE GOTTA GET SWEET VIVI SOON.

Karen, I do not believe she has a collar on or a coat (perhaps just a string).

I will be out tomorrow afternoon posting flyers if anyone is going to be in the area let me know as I will be posting the perimeter of the cemetary with the neon ones, I have food and treats I can leave under the fences in case she goes back in.

Vivi has no coat or collar on.

Hi it's me---I have been in deep meditation and energetically infusing light force into Vivi all night and in meditation contact al day to keep the force generating the contact succuss to capture her and keep her vitals going. the group is still visualizing and the group is getting larger as more and more people are recruiting others to join the vigil for Vivi. I feel the need for those on the group on the location to be in that calm state when (rather than if) coming in contact with Vivi and when the connection begins it's important to stay calm and at that time consciously connect with divine forces (God) and ask for WHEN to grab her---it's works for me every time. there is that magic moment when the forces create the space---but it is important to remain energetically calm and breathe calmly too. Being that she is now hyper sensitive to everything any little anxious blip in the radar she will most likely react to. It might be better to go for her body and grap between her front legs and under her belly that way you could get a good hold on her regardless of wiggles, but if in the energ moment there will be all the support of the forces we are cultivating for her safe capture and return supporting the people ready to be in that space. I really feel the strong presence of spirits keeping her safe and she does feel as though she has found a safe haven for now. With the area I sense she is able to grab little varments and have something to eat (they do hunt) and there are safe places to get out of the elements and places to rest (cats like to hide inder the pines and evergreen bushes---and since Whippets are like cats in dog bodies, I would check under and hang around those trees near the fencing). think like a cat and you will get a feel for how she can be conducting her day. She sounds like she's setting up a routine now so go with that. I will keep high contact and send everyone into the light force field and keep generating the intensity of the visualizations happening throughout the states to support Vivi and everyone in the search. Let's draw this sweetie pie to loving arms---safe and sound.

TO THE VIVI SEARCHERS!!!!!

I have been tracking the Vivi sightings on Google Earth and she has been sighted on the SE (Auburndale and Bagley) to SW sides (the man who fed her the bread) of the cemetery ONLY for the past three days!! Please consider concentrating your searches there unless there is a conflicting sighting. Today she was sighted on block off the SW side (47th and Utopia) but was seen running towards the SW side (fence line towards 162nd St). Again, she has been sighted ONLY on the SOUTHEAST and SOUTHWEST sides of the cemetery. I hope to be able to get to NYC to help the search on Friday.....

I'm sorry, today she was sighted one block off the SE side! but running back towards the SW.

Hi can someone please email me a directions (NSEW) map of that imediate area---I have been viewfinding the area for many days now and it's time I get a map of the area a bit so I can get finetuned into the area---I am going to be teleporting tonight and tommorrow so I can be in the area with a physical energy and hold Vivi with greater force so she can be more readily approached---and with Jil on her way to be there tues that's great news. I have been in constant connectionenergetically and psychically with JIl Bo and Paul for many days now and also through the doggie relatives so the connections are ever gaining in force so this should be the hottest spot light force-wise on the planet for the next several days! so let's get this little darling in safe arms. asap. the divine forces are containing the area and the spirits of the cemetery are getting some wonderful views of everyone in teh light field helping this little prize sweetie pie. Be sure to check by the pines and the everygreen bushes too because they help block cold and wind and the weather (the cats love those places) and it sounds like Vivi has taken up a routine place now and the visualizations have contained her with the light force working to create a bubble area. I keep seeing someone luring her in. Know I am with everyone there and can even be seen at times energetically so if you see me or feel me energetically just tap in and stay calm---know the forces are with you, and breathe steady---feel the energy integrating into you and holding you in so you stay in active mode rather than reactive mode and you remain a pack leader radiating confidence and trust and represent a safe haven force. With Go;s speed let Vivi come in.

i wish i could believe this energy thing......if its true....find a winning lottery ticket for me....i wll use millions for animal shelters all over the country....like i said to the psychics...show me somthing real so i can become a believer...i want to believe...not one psychic mentioned anything about vivi in flushing...all they talked about were big yellow machines and cargo houses and boxes...gee sounds like any airport..please folks be right so i can believe...b

My perspective is it's like everything else- let what needs to pass go by. Part of what has to happen on a public forum. We sure seem way closer than a couple of weeks ago.

Ha as long as I am on Maui I can stay up as late as you.

Has anyone thought to do a steak-out and just sit parked in your car and watch in the areas she was sighted, which all seem to be the same general area. You could go real early in the morning and watch into the day... you might even be able to see where she is coming in and out of the cemetery.
Just a thought... I know it night be hard to just sit in a car that long... but it seems like if someone just sat and watched they would see her.

I think Bo did that...I think.

It seems to me that the only way to recover her now is with the humane traps set properly by experienced recovery people. You all know WHERE she is (approximately), but you can't capture her even if you see her. She'll simply run from fright and be out of the area, and we'll be starting from scratch.

Wouldn't this be the time to bring in experienced Whippet rescue personnel now that we have her staying in the same general area?

I'm so afraid for her, I just cry all the time.

Hi,
I got notice this web page was updated earlier http://pionet.net/~mtrul/vivi.html. All possible leads need to be considered and one is she was caught and is being held. Dogs can easily be disguised and misidentified. Put a pretty sweater on, bright leash, and walk proud down the street and no one would give the dog a second look at the end of a leash, especially considering the whippet, greyhounds, Italian Greyhounds which who have accompanied searchers out looking.

Emily

Emily that link doesn't work....hmmmm

remove the . after html

Emily, thanks for that link. Quite thought provoking indeed...and you are right, at this point anything is possible.

LET THIS BE THE DAY...

bo has posted
http://www.awc2006.com/index.php?page=vivi&show=Vivi_20Mar06

Everytime we get close to snagging Vivi we seem to have a problem. I really don't know Laura's plan regarding when she is coming back but it appears we need someone (perhaps someone locally) that would have the necessary equipment and tools of the trade needed to lure her into submission. If this situation continues much longer, I'm afraid we'll find ourselves in the same situation we were in last week.

If Laura is returning within the next day or two then hopefully she will be able to capture her--I think we need (Laura and or ?) to monitor the areas of sightings with adequate equipment on a 24 hour basis for a couple of days with the hope of a HAPPY CONCLUSION AND SAFE RETURN OF VIVI TO HER OWNERS.
Just mho!!

My own thought is that Vivi has not been picked up or being held...sometimes I wish that was the case because she would at least have food and out of this awful wind and cold. I do believe that the boy and his girlfriend who fed her bread did see Vivi and probably had a chance to catch her...too late now.

I am wondering why psychics always seem to "see" things the day after they actually happen??? Geez, I could do that, too! Give me the Mega millions numbers for next week and I will be a believer...or better still, why doesn't the psychic get the numbers and donate the mega millions to animal shelters all across this country?

I am heartbroken, exhausted and frustrated...and CRANKY...I know that and I hate myself today.

Vivi so much needs help and we can't get our hands on this little girl. If I could just see her, I feel in my heart that I could get her close enough so I could get my slip knot around her beautiful little neck. Three badly injured dogs have taken a few steps to come to me and I didn't even have food as a lure...I just got down on the ground and talked softy for as long as a half hour...Vivi, please, come to me...you are wearing me out and you need a Vet, now!

Going to my church and ask St. Francis to help us, please!

Irene Wilson

Brian, I didn't find this out until last night but Gail was right on regarding a large statute of a horse. There is such a statute I believe at the opening of the cemetery - do you believe now - I know I do and have for years. I could tell you stories of psychic things that have happened to me that would curl your hair.

Emily, don't put too much stock in that web site - I don't know who that person is, there was one Whippet searching yesterday, the Greyhound - one Greyhound - is mine and I never saw any IGs. Also, my Greyhound is a nudist - he won't wear a coat - nor will any of my 5 Whippets, but they were at home.

Does the local SPCA have any resources that could be utilized to try to catch/trap the dog? It seems that she is not going to be caught by someone using food as a temptation. Strangers that might see her don't realize how hard it is to catch a whippet. It's frustrating that she is still running on the streets, but she's definitely a survivor.

In support of Gale...

Whether you believe or not, please just have the positive energy and thoughts for Vivi that she is talking about.

We also need to understand, psychics have brought comfort to Vivi's family. Maybe they have a reason to believe that some of us can not understand.

Brian, I never met a psychic that can give lottery numbers. My Grandmother was one and honestly, spending the first 13 years of my life with that beautiful person proved to me there are those who have a gift. And, there are many who claim to that do not.

My Grandmother passed on her gift to someone who uses it rarely when it can do some real good, not to win a lottery.

Although, I would certainly welcome winning the lottery. Been playing 2,7,12,13,27 and so far it never came in in my state of PA. So much for a psychic and lottery numbers.

SUGGESTION: Antibiotics - should be put in the food/water that is being left - I have 400mg Amox. that was left over from a toe operation my boxer recently had as well as Rimadyl for pain/inflamation. I am making plans to take a vacation day from work Friday 3/24 to hang out around the cemetary, etc. from around 9-10:00a till about 4:00p. I will have & leave slightly boiled meaty marrow bones, hot dogs, dry dog food and water (Amox. mixed in.) This is the best I can do physically - I feel so inadequate and pray I won't need to make this venture. I hate this! Are we 100% sure she is hanging around this area? Has there been an actual "stake-out" and has she been spotted more than once? Has the man with Italian bread come across her since he was spoken to ny the searchers? Has the little girl & family? Perhaps it is time for the surveillance equipment Laura spoke of? I will try and rally some folks together (pay them if I must) cause somethings gotta happen...then there's Sniffles and that horrible pit bull story Ashley told in her update...I am so on the wrong planet - or on the right planet at the wrong time! No updates from the key persons is bothersome.

I was thinking of the NYC ASPCA. Annemarie Lucas to be exact. I don't think they would come out to help, unless it was on their own time, put the wiuld be a great source of information on how to capture her. Since she always appears to be the front runner I'm suggesting her.

Brian, you posted what I didn't want to say. Afraid I'd ruffle to many feathers.

Debbie K.
I'm with you..."beam me up, Scotty." Time to try another galaxy here!

Just came home from church. Candles lit and prayers said to St. Francis for Vivi, Sniffles and Biggie and to keep Ashley safe!

I don't know what to do anymore...drove around for more than 3 hours last night and did not see Vivi.
I just feel I could get her to come to me if only I could SEE her! I've done it before, 3 times, with strange and injured dogs. Vivi, please, let us help you, you need a Vet, now!

Oh God, how will this end?

Irene Wilson

Has anyone staked out a possible water source Vivi may be using? A nearby stream or pond would be a great site to watch for Vivi. Hopefully there is one near the cemetary.

RECEIVED MESSAGE NOT TO ADD MEDS of ANY KIND as they COULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD due to SIDE EFFECTS..No Antibiotics, etc. will be added. Caught up in the "moment" (aka panic mode) Thanks Kathy!

If she is locked in the cemetary at night (it sounds like she has made her den there) no one will see her unless she walks by the gate. I can't be there but if I could I would probably stake out by the gates of the cemetary with the night goggles on. We still wouldn't be able to catch but right now just to see her would help. The goggles would pick up anything giving off heat, and aside from some raccoons and cats, etc. I don't think there's much else there with heat to it :-) JMHO

As per Debbie K's suggestion that she put out food with Amoxicillin.

While well-meaning, I do not think this is a good idea at all, and definitely should be approved through Honi Reissman before even considering it. For starters, 400mg is about double the dose that would be appropriate for Vivi. Second, you do not even know if she will eat the food laced with Amoxicillin, or if some stray cat will do so and get REALLY overdosed. Third, a single dose (or even occassional random) doses of Amoxicillin will not do Vivi any good, and would possibly select for resistant strains of bacteria, which could endanger her further. This is NOT a good idea.

Debbie, is your plan to put out food for Vivi part of the effort coordinated by Honi? From what I"ve read, they have a plan that includes known feeding stations and traps. Once Vivi is eating from known feeding stations, they will probably be taken away, so she can be lured into a trap. People putting a bunch of food out in locations that are not known to the "trappers" may be counterproductive, and could delay Vivi's capture.

Just my 2 cents, I don't have any inside information.

Jill Hopfenbeck, DVM

What about the Discovery Channel/Animal Planet network? Do they know any pet people and/or have resources to capture a wayward whippet? It would be great television too...

Good Morning, Jill:
Would the Amoxicillin diluted in a bowl of water be that detrimental? Don't think it will help much because I've always had to give it not diluted (from an eye dropper) several times a day.

I think everyone so much wants to help and we are totally frustrated here. The runny eyes and pus in her eyes described really worries me...if I could just see her, I really feel I could get her to come close....that's what I pray for, but I've not seen her no matter what time I roam around...

Please, Vivi, you need not be afraid...we will make you warm and take you home, promise!

Irene Wilson

agree completely with Jill H. - food placement should be coordinated with those in charge of the search effort. Getting her used to coming for food in specific areas is crucial to capturing her. She's still got a good nose, she'll find it.

I just read the post about medications, also from time to time people have mentioned "tranquilizer darts" I'm a licensed Vet Tech and work in an vet emergency critical care/rehab specialty hospital 2 days/wk PLEASE DON'T MEDICATE VIVI'S FOOD. For one thing, antibiotics aren't one size fits all...Nobody knows what type, if any infection, this dog has and some meds do more harm than good, wipe out her immunity, upset the GI tract etc. She could have parasites, too. There are different antibiotics for different types of infection. Also, with tranquilizers, we don't know her weight and other medical conditions, she could be overdosed or have an allergic reaction (sighthounds and tranquilizers are dicey)...and tend to depress respiration. I have post-grad training in emergency care and fluid therapy yet I wouldn't give her one thing unless it was prescribed by a vet who actually EXAMINES her.

Jill, thanks so much for your post and your professional opinion about meds.
Everyone on these blog sites MUST realize that all of the searchers are very experienced professional dog people who are conducting this search and rescue operation under the direction of the pet detectives and others who know the best techniques for safely recovering Vivi. There is a plan and it is being followed. Honi and her sister Carol have been involved with sighthounds for many, many years. Absolutely no actions should be taken by anyone without the approval of the main search team. I'm sure more people would be very helpful, but those wanting to help should seek out the main team for direction as to what needs to be done.
Ideas are always appreciated and helpful but should not be carried out on an individual basis. Keep thinking positive thoughts and stay calm.

Thank you Irene - wow - did I cause a stir! I will not make any moves w/o an okay from the proper persons.

NANCY:

I WAS IN NO WAY SUGGESTING THE TRANQUILIZER DARTS FOR VIVI....PLEASE!

I WAS TALKING ABOUT MYSELF!!!!

IRENE WILSON

Hi, I was wondering where you would send a donation for Vivi?

DebbieK.

Not to worry, happens to me every day! We will survive and it's about Vivi and not what anyone says to me or about me....we can all argue later!

Back to prayer, people!

Irene Wilson

kathy I agree with you everyone is probably putting the food at the cemetary. I saw them put it there Sunday night in case she was locked in I do know where one trap is but not the other nor do I want to know for fear of scaring her away. I have food to put out but since I saw this I don't think I will because she will never go back to the traps. I am going to be heading out in a little while to start posting again just made up 15 extra large neon flyers with a 12inch picture of vivi, if that doesn't catch someones eye they must be blind, also have some smaller neon ones to put around perimeter of cemetary again. Have a whole tub of smelly jerky treat that can last a while if I see her. Will check back later

Ginny:

With all due respect to the people who are "professional dog people", and I most certainly am not, I can tell you that if I find myself (Please God, let it be!) with Vivi right in front of me and calm, I will most certainly slip my rope over her beautiful neck! I am not going to lose an opportunity to consult with "professional Dog handlers"....

We are all intelligent and mature people here...no one that I know is going to rish her life and make rash moves. I've taken 3 injured dogs off a busy traffic street, injured at the side of the road, and sat on the curb talking till they made a move to me...I saved 3 lives that way.

If given the opportunity in a safe situation, you can just bet I will give it my all!

Irene Wilson

Ginny, is that true? Ideas are always appreciated?? I'm asking because on another site I was told "too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the soup". If that is the case I will keep my suggestions to myself. I fear Vivi would pay the price for that.

Irene, what is an Experienced Professional Dog Person? I've showed dogs, done agility and personal training. I've been owned by dogs for over 5 decades. I's it someone with a license? That I don't have.

Gail: This morning, quite frankly, I don't give a damn what a professional dog handler is. I am doing all I can to help this little girl...I am not a child, I truly love animals and everyone can rest assured that if a miracle opportunity is in front of my eyes, I will do what is sensible to get Vivi into my arms. I will know the opportunity if it is in front of me. See is a Whippet, and I've never even met a whippet in person(?), but she is also a DOG! Three different breeds of dogs, when the chips were down, reacted in the same way to me. They came to me and trusted me....I can only try.

I pray, I look for her in my car, slowly, through each and every street, I have turkey, hot dogs, dog treats, etc., etc., and I pray. Walking a distance without a place to stop every little bit, is out of the question right now. My eyes work, however, and the rest is in God's hands...He will do what is best.

Irene Wilson

DEBBIE: YOU THERE?????

I thought I had better post this one here as well. Brian asked me to pass along this information... this is great news. This little girl is not getting out of the spotlight! Thank you Brian...

I HAVE SET UP AN INTERVIEW WITH JIL AND THE DAILY NEWS....AT 2PM ON TUESDAY.......JIL WILL ALSO BE WITH DENISE IN THE AM......THE TIMES WERE OUT RIDING WITH THE SEARCHERS TODAY.....THE STORY LIVES.......WITH THE POST AD AND THE QUEENS COURIR AD WE WILL BE IN GOOD SHAPE.....

Hey guys... Brian wanted me to make sure that you were all aware that his hotel is having a book signing party for Cindy Adams, author of "Living a Dog's Life" and you are all invited. It will be held at the Rein Bar & Bistro between 6:30 and 8:30 PM on March 22 (tomorrow!). Check out his web site at www.gardencityhotel.com

I wish I could link you to the ad they are placing...at the bottom of it is a picture of Vivi and states "Speaking of a Dog's Life Vivi the Missing Whippet Still at Large". All those phone numbers are displayed prominently - it is beautiful. If you click on his hotel site, enter the "Rein" and then "Entertainment", you might be able to get to the link where it says more information.

which Debbie Irene?

DebbieK

It wasn't me, it was DARLENE who is asking for
Debbie....getting confusing, right?

Irene Wilson

SORRY GALS - DEBBIE FROM MINEOLA LONG ISLAND....

Please don't put out any medication without checking with Honi. Vivi needs all of her senses to be sharp -- she is in tremendous danger. Medicating an animal in a piecemeal fashion under these circumstances isn't likely to be helpful. The owners have asked that everything go through Honi.

Right now, the most productive thing we can do is get the word out to the people living in that area, through posters (and LOTS of them), through talking to people, and through spending time in the area -- everything the NYC volunteers are now doing. They are truly our best (and maybe only) hope of a good outcome. We only get reports of sightings people people know to call when they see her.

For those who want to donate to help find Vivi, you have to choices. We are collecting a fund, which Lois has generously agreed to monitor. This fund will go to pay for Laura, the pet detective and will be used for other means to aid in the search. However, if you want to claim your donation as a tax deduction, please do not send to Lois. Donations for this fund should be made payable to Lois Baker and go to this address:

Lois Baker (make check payable to Lois Baker)
PO BOX 211604
Eagan, MN 55121

If you want to claim your donation, donate to Bobbi & The Strays, and you can indicate that you want the donation to go to the Vivi Fund. Do a google search for their website -- you can donate right there.

Thanks to all for their generous donations.

Hey Mamma Darlene heading out soon to post. by the way my arm is black and blue gotta stop climbing fences at night.

BONNIE JUST CALLED ME AND HAD A CONFIRMED SIGHTING OF VIVI. SHE IS ON THE MOVE. CAN ANYONE POST FLYERS AND POSTERS IN THE AREA OF 42-14 BOWNE STREET, FLUSHING NY . NEAR A LAUNDROMAT NORTHWEST OF THE CEMETARY. THE SIGHTING CAME IN AT 5 AM.
PLEASE ANYONE THAT CAN, POST FLYERS AND POSTERS AHEAD OF HER.

BETH - PLEASE TELL PAUL, JIL, BO, ETC. - THESE IDEAS OF TRANQUILIZING, DRUGGING, ETC. ARE NOT FROM THE PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT THERE ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT. WE ALL REALIZE THE AREA SHE IS IN AND WOULDN'T THINK OF TAKING MATTERS IN OUR OWN HANDS LIKE THAT. NOT ONLY COULD SHE GET GROGGY AND STUMBLE INTO TRAFFIC, BUT NOT ONE OF US ARE QUALIFIED TO ISSUE MEDICATION. PLEASE - WE DON'T NEED TO BE INSTRUCTED NOT TO ACT FOOLISHLY. WE ARE RESPONSIBLE AND INTELLIGENT PEOPLE AND CARE FOR HER AND HER SAFETY DEEPLY. IF WE DIDN'T, WE WOULDN'T BE OUT THERE.....

Darlene do you know where bowne street is point me in the direction and I'm off

DEB: IT'S WHERE WE WERE SUNDAY!!!!!! RIIGHT OFF OF NORTHERN BLVD, YOU'LL SEE SANFORD. REMEMBER BEING THERE?????

Irene, you are one FIESTY lady, lol.

Debbie, go west on 46th Ave, it turns into Parsons Blvd. Make a left on Ash Ave and then a right on Bowne. Good luck! Dina (we met on Saturday)

Deb- Start address: Utopia Pky
Flushing, NY 11358

End address: Bowne St
Flushing, NY 11355

Distance: 2.1 mi (about 6 mins)

Reverse directions

1. 1. Head south from Utopia Pky - go 0.3 mi
2. 2. Turn right at Crocheron Ave - go 0.6 mi
3. 3. Turn left at 162nd St - go 0.3 mi
4. 4. Turn right at 43rd Ave - go 0.3 mi
5. 5. Bear left at Cherry Ave - go 0.4 mi
6. 6. Bear right at Parsons Blvd - go 253 ft
7. 7. Turn left at Beech Ave - go 0.2 mi
8. 8. Turn left at Bowne St - go 243 ft

DEBBIE (FROM L.I.) SHE IS HEADED TOWARD THE MAIN STREET AREA/ROOSEVELT AVE AREA IF SHE KEEP GOING NORTH*** THOSE AREA NEED TO BE POSTED IF POSSIBLE. I KNOW YOU WILL BE BUSY SCOUTING. I WILL TRY TO COME AFTER WORK - SHOULD BE THERE AT AROUND 4:25. GET GOING - I WILL CALL YOU AT LUNCHTIME!!!! JUST GO YOUR NORMAL ROUTE AND GO TO NORTHERN BLVD. JUST DO NOT TURN ON UTOPIA - KEEP GOING!!!!!!!

I'll find it but that was over 6hrs ago.Darlene I cant' remember the sanford give me another clue as I get crazy when I rush there

Main Street/Roosevelt area very heavily trafficked with people, cars, buses. Would also need to get to get some signs in Korean or Chinese (if anyone can do) should she remain in area; large Asian community. Perhaps one of the English speaking merchants can help translate.

Please Vivi, go back to safer cemetary area where we're waiting.

Im gone darlene I will call you wish me luck

could someone please tell me how far is the sighting from the cemetary. This really saddens me that she is starting to travel again. I was sure hoping that she would stay put. We may have to get Laura back in. Do we know yet if it is a confirmed sighting. Hope not.

If she's at Bowne Street she's following her nose and heading for the street vendors in downtown Flushing. It's lunch time and all the hot dog vendors are out. Searchers should follow their nose - the smell of food is what is attracting her to that area - very populated, many apartment buildings, only a small park - Bowne Park. Wish I could leave work right now.

Marty: This is confirmed by Bonnie apparently.

Everyone needs to really ask for God's help here.

This is my worst nightmare! Please, God, not the Main Street area...

Irene Wilson

Marty about 1/2 mile.

Diana...

Bowne Park is no where near Main Street...you mean Bowne STREET...totally different direction..

Bowne PARK should be a hell of a lot safer!!

Irene Wilson

Marty,
According to Google maps, it's 1 1/2 miles north/northeast, the link should show you.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=30.819956,59.238281&saddr=164th+%26+Pidgeon+Meadow+Road,+Flushing,+NY&daddr=42-14+Bowne+St,+Flushing,+NY+11355+%4040.756747,-73.821887&t=h

I wonder if the warmth of the dryers from that laundromat could have been enticing Vivi that direction. I can only imagine how cold she must be.

I was thinking, if only she would go into one of these businesses like the laundromat - she could be contained and captured safely. Hope she heads toward those dryers!

Please keep us informed of the Vivi pursuit. Here is hoping!

Kathleen Stephenson

Alta Vista's Babelfish program will supposedly translate text to other languages (including Chinese and Korean); however, I haven't been able to get it to work. We need some volunteers who can translate for us, to do posters in these languages.

It might not be her. When our Lab was lost 3 people said they saw her within 3 hrs of each other. It was not her she had already been picked up

Let's hope she's still at the cemetary. It's cold but bright and sunny, just the day for a whippet on the run to keep moving and see the sights.

Gail, I think Irene said bonnie did confirmed the sighting

Too close to downtown Flushing, entirely too close. Hopefully she's hiding under a dumpster staying warm.

Okay, if this is ViVi, we need to get laura back so we can keep up with her scent. I would be willing so send more money.

Bonnie called in the sighting...don't know if that means "confirmed"...she was seen at 5:00 AM...wonder what took the person 6 hours to call?

Don't know anything other than what was on this stream about a half hour ago.

We all need to hope and pray she goes no further into the downtown Main Street/Northern Blvd. area...
this would be a total nightmare!!

Heavy oriental/indian population that really doesn't focus on dogs straying....

Have to get myself off and to do my shelter work or I will totally lose it here and that won't help Vivi.

Irene Wilson

On the subject of posters translated into Asian languages, if there has been a change of mind regarding the utility of transalations, I may be able to help (at least with Mandarin Chinese). I have a colleague five doors down the hall who is fluent in Mandarin. I can ask her to write the Mandarin characters and I can fax the translation to someone who could then have posters made. If you want me to pursue this, please contact me at my work e-mail: rwoolston@ucsd.edu, and please give me a fax number and remind me of the exact text and correct phone numbers to include.

Yes Marty, I was told our lab was a confirmed sighting.

.

Maybe you can find someone in that area that speaks english and can also speak chinese that can translate on a flier. Just a thought

If the lead team decides they want translations we can use my fax number. Let me know and I'll post it.

Rebecca, nice of you to offer...standby. If she remains in Main Street/Roosevelt area then yes, I think posters in Mandarin, etc. would be most helpful as Main Street, from Northern Boulevard, south is all Asian.

I think the translation is a great idea -- however, I'm checking with Brian. I'll let you know when I hear from him.

Hey I have a suggestion for those who are doing the flyers in the area of todays sighting. You know how those protestors put the posters on like by using a hole punch and some yarn or rope ... you guys can do that with some of her posters just make it so you can have one over your coat and one on your back so it will rest on your shoulders. Just a suggestion , it may help in a area that their aren't many who speak english or maybe someone just seen her 5 minutes ago and sees that on you ... It makes me nervous that she's heading towards Downtown. But I bet it's the food, maybe someone should do a cookout... only a mile and a half , not too far , it would probably only take her a few minutes to get back to the Cemetary area. Lets hope thats what she does..

Chrissy, great idea but they already thought of it. Sunday I saw one person with that exact thing. Gotta stay one step ahead of the group. But I must add that great minds think alike. Start thinking like a Whippet and see what you come up with, I know I have.

I think we should take Rebecca up on her offer -- Rebecca, could you get a translation, just basic information, and Diane could you let us know where that could be faxed to you? That way, you'll have it there in NYC.

I am hearing a lot about food for Vivi. I have rescued a lot of starving animals. In Jesus's name, you ARE going to catch Vivi. But when you do, don't give her a lot of food and water. Give small amounts until you get her to the vet. If you give large amounts of food and water, you could kill her.
Prayers continue. Betty Layne, Ohio

CHRISSY - WE TRIED THAT WHEN KAREN WAS HERE. RAIN AND WIND HIT THE POSTERS, AND BECAUSE OF THEIR WEIGHT AND GURTH, AND THEY COME OFF OF THE POLES. TY WRAPS ARE WORKING MUCH BETTER.

Darlene, I think she means wearing a poster yourself front and back like a sandwich board or like those things news vendors wear on the streets.

I know the area has a lot of Indians. If anyone wants, I can get someone to write a translation in Hindi (India's national language) later this afternoon, early evening.

Also there's a bunch of spanish-speaking people too. I know you guys must have spanish posters already.

I THOUGHT THAT TOO AFTER WRITING. THE WIND WOULD STILL RIP IT OFF AND WE HAVE TO JUMP IN OUR CARS IN A MOMENT'S NOTICE. WOULDN'T WORK. ARE PEOPLE ON HERE GOING OUT TO LOOK TODAY??? IF SO, I WILL SEE YOU IN 90 MINUTES!!! WE NEED HELP HERE - 4 PEOPLE SURROUNDING A CEMETARY IS NOT WORKING!!!!!!

Jill, could you go ahead and get the Hindi translation? When Diane posts a fax we could send that to her, too.

Darlene

Before heading to the cemetary, please read this posting that came in earlier today. I'm not sure if you saw it or not.

BONNIE JUST CALLED ME AND HAD A CONFIRMED SIGHTING OF VIVI. SHE IS ON THE MOVE. CAN ANYONE POST FLYERS AND POSTERS IN THE AREA OF 42-14 BOWNE STREET, FLUSHING NY . NEAR A LAUNDROMAT NORTHWEST OF THE CEMETARY. THE SIGHTING CAME IN AT 5 AM.
PLEASE ANYONE THAT CAN, POST FLYERS AND POSTERS AHEAD OF HER.

Posted by: Kim | March 21, 2006 at 11:25 AM

I sent e-mails to ASPCA and Animal Planet for possible help and/or publicity. If you need help out there in the field, perhaps contact local ASPCA. I noticed on the website that they do have volunteers. It's possible that they may be available to help out and/or relieve some of the hard working searchers out there. Perhaps they could help cover the cemetery area. It's very frustrating for those of us on the West Coast. We wish that we could be more help.

yes, i was already called by bonnie - i am one of the contacts she calls.

Ok, I called Bonnie, to get more info. She said a man, who sounded Indian? called and said he saw her by the laundromat on Bowne st. He didnt know it was the lost dog till 730 when he saw the posters. He then called Bonnie. Searchers were dispatched to the area. This is not confirmed, but only a sighting. I was at work and had to ask my sister to blog for me, because I have no pc at work. Bonnie feels because it was a sighting in the area, we have to go on it. She barely could understand what this person was saying. So far today, it is the only sighting of her. Hopefully because it was 5 am that she was out hunting for food, and then going back to the cemetery for safety. I heard that whippets dont turn in circles, but who knows, she stayed in the cemetery area for a while and who knows where she was in the full days time. THINK POSITIVE SHE IS ALIVE! If she truly got to Flushing from JFK, by herself, through all the major highways, then she has become street smart. Pray to the guardian angels to carry her, in high traffic.

This is why getting posters out is so critical. Many people will not even know she is missing without the posters. Kim -- thank you for getting us more information.

LOL Everyone did and excellent job with flyers. By the way, the day she was sighted in the cemetery, there were posters up and down every pole surrounding it. They either were blown off, or someone took them down. I am 100 percent sure they were up. I watched people walk by and read them.

Thank-you Kim for the update for us West Coasters.
We are praying for Vivi and for all of you Wonderful POSTERS AND SEARCHERS. WE LOVE NEW YORK

SIRI

There will certainly be a number of posters taken down. Sometimes I think people keep them for the information; other times people just take them down. Unfortunately, we have to expect that. That's why it's good to check areas that were posted and re-post if necessary.

This may not be a very bright question, but I'll ask anyway. When do we call a "sighting" a "confirmed sightting." When Laura and Karin, were here, my understanding was the dogs indicated when a sighting is credible and therefore confirmed. Now that the search dogs are gone, how can the sightings be confirmed.

Yes, I noticed last night after doing my drive through that posters that were there the night before had been removed. I'm hoping that people are taking them down so they have the numbers and also the picture of Vivi hoping to see her.

OK - I have had the poster translated into Chinese. Here is the translation if someone in NY wants to take this and print off flyers.

尋狗啟事

五千元懸賞!

惠比特犬， 名叫 VIVI

若看見，請不要追捕， 並請立即打下列電話通知。

917-647-4848

917-626-1374

516-776-0923

Thanks Maggie -- although my computer just has a bunch of squares!

As for when a sighting is confirmed, I don't have the answer. I assume that means that Bonnie or one of the volunteers spoke to the person with the sighting and has done all they can to confirm that the dog spotted was Vivi. I, too, prefer confirmation from trained search dogs.

I think if we hear from Bonnie, Tina, Rosa or Honi that they consider it a confirmed sighting, we need to take it seriously and assume that Vivi was seen in that location.

When I ws in the cemetery the day the man saw VIVI and fed her bread, I showed him my whippet. He was 100 percent sure that was the kind of dog, but had more color. TRUE my whippet is white. He also said that her one leg had all color. TRUE her non show side has brindle down the whole leg. CONFIRMED to me!

I just got off the phone with Debbie, she is in that area of BOWNE ST. She said that there are NO FLYERS OR POSTERS in that area. SHe needs help. One person in that area, cannot cover the area with posters. She has been out for 2 hours now. This area needs to be posted. If anyone is in that area, please please go put up posters! This is our only way we can get sightings. She also mentioned it is an Indian neighborhood.

Thanks Beth. I agree that validation by the search dogs would be nice. If we get to the point where we are getting reports of multiple sightings (I wish), then maybe we can bring the pet detective back. Doing so would allow the searchers to spend their time more efficiently.

Hi Diane - don't know if this is the same Diane that I met on saturday with my Husband Mike,
by the horse farm.

We were out last night by the cemetary from 8:30 until 11:30pm , we met Bonnie, and were talking for awhile.

we drove by Kissina Park and noticed 2 girls pulling flyers off the trees.

I followed them and asked them why they were pulling flyers off the trees.

I mean I was mad - but the explained that they were pulling the flyers for that little white bijon- cause the dog was found .
and she showed me the flyers of the dog.
I told them about Vivi. which they knew about .
we followered alittle more, and watched them for awhile , then we left and circled around the cemetary again.

Linda(ny)

I just Fedex'ed 25 posters to Diane for morning delivery tomorrow, and will do 25 more tonight and send for Thursday. This seems like it's a really valuable thing for us "out of towners" to do.

And I'm not even a very "crafty" person ...

the only people out there are tina, rosa, and debbie. she called me and i am on my way. kim, as i have stated before, WE NEED HELP OUT THERE!!!!! we cannot be in downtown flushing and bayside at the same time. it is impossible!!!!! please, guys, anyOne who can after work - come out!!!! WE NEED YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Kim. Yes, I would consider that confirmed too since he was able to describe the markings on the non-show side which I think is not even seen in the picture.

If VIVI is an Indian neighborhood, then she must have been lured by the smell of Indian food which is very fragrant because of the spices. Also, an Indian friend told me that a dog is highly regarded in Indian culture and they even have a holiday when they put out food for all the dogs. If that's the case, then its comforting to know that she is in a non-hostile environment. Hopefully traffic in that area is not that heavy.

JILL: BO WANTS THEM PLAIN AND SIMPLE. WITH ONLY VIVI'S LARGE PICTURE, LOST DOG, $5000.00 REWARD, AND THE 4 PHONE NUMBERS. ALL IN TE BIGGEST PRINT YOU CAN DO. DOESN'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT, MY DEAR. ONLY EYE CATCHING, THAT'S ALL. ANYTHING WILL HELPL - BLESS YOUR HEART***********

LINDA (NY) - YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN A COP!!!! GOOD JOB!!!

In answer to Darlene's request for more help, do you think we can hire people to do poster--like the people who hand out flyers at street corners. They can work under the supervision of the main search team. Perhaps we can use some of the money we contributed fo this. Our search team has been heroes throughout all this, but they need a break. As Vivi's trail gets wider and wider, they will not be able to keep up. I'm sure there will be students off on spring break who would like to make extra cash. I would fly out to NY if I can, but I'm on a business trip right now and my schedule won't permit it.

OG, you are correct, unless you really look at her show picture on the flyer, you wouldnt know that. He described that to me first that she had one leg with color. He also told BOnnie, that it looked like marble. He was very good with his description.
Darlene, good luck, Debbie says its getting colder.

Darlene, and other local volunteers -- somehow, we need to get more "foot soldiers". Is there any way to have a meeting locally and try and recruit more people to post flyers? Maybe talk to a local shelter to get volunteers -- I'm not sure how to do it. If I were there locally, I would try and set up an organizational meeting to start getting bodies in who can help post posters. There are too few of you to cover everything. I'm not sure how those of us far away can assist with this. We can help by sending you posters -- which we should keep doing.

darlene,
I am in work in manhattan - I can be in the area tonight. by 8pm.

which area should I go too
we met saturday Linda & Mike .

Linda - that is GREAT news about the 12 year-old white bijon - Rocky. My heart sank every time I saw that flyer this weekend while posting for Vivi. Rocky's flyer was plastered all over Kissena Park and the photo they put on it of him was adorable.

Barbara, Renee and Judy - they found Rocky!

Dina

Bowne Park is no where near Main Street...you mean Bowne STREET...totally different direction..

Bowne PARK should be a hell of a lot safer!! AGREED. Bowne Street is mostly apartment houses, it ends at Norhtern Blvd though

Jill

I'm so sorry I'm at work in production for UCLA Healthcare financials. I have a staff and bosses that expect information today. In between all of this I keep going to the sight.

I'M SORRY THAT I CAN'T GET POSTERS TO NEW YORK. I have been praying and I have a very large candle lit with a written prayer underneath it at home for Vivi, Biggy and Sniffles.

I wish there was more I can do here in Calif

Siri

what about girl scount or boy scounts, in the area - don't they always do that kind of stuff.

They stand in front of the stores selling candy and cookies.

Linda(ny)

So is ViVi in Browne Park or near Browne st.

BOWNE STREET - NOT PARK.

I'm sorry; I don't mean to butt in. However, I had an idea to share with you regarding posters. Have you all thought about asking a local printer to donate print services in the form of posters in exchange for small company recognition; i.e. a logo or something that reads "print services donated by XXXX printers” somewhere on the poster. I work for a corporate printer in Northern Virginia and we do this type of thing all the time. A lot of printers are willing because of the free publicity they get. It's really worth trying particularly because the publicity Vivi is getting!!

Hi Dina,

I know I was so happy for them, some good news.
I just wish we can find this little girl- roaming the streets.
Linda(ny)

Homeless shelters? They don't ask for much.

I can make flyers tonight and post tomorrow AM in Bowne St area. I am in NJ and working today. I only have the ViviNewFlyer pdf that is in Spanish. What is the latest version poster? Is there a link?

ROCKY, ROCKY, ROCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DINA: I STARED TO CRY LAST WEEK RIGHT ON 164TH STREET WHEN I SAW HIM. WHAT A BOOB I AM....

I might be helpful to contact the middle and high schools in the area. Teenagers are always out, especially at night. Knowing there is a sizable reward, might be incentive enough. Principals might be able to make the announcement over the intercom. Furthermore, students might be willing to post fliers for community service hours.

BETH: NORMALLY, WE WALKERS AND JOGERS, I HAVE ASKED TO TAKE HANDFULS AND PAS THEM OUT TO OTHER WALKERS THEY ENCOUNTER. THAT WAY, I CAN MOVE ON. I THINK THE EASIEST WAY TO RECRUIT IS TO ADVERTISE ON POSTERS AS WELL IN THE AREA. HOWEVER, WHAT DO WE OFFER AS PAY? HOW DO WE PAY FOR IT? IF WE COULD GET THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WE GOT ON THE FIRST SAT SHE WAS MISSING, IT WOULD BE GREAT. WE COULD COVER SECTIONS OF FLUSHING AND MEET IN THE MIDDLE, SO TO SPEAK. THAT WOULD ALSO TAKE A COORDINATOR OF SORTS, AND FULL TIME EMPLOYEES CANNOT SEEM TO DO THAT. AGH!!!!!!!!!!

Darlene, you're not a boob...you're amazing!

be back later , I got work to do,

I will be coming out later tonight
Linda(ny)

HI, LINDA FROM MANHATTAN!!!! DEB AND THE GIRLS ARE SPOTING AROUND BOWNE STREET, SANFORD AVE, NOTRHERN BLVD. - THOSE AREAS. YOUR BEST BET IS TO EITHER CALL BONNIE WHEN YOU ARE READY ST START. SHE WILL GIVE YOU THE LATEST AREAS - IN CASE OF ANOTHER SIGHTING. IF YOU DO NOT GET HER, TRY DEBBIE AT 516-236-1120 OR ME AT 516-205-0421. AND - THANKS!!!!!!

In regard to telling local high school students, many of them come from those homes where other languages are spoken. They will tell their parents who will be on the lookout for VIVI.

BETH - I DON'T THINK I WAS TYPING IN ENGLISH - LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING FROM PLANET Z. BOY, AM I TIRED. I THINK YOU GET IT THOUGH - THE WALKERS AND JOGGERS ARE TAKING LOTS OF THEM AND PASSING TO OTHER WALKERS AND JOGGERS IN THE PARK. THERE, WE NORMALLY POST THE HUGE SIGNS AND LET THE WALKERS HAND THEM OFF TO THE KIDS PLAYING BALL, ETC.. THEY ARE NORMALLY MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP. AND THE KIDS - YOU SAY $5000.00 AND THEIR EYES FALL OUT.

One more comment about the schools. If THE SCHOOLS' VIDEO PRODUCTION TEACHERS could run a story....including pictures of VIVI, that would give all students access to the VIVI information. That would be telling thousands of students, which in turn would mean thousands of families would become aware of VIVI and her plight FROM ALL THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

This is just a shot in the dark...but does anyone notice that it seems as though once you have confirmed sightings of Vivi, she doesn't seem to return to the same place? Would it make sense for her to "scan" an area and become brave enough to make herself seen...then all of a sudden pick up on "new" scents (human scents on food/water bowls, in yards, etc) and be spooked away? Might she also be spooked by traps? I know that in the past, when I've tried to trap feral cats with "have-a-heart" traps, the cats are WAY smarter than to climb into that trap. Just a fleeting thought...........jen

Has anyone contacted Iva Kimmelman of WRAP (Whippet Rescue and Placemt)? She is the New York Regional Director (978) 897-8950. I e-mailed her to ask for help iva@merciisle.com. The rescue groups are a good source of equipment/ and emergency help. As a Michigan resident I can't do a whole lot more than pray-- but that's certainly happening. The shelter people who do rescue are true heros.

Anyone think that a large meeting of a community early one eveing might work to bring attention for example in the new area that she was seen in this morning? Everytime she moves try to get volunteers though a short meeting set up quickly though the largest church maybe in that immediate area? Or an announcement at their service if they have more than Sunday service? Or even a truck that drives around a couple of times per day in the new area and asks everyone "to be on the look out for the dog posted in the pictures/posters " or somthing like that? OR an airplane banner?

Dorene and a take home poster for the students ? Some of them would get home I'm sure with it, and the reward money could go to the school of the child that finds Vivi?

somebody please tell me where I can pick up flyers...I'll be back here in an hour or so....I was thinking maybe someone posted by the cemetery has a supply ? and I could keep one aside and have more copies made tomorrow

I'm carrying a cell phone with # (516) 728 - 4265

I'm working to see if a merchandising company that we use for business purposes might be able to help with handing out flyers. I would need to know where the flyers should be handed out and I'd need some flyers.

NANCY: DEBBIE HAS A BUNCH - 516-236-1120

SHARON - CAN YOU KEEP UP ON IVA FOR US PLEASE? IF SHE CAN DO SOMETHING, PERHAPS SHE SHOULLD CONTACT HONI OR BONNIE. I BET SHE COULD CERTAINLY HELP US IN SOME WAY!!!!!.DORENE - ANY IDEA ON HOW TO GET A VIDEO OF HER. MAYBE SOMEONE WHO KEEPS IN CONTACT WITH BRIAN? THE INTERVIEWS POSSIBLY? I HAVE NEVER SPOKEN WITH OR MET BRIAN. I NORMALLY HANG WITH TINA, ROSA, AND DEBBIE DURING THE WEEK JUST WALKING AND WALKING, AND WALKING....... COULD SOMONE ASK WHERE THE FILM ARCHIVES ARE? MAYBE THAT WOULD HELP.

KO - 3 PRIESTS IN THE BAYSIDE AREA HAVE ASKED THE PATRONS TO WATCH AND PRAY FOR HER. BY THE TIME WE GET THERE, THE CHURCHES ARE NIRMALLY LOCKED FOR THE DAY. CEMETARIES CLOSE AT 4:30.

OK I AM OUTTA HERE TO RESCUE DEBBIE. PRAY HARD GIRLS!!!!!!!!!

I also thought of Whippet Rescue. Years ago I did Dobie Rescue. I have a call into Karen McDonnel here in RI. I also have Iva Kimmelman's #.She was involved with Vivi early on. The other Whippet Rescue People are far from Flushing. One is in upstate NY.Rescue people are always willing to help their Breed.I will stay on this and try to reach someone. If I do I will give them Bonnie's #

I contacted Beau at Animal Haven and asked for help and told me the details and that more volunteers are needed. Hoping it will help. Does Jil have any contacts in New York who could help out? They would be familiar with the breed.

Sorry I meant told him the details. I can't think straight.

I will let you know what I hear. I will also go online to see if there are shelters near Flushing(?)
who have some expertise/equipment for catching frightened animals on the lamb. (I adopted a frightened Persian who'd been "on the road" when I found her-- but she had a fur coat.) Prayers, and thanks to anyone who engages in the work you're doing-- prayers for Vivi, and also for you!

Should have been more specific!!! Karen McDonnell is listed for Whippet Rescue in RI and she's friends with someone I know in Irish Wolfhounds.

If anyone is willing to post a flyer in Spanish. PLEASE email it to me before it goes in to print. guadalupe.grimaldi@amcny.org
Last flyer in Spanish had too many mistakes. I will be more than happy to correct or re-write for you.

Anything for Vivi our sweet little soul.

Guadalupe

I do not understand how $5,000 can walk around in such a heavily populated area for such a long time? That's a lot of money for most people, especially for High School and College kids who have access to a car and can go out looking with friends. I thought there would be a stampede of people looking for Vivi for $5,000. I can only assume that people don't know about her. I know that I personally never read flyers, and its also cold out and most people are indoors and travel in cars.
The reward is a double edged sword though, its a big incentive for locals to look, but I can envision kids chasing her and eachother if she is spotted - just for the money. I was glad that, right from the start, the flyer said "Don't chase her" (knowing my own Whippet) but I wonder how the average person will react when they see a $5,000 opportunity. The people in NY searching now (true animal lovers) are the best searchers because they don't care who catches her as long as she is safely contained. -THANKS!!!!

Hello, I hasd contact with Iva Kimmelman last week, who indicated that she has been in touch with Bonnie already. Also spoke with another whippet rescuer - not a detective - who was willing to to help trap Vivi, but only with definitive sighting. I emailed Honi this morning about Iva and the other rescuer so it is up to Honi & Bonnie now if they want to avail themselves of their services.

Maybe you could put fliers on the windshields of there cars at grocery stores. I mean that is one place everyone has to go to.

Brian asked me to pass this along!

JIL ON CHANNEL 7 IN NEW YORK AT 6PM

Lois

I don't know they have Petco or Pet smarts out there.but maybe you could put out a sign for volunteers to help post fliers.

Just a suggestion: Of course, we can't be certain when the local municipal council, supervisors or commissioners meet, but a call to them in the area Vivi is suspected to be in might be wothwhile. In my job as a beat reporter, I cover several comunities. One thing I know for sure- local politicians LOVE publicity.
Also, if Vivi is mentioned at a council meeting and a reporter is present, the comments will get into the paper.

This laundry mat that the guy saw ViVi was it near that park. I'm kina behind on the story. Could someone please bring me up to date

What station is channel 7? I get some of the stations here in CT. but the number means nothing.

wabc is the station

TY

THERE ARE LOTS OF HINDU TEMPLES ON BOWNE STREET THAT I SAW ONLINE JUST NOW. If you take a bunch of posters and leave it there with them they will happily distribute it to all Indians who go to the temples. Someone please go and give them some of Vivi's fliers. Also, word among Indians will spread very fast!

Perhaps take a flyer to to the local police precinct, so that they could mention it at the briefings. If police are driving around at night, they may see her in an alleyway or a yard.

NEWSDAY AND DAILY NEWS ON WEDNESDAY....AN AD IN NEWSDAY AND THE POST ON WEDNESDAY....AND A FULL PAGE IN THE QUEENS COURIER ON THURSDAY.....WE ARE IN THE NEWS AGAIN...BRIAN

OH YEA....THE TIMES ON SUNDAY

CHANNEL 7 IS ABC NEW YORK....6PM TONIGHT...WEDNESDAY CHANNEL 12 LONG ISLAND

GREAT JOB BRIAN!! You rock!!

You guys, as far as I'm concerned, please do not take it personally. I've been trying so hard to jump between this blog and my actual job (I need it unfortunately). I really have no news to report either. You guys have actually probably got more information than I do. I've posted my cell phone many times before. If you are concerned, email me! It's not because I don't want to be on this web site, it's because I really can't.

I've also been trying to figure out how we can get flyers passed out. Checking into companies that actually do that (i.e. merchandising companies).

I'm guessing that there really isn't that much news to report. I think all of the people that are local and usually blog are out there busting their butts to post in the "new" area (the one where she was spotted earlier by the gentleman).

Please don't take offense! I really don't know anything more than you guys. I've been working at work and working on "Vivi" by making phone calls and checking out printing places. If you could all do that too, that might help! See if you can't drum up some volunteer!

Do you need more posters printed? I'm on the west coast but can make nice photo quality posters as a free service and overnight them to you. Several hundred is fine -- just let me know what you need. Send me a file, the quantity needed and shipping address and I can print them tomorrow and have them to you by Thursday.

That is great! Thank you Brian!

Kitty, see if you can't contact someone local (try Debbie?) and see if they need them that quickly and where they would like them shipped. They may have access to some already (not sure).

Just in checking for any updates...She is very elusive our little Vivi...LET THIS BE THE DAY,PLEASE!!!!!!!!!! Hang in there guys. I'll check back later.

Lois, I don't have any phone numbers. Can you direct me to where I can find it or do you know it? I'm at work and don't have time to hunt for it through all these hundreds of postings. Thanks!

I talked to Iva a little while ago and she is calling Bonnie. She doesn't have equipment that can be used but is going to coordinate and probably come down there with some of her Whippets that can be off leash and are trustworthy.

Cindy, Great!!

I've made a call to a business that does signs...like the ones plastered everywhere during campaigns/elections...the ones with metal frames that you can stick in the ground.
I really think those would be a GREAT way to get information out there. Most people are so immune to posters they don't even look...but if they saw one of those political-style signs...especially with a picture of a dog, I'm sure that would turn heads!

PLUS I really don't think those would go anywhere like the posters have been vanishing...it's much easier to rip off posters and throw them away but with the metal frames you'd have to have some way to dispose of them...so I think they'd be more likely to stay. Also, they can be moved if needed.

Here is the information I've found...website
http://www.victorystore.com/signs/ysigns.htm

PROBLEM is that it would take up to two weeks to get them specially printed! However, we could get blank ones and write the info on them and post the pics of Vivi in those page protectors and tape them on.
24"x36" signs are $4.26/sign...or you can order in bulk...$329/100 signs, etc. and the stakes are $.66/stake for easy stakes and $.98/stake for the H frames...those are the kind you can put in with your foot, the easy stakes you have to push in with your hands.
here's the link for the blank corrugated plastic signs...
http://www.victorystore.com/signs/ysigns.htm

They said they had enough right now for 100 or 200 for an order, depending on what we want...and could ship them out when the order is placed. I also thought that if we got the blank ones we could re-use them for other lost dogs after Vivi is captured.

Just trying to put some ideas out there. I know if it was my dog, I really would want these signs more so than posters...then again my area is more rural and more people driving than walking...but I think they'd stand out better in NYC too.

Nicole

BRIAN: it is a double edged sword

I understand the reason it's always emphasized, but on the other hand, having been on numerous Whippet searches, I've found that people who will take the time to get involved care about the dog itself, not the reward. Those people notice news stories about lost dogs, they notice flyers/posters and most importantly of all, they get involved for the sake of the dog. I'm unaware of anyone getting involved strictly because of the money in any searches I've been involved with.

The people who are involved because of the lure of the reward will only see the money they can get if they GET her...without heed to those other big printed words that say DON'T CHASE HER. I think it's a huge concern.

That said... if the reward offer makes even one person close a gate to contain her when they otherwise wouldn't have, then the reward will have turned out to be the right thing to do.

to the people in NY who are out night and day, endlessly searching, postering, chasing down leads, etc, etc, etc, you the most incredible dedicated volunteers ever! THANK YOU SO MUCH...EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!

Cindy, glad you spoke to Iva. That's the person my Whippet Contact in RI said to call. Plus she said Iva and her husband are good friends of Jill & BO

HELLO EVERYONE!

LOIS/DARLENE HAVE ASKED ME TO POST THE FOLLOWING
REQUEST: PLEASE MAKE UP AS MANY FLYERS/POSTERS AS YOU CAN...

DARLENE WILL BE POSTING AN ADDRESS TO SEND THEM TO AS SOON AS SHE RETURNS FROM SEARCHING FOR VIVI IN DOWNTOWN MAIN ST. FLUSHING.

IRENE WILSON

New Denise post, "Jil On The Vivi Trail."

Thank you so much, Brian, for keeping her in the news! You are amazing! And,another major thanks to all of you out there on the streets pounding the pavement and working so hard. I very, very sincerely hope that some of the caring people on the posts will OBEY and coordinate through Honi and/or "official" search team members in the know. Some of the ideas, (i.e., antibiotics in water, medicine in food, etc.) are pretty darn scary!! It is imperative that everything be coordinated through Honi or the appropriate search member. No one should interfere independently. It's too serious. We all care... but stay the course and let Honi and team always, always, always, take the lead and approve everything. It shouldn't be that tough to follow the rules. Thank you to everyone out there working so hard. I'm stuck in CA. With only the most positive thoughts. Marnie

On the subject of translating the posters...I've posted this before...I don't live in NY, but is there anyway at all to get a professional translator from the United Nations to do these translations?? Accuracy is everything, and just because someone "speaks the language" it's highly likely that the translation will not be correct and will be inaccurate. Any hope for a professional translator?? They could do it in a heartbeat and the United Nations has a ton of professionals!! Marnie in CA

Nicole:

I like your idea. I will talk to Lois about it tomorrow morning -- if we order them, do we have somewhere to have the blank ones delivered?

We are also looking into a service that would pass out flyers in the Flushing downtown area. Darlene has indicated that might be helpful.

For everyone who is NOT in New York -- here's your task: Darlene needs flyers. She would like them on Neon colored paper, and a little bigger than regular size, if possible. Start working on them tonight, and tomorrow she will get us an address to send them. This is one way that us out-of-towners can help, right now!

Again, thanks, everyone.

Denise has posted!

Okay, everyone: here's your address to send flyers:

Vivi Search
3392 Bay Front Place
Baldwin, NY 11510

LET'S NOT LET THE LOCAL GROUP DOWN -- LET'S GET THEM AS MANY FLYERS AS WE POSSIBLY CAN!

BY THE WAY....I AM NOT THE BRIAN POSTING ABOUT THE MONEY THING.....THIS IS ANOTHER BRIAN .....PLEASE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE....WE HAD A GREAT MEDIA DAY...I JUST SPOKE WITH THE ASSOCIATED PRESS....THEY WILL GET THE LATEST IN OVER 100 NEWSPAPERS...BRIAN ROSENBERG

Okay -- everyone: MOVE UP ONE POST, AND START POSTING ON THE "JILL ON THE VIVI TRAIL" ARTICLE. LEAVE THE LASTEST ARTICLE FOR SEARCHERS TO COMMUNICATE.

Very Important Questions:
1) Did the guy who saw her near the cemetary yesterday when she bolted towards 162 St. at 12:30 PM mention if she had a "string" around her neck or pus in her eyes, or anything else about her condition or what she was doing at the time he saw her?
2) If the above info wasn't ascertained was his contact information taken?

As for this latest sighting:
1)Did the man on Browne state whether or not her eyes had pus on them? If so, how much? Any signs of discharge from her nose?
2)Did he mention if she had a string on her neck?
3)Did he notice if she continued to go N/W on Browne or did he see her turn? If she turned, which street did she turn on? If she continued up Browne did she cross the street or stay on the same side?
4) Was she running, trotting or walking? Was her nose to the ground?
5) Was she scavaging garbage, picking at scraps?
6) Did he mention anything else about her condition? e.g. Did she seem steady on her legs? Any signs of limping?
7)Was she on the street or sidewalk?
8)If she was on the sidewalk, was she close to or away from the buildings on this street of stores?
9)If there are any driveways or alleys on that street did she go in and out of any of them?
10) If these questions were not asked, was his contact information taken?
Suggestions:
1) Print out these questions and go back to that block and see if one of the stores on the block has someone who speaks better English to help translate with this man who saw her.
2)Find out if today was a designated garbage pick-up day on that street. LOL She was seen at 5:00AM in the morning, I doubt the Indian population in that area was cooking spicey foods at that time! Garbage sitting at the curb waiting to be collected is a more likelier reason for her to on that block. If her nose was to the ground it's possible she's following the scent of something that's intrigued her....could be any number of things. e.g. another dog.
3)Get a majority of anyone available AHEAD of the direction she was going in ASAP, send a few others to the left & right of that direction.
I would only have 2 to 3 people back at the cemetary and surrounding streets, and I would have a couple of more folks down at Kissena & the golf course just in case she does double back or in case this sighting is not really her!! The only way for it to be truly "confirmed" sighting is with a scent/tracking dog. More about this in another post.
Meanwhile, if someone is in touch with Ashey please direct her to this post. Hopefully it will give her insight into what needs to be asked every time there is a sighting of her lost dog.
Knowledge is power folks....every sighting can give useful information and clues as to what her condition is, what her next move may be, what her habits are when she is on the move, etc.....use this information to your best advantage in your search/rescue game plans.

We need Laura or Karin back to confirm scent...rmemember the supposed Peck's Park sighting and the Floral Park? we could have wated a lot of time there....downtown Flushing is terrifying in too many ways.
My flyers are so out of date I just had new ones made up at Staples, tomorrow I will see a Korean woman who owns a beauty spa in Franklin Square, I think she lives in Flushing and if she's OK (I think she's a dog lover) she will get a pack of them

I think there are sites on the internet where things can be translated rapidly.

Somehow I think Vivi would tend to seek out quieter areas...Please come back to the cemetery area Vivi.

We need Laura or Karin back to confirm scent...rmemember the supposed Peck's Park sighting and the Floral Park? we could have wated a lot of time there....downtown Flushing is terrifying in too many ways.
My flyers are so out of date I just had new ones made up at Staples, tomorrow I will see a Korean woman who owns a beauty spa in Franklin Square, I think she lives in Flushing and if she's OK (I think she's a dog lover) she will get a pack of them

I think there are sites on the internet where things can be translated rapidly.

Somehow I think Vivi would tend to seek out quieter areas...Please come back to the cemetery area Vivi.

I thought we were all moving up and posting on the Jil on the Vivi Trail thread. Are we? That's where I went immediately.... I just checked in here to see if people were moving on up. Marnie in CA

I contacted Iva Kimmelman without knowing that she knows Bo, Jil, and Paul very well. She told me "it is only coincidence" that she heads the New York WRAP (Whippet Rescue and Placement). She will be among you tonight coffee in hand, hoping to bring Vivi back home. A Michigan resident, I've watched this all from a distance, but as an animal lover, I am with you in prayer. Thanks for the incredible effort and heart you've put into this. Vivi can't help but sense this!

Hi everyone. Sunday night I was visualizing media time for TV coverage, and tonight Jil hits the news! Great! And I understand Brian Rosenberg is new to the multidimensional world of alternate views and ways of the world. Oh well, at least he's helping in the way he can. Better he does what he does and I do what I do. I have been finding lost animals and communicating with them for many many years, and also met many doubters of the whole thing. I let them be in their issues of having to learn in their own time. some people just are too stuck in a certain pattern of belief to not be literal and expect things that are not realistic---like giving a man millions of dollars that will never appreciate it, and therefor it will all be gone in no time.
But when we have been focusing our attentions and doing all the visualizations we have been doing and holding the space for Vivi and the searchers and we watch the results unfold, we know our work is having an effect. Oh---and by the way---I have had lottery numbers win---in more that one game. But Brian will have to work out his own financial karma. And if one day it his turn to have his awakening experience he will have it. I wish him well.
I still see Vivi being captured so let's stay focused and keep energetically supporting the efforts of everyone working so hard in the field doing the search and getting the word out. I will be working through the night again tonight and into tommorrow. I will check the blog durin ghte day for I have an open schedule tommorrow. What about grilling in someone's yard that is fenced in where she was sighted recently? and enticing her into a smaller fenced in area? If the traps are questionable (though when an animal's hunger overrides its fear---it will go for the food), maybe there could be a hot dog grilling that could draw her back to the area and even into a trap. Just a thought because there are so many factors we are overriding here too---timing is a biggie. So that is the agenda for tonight---sychronizing searchers and Vivi and an enclosed area (be it trap, arms, snare, fenced yard) so be it successful!

Mary Hudson asked:
>>>>I am wondering WHY there are not searchers at all exits to the cemetery, including the holes in the fence?

Good question Mary, I'd like to know the exact same thing? I went from Staten Island Monday morning at 4: 00AM to the cemetery, I thought I'd finally get to meet many of the searchers, and yet nobody was there! I continued to patrol the cemetery area and the golf course until 9:00AM and all I ever met was one searcher (nice lady named Darlene or Arlene) who arrived at the cemetary somewhere between 6:00-7:00......IMO if there weren't enough searchers to be stationed all around the perimeters of the cemetery throughout the night, it should have been announced! And that announcement should have come in time to bring in more people. Dissemination of information is critical in a situation such as this!
Back to Monday morning.....in the daylight I could see that there were numerous places along the fence where Vivi could have squeezed through during the night, as well as points where she could have jumped onto to medium sized head stones and over the fence...that's an easy feat for a whippet. At 7:30 the cemetary opened, so not only was the front gate opened all day with no one watching it, but a back fence gate door was opened on Auburndale.....

This is not to be negative, but it is strong constructive criticism......the search organizers have to "get" that there's a lot more than must be done in addition to putting up posters, setting out traps & food where she's been and relying on someone local getting her.....and on the subject of some local person getting her: IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IF THEY KEEP GRABBING AT HER!!.......one MUST EDUCATE the public if you're going to count on them for a successful result!

Vivi's appearance at the cemetery this weekend was a GOLDEN opportunity to contain her, but apparently once again it was assumed that she'll stay in an area where she's safe......nothing could be further from the reality of lost dog behavior. A feral animal roams at night in it's search for food and anything that frightens that animal....such as someone GRABBING at it....will make it flee that area....which is what Vivi has now obviously done! Yesterday I made a plea to one of the volunteers to amend the flyers/posters to also read: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GRAB HER OR MAKE SUDDEN MOVES TOWARDS HER! Twice in 2 days she's bolted from sudden attempts to grab her.....HOW MANY MORE TIMES CAN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE SHE IS DRIVEN INTO TRAFFIC?
Is my sound advice being listened to? NO!

And it's not the first time........

The mindset this weekend that "she'll stay put where she's safe" is the same thinking that prevailed back when searches were being done at the airport, despite a reliable sighting of her at a construction site off the airport near the Belt Parkway and Guy Brewer Blvd. a few days after she first got loose!! I learned about this the second week she was missing (this was right after the first night that I had gone searching at NIGHT outside the airport as I knew from experience that searching in the day at such a high activity location was ludicrous!) I also saw many openings in the airport fencing so I knew there was no way she was "safe & contained" there! I also seriously doubted that she'd stay at the place where she had suffered so much trauma......
So, I reached out at that point and had one of the head organizers contact me so I could share my impressions, concerns and offer advice.......I ended up being blown off and ridiculed....meanwhile since then EVERYTHING I said has proven to be right......I had suggested that posters go up at the race tracks as she could go there from the construction site on Guy Brewer Blvd. and I was told "She'll never get across the Belt Parkway without getting killed"........I explained that late at night she could easily cross the Belt Parkway via any of the roadways that cross over it and that I have a good understanding of such things based on my 40+ years in dogs and rescuing strays in Bklyn where I grew up......to this I was told: "This is Queens, not Bklyn"......sheesh as if Bklyn consists of a farmlands or something totally unlike Queens?? To me both boroughs have all the same elements of a largely populated inner city and thus they present the same challenges, risks and opportunities to successfully rescuing a lost dog.....and anyone who has experience in rescuing strays in the city should be treated with a little more respect.....or at least have an open mind to the valuable information they can share with you....
I was bringing to the table experiences of successfully rescuing stray canines & felines on the streets of Bklyn. that date back to my childhood, 40 years of multi dog & cat ownership of various breeds of both species and 16 years as a breeder/exhibitor of boxers, hence in my lifetime I've had my share of some dogs that were "master escape artists", as well as mishaps where a dog or cat has gotten accidently loose due to stupid things like a deliveryman not fully closing a fence door behind him, etc. Yes, I know all too well the agony that Bo, Paul and Jill have gone through....with one exception. I've never had one go missing more than 5 days.....Why? Because I never assumed they were safe and contained anywhere until they were back in my arms! It's human nature to imagine one's beloved pet is safe somewhere when it has gotten loose, but that's not reality and the danger is that it affords one a false peace of mind which prevents one from taking the extra steps neccessary to find that pet.

I can tell from reading many of the posts here that there are many other good folks here with the same experiences and knowledge that they are freely offering as I have been and I am seeing that your sound advice and helpful questions don't seem to be responded to.....I guess the mindset is that the only advice deemed credible is from a hired professional from out of the area.........what a shame for Vivi......

I wonder if the "pros" watched the streaming video of Vivi at the Westminster site? I did and I knew instantly that she was going to be a "tough customer" to find & entice to come.....go look at it and you'll see for yourself....she's so bonded to Paul she's rather stare into his eyes than free-bait for him.....look at how he has to keep redirecting her focus to the bait...and notice on the down & back how she snatches at a piece of bait off the floor and how she also glances at something to the side.....nothing gets past this savvy little girl....I know this type of bitch well. Note: Some of my observances wouldn't be so significant if she was new to the ring......but she's not...she's a special and a BIS winner, so she knows damn well what's expected of her in the ring and yet she's still determined to "do her own thing"....that says a lot about her character and why she's been so hard to find, but it's also why she has managed to stay alive this long...she is indeed a tough little cookie. However, lately I have grave concerns regarding her health due to the recent reports that her eyes have pus in them.....that pus will impact one if not possibly three of her of her most valuable senses (sight, hearing and scent) which have been the key to her survival. I believe this may be why she's showed herself in daylight to a few folks this weekend......if her most important scenses are no longer servicing her to full capacity, her instincts are telling her she needs help. As feral as she had become, she was once highly domesticated, more so than the average housepet due to her show career, as well as having once had a litter and all the pampering that came with that, so I think this girl is truly seeking help before it's too late....she just needs to meet the right person she can trust...

Yesterday, I also offered the name & phone # of someone within 2 to 3 hours of Queens who does tracking/scent work, so that future sightings of Vivi could be positively confirmed as soon as they occurred.......I also mentioned that this name came to me though a reknown AKC judge who knows Bo and is also with the NJ Federation of Dog Clubs.......yet this offer was rejected.....go figure??
I know of ways to get many more people who are understanding of canine behavior to help search for her and there's other advice I can offer, but frankly I'm tired of my words falling on deaf ears.....I think my energies are better spent just looking for her myself....hopefully me or someone like me will get to her before some idiot who only sees $5000(instead of the poor frightened soul that she is)goes and rashly grabs at her and gets her killed by a car......I'm off to go look for her now.....praying tonight will be the night that God brings our paths together....please send postive vibes....thank you.....
PS: Sorry for the length this post, but I've been biting my tongue for 5 weeks....obviously this had to be said.....once again it's not negativity, it's constructive criticism....and I implore the "powers that be" to please learn from it....for Vivi's sake.
So Mary If you've read this far, I guess you have the answers to your questions.

GOD BLESS YOU, DIANE....

IRENE WILSON

Diane K, everything you said sounds very logical and experienced. I also believe she needs to be tracked, and probably has been out of the airport for most of the time. It is getting very sad and dangerous for her, and I hope new tactics are up in place to help her. The people helping are wonderful and dedicated, but far too few it appears. Everyone has a job also. Eventually they are going to get very tired too.
It is a nightmare for the family as well as everybody that cares. It is so easy to voice an opinion like me, who lives out of state.
Thanks for your input, very enlightning and real as you have first hand knowledge of rescue work in NYC.Vivi could sure use more people like you in the search.

I just e-mailed a new translation of the poster into "everyday" Mandarin Chinese. Sent it to Beth and Diane. I'll be at the office in about 90 minutes. If anyone wants me to send it elsewhere, let me know (rwoolston@ucsd.edu) and I'll take care of it as soon as I'm back at a computer.

I thought the area she was last seen in was Indian (from India).

can we move to a new thread....there are several more recent ones on this blog....how about Vivi Eye Candy (which is just beautiful, by the way!) - it's the second most recent post by Denise....?

I know this message is long but, this individual raises some very good questions that I believe need to be read by those who are incharge, I know it is easy for someone out of state who is not directly involved with the search to make suggestions and difficult for those who are out there day and night being pulled in all different directions to do all that is being asked. Since Vivi has made the decision to be on the move and not stay put, I think getting someone who has tracking experience to at least identify locations where see may be or has been would be a good idea. The individual who sent the message below, indicates that she has knowledge of someone closer than Laura who is able to do this. Would it be so bad to give him a try and see what he is able to come up with??????????

Mary Hudson asked:
>>>>I am wondering WHY there are not searchers at all exits to the cemetery, including the holes in the fence?

Good question Mary, I'd like to know the exact same thing? I went from Staten Island Monday morning at 4: 00AM to the cemetery, I thought I'd finally get to meet many of the searchers, and yet nobody was there! I continued to patrol the cemetery area and the golf course until 9:00AM and all I ever met was one searcher (nice lady named Darlene or Arlene) who arrived at the cemetary somewhere between 6:00-7:00......IMO if there weren't enough searchers to be stationed all around the perimeters of the cemetery throughout the night, it should have been announced! And that announcement should have come in time to bring in more people. Dissemination of information is critical in a situation such as this!
Back to Monday morning.....in the daylight I could see that there were numerous places along the fence where Vivi could have squeezed through during the night, as well as points where she could have jumped onto to medium sized head stones and over the fence...that's an easy feat for a whippet. At 7:30 the cemetary opened, so not only was the front gate opened all day with no one watching it, but a back fence gate door was opened on Auburndale.....

This is not to be negative, but it is strong constructive criticism......the search organizers have to "get" that there's a lot more than must be done in addition to putting up posters, setting out traps & food where she's been and relying on someone local getting her.....and on the subject of some local person getting her: IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IF THEY KEEP GRABBING AT HER!!.......one MUST EDUCATE the public if you're going to count on them for a successful result!

Vivi's appearance at the cemetery this weekend was a GOLDEN opportunity to contain her, but apparently once again it was assumed that she'll stay in an area where she's safe......nothing could be further from the reality of lost dog behavior. A feral animal roams at night in it's search for food and anything that frightens that animal....such as someone GRABBING at it....will make it flee that area....which is what Vivi has now obviously done! Yesterday I made a plea to one of the volunteers to amend the flyers/posters to also read: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GRAB HER OR MAKE SUDDEN MOVES TOWARDS HER! Twice in 2 days she's bolted from sudden attempts to grab her.....HOW MANY MORE TIMES CAN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE SHE IS DRIVEN INTO TRAFFIC?
Is my sound advice being listened to? NO!

And it's not the first time........

The mindset this weekend that "she'll stay put where she's safe" is the same thinking that prevailed back when searches were being done at the airport, despite a reliable sighting of her at a construction site off the airport near the Belt Parkway and Guy Brewer Blvd. a few days after she first got loose!! I learned about this the second week she was missing (this was right after the first night that I had gone searching at NIGHT outside the airport as I knew from experience that searching in the day at such a high activity location was ludicrous!) I also saw many openings in the airport fencing so I knew there was no way she was "safe & contained" there! I also seriously doubted that she'd stay at the place where she had suffered so much trauma......
So, I reached out at that point and had one of the head organizers contact me so I could share my impressions, concerns and offer advice.......I ended up being blown off and ridiculed....meanwhile since then EVERYTHING I said has proven to be right......I had suggested that posters go up at the race tracks as she could go there from the construction site on Guy Brewer Blvd. and I was told "She'll never get across the Belt Parkway without getting killed"........I explained that late at night she could easily cross the Belt Parkway via any of the roadways that cross over it and that I have a good understanding of such things based on my 40+ years in dogs and rescuing strays in Bklyn where I grew up......to this I was told: "This is Queens, not Bklyn"......sheesh as if Bklyn consists of a farmlands or something totally unlike Queens?? To me both boroughs have all the same elements of a largely populated inner city and thus they present the same challenges, risks and opportunities to successfully rescuing a lost dog.....and anyone who has experience in rescuing strays in the city should be treated with a little more respect.....or at least have an open mind to the valuable information they can share with you....
I was bringing to the table experiences of successfully rescuing stray canines & felines on the streets of Bklyn. that date back to my childhood, 40 years of multi dog & cat ownership of various breeds of both species and 16 years as a breeder/exhibitor of boxers, hence in my lifetime I've had my share of some dogs that were "master escape artists", as well as mishaps where a dog or cat has gotten accidently loose due to stupid things like a deliveryman not fully closing a fence door behind him, etc. Yes, I know all too well the agony that Bo, Paul and Jill have gone through....with one exception. I've never had one go missing more than 5 days.....Why? Because I never assumed they were safe and contained anywhere until they were back in my arms! It's human nature to imagine one's beloved pet is safe somewhere when it has gotten loose, but that's not reality and the danger is that it affords one a false peace of mind which prevents one from taking the extra steps neccessary to find that pet.

I can tell from reading many of the posts here that there are many other good folks here with the same experiences and knowledge that they are freely offering as I have been and I am seeing that your sound advice and helpful questions don't seem to be responded to.....I guess the mindset is that the only advice deemed credible is from a hired professional from out of the area.........what a shame for Vivi......

I wonder if the "pros" watched the streaming video of Vivi at the Westminster site? I did and I knew instantly that she was going to be a "tough customer" to find & entice to come.....go look at it and you'll see for yourself....she's so bonded to Paul she's rather stare into his eyes than free-bait for him.....look at how he has to keep redirecting her focus to the bait...and notice on the down & back how she snatches at a piece of bait off the floor and how she also glances at something to the side.....nothing gets past this savvy little girl....I know this type of bitch well. Note: Some of my observances wouldn't be so significant if she was new to the ring......but she's not...she's a special and a BIS winner, so she knows damn well what's expected of her in the ring and yet she's still determined to "do her own thing"....that says a lot about her character and why she's been so hard to find, but it's also why she has managed to stay alive this long...she is indeed a tough little cookie. However, lately I have grave concerns regarding her health due to the recent reports that her eyes have pus in them.....that pus will impact one if not possibly three of her of her most valuable senses (sight, hearing and scent) which have been the key to her survival. I believe this may be why she's showed herself in daylight to a few folks this weekend......if her most important scenses are no longer servicing her to full capacity, her instincts are telling her she needs help. As feral as she had become, she was once highly domesticated, more so than the average housepet due to her show career, as well as having once had a litter and all the pampering that came with that, so I think this girl is truly seeking help before it's too late....she just needs to meet the right person she can trust...

Yesterday, I also offered the name & phone # of someone within 2 to 3 hours of Queens who does tracking/scent work, so that future sightings of Vivi could be positively confirmed as soon as they occurred.......I also mentioned that this name came to me though a reknown AKC judge who knows Bo and is also with the NJ Federation of Dog Clubs.......yet this offer was rejected.....go figure??
I know of ways to get many more people who are understanding of canine behavior to help search for her and there's other advice I can offer, but frankly I'm tired of my words falling on deaf ears.....I think my energies are better spent just looking for her myself....hopefully me or someone like me will get to her before some idiot who only sees $5000(instead of the poor frightened soul that she is)goes and rashly grabs at her and gets her killed by a car......I'm off to go look for her now.....praying tonight will be the night that God brings our paths together....please send postive vibes....thank you.....
PS: Sorry for the length this post, but I've been biting my tongue for 5 weeks....obviously this had to be said.....once again it's not negativity, it's constructive criticism....and I implore the "powers that be" to please learn from it....for Vivi's sake.
So Mary If you've read this far, I guess you have the answers to your questions.

Posted by: Diane Kowalchyk-Morris | March 22, 2006 at 02:41 AM

I haven't read all the blogs but I notice that Vivi seems to be on a due north course. Maybe this can help predict her next move.

Hello,

I live in Plymouth, MA and came down to help in the
search a couple of weeks ago. I am so happy that
there have been Vivi sightings! I was wondering
if Bonnie would think it was a good idea to give
this story to the Ellen Degeneres Show and Regis'
show because the story is about a dog from Calif.
and it's missing in NY which is where these shows
air. Maybe Vivi's owner could go on Ellen's show
I know that Ellen loves animals. And maybe Bonnie
could go on Regis' show. Just an idea that I've
had. Also, I thought of printing out the lost flyers onto business cards, so that people would
have them on their person right away if they see
her.

Thanks and Good Luck
I wish I was there to help find her!!!!!
Lisa Fornaciari
Plymouth, MA

Two years ago my 2 1/2 year old Sheltie ran away from my daughter's house while we were on vacation. He was missing for 3 weeks, so I know what Vivi's owner is going through. We had a lot of help and a lot of sightings, but Shelties are shy, and panic when out in the wild. Cisco traveled about 15 miles to the North Shore of Long Island, and for 3 weeks my family, friends and I followed up every phone call. Once I spotted him in the woods, and he even ran from me. We were so very lucky because he eventually found his way 15 miles back to my daughter's neighborhood and was spotted. Even then my son-in-law had to run through the streets until he made eye contact with my dog. That and a simple command was all it took for Cisco to sit and wait for the leash. I tell this story because dogs are survivors, and I hope Vivi's tale ends the same as my Sheltie's. Don't give up!

I check the internet every morning when I wake up hoping I'll see the "Vivi Rescued" headline! It's getting to be an eventuality I think!

--Kim

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