A note from Vivi's breeder, Bo Bengtson:
<<UPDATE AS OF MONDAY NIGHT, MARCH 27, 2006
After no sightings since last Wednesday, around 11AM today a retired police officer saw what appears to have been Vivi at the Flushing Meadows Park. He is apparently not particularly dog-savvy, didn’t know what she was and described her as an “odd-looking” white dog, trying to eat out of a garbage bag at the bottom of the foot bridge to the park. He was amazed at how fast the dog ran and said he had never seen a dog move that quickly. When he got home and told his wife, she pulled up a picture of Vivi on the web and he was convinced that's her.
After talking to the officer, Jil is confident that if it wasn’t Vivi it was at least certainly a Whippet he saw: “He described her to me as that he thought she was a male, then realized it was her tail curling through her legs. She then took off, not because she was afraid of him but because a green park truck was whizzing around. Tomorrow we'll see if any park people working in the AM saw her. Anyway, he said that the way she ran was beautiful how she curled her body into an arc (the way Whippets do when they run).”
If this sighting is legitimate, as it seems to be, it means that Vivi has moved west, crossing the Van Wyck Expressway (perhaps via an overpass). Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is much larger than Kissena Park, the area where Vivi seems to have spent the last two weeks. Flushing Meadows covers over 1200 acres, which means that a new approach for capturing her has to be devised.
A DIFFERENT APPROACH
Denise Flaim explains it best in her Newsday blog: “Every expert who has experience finding missing sighthounds … has been quoted … saying that these ethereal and independent creatures are not your average canine Joes. Sighthound experts stress that in the vast, huge, incalculably significant majority of times, lost sighthounds are either recovered serendipitously by a stranger, or are caught in a humane trap. … Bottom line: You do not ‘catch’ a spooked sighthound… Attempts to ‘catch,’ ‘surround’ or ‘contain’ Vivi are very likely to have the opposite effect, pushing her even further away and prompting her to move on in her journey. This is possibly why she left the Kissena Park area, where she had become established and comfortable until zealous search efforts were put in place. Volunteer searchers are asked to resist human nature, leave Vivi alone, and instead focus on posting and handing out fliers in the area, as well as communities to the north, west and south.”
I am sure that all those of us who are closest to Vivi agree wholeheartedly with Denise. Please DO NOT go out into the park trying to catch Vivi. If you see her, do not stop, get out of the car, or call her. You will only frighten a now feral Vivi further. She needs to get a chance to calm down and find her own way back to people. What you SHOULD do if you come upon Vivi is sit down, eat something, share with her if she gets close, but DO NOT TRY TO CATCH HER! She is much faster than you are and cannot be caught until she wants to. Not until you can quietly put a strong leash with a choke collar around her neck should you try to do so, and don’t even do that if you are not experienced enough to deal with a dog that might quite easily panic. Losing Vivi after “nearly” catching her will make it even more difficult to instill confidence in her again. She has most likely been chased by more people than we know who grabbed for her in misguided attempts to catch her. Much better to encourage her confidence by feeding her, leaving her alone and petting her if she lets you – until you are SURE you can catch her and put her inside a car or a safely confined area. ... Please note that vehicles without special permits are not allowed on the park grounds.
It is of course extremely important to emphasize to the public that Vivi should NEVER be chased and, in fact, that nobody should even try to catch her until she is really willing to come up and be petted, or until you can close a door or a six-foot gate behind her. She is much safer from traffic at Flushing Meadows she was in the more built-up areas, so there is even less reason to rush things and risk scaring her further.
Baited humane traps are being put out into the park. They have had no success in the past, perhaps because Vivi had a traumatic experience in her crate at the airport, or because she is eating well anyway, or because (as some have suggested) a covered trap is less inviting than an open trap. (I frankly find that hard to believe, but it’s worth trying provided that the uncovered trap is positioned so that Vivi does not get exposed to the elements if caught for several hours.)
HOLD THE CALLS!
Honi Reisman and Bonnie Folz are being inundated with calls and emails, many of which are not helpful. Via Denise Flaim, Bonnie has asked bloggers and volunteers to please stop calling all the points of contact previously posted on her blog. Also, Honi has asked me to tell everyone the following “It is Bonnie’s and my belief that too many chiefs are out there trying to make decisions and not checking with anyone who is in the core search group. I know everyone wants to help but they can’t just haphazardly run off and do their own thing.”
Please understand that Honi and Bonnie have accepted the responsibility of heading the search in New York at Jil’s request. No decisions concerning the search for Vivi should be made without consulting Honi. She and Bonnie, as well as many volunteers, are devoting untold hours to the search out of the goodness of their hearts. They have their own jobs and lives (or at least had, before Vivi!) and have refused to even get their expenses covered. If you think you can imagine what life has been like for them, and for all of us in Vivi’s family, for the past month… well, frankly I think that’s difficult. Losing a beloved, happy, confident and people-loving dog who has now been turned into a fugitive, feral animal is tough enough. Doing this in the glare of unprecedented spotlight and what can only be descriped as a “media circus” is even more difficult.
DEALING WITH DELTA
In response to repeated questions, I have no idea what’s going on with Delta. Jil’s lawyer, Joyce Randazzo, has formally appeared on Jil's behalf and is awaiting a response. We are very grateful to her for her assistance, as she has totally volunteered her services. Delta has asked for Jil’s input in how to improve their procedures when shipping dogs, which is a positive step. However, Delta has still not provided a response (promised on Feb. 28) to my request for a report of the internal investigation that reportedly took place after Vivi’s loss while in their care at JFK. They comped us two rooms for two nights immediately after Vivi’s disappearance and, I believe, comped a return ticket to NY for Jil and a one-way ticket for me back to LA. That’s it. Delta at one point promised to send Jil $2,000 as a good-will gesture to help with some of the initial expenses, but they have so far not done so. We have received no further offers of assistance, financial or otherwise, of any sort. We are still hoping that Delta will step up and assist with at least some of the considerable costs incurred by everyone involved.
SIX WEEKS LATER…
That Vivi has managed to stay alive and fend for herself for nearly six weeks of New York winter is, to me, amazing. It says a lot for our so-called “pampered show dogs” that she has been able to do so, and for the wonderful condition Jil has always kept her in. Frankly, I almost wish she were a little more of a spoiled wimp so she would be looking for human help by now. If left to herself, I am sure that she eventually will do so.
I know it’s tough to wait and not rush things. However, it’s crucial.
Thanks for understanding.
Bo>>
Comments (70)
Thank you Bo for your nice post explaining what is going on. I'm sure all those involved will honor your request because they all want the best for Vivi and to see her home safely.
Here's hoping Vivi finds a good friend real soon to trust.
I don't know if this will help, but there were times my two whippet boys cut loose and explored the neighborhood and parks, sometimes alone other times together. The only way I got them back, and they had only been missing from a few minutes to a few hours was , with a bag of chips sitting in the park , and a roast beef sandwich on the side walk. Any time I tried to chase them it was seen as a race and they won every time. The other way they were contained was when neighbors saw them in the backyard and closed the gate.
On another note, has anyone given fliers to the post office workers who walk the areas where she has been sited? I gave one to a postman I saw in Flushing last week. He looked surprised, he had'nt known about Vive, but kept the flier and said he would call if he saw her. I also gave fliers to a couple of UPS persons. Would their distribution center be willing to hand fliers out to the drivers, ?
Good Luck to all and Prayers to Vivi, her Family and everyone who is so concerned fo her.
We live in a community fairly close to Ojai, and when our whippets have gotten loose for a run around the neighborhood or up in the hills, there's no way to "catch" them. They come back home when they are good and ready. We just hope that they don't run into any coyotes or get too scratched up.
Fortunately they have come back home after about 45 minutes or so. The problem with Vivi is that she doesn't have any "home" scent to come back to.
Our new little whippet has been trained to go out and get the newspaper with me in the morning. He doesn't take off into the hills like the other two have done, but he's very willful and if he doesn't want to be caught he will wiggle, head-butt, etc. to get away.
Vivi may come to a place where she feels comfortable and smells some enticing food. She will have to be caught very cleverly, because she's very clever herself.
Thanks Bo for the update. I agree with Jil about that the traps are better covered, but since it hasn't worked so far try uncovered. I have been looking for her since the start of this ordeal, never intending to take the reward, unless Delta was picking it up. My prayes are with her now, she is a strong resilient little girl. I would love to to see the beauty of her running, if only it were to Jil or Paul You or Rick. God be with you all.
Thank you, Bo, for the detailed and thoughtful update. (Question... is there no way we can get Bonnie and Honi and the core search group to accept reimbursement for their significant expenditures? I noted in your message that they were "refusing" reimbursement. These people are saints!) Keeping the faith and the candle burning, Marnie in CA
Bo,
it's always so good to hear your calm voice of reason. Vivi is lucky to have you and everyone.
Thankx Bo. It is important to not "push" after things. In physics, the more you go after something, the more it may elude you---especially in the physical world. So that is the reason for the energetic visualizations, the group focus to bring Vivi's energy back into her body. It may sound "off the wall" to some people, but I am a professional at this and have brought many lost animals back home this way. Connecting with the owners and moving in the directions of the lost animal. so here, with Vivi, keeping tabs on her with energy work, and group dynamics holding her close, and in the light so she can continue to be shighted, and get closer to people, and locations where the opportunities increase to get her in those situations Bo described is what we are holding vision for.
Here's a good short sotry about how the psychic connection works. There is a cat in town that roams between the family summer cabin and the winter house (about a 2 mile distance between them). Whenever his owners have concern that he has been out too long (like a few days) they phone me and ask me to tell him to "go home" and to which location her is to go. Each time, within an hour or so (depending on where he was at the time I contacted him), he would show up at the door. We have been doing this for a few years now. so go figure. Let's keep the focus on Vivi, and I will keep holding er energetically to get her to a place of opportunity. Thankx everyone.
Bo, the team of Rosa and Tina have been out there day after day, night after night and ask for nothing but reimbursement for gas and any charges over their regular cell phone charges. Certain people on the blog have offered to contribute to this expense but since Lois is holding close to $4,000 in the Vivi fund I feel that money should come from there. I'm still trying to figure out who controls the expenses.
OK, my peeps! Are you here?
Now is not the time to be shy people, this is not a junior high school dance.
Seriously.
Ok, I'm here thanks to a friend from the other board...Who else?
Just Paul! Good idea moving, but where is everyone?
I'm a West Coast, California supporter of Vivi's..Have been from day one. I have 2 Whippets so I think Vivi's flight got to me big time. My hope is she'll be found very soon and returned to rainy California..MaryL @ 6:39 California
Hi Just Paul, is there a plan here?
I'm ready if you are.
Georgepat
I'm here! I just took my Golden Retriever, Duke, out!
OK I'll start - The day they called off the search for Vivi on the 2nd day I told myself, they may be giving up so soon but not me, not ever and somehow I found myself here and it turned out there were lots of other people like me. One of my best friends had a Whippet for 17 years and he ran off once and came back. I though have 5 dogs, including 2 Border Collies, my heart dogs. All are rescues. One Border Collie does agility with me and just got a big "title" last weekend. In some ways I just have one dog, her, Grace E. That's my story, what's yours?
Just Paul, I think you should post another reminder on the other post for people to come chat over here.
I've been watching this blog since day one...I'm a Whippet owner, I heard the news about Vivi within a couple of hours of when she got loose, and have been glued to any and all news about her ever since then. I've been on several lost Whippet searches over the years, but none of the magnitude of this one.
Hello Everyone it's nice to be back! VIVA LA VIVI!! Rosa.. in Michigan
I've always had dogs. I don't remember ever not having a dog. I took care of my mother for years, never married, and now that she is in a nursing home, Duke IS my family. He is who I come home to every night. When Jil said "I sleep with that dog every night", I knew exactly what she meant. I became obsessed with Vivi news, probably because of that. I also love horses. I never had a chance to ever ride one, until last year. Now I take three lessons a week. I'm 55! Thanks to those great horses, I'm in the best shape of my life. I don't in the least bit feel psychic, but I really feel that there is a special, wordless, spiritual bond between humans and animals. I loved American Indians as a child, and I think that is why I view animals not as lesser creatures, but other creatures.
Three of my Whippets dug out of my double fenced back yard a few summers ago...which launched a week long search, and ended up with 3 happy endings when I found each one. I know what I went thru in that one week...I can't imagine what Vivi's family is going thru and everyday is just heartbreaking that she hasn't been captured, but heartwarming that so many people are trying so hard to help.
Stories of how Whippets roam never cease to amaze me. I have a Chihuahua that won't leave my lap!!!
I had to go to the doctor for tennis elbow because my pup sits on my left arm when I write- which I do all day for my job.
Anyway, it didn't take the ortho doc long to realize the truth of what was causing the pain because I'm right-handed. Needless to say, my little Toppy now is in the room sitting right next to me, but in his own little bed "nest."
It just is incredible to me how these sighthounds run. My neighbor has two greyhounds and I always wondered why he never lets them off leash. Now I know- thanks to our Vivi!!!
Anyway, I kept out of the fray, and just "tuned" in to the "Vivi Website" looking to see if there was any positive news. Actually, I tuned in surreptitiously, as we are monitored at work, but like twenty time a day:-) because I was so horified that this had happened. I saw photos of her crate online and really thought what had happened to it was a bit suspicious looking. One of my co-workers boyfriends worked as a baggage handler in the past (not JFK) and said the crates get really thrown around. I am in awe at this group of people that assembled to save this animal, as well as the others. I chimed in because I really hated to see them getting bashed about by someone negative. What they are doing takes Herculean effort, and they need positive input so much. I HAD to say something!
Wow - You guys showed up!! At first I thought no one had shown up, so I went away for an hour, and now that I've come back, I see that there have been several posts! Terrific! Glad you're all here. Good idea, Sophie, I'll put another post on the other thread that we're over here.
We're here on the west coast, with Lance the whippet trying to sit in our lap at the computer...
Still following the story and hoping that the searchers are successful soon.
Me too. I'm in the L.A. area with my whippet boy. I've been following the story since Day One, and frankly, thought Vivi would be caught within a week. I never dreamed it would drag on this long. If it was my little guy, I would be beside myself. He got away from me once 2 weeks after I got him (I bought him when he was 3 yrs old, right after his show career had finished) and he was only gone 20 minutes. I had no idea how lucky I was to get him back so fast!
I've got the list of petfinder.com shelters for Flushing &(it expands) outside the area. I already e-mailed 2, will continue at work on my lunch hour tomorrow-- it is easier for me to send attachments that way. Will let you know what happens.
All knowing and loving Creator, gather your lost animals and protect them this night. Keep Vivi, Sniffles and Biggie protected and let them sleep well. Intervene on their behalf, and let them be seen by caring people who will help them return home. Bless and send restful sleep to those who have worked to be your hands and feet today. Shine forth your light, reflected in all those candles!
Thank you in advance for the gift of these animals' return home. Amen.
'Night Folks! Let tomorrow be the day...
Does anyone know if they have tracking devices, like Lojacks, for dogs? My dog is chipped, but that's only useful for IDing him if someone finds him. I'm talking about tracking him with GPS if he's on the loose. It would sure be helpful in a situation like the one Vivi's in.
Seems like Vivi has a pattern here. She hides on us for a couple day's and then she pops up.. So lets hope tomorrow she will show herself. She is due to roam around. What kind of weather is in store for New York Tomorrow? I know how whippets love to bask in the sun.. Mine actually has a blanket he takes out in the yard. If you have a whippet you know what I am talking about.. My neighbors get a kick out of it.. It will be hot as hell out and my Kramer is laying in the sun with his blanket.. Rosa
Thanks, Sharon. That's a beautiful prayer. I know God is listening, and will restore Vivi to her family in good time.
NYC is looking at highs in the mid-to-high 60s for the next couple of days. Chance of rain on Saturday. Good dog-finding weather!
I heard someone talking about it on one of these threads recently that they do have GPS tracking devices for dogs. But the problem is they are not embedded in the dog... it is attached to the collar. So, if the dog is lost and the collar gets lost too then the tracking device is a waste.
Rosa, you should send us a picture of your whippet sleeping outdoors with his blanket. It sounds so funny :). That must be like his security blanket.
You're right, that wouldn't be worthwhile at all. Vivi hasn't been seen with a collar on in weeks. If they could embed it under the skin like the microchip, that would be a diffrent story. I would definitely want to get one like that. I'm sure that technology isn't too far in the future, but obviously won't help us here and now.
That's a riot about him taking the blanket outside. Mine brings stuff inside. Today it was the barbecue brush. Sometimes it's avocados.
Sharon, I always love reading your prayers at the end of the night. Very comforting. I'm hoping our lil Viv will decide it's time to stop running and lay in the sun. Like Rosa said - they do love it. Mine lays in it until he is so hot he can't stand it anymore and then drags himself (very melodramatically)to the nearest shade and collapses - cools off and then back to the sun. Here's hoping our little Houdini shows herself soon. Night all, Terrie.
Sophie, He's a ham, he has an indoor blanket and his outdoor blanket.. If he is not wrapped up in it, he is suckeling on it. Iv'e never seen anything like it he twist and twist with his from paws till it looks like a huge passafyer and suckles on it till he falls asleep. When people see if for the first time they are just amazed.. I'ts pretty comical..
Avocadoes? Just Paul, where do you live? Terrie
Los Angeles
Rosa, I definitely have to meet this Kramer one day - you too as a matter of fact! : ) Terrie
Sweet dreams Terrie!.......Good night all. Rosa
Terrie, We do need a Smitty and Kramer reunion as well as eachother!
Thanks Paul, and night once again, everyone! Terrie
Goodnight Rosa, Terrie, Paul and everyone else!
Goodnight you East-coasters (or early-to-bedders)!
Sweet dreams to all whippets and humans!
Ah, I arrived too late. I did see a post from Karen about the book "A Pack of Two" -- excellent!
About the GPS tracking devices, I agree: I've been wanting that for years (the sort that can be inserted under the skin by a vet like the microchip). Hopefully, the technology will be there soon.
One of my concerns with microchipping, wonderful though it is, is that there is no one consistant standard so a microchip placed in my dog here in Wisconsin might not show up if scanned outside of this area.
The other concern, is that I find vets rarely scan (at least around here). It seems like you have to ask them to. I know our animal shelters scan thankfully, but not all vets. Just one of my pet peeves. :(
Hugs and warm wishes to everyone!
As always,
Oops, didn't want this post from earlier lost. Maybe someone has authority to post Vivi's information on this site?!
-------------------
Hi all,
Someone sent me this link and it's a worldwide site to list lost and found dogs/cats. I went out and looked and Vivi is not listed there. It's not my place to do the listing but whomever is doing this kind of stuff, it sure wouldn't hurt.
Here's the link.
http://www.h4ha.org
Gee, I like it over here! No kookoos!!
I love hearing all the funny things our WHippet friends do. I have 3 and the youngest, somehow managed to get 3 skeins of yarn out thru the doggy door when I wasn't looking. I went to the store and came home to: 3 entire skeins out thru the doggy door, around the bbq, around a tree, around the motorhome(parked in the back yard) around the bushes, under the outside doggy bed. The more I tried to pick it up the more he grabbed it and ran with it. I finally gave up because I was laughing hysterically and just sat down and watched him. I can always buy more yarn.
Cindy--that is hilarious! I would have done the same thing...just laughed! My dogs do wierd stuff all the time...if the DIDN'T do wierd stuff, I'd worry!!! I like when my one dog has something she's not suppose to have like a sock or paper towel and I'll spot her and yell her name and she tries to spit out whatever it is she's not suppose to have but it gets stuck on her tooth and I can just see her panic because she cant drop it fast enough before i get over to her...ahhhh...its just too funny!
That's a hilarious "yarn." The best story I have along those lines is that one night I came home from work and found the pet turtle that wanders loose around the backyard, sitting next to my dog's dish in the kitchen. The only way he could have gotten there was through the dog door, and I doubt very much if he (the turtle) would have the strength and brains to use the dog door by himself, so I'm assuming whippet-boy wanted company. I'm just glad the turtle didn't get hurt.
Take care guys...See you all tomorrow..Hope they find the girl! I lit my candle and bought another big one today for Vivi! MaryL - California
I just wanted to comment that it's nice to find a spot on the blog where a person like myself -- with no artistic bones in my body, with only an occasional suggestion to help the searchers, and who lives too far away to search in NY -- can connect with others who care so much about Vivi. You all are a terrific bunch of people, and I wish you all a peaceful night. Tomorrow (well, I guess tomorrow is already here on the East Coast) is a new day, with new opportunities for happy news.
Good night all! I hope our friend Michael is right and today (Friday) is the day we all have been hoping and praying for!
Come home Vivi!!!! PLEASE!
So nice to end my Vivi blog reading for the day on such positive thoughts and stories!! Many thanks to all of you.
Here's my random thought: Do you notice that similar events happen in groups of 3?
1) The lost Weimeraner was reunited with his family.
2) Jill Carroll was released after three months of being held in captivity.
3) Hold in your thoughts and faith that Vivi makes 3!!
My best to all of you - you are a wonderful group of people.
G'night from the West Coast...
Morning everyone, Wanted to share this with everyone. "Thorns may hurt you, men desert you, sunlight turn to fog. But your never friendless, ever, if you have a dog." Douglas Mallock
Good morning everyone. Praying for a sighting today.ViVi would you please come out of hiding so we can take you home to mama.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
Hi Marty, There isn't much left to burn on my Vivi candle. Praying I won't have to go buy another one. I hope Michael is right today will be the day!
Rosa, I think you should go buy another candle today. I've found that when I can't find somehting and I buy another one suddenly I find what I was looking for. Maybe this could happen with Vivi - get another candle for tonight and hopefully not need it.
It's sort of like being a smoker standing at a bus stop - the minute you light up the bus comes.
That is so true Diane, Will buy in bulk!! Thanks Rosa
Has anyone heard from Michael. He usually gives up a update. He's out in the wee hours of the night trying to find our girl. And yes Rosa, I ran out of candles last night so I had to get one of my expensive candles that I have out for decoration but hey my girl is worth every bit I payed for it.
Good morning, everyone. Please -- get neon poster paper and make more posters to go to Darlene -- she's going to post them for you! Let's get those out to her. Here's the address:
RADIANCE ELECTRONICS
250 FULTON AVE #608
HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550
New post up from Bo
What does everyone think about the College Point sighting? I haven't really been able to get any concrete information. Denise Flaim emailed me yesterday that that sighting remains unconfirmed. I'm glad we are posting in the area, because it sure can't hurt -- but I wonder if we should still concentrate on making sure posters, cards, etc. are going up in the Kissena, Flushing cemetary area. I am worried that she is somewhere without posters, though, and that's why no one is calling us.
Beth - I sent you an email on the toll free number we will be using
Was that other unconfirmed sighting of ViVi in the same neighborhood that the guy saw her last Monday night and also how far is that from the park that she was seen eating out of the trash can.
Meri-Lou -- got your email -- THANK YOU! Honi will be testing the number out with Tina and Rosa this evening. If all goes well, we can start putting the new number on posters and using it as we move forward.
When the new number is up and running can someone please post it ASAP? I want to hit Staples in the morning. Thanks
We are hoping to have the vanity phone number running later tonight. Honi will test it out, and let me know so that I can post to the group. The number (selected by Tina and Rosa), will be: 1-877-JFK-VIVI. Please note that it is NOT 866, it's 877. That was so we could get the "JFK VIVI" vanity name that Tina and Rosa requested.
If you want to start doing posters (at your own risk), Tina and Rosa suggested that we just use the new 877 number, since it will ring directly to them. Hopefully this number will be easily memorized by people, making it more likely we will get calls. Keep in mind, the number will only work for callers in NYC, for now.
some people mentioned a GPS system for dogs -- they exist, I googled it as few weeks ago but they are only for dogs 30 lbs and up. So no good for my two beagle mixes and my Bunny Rose - a chihuahua/IGGY angel who was rescued.