While we await further information from Watermead Park, we have a conundrum north of Odstone (within the Bermuda triangle of black lab sightings). We mentioned that while we were in Mexico there was a mystery black lab, loose, seen by 2 women who know the area well and couldn't place it.
Last week we had a call from a lovely man called Simon who said he had been out on his horse all morning (does the route regularly) and had seen a black dog for a couple of hours, sitting contentedly in a field where some tyres have been dumped. This is a field which used to have maize at the height of the Bermuda triangle times so I knew it well, near a humpbacked bridge going over a disused railway with lots of nice hidey holes.
Tim and I were in work so I rang dear Tori on spec, and she leapt into action (it's 10 mins from home) with dog biscuits and the full "how to get a timid dog to come to you" training. Simon had said he thought there was a mark on the back and grey around the muzzle. I was besides myself with this information, and at the right moment Tim, whose diary said he was examining medical students' finals all day, appeared by my side saying they were overbooked with examiners and he had a free day totally unexpectedly. Within 5 mins I'd despatched him!
He arrived to find Tori who'd coaxed the dog to her, discovered it was a collie cross and not Sky, rang Ann our lovely dog warden and by the time Tim got there it was all over, with the dog en route to Animal Rescue in Hathern.
It turns out the dog was about 10 months old, didn't look like it had been "lost" for very long and remains unclaimed today, a week later.
Simon was so apologetic and there seemed to be no reassuring him that, but for people like him who make such an effort to contact us, we'll never find our little boy!
So is this the dog seen 2 weeks earlier? It doesn't sound likely but we don't know. We'll keep an open mind and remain fairly reassured that our spies are out there.
Meanwhile another doggy website has taken us on after a pleading email from me and will publicise a flyer about Sky amongst many of their connections. Thanks to Val from Barlestone who passed on their contact details.
Sad news a week ago. A neighbourhood dog attacked our hens 2 days in a row and on the 2nd day (literally we only let them out for half and hour and were with them but for 5 mins when Tim went to his tool-shed and I unloaded some washing) the dog killed beautiful Bossy (pack leader). Scraggy and Honey have been injured but are recuperating (with the aid of nice vet Linda). All are confined to barracks while we sort out additional protection (electric plus post-and-rail fencing). Poor Bossy had a slow death which had to be terminated by Tim in the end as we couldn't bear it.
And to think of all the time Tim has spent peeing around the hen run, with us thinking foxes were the main enemy (seriously, it's definitely true that this human scent keeps them away - loads of people say so................... ask anyone who keeps hens - OK, too much information LOL!)
Tuesday 30 March 2010
Monday 22 March 2010
Watermead progress
More progress on the Watermead black lab. Our local 'detective' spotted the same van last weekend and managed to have a 'chance' chat with the driver. All seemed above board, but did not manage to get a close view as the lab had been swimming and was running (unfortunately Sky's scar was usually more visible after swimming so this dog is unlikely to be our lost boy). The dog also looked older than Sky. Still we are miles further forward in being sure about these reports as we know that he is likely to be walked on a sunny weekend day at Watermead. I think that we will be spending more time there!
Sunday 14 March 2010
Surveillance Saturday
What is it about going on holiday? You go weeks with no calls then you're guaranteed at least one while you're several thousand miles away.
This time, being North America and us not having tri-band, we didn't pick up the message until driving up the M40 from Heathrow on Wednesday afternoon. A very nice lady called Carol had seen a black lab with a scar in (yes) Watermead Park last Saturday around 2pm. She said the scar was "at the top of its leg". He was with a man of retirement age who looked respectable, and the dog seemed healthy and happy. They were in a silver van of the Transit type, with windows on the sides.
So guess where we were yesterday 1.30-3.30pm, esconced in the Jeep with our little picnic, watching the main entrance and the car park where she'd seen him? But alas, no action.
Still it gets us a bit nearer - the publicity in that area was worth it, there is a black lab with a scar (although probably not in the right place), and hopefully sooner or later we can pin down its identity.
Meanwhile we had a message on the answering machine as we arrived home from Heathrow. Near Odstone, site of many of the Barton-area sightings, a lady who know all about Sky and is out and about a lot in that area (and know all the dogs) saw a mystery black labrador while we were away. As ever, it fled when approached and they weren't able to get close enough to see if there was a scar, and it was getting dark. But they thought that there was a collar (which would not fit for the nearest known 'wandering' black labs who come from a farm about 2 miles away). They then spent hours the next day trying to track the dog down with no luck - such fantastic help again from complete stranegrs! It is these calls from people who work outside and know all the local dogs that make us still wonder 'maybe, just maybe'. They will keep an eye out and keep us posted.
Then there was another call yesterday morning from south of Ashby de la Zouch. A black lab on its own seen wandering by the roadside. The lady's daughter said "there's a poster about a dog called Sky near my school" so they drove over there (miles) then called us. Tim set sail, but quite quickly was able to trace its owner at a house nearby (our technique of knocking on doors and talking to anyone in the street was again proven to be so much better than searching for the dog - wish we had know this from the beginning!).
So again, the system works - which is reassuring. And yet again, the helpfulness and generosity of the general public restores your faith in humanity.
John (Jasper's dad) if you're reading this can you mention the 2nd sighting to any dog owners walking around in Watermead please? Thanks.
Oh and yes, we had a brilliant time in Mexico sea kayaking around islands in the Sea of Cortez and whale watching on the Pacific coast. We're thinking of doing the same next year to hopefully get better sightings of the whales - they were close but the water was choppy and waves quite big. Tim did very well to not be sick! Top tip - Stugeron tablets. Physician heal thyself.
This time, being North America and us not having tri-band, we didn't pick up the message until driving up the M40 from Heathrow on Wednesday afternoon. A very nice lady called Carol had seen a black lab with a scar in (yes) Watermead Park last Saturday around 2pm. She said the scar was "at the top of its leg". He was with a man of retirement age who looked respectable, and the dog seemed healthy and happy. They were in a silver van of the Transit type, with windows on the sides.
So guess where we were yesterday 1.30-3.30pm, esconced in the Jeep with our little picnic, watching the main entrance and the car park where she'd seen him? But alas, no action.
Still it gets us a bit nearer - the publicity in that area was worth it, there is a black lab with a scar (although probably not in the right place), and hopefully sooner or later we can pin down its identity.
Meanwhile we had a message on the answering machine as we arrived home from Heathrow. Near Odstone, site of many of the Barton-area sightings, a lady who know all about Sky and is out and about a lot in that area (and know all the dogs) saw a mystery black labrador while we were away. As ever, it fled when approached and they weren't able to get close enough to see if there was a scar, and it was getting dark. But they thought that there was a collar (which would not fit for the nearest known 'wandering' black labs who come from a farm about 2 miles away). They then spent hours the next day trying to track the dog down with no luck - such fantastic help again from complete stranegrs! It is these calls from people who work outside and know all the local dogs that make us still wonder 'maybe, just maybe'. They will keep an eye out and keep us posted.
Then there was another call yesterday morning from south of Ashby de la Zouch. A black lab on its own seen wandering by the roadside. The lady's daughter said "there's a poster about a dog called Sky near my school" so they drove over there (miles) then called us. Tim set sail, but quite quickly was able to trace its owner at a house nearby (our technique of knocking on doors and talking to anyone in the street was again proven to be so much better than searching for the dog - wish we had know this from the beginning!).
So again, the system works - which is reassuring. And yet again, the helpfulness and generosity of the general public restores your faith in humanity.
John (Jasper's dad) if you're reading this can you mention the 2nd sighting to any dog owners walking around in Watermead please? Thanks.
Oh and yes, we had a brilliant time in Mexico sea kayaking around islands in the Sea of Cortez and whale watching on the Pacific coast. We're thinking of doing the same next year to hopefully get better sightings of the whales - they were close but the water was choppy and waves quite big. Tim did very well to not be sick! Top tip - Stugeron tablets. Physician heal thyself.
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