Animal House

Siri, was it you who posted a great list of all the area schools, I know I saw it somewhere???

You guys are awesome ! staying positive is all we can do ... No sightings today , hopefully tomorrow. Just wanted to say one thing and I'm NOT being negative in anyway at all. I just think IF their is not a sighting tomorrow or sat (though I think their will be ) We should get Laura back here ! I know some people feel different, I'm just saying that if no one sees her maybe she went into another area but only Laura will be able to tell us by using her dogs. Please keep in mind I'm not trying to be negative here , just realistic. This way we know if she's starting to hang out somewhere else. Pleae remember I said IF . Just throwing a out a suggestion that we know gave us some results last time. Hopefully it WILL NOT COME TO THAT. Just incase !!!

No Lisa i can't take credit for that.

Sophie was hand feeding me phone numbers via e-mail of businesses in Flushing and I was calling them form Calif and giving them Honi and Bonnie cell numbers to request posters.
Siri

Hey guys, I sent 600 Vivi flyers overnight today. They will be there by 10:30 tomorrow.

Raising public awareness with the posters is great, but I realized there is one major drawback. In the event of a Vivi sighting, unless the person is standing right next to a flyer when they see her or they have memorized a phone number or plugged it into their cell phone, they will have no way to immediately report it. Vivi could be miles away before anyone knows she's been sighted.

There is a company called 1800LostDog that has a 24 hour hotline. The usual way it works is when you become a member they send you a tag for your dog to wear with their phone number and, I presume, an id number. I think Bo or Jill or the search coordinator should register Vivi with them. They would obviously have to contact the company first to make sure they could reference her info through her name alone. Then we could put their phone number on Vivi's flyers. It would stick in peoples heads and they would know immediately who to call if they see her. The hotline, as I've said, is manned 24 hours a day and they would immediately call the contact person(s). At that point, a search team could be sent to the area a.s.a.p.

Will you all please make sure this gets suggestion gets relayed to someone who can make a decision about it? Thank you.

Sorry I meant no LILLIE I can't take credit for that

But I agree with Lisa on trying to get Laura back. If we don't get a sighting tomorrow I would love it to get Laura back for Saturday, because we will need the tracking before too many days go by

Siri-Calif

Oh, Kitty I just emailed Bo about the lost dog hotline you mentioned.

Here is the link to all the schools. According to the blogs yesterday, several people had called many of the schools. Especially the middle and high schools. I'll see if I can find that blog and copy it in for you.

http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/bycity/ny/?city=Flushing&showall=1&level=a

Found it. Here are the schools that were posted as contacted. I must have been wrong about the middle schools.

I made contact with every high school in the Flushing area except Shin Dong Ki (because an Asian language was spoken).

This includes:

Flushing H.S.
Holy Cross H.S.
John Bowne H.S.
Rabbinical Seminary of America
Robert F. Kennedy H.S.
Shevach H.S.
Townsend H.S.
Yeshiva Berachel David-Torah

I either spoke with a guidance counselor or someone in the main office. Everyone had either not heard about Vivi or knew she escaped at JFK but had NO IDEA SHE WAS SEEN IN THE FLUSHING AREA RECENTLY. I directed them to this site for contact information and specifically emphasized if sighted not to chase her. I found out that Bowne H.S. has a big animal/ agriculture program. I spoke with the director (Mr. Perry) and he promised to inform his advanced students.

The more that know, the better. Hopefully this will aid the search.

Posted by: Dorene | March 22, 2006 at 05:18 PM

Thank-you Judy this website is great I'll do some calling tomorrow, and thank you to the person who wrote the original blog

Siri

I wonder if a flyer was faxed to all these schools, does anyone know? Most kids wouldn't know what a Whippet looked like.

I called all the high schools yesterday except Shin Dong KI. Bowne H.S. has a big animal program. A Mr. Perry heads this up. He might be a great contact. Plus I think this school is near the cemetary.

I think calling the middle schools next would be helpful. There are so many of them.

Also, would it help to post flyers in public places like starbucks, etc. where many people would see them as they wait in line?

Thank you, Lillie. I just envision someone spotting her and saying, "Oh, that's the little dog that everyone's looking for. Shoot, I wish I knew the number to call. I think I'll go off in search of a flyer...." Four hours later they get a phone call. Or worse yet, "Oh, too bad I don't know the number" and that's the end of the story.

Contrast that with, "Oh, that's the dog from the 1800LostDog flyer." Dials 1-800-LostDog who immediately calls the contact, perhaps while Vivi is even still in view.

I think this is really important. I hope Bo and Jill see the suggestion.

That IS a good idea Lillie. We all know how the kids love to use their cell phones.

How about contacting any local BROWNIE and GIRL or BOY SCOUT troops to bring in the "babes" and children who may draw Vivi to them? They're ALL ABOUT SERVICE...it would be a great mission for them too.

This is a better list of schools in Region 3 which I believe is the area where Vivi has been sighted.
If you click on the individual school this site gives you all the contact information you need for the school.
http://www.nycenet.edu/OurSchools/Region3/default.htm
Also if you omit/delete everything after edu you will come up with the main website.
I'm a Michigan teacher/Media Specialist who wishes I was on break so I could come and help you with this-- hope it helps. You don't usually have to have
a real "in" with most schools-- if there anything like ours-- I'm from a large district North of Detroit-- we hop right in on service opportunities.
I'm sure these schools have National Honor, and Junior National Honor Societies which require volunteer hours.
Sending positive thoughts and prayers,
Sharon

I PRINTED UP 10K 4/6 POST CARDS 2 SIDED 4COLOR ....FOR THE COLLEGES IN THE AREA...I SENT 5K TO A DISTRO TEAM THAT LOIS AND BETH TALKED TO AND THEY WILL DONATE THEIR MAN POWER...PLUS I SENT MY NIGHT CLUB PROMOTION TEAM AS WELL....THERE ARE NO SECRETS ..NO SIGHTINGS TODAY....BO IS WOTRKING ON GETTING MORE PROFESSIONALS ON THE CASE..HE HAS PUT TOGETHER SOME EXPERTS FOR ADVICE....WE ARE MOVING FOWARD

Thanks again Brian. For the last time from Maui. Sigh.

Please note that the list of schools I sent you has a parent and PTA coordinator listed for each school complete with phone contacts.The school fax is listed with each.That's why I thought it a bit better than the great schools list.

I had emailed someone a list yesterday of all the schools around the area. I'd be happy to do so again if needed. One that isn't on the list above is Francis Lewis High School 718.357.7740 It's a few blocks east of the back side of Kissena Park, the golf course and west of Peck Park. Prime location since many kids walk home in both directions through "the lots" (green spaces connecting the residential areas) and towards Peck.

Also... the velodrome at Kissena Park. There is a very active bicycling club there, which would be perfect target "audience". They meet, I think, on the weekends and Wednesdays. I can get a contact # if needed. The veldrome is tucked deep into the park accesible by easy-to-miss driveway off Booth, so may not have seen the posters on the perimeter. Bikers come from all over to use the velodrome.

Francis Lewis is on the list http://www.nycenet.edu/OurSchools/Region3/default.htm--- This list has all of the area schools because it is the official DOE list, and is required to do so greatschools has some big gaps because it lists census and NCLB information.

FRANCIS LEWIS HIGH SCHOOL (Q430)on : http://www.nycenet.edu/OurSchools/Region3/default.htm
Sorry, if this sounds picky, Pieper, but I worked pretty hard to find the most complete list possible
and as a library research person this is the most official and complete I could find-- because it is legally required to be.
I'm also, as are all of you, pretty tired. I keep checking the blog in between posting my third quarter grades at school. I keep hoping there will be no need for the list that Vivi will be found.
(I adopted/rescued a Persian who was "on the lamb" like Vivi, before she came to live at my house-- I hate to think of anyone's companion who is in survival mode.)

Somebody posted yesterday about using 1-800-Doglost so that people would remember a number to call if they saw Vivi. If that doesn't work, what about establishing our own 800 number, something like 800-vivlost or 800-whippet. Just thinking...leaving for work - with no access to internet - but just wanted to get this down in case anyone thinks it's a good alternate and wants to pass it on. Vivi la Vivi! Terrie

is anyone going today out there?????? please respond asap - we have a new area we need posted today!!!!!!!!

Darlene,

I think every one is still sleeping. Very quiet this morning. Wish I could help, but I am in Chicago

alane - no biggie. thought people may be checking in from work like i do :) i have been here since 6:30. rosa has been on the road already. she called me at 7:30....

Darlene, what new area are they posting today.

MARTY: TRYING FOR MAIN STREET AREA; ROOSEVELT AVENUE; SHEA STADIUM; COLLEGE POINT BLVD;
THAT AREA.....

How about posting flyers up at these schools? in hallways. libraies, cafetieries. bathrooms...

Are we on this post now

GOOD IDEA IF THEY WILL ALLOW IT IB THE SCHOOLS. SOME OF THEM DO NOT ALLOW STRANGERS IN. BUT, AGAIN, I DO NOT KNOW WHO IS AVAILABLE TO DO THIS DURING THE DAY.

Yes, yes Terry! That's exactly how I found 1-800-Lostdog is I was thinking we needed a hotline number that was easy to remember. I had never heard of 1-800-Lostdog before and thought maybe we could get that number ourselves, so I did an 800 directory search for it and, lo and behold, someone had thought of it first!

Imagine a jogger spotting Vivi, saying, "There's Vivi! Call 1-800-LostDog!", pulling out a cell phone and dialing -- perhaps while she's even still in his sight!

I think this would not only greatly increase the likelihood of a reporting, it would reduce the time between a sighting and reporting from minutes or hours down to mere seconds. A rapid response team could then be immediately deployed to the area.

I've already heard back from Bo that he thinks its a good idea. I sure hope it's implemented.

Darlene,

How you holding up today? How are Tina and Rosa doing? I get in to work at 6. That is 7 your time. Hope its a good sighting day.

I also e-mailed Kitty's suggestion to Bo. Best one I have heard yet. I suggested purchasing a toll number with "1-800-GET-VIVI" myself to Bo. I agree, these phone numbers are not always handy for people and not easy to remember. A toll number would be fantastic. I bet it could be designed to transfer directly to another number (such as Jill's cell).

If, Vivi is spotted again near the Cemetery, would it be possible to let a couple of horses (with the gates closed) lose in there for a few hours to see if that might help Vivi relate but with no human associated directly (only watching from a hidden place for her to appear)? They could always be cleaned-up after. Vivi seemed to be happy to see the Doberman cause it was ...like her buddy at home Jil said. Maybe a horse? would bring her back out?

On this topic of involving the children ...

I think it would be helpful if someone could take their kid-friendly whippet to the grade schools and stand outside handing out fliers when the kids leave for the day. Dogs are kid magnets. I think if they get to pet a whippet and then hear that one just like it is sick and lost, they would bring home a flier and perhaps carry a flier to their neighbor's as well. Even better might be to visit a classroom with the dog. A show and tell.

Of course you would need to get permission from the school for this.

Just a thought...

Praying hard that Vivi is sighted again today. I'm so worried about the little girl.

A toll free number can be pointed to any number. AT&T used to be the easiest one to go to to get a number quickly. They will ask numerous questions about where to bill, etc. but it might be the fastest. MCI also can do a quick turn around to get a number set up.
Does Bo or someone who is connected directly to VIVI have to be the one that adds her to list for 1800lostdog (1-800-567-7364)?

I think that 1-800 number is a great ideal. Now would you want to just use that on number or still all numbers.

ALANE - I AM BETTER TODAY. ACTUALLY OT SLEEP LAST NIGHT, THANK GOD. I WAS ONLY OUT FOR 1 1/2 HOURS AND THEN WENT HOME. ROSA IS BEYOND EXHAUSTED. TINA AND SHE ARE GETTING ABOUT 3-4 HOURS A NIGHT OF SLEEP. THEY ARE READY TO COLLAPSE. DEBBIE QUIT YESTERDAY AFTER 2 HOURS AS WELL. SHE COULDN;T TAKE IT ANYMORE. WE ARE STARTING TO DROP LIKE FLIES HERE.....

Darlene, that is why we need to try to get someone out there and give them a break.

That is a great idea, if people with whippets could "show and tell" at schools. Kids are always interested and curious when they see our whippets. Kids always want to come up and pet and hug them. I don't know how many schools are in the area, but who could do that.

can anyone recall what's the longes we went not having a ViVi sighting

Sharon,

I'm very sorry. I didn't mean any offense whatsoever. And I wasn't referring to your posted link missing a school... But it doesn't matter at this point.

I sent my kids to school with flyers (Francis Lewis) since that's HS closest to the sightings.

The tollfree # issue is significant. Most people aren't going to remember the numbers on the flyers or be able to locate a flyer quickly enough to call in a super-timely manner.

Again, Sharon. I absolutely did NOT mean to criticize. Just offering to provide what info I could as a "local".

yeah, marty - but who? now, they are flying solo since debbie goes full time next week. only 3 weeks til easter - she has to be home for the easter egg hunt!!!!!

Darlene,

Its hard. I know when I have been out looking for lost dogs it is mentally and physically exhausting. I would only hope if I ever lost my PH that I would have a team like you guys. Thank you from one that can not be there in person.

Darlene, I wished I lived there. I would be out everyday helping as much as I could. Maybe you could run a ad in the paper for people to post fliers and just pay them a little bit from the funds. I'm just trying to think here and I don't have much of a brain anymore. My stomach is hurting because of no ViVi sighting

we love dogs too - that's why we are doing this.

Darlene, I know the girls want to be out there but maybe they really need to listen to their body and take a rest. They can't do everything. Gone home and rest.

I'm not familiar with the area, but are there any car dealerships or schools with 20-to-30-foot tall "neon"/illuminated message boards that might be willing to dedicate part of each day to flashing the word about Vivi on their boards? I'm thinking of the way we get the word out about Amber alerts in California. Perhaps this has already been thought of or simply isn't feasible in the area, but I thought I'd share the idea for what it might be worth.

as far as i heard 2 days ago, lois was trying to get a merchandizing co. to do the door to door flyers. i haven't heard much since. maybe she can address that issue with you?? marty - i have had a pit in my stomach for 5 weeks now. but thinking bad thoughts makes it worse. she is not the only one out there, ther are about 100 per week. now - some are found!!! you cannot believe the people i speak to who found their babies in cemetaries, wandering busy streets, drug dealer houses, etc. there is a very good chance, with the people in that area, that she will be recovered!!!! see??? keep only good thoughts - i knwo it's impossible but if you don't you will hit bottom. i just said the same thing to rosa this morning. she is in quite the state today - she's tired, doesn't feel well, and no vivi calls. i told just keep going today. maybe someone will hear our cries for help.
so keep going - phone calls, emails, faxing places here with pictures of her. i still can't get the stupid bus depot on 73rd and roosevelt ave. i have been trying for 2 days now.... UGH!!!!!!

RECECCA - GREAT IDEA BUT NO ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT FOR US. KEEP THINKING THOUGH.....

Along the lines Darlene, of Rebecca’s suggestion - rent a portable sign and place it where ever you can get permission (move it every day to a new place that permits it (someone’s yard even is okay as long as visible from road), you know the signs you can post messages on and have a flashing arrow - one or two of those?

Actually, Beth was successful with getting someone to do the door-to-door flyer handouts. I think that they received flyers yesterday and were planning on getting that done today? Beth will know for sure. Unfortunately, I've got to leave the computer now...I'll try to check in later. Darlene, I sent you an email...

In case anyone thinks of any connections they have that might be willing to help out -- ideas could also include civic centers, even play houses (especially if they're between major events that they need to advertise)? -- any place that might have a publicly visible space (although the Vivi poster text would have to be condensed and her photo couldn't be shown). Keep the faith and know that you have many, many supporters rooting for you.

I know this is a goofy idea, but how much is it to hire one of those companies that flies over the beach with signs? It could say something like "See Vivi? Call 1-800 LostDog." Maybe Delta airlines should pay for it! They could leave from Kennedy and fly over Flushing. Just a thought.

I wish one of the local greyhound/whippet groups would take a more active role in providing people to post and search. Our biggest problem right now is too few volunteers on the ground. That's not a problem that those of us who are far away can really solve, unfortunately.

Darlene -- were you able to get a number for an owner of a billboard in the area?

Is there a local movie theater that runs adds before displaying the movie previews? We have such a thing here and local churches and small businesses advertise this way. I don't imagine it is too expensive. Would probably want to wait to do this until the memorable 800 number gets set up.

I agree, I suggested that the other day and no one commented so I figured they didn't like the idea. I think that the moveable signs, horses for Vivi to relate to when she is seen again, flyers, Marques (like Rebecca suggested), Print outs on receipts from businesses in the area - LIKE fast food places. Magnet signs for cards that can be distributed to key people driving in the area - business owners that are willing to park cars in visible places....................

Darlene, I'll be there tomorrow morning and am bringing 10 large neon posters with two 8x10 color pics of Vivi on each, 100 11x17 green and yellow fliers (b/w) and 50 11x17 full color photo fliers.

I think the 800 number is a great idea. I would have one just for Vivi, instead of the 800-LOSTDOG. ONly because this is such a high profile situation...so much press. I think there would be a lot of crank calls and don't know if they'd be able to weed out the wackos....and may tie up precious time in case a real sighting is reported. Also, if we do get an 800 # I think the best suggestion would be to have someone that can't search take the calls...either out of town or someone there that can't get out to search, someone that is at their phone 24/7 who can weed out the calls as well...and then relay on to Bonnie the 'real' sightings.
I still have some time before I leave so if you do get a 800 # please let me know ASAP and I can add them to the posters!
Nicole

THEY ARE PRIVATELY OWNED BY THE CAR DEALERS UNFORTUNATELY. THERE ARE VERY FEW OF THEM, BETH. HANG ON - LET ME CALL SOMEONE ELSE.

Darlene, see if they want to "sponsor" the Vivi search ........they might like the idea to draw attention to their lots as well as help us.

BETH - GOT ONE FROM MY BROTHER IN LAW: "NEW AGE ADVERTISING" IN FOREST HILLS, NY (VERY NEAR THE SITE)
888-463-9237
THEY DO BILLBOARDS, TELEVISION INFOMERICALS; MEDIA DISPLAYS, ETC.......

Please e-mail me...Beth or Darlene if you do get an 800 #...or whoever gets the #
so I can add it to the posters I'm bringing...leaving at 1pm EST
as I won't have time today to check through the blogs.
thanks,
Nicole
vcsek@yahoo.com

I AM WORKING NOW. I CANNOT MAKE THOSE TYPE OF CALLS AT THIS MOMENT. I AM BURIED ALIVE HERE AND BEARLY KEEPING UP. MAYBE SOMEONE CAN CALL FOR ME.

Two problems with a fly over - 1 - it's very hazy today and (2) your in the landing patern for LaGuardia airport so depending on which way the wind is blowing those planes would not permitting into the area involved. Also, it's spring/winter here and people usually don't look up if they hear a plane - the are ever present.

NICOLE:
I AM NOT WORKING ON THE 800 # - THAT'S SOMEONE ELSE'S BAG.....

Darlene, I called that advertising number and got a voice mail answer -- left my name and number so we'll see if they call me back.

IF she isn't sighted soon chances are she is where people aren't .

Just called 800 whippet or getvivi and both are taken. I'll try to call my phone co. to see what they would charge for an 800 #...maybe the 888 or 866 or something like that is available.
Nicole

CYNTHIA - obviously you are not familiar with flushing. there are no places people aren't.....
it is as crowded as you get.

Iwork for AT&T in Dallas TX and would be more than happy to see what I can do to get a toll free number. My problem is that I am out of town until Sunday so, if you are not able to get this accomplished by then, please email me and I will see what I can do Monday AM.

yeah, beth!!!!!!!
ANYONE HEAR ABOUT WALKIE TALKIES FROM ANYONE FOR TOMORROW???? WE HAVE BEEN BEGGING FOR SOME!!!!! CELL PHONES ARE TOO SLOW AND GO TO VOICEMAIL IF YOU ARE IN CERTAIN AREAS. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Someone said there were marshlands nearby - I guess the question is - how far away are the marshes to a Whippet? Sorry to ask such silly questions -

A WONDERFUL WOMAN, MARGOT, GAVE ME THE NAME OF A PARKS DEPT SUPERVISOR WHO KNOWS THE TALE OF VIVI - I AM CALLING HER AT LUNCH TO SEE WHAT SHE CAN DO FOR US!!!!!

What number do you want the 800 number pointed to?
Gotta know quickly on phone now w/AT&T - SBC

That's true too, you may not see her because she is not around people. Just a thought too, if she is not well, I know they will hide from people. Check out places that may be hiding spots for Vivi. I live in New Hampshire, and I've prayed everyday, sometimes many throughout the day. I hope for someone to be there at the right time to bring her home safely. Praises to all who are helping and may God be with everyone tomorrow. I'm so greatful to all those who live in NY who truely care for this dog, Vivi. Sending positive thoughts her way. Come home Vivi.

THAT'S FINE, CYNTHIA. WE KNOW YOU ARE TRYING TO HELP. IF YOU LOOK AT A MAP OF FLUSHING, NEAR EVERY PARK BASICALLY, THERE ARE MARSHES. AT THE BACK OF KISSENA THERE ARE SOME. BACK OF KISSENA GOLF COURSE, THERE ARE SOME. PECK PARK DOES NOT, THE CEMETARY DOES NOT. AROUND SHEA STADIUM, ROOSEVLT AVE THERE ARE SOME.

People, I commend what you're trying to do and I understand that you feel you have do something but don't make any commitments yet. Get all the information you can and just hold onto it. I hope and pray that by tomorrow night this will all be a not too fond memory and that our little girl will be in the loving arms of her mommy - that is, of course, after all us searchers beat the loving crap out of her for doing this to us - just kidding but it sure did make me feel better to say it.

Keep the faith everybody.

Cherita: I think it would be good to have the 800 number go to Bonnie's phone or Honi's phone:

Bonnie: 917-626-1374

Honi: 516-776-0923

I suggested drainage ditch pipes that a dog could crawl into and not be seen - the kind that roads go over. Maybe the traffic and the city just became too much for her. Sometimes dogs get a little lame and pamper themselves for a few days. So they don't travel so much.

Darlene: Can you buy walkie-talkies anywhere local? Maybe we could fund some of them, although I don't know how wide-ranging they are. Some cell phones (Nextel, for example), have walkie-talkie features. Construction companies often use them -- I wonder if a local company would loan their phones for the search.

I just got off the phone with Francis Lewis HS and spoke to Judy in the Asst Principals ofice.(718 357-7740) I asked if a message could be posted outside before the big search on Saturday. She would ask but didn't think that the school would allow it.
She was very aware and lives directly across from the cemetary and looks herself. She said that all the kids are aware in the school and there are flyers all over the inside of the school. ( our search and post team has done a great job )
She will try her best. I hope it's a go because that's just one more very busy street where a phone # could be seen.

DIANE - DITTO - after i smack her around, i will kiss every inch of the little heffer!!!! hee, hee....

Just got off of the phone w/AT&T/SBC - the cost is very little but I cannot get it until Monday and will not know until them if we can get one that spells VIVI - I have scheduled them to order it - and will use Bonnie's number.
Keeping the faith and love going for VIVI -

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - MAKE THE 800 NUMBER LINKED TO A PERSON WHO IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE***********

A lot of people are coming up with ideas that cost $$. How about if volunteers out in NY could spend some time making presentations to civic organizations (rotary, lions club, kiwanis, etc) instead of pounding the paveme