Laura Totis, the pet detective from Baltimore whose searches confirmed that Vivi was in the Flushing area, sends this report to breeder Bo Bengtson and Vivi's owners:
<<After discussion with you and the family I felt our goal was defined as having two priorities:
- Check areas of recent sightings to determine if they might be Vivi or not.
- To use the dogs to help narrow down the specific area she may be in
We checked the sightings and found that in two of the areas the dogs were able to pick up a trail were the others we were not able to locate any tracks. We checked tracks previously found and determined they were most likely raccoon not canine. If you think of sightings, dog prints, physical evidence of animal activity, hair, dog alerts, photographs, as clues then, each clue from a different resource adds credibility to an area allowing the search management to prioritize areas of higher or lower probability. Although you can never say with 100% certainty she is here or she is not here until you have the subject (Vivi) home safely. My suggestion was that you try to locate the area Vivi may be in then work with resources that specialize in capturing dogs to try to trap her. We narrowed the area we felt was the most promising based on substanting clues including sightings, the scent specific trained dogs were able to pick up scent in the area and surrounding areas, and dog prints consistent with a whippet sized dog. We suggested areas for two traps Since Mr. Bengtson was concerned she may be "trap savvy" we bated the unset traps with food the first night. The dogs are a resource to help you locate Vivi, however the dilemma still remains of what to do with that information, you still need to capture her. Animal control may be of some greater assistance. The people in the houses with sightings that we worked with were extremely cooperative, leaving gates open to the yard and willing to set and check traps in their yard, use baby monitors to listen for activity so they could either close the gate behind her or call for assistance capturing her. It was all very encouraging when we left the city. I left the following suggestions for the folks managing the search on the ground.
- Hire a search coordinator to work closely with the family and folks running the search in the area. This might help take some pressure off the people who have been dedicating an awful lot of time and resources to the effort.
- They can track what is being done and when
- Where to focus the flier placements
- Track where fliers have been posted
- Coordinate a local response to sightings
- Prioritize placement of fliers so that they can be most effective.
- Start with Major intersections in a several mile radius using large posters on corners and at bus stops.
- Next hit the intersections where neighborhood roads come out to main roads
- Volunteers can go through areas with high probability sightings almost door to door passing out fliers and checking for collaborating evidence.
- It almost seems like the search is moving into a maintaince stage. I don’t think it necessarily gains a lot for the family to be on the scene. They can maintain a presence for Vivi through the use of scented items they can mail regularly. If they are on the scene their time can be spent walking areas of highest probability the goal being to keep her into an area until she can be trapped. It is unlikely she will come to being called even by family.
- Consider using wildlife motion detector cameras to check potential sightings. If she seems to be returning to a yard use baby monitors to determine if/when she is in the yard.
- Work with someone specializing in trapping live animals to help recover her.
Good luck I am always happy to help if you lose the area she is in again. Remember trailing dogs by definition are behind the subject you really want to determine how to get her into a safe area where she can be trapped and recovered. We are always concerned that an enthusiastic pursuit can sometimes push the subject out of an area. That is where your shotgun approach to posters will prove helpful. All of your volunteers on the ground are doing an amazing job! If anyone can catch this dog they will.
Good luck!!
Laura Totis>>
Comments (9)
So we NY'ers can catch a coyote in Central Park but we can't catch one wily whippet? While on vacation I have checked on Vivi every day here in blog-land. I felt helpless when in NY but at least cud help there- here in the Carribean I am helpless. Come on Vivi-let yourself be rescued so I can relax!! Good luck to all wo are trying to find her this week - I am there in spirit. Vivi come home!
I have been following this story daily with my stomach in a knot. I helped a friend whose dog ran away during Hurricane Katrina. I live in New York state and the dog was lost in Memphis, TN where my friend evacuated. After several days (I won't bore you with the details)I received word that someone had spotted the dog. My friend went to the place where the dog was hiding but she wouldn't come out at the sound of her name. No way. She was terrified. But when my friend called out the name of her daughter (whom the dog adores) the dog came out right away and was captured. I'm wondering if next time Vivi is spotted, she could be urged out by hearing not HER name, but the name of someone she absolutely adores. She just might come out to see if that person is nearby. Just a thought.
That sounds like a fantastic idea. Maybe Jill's name or the name of one of the other dogs or horses.
Sure hope they can find her soon.
I live in Memphis, TN. So glad your found your friend's dog here.
Kathleen Stephenson
I have been following Vivi for five weeks and like everyone else have experienced the manic depression that this little lost soul has made us feel. As a 911 survivor Vivi has come to represent to me the one who WILL be found. She is everything that represents the best of this city - beautiful, fragile and strong in adversity. I pray for her and will breathe a sigh of relief when she is home again. Blessings to all who are searching for her and light and life continue to surround you, Vivi
Hi Virginia, wonder thoughts--please join our energy manifesting of a sighting, capture and safe return of Vivi, we are imaging and lighting candles, and meditating to create teh thoughts that are working to bring Vivi's energy back into her body so she is not "out there" energetically and she will be more easily seen and a moment of divine intervention will take place that creates the perfect mement for her to be contained and in a safe place in custody of the searchers. We have been able to increase teh number of sightings and also increase teh opportunites for news coverage and input from people who know hounds and how to go about the process of reclaiming them from the free range. So tonight with the night goggles, and Jil and Rick and others being out on the search , it is a perfect opportunity to join in the forces and help the happy ending happen tonight. We always hope every minute that this will be the minute. We need to hold that space to support the process.
I'm sending my positive energy and thoughts to Vivi. Come home little one!
Hope the next time I come to this site, it's to find the wonderful news that Vivi is safe in the warmth of those who love her.
PLEASE COME HOME VIVI. YOUR MOTHER AND RICK ARE HERE LOOKING YOU. YOU REMEMBER IVA DON'T YOU? WELL SHE IS HERE AND SHE BROUGHT TORCH WITH HER. HAVE YOU SEEN HIM YET? COME ON, YOU GOT TO GET BRAVE AND COME OUT TO SOMEONE WHO IS CALLING FOR YOU. YOU DIDN'T GET ALL THOSE BEST IN SHOW AWARDS BY BEING JUST ANOTHER PRETTY FACE IN THE CROWD. YOU HAVE GOT WHAT IT TAKES. JUST COME TO SOMEONE-SOMEONE YOU LIKE MAYBE THEY WILL HAVE A DOG WITH THEM FOR YOU TO PLAY WITH. YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BAD AND GOOD. THE WHOLE WORLD IS WAITING FOR YOU AND WE ALL LOVE YOU VERY MUCH. PLEASE VIVI PLEASE!!!!
Recent postings from Darlene, Irene and Debbie (and others) indicate frustration with the search efforts on the ground. Guys, your frustration is warranted -- we need a full time coordinator. Here's the problem -- finding one requires work from someone in NYC. Those of us who aren't there are not in the position to be able to locate someone who could coordinate the search effort. If one were found, I'm sure the owners would agree that funding should be used for that.
That brings up another point -- as far as spending any donation money, it's not that we have to clear it with Bonnie or Honi. I spoke with both Bo and Paul and they indicated to me that they would appreciate it if we would check with Bonnie and Honi first -- so, the direction is coming from the owners.
If you can find a tracker/trapper willing to come to NYC and get a budget together, we can work with that. So far, though, no one has done that. Either get it together, present it to the group -- or stop whining about it.
I believe the most likely chance of recovery is someone catching her in a yard, or convincing her to come to them. That's why I have been so aggressively pursuing getting flyers out -- getting the information out to the people who may encounter her. You may not agree with that approach, but this idea came from a discussion with local volunteers and with Brian, who agrees.
If you want to see things done that aren't being done -- you have to take steps to get things moving. That's what Brian has done, and that's what Lois has done. That's also what all the foot soldiers have done.
Hi I am on the phone hunt right now working at getting names of actual trappers around the area as close as possible (that can reduce time lost and $ o-o-p). Getting contact info out and it is being emailed now to a woman in NY that may have names for me. I will keep you posted.
In the mean time---read the other posts before everyone moved here---I would like to thank Iva Killelman for her input---being that Iva is so active in this it was great to have her support to keep the energy work going. I have surely been assisted with the level and focuse by everyone doing meditations, lighting candles and visualizing and imaging (and dreaming) to have Vivi energetically connected to her body so she can be spotted, and get closer to people so she can be captured. Also the increase of searchers is going to be a great force because that increases teh opportunities for that miricle moment Bo is hoping for. Just keep hoping Bo and keep the positive thoughts and energy coming gang. The field is really high. I am positive Vivi will be captured---it's just a matter of when. We keep energetically increasing the % rate of probability that she will be safe and sound soon. But for all of you that know about the workings of God-time and the spiritualness of "soon", well, soon is soon---we humans will be very entertaining for a psych class study of group dynamics in crisis! HA HA HA. But at the same time, when working to bring manifest a big project to a successful outcome, periodically there needs to be a blowing out of frustration energy, so if nothing else we are that release valve for the group group and for Jil, Paul, Bo and Rick, and Bonnie, and Rosa and of course Vivi. so in that collective consciousness we are channelling off the frustration so the group group can keep focused and determination can continue. And in the mean time we can also remove the fatigue too, so let's also visualize extra charges of energy replenishing the group searchers and everyone doing so much in the physical area to increase the chances of Vivi being spotted and captured safe. I am still waiting for contact back from the woman about the trapper---willl let you know ASAIH.