Is it me, or is there a nice, Irish Spring-clean kind of feeling on the blog today?
Vivi's breeder, Bo Bengtson, sends this update.
<<UPDATE TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2006
In the June issue of “Dogs in Review” magazine I wrote about the experience of dealing with the airlines concerning the risks of flying with dogs. It has been suggested that it might be helpful to reprint that editorial in this space. I have asked the company which publishes “Dogs in Review” for permission to do so and will post it here if they agree.
Julie and Kathy Jones, the “Basenji Sisters” who were the first to call us when Vivi was lost in February, have come up with the good idea of donating the dog food vouchers they win at dog shows to Bobbi & The Strays, the non-profit rescue operation at JFK which has been so helpful in trying to locate Vivi. If anyone else wants to donate unused dog food vouchers, send them directly to Bobbi & The Strays, P.O. Box 170129, Ozone Park, NY 11417. It may not help Vivi but it will help other strays. Thanks for this, Julie and Kathy.
The overwhelming response from almost everyone we have dealt with has been incredibly supportive and helpful, but there are a few people out there who are obviously unbalanced, aggressive and ready to attack anyone who does not agree with them. Denise Flaim has decided to start blocking some of the “cruel, negative and (from some of what I have seen) slanderous things about people involved in the Vivi search” posts on her Newsday blog. As Denise say, “Even my 2-year-olds know better than some of these people.” There is absolutely no excuse for criticizing those who unselfishly devote so much of their time and effort to help. We have great faith in Honi Reisman, Bonnie Folz and all the others who have assisted in the search effort so far, especially of course Rosa and Tina who still check out every lead and every sighting.
Yes, it is frustrating that Vivi is still on the loose after more than three months. There is a very natural feeling of wanting to “do something” or “go out and get her” ... but you have to use common sense and accept that, as all those who have real experience of lost dogs keep telling us, everything that can be tried has been tried, and the only thing that can get Vivi back right now is “luck.”
Please be aware that if you take action on your own, against the wish of the owners and the advice of the experts, you may risk Vivi’s existence. If you need to be reminded of all that has been tried, and all we have learned of feral dog behavior, please see my earlier updates on www.awc2006.com.
Thanks,
Bo >>
Comments (28)
As always, thanks for the refreshing note and comments Bo.
The dog food vouchers are a great idea, I sure will send all of mine from now on.
Best to you and all involved with Vivi from The LeClairs in NH
We are 4 hrs. from NYC but if there is every anything we can do, we are available.
I do believe Bo is right. It is now luck. I used to think we can make our own "luck", but not anymore. Maybe one of the foot soldiers will be the lucky one. I sure hope so for Vivi's sake. I wish she didn't love the marshlands so much.
What a great idea for the dog food vouchers! I will send mine too. Despite the nastiness that had been manifesting itself on this site, its good to see how some good things have come about--I never knew of Bobbie and the Strays before coming here, and I've met some really nice people. Thank you Denise for stepping in to moderate the blog.
Cynthia: I stopped reading the comments on the Vivi posts some time ago, but I scrolled through one blog entry where you mentioned that you have a Samoyed too! My Sam is 81 lbs (he's really big, but he could stand to lose 5 lbs according to the vet..we're trying!) and he pulls so much that I use a special harness on him...and forget it if he sees food on the street! NYC streets in my neighborhood during the summer are a doggie dream all-you-can-eat buffet!
Denise- Irish Spring-clean? hahahaha- but yes- it is - very refreshing!
Bo- I do hope people listen to you, I fear there are some that won't and they may drive Vivi further into the shadows - but I will be optimistic and hope they do listen to you and abide by the owners and experts wishes and advice.
All in all the biggest wishes in the world that Vivi is found by someone and she goes home to California- soon.
Jessa: My Samurai is a maniac around food. He got hold of chicken bones in tin foil and the only way I could get him away was with a bucket of water and just barely then. He is very sweet natured though, and I hope he doesn't change as he grows up. I had him neutered. He is part Akita too but he looks like a Samoyed.
Fortunately, he does not pull but walks beside me like a gent. Thank goodness. He is very strong and willful in a "smiley" way. He seems a bit too smart though. Thank you for answering me.
I don't know how we could drive Vivi further away -- the reality is, she continues to move. I do feel there is more that can be done than rely upon luck alone. I believe that posters and flyers can keep the word out there. Without that information, Vivi may be found, but she'll never get home.
Of course we're not relying on luck only- anyone who want to help please see the Coming Full Circle post. Posts will be made weelky with updates and I'm sure ways to help. We all by this time know who to contact if we want advice on how we are needed- Bonnie and the Strays for one, Diane who has lots of supplies and is here on the blog and well- we can post and ask what can we do, where are we needed. Luck is one thing- hey people are relying on candles and prayer to help find Vivi- whatever works and does not make her more skittish (if that's possible).
Of course posters will continue to be posted -that's what Bo etc keeps suggesting- just keep Vivi in the faces of those who may see her.
We do what we can and we wil continue to do so till this wayward girl is found!
I didn't mean to suggest it was only luck and to give up, just that luck was crucial to all efforts. I used to think I could help with psychic visions. I'm sorry it wasn't too helpful. I have tried to think of so much to help Vivi but when it comes down to it, in some sense I think she decides. Her territory is just too big and she is just so smart. She reminds me of my little Catahoula, just out of reach and watching every twitch. I put a "rope" snag (of sorts) on his collar so I can grab him when he flits past. Yes he is trained, sort of, but he is also very independent. I think so is Miss Vivi.
ok here we go thinking that someones' post is talking directly to them. Cyn-I hope you don't think I was speaking to you, nor you Elizabeth. I was refereing to the posts of luck- not specific individuals.
People we do NOT want to degenerate the blog again. This is how the blog broke down last time with everyione taking everything persoanlly. Heck a month or so ago someone even thought I was talking about squirrels and I got a nasty email. Squirrels??? I don't even know where that came from.
Let's read and digest the suggestions made- we all know the ones that keep coming up that the owners do not want or approve of- so we should stop with that. New suggestions are great. Again what I said before - whatever floats your boat- prayer, luck, posting- let's all work together.
And let's stop taking things persoanlly unless they are directed at us by name.
Peace, love and understanding.
And if you didn't think it was me Cynthia- sorry- I guess now I'm doing it!
Bo - I hope you are reading this post. I feel someone needs to speak up in defense somewhat of feelings that have been hurt on the blog. I am a peacemaker type, but I have had numerous people tell me how hurt they have been by one particular person's rude behavior toward them who was in the coordinator group you mentioned. I think it might be very good to remind the coordinators (I will not mention a name) that everyone is working hard, and to please be nice and respectful of suggestions made to them by everyone. Rude behavior accomplishes nothing. Thanks.
No, I wasn't thinking you were talking about me - just ruminating on how much I think luck comes into play and typing my rumincations. Sorry if it sounded like that. Your post got me to thinking about the element of "luck" in it all. It is important to be clear, in that I agree.
I do believe that if Vivi goes back up North, she can be caught in those "storm drains" but that might be hard to pin her schedule down. It is easy to suggest and much harder to "make" it happen.
I get a sense that Vivi is heading to the airport. Oh my, that can't be right?
I'll try to be clearer when I post. Something like: The post prior about "luck" got me to thinking about what I said ........
Clarity is difficult at times. Sorry.
The airport is near me- I can find her there.
Well - I can be of help there anyway- you should see where I got into to tell the workers about Vivi and post when she first got out there- sheesh- Homeland Security my eye- not at JFK!
Lydia - You wouldn't have been using those female charms to get pass them, would you? If so, please use them again.
Remind me to never fly into JFK though if Homeland Security is that low.
No Kathleen- I was so cold that weekend I looked like a frozen mummy. Some of them didn't even look at us when they raised the gate to let the car into a restricted area!
Probably figured if you guys were crazy enough to be in that cold you were okay. Ha, ha!
It is going to take luck... that's an element that hasn't kicked in yet, but i still think it will. ... but i don't think anyone is saying that's at the exclusion of doing anything. I still think the only two ways she'll be caught is either by a kind stranger who befreinds her... or the feeding stations. I know she hasn't stayed in an area long enough for the feeding stations to work yet... As long as nothing is done to make her feel she needs to run... i still think and hope there is a chance she will calm down enough to stay in one area and the feeding stations will be able to be used to make contact with her.
I wonder if Vivi leaves areas because she gets bored and has a spirit of adventure - like a pioneer spirit. From what I've heard, where she was up North, didn't have a lot of people. So why would she start heading back to the beginning? Some place in her mind, she may really just want home, even if she has forgotten the exact meaning of "home". The idea must be hard-wired in her little mind some place. Just guessing here as to what it might mean. Why would she not stay with the chicken in the tents? I sure would, fresh chicken would do it for me.
I do get a sense that she is "running" again, and that must mean she's in an area that is open. Whippets must have very different instincts operating as I thought she would settle down into the parks as a permanent home.
If she goes under the fences back to the airport area, well then we know: She's going home for sure.
I'm just wondering - and I know it sounds a bit odd, but maybe Vivi has been watching Gail around the tents - from a distance - and when Gail left on vacation, Vivi knew it and she left too. Does seem a bit of a coincidence doesn't it that when Gail left, Vivi went south?
Hard to figure out. Dogs can lie in leaves and be very still and seem to disappear right under a persons nose and sight. Ummm??? Maybe Vivi got used to Gail's scent and when it disappeared, Vivi went looking for it? Just musings.
How many of the sightings in this new area, Southern Queens, are reliable? Are the police, animal control, etc in Jamaica / Rosedale aware of the ViVi plight? Its very difficult to stay ahead of her. think positive
O good shepherd, seek me out, and bring me home to thy fold again.
Deal favorably with me according to thy good pleasure,
till I may dwell in thy house all the days of my life,
and praise thee for ever and ever with them that are there.
St. Jerome (c. 342-420)- This is the saint folks that walked with a lion by his side. The original
"Androcles", Jerome, according to legend, pulled the thorn from the lion that was terrorizing his monastery. They became fast companions. He is another animal lover! While I doubt that any of us would think that he/she was a candidate for canonization, if you love animals you are good company.
Best Shepherd, the God who not only made the world and all its creatures, but took joy in protecting and nurturing those He created, We lift up a prayer on behalf of Vivi, Biggie, and Sniffles. Continue to nourish and keep them safe from all harm! Bring them to someone they can trust (one of the NYC angels?)and help that person to bring them home to Jil and Rick, Sharon, and Ashley.Let them sleep safely warm and away from the thunderstorms- let them be cradled in the arms of the creator. Thank you for the healing which is taking place in Baby Girl and Madison. Thank you too for the healing taking place in Dante and Murphy! Bring miraculous healing to Nell. Show us,and teach us, the way in which You wish Vivi, Biggie, and Sniffles to be rescued. Comfort and uplift us when we become discouraged. Embrace all who will join You in Paradise this night! Unite them with all who have gone before. Count us as members of Your flock when it is time for us to journey home. Let this journey with Vivi serve to increase our faith in You. Bless and keep from harm all of Vivi's angels. Reward their efforts By letting them see and rescue our little ones. Send Your Angels and Saints to support them in their pursuit of this graceful whippet. We give You the night watch Loving Father. Let us sleep well knowing YOU ARE IN CHARGE.AMEN!
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0930.htm
'Night all!"
Haven't posted lately but I check the site throughout the day for news. Please everybody, let's remember the most important thing is getting Vivi back home. No room for personal bulls--t and downright meanness. Let's keep our eyes on the prize and let our common love of animals bring us together - not tear us apart.
I work with a rescue organization in Larchmont New York www.ny-petrescue.org
and what I have found to be true in 99%of the times is that when a dog escapes it always comes back to the place where it escaped from even if seemed almost impossible for that to happen. The problem is they don't stay their and settle in but just pass by as if they are checking in. The key is to alert JFK and put the pressure on them all over again, who know this time she might really want to go home and go up the that stranger and let him/her know its time to fly home to her happy place. I have never stopped thinking and praying for her since day one. Once again I want to say thank you to ALL the people who are working towards getting her home, you are a WONDERFUL group of committed caring animal lovers. If she was in my area, which is White Plains NY, I would definitely be joining the group. I will continue to do what I can on this end which is Pray, Pray and Pray.
Based on the negative feedback I have received about the lost and found ads, I have taken out in numerous papers over the last month, I will longer be able to financially support this effort. If anyone wants to assume this responsibility and would like a list of the papers I have posted in, just email me and I will supply you with the list and the cost associated with each one.
Meri-Lou,
I thought what you were doing was a great idea, I'm sorry some people don't agree with you, very sorry!
The Lost and Found part of the papers is a must for my morning reading. )o:
MaryL-California
Last night I sensed that Vivi was running after rabbits again and her paws are wet.
I wonder how close she is to that airport and if she really would go back by the hangers to check things out? She's a very brave dog.
Had coffee with my grown son this morning. He encouraged me to fly to New York and look for Vivi. I know it's easier said than done. Where would you start? In the marshes I suppose. And which ones? Near the airport.
It is so easy to think of ideas and another thing to be on the ground doing the leg-work and faced with fields of wet lands, and deep mud, and more of the same, and then that's not even on the City Streets. I would want to bring my hounds to look, and you can't turn them loose, and what would they chase? Rabbits and other creatures and maybe never come across Miss Vivi.
I just wished she'd sit down and not move and let herself be found.
Just wonder how is Vivi now?