Bonnie Folz sends this update on the tracking efforts this weekend.
<<Team Vivi Update - November 5th
A long and tiring week, coordinating the tracking dogs' latest visit, has come to an end.
I have to immediately say, I couldn’t have put everything together and pulled it off without the never ending help of the rest of the “Vivi Team” here in NY: Darlene, Debbie, Kathy, Diane T, Barbara Jean, Monica, Lois, Gail, Rosa, Tina, Diane KM, Nancy, Renee, Linda & Mike, Carol and Honi as well as the out-of-town volunteers (forgive me if I left anyone out). You are all truly amazing individuals. Though we have so many different personalities and opinions between us, we always seem to pull it together for Vivi.
Plans started out a few weeks ago with Laura Totis and Sam Connelley set to be in NY to search with their dogs last Saturday and Sunday. When something came up with the tracking teams, the weekend had to be rescheduled for this past weekend. Instead of availability for two days, they could only be in NY for one.
The tracking teams were to arrive Friday night about 11:30 p.m. I scheduled Linda and Mike, Gail and myself to meet up with them and head out to the nearby neighborhood of Rego Park, the area of the latest “unconfirmed” sightings, to search for an hour or so then have the tracking teams get some much needed sleep. Unfortunately, Laura got home later than expected from another search in PA and called to say they wouldn’t be in NY till about 2 a.. I made the phone calls needed and cancelled Friday night’s search.
Saturday’s search was to begin at 6 a.m. I was met at Forest Park by Darlene, Monica, Lois, Renee and Barbara Jean. I couldn’t help but think to myself it was just like being back at the airport, early morning weekend, everyone bundled in layers in 35-degree weather.
With the lack of an alarm clock and lack of sleep, the tracking teams didn’t meet up with us till about 7:30 a.m. We were joined later by Debbie, Kathy, Nancy, Tina, Rosa and Gail.
With the lack of an alarm clock and lack of sleep, the tracking teams didn’t meet up with us till about 7:30 a.m. We were joined later by Debbie, Kathy, Nancy, Tina, Rosa and Gail.
Of the 16 or so locations the volunteers asked to be searched with the dogs, only about seven went unchecked.
I think I can speak for the rest of the volunteers who were out with the tracking teams all day, they really worked, and non-stop at that. I cannot believe the amount of ground we covered and still were unable to get all the locations in. (I’m obviously very out of shape as my body is one big ache today.) Time, lack of day light and lack of sleep (being in shape would have helped, too) stopped our search at about 8 pm. At least the areas we covered, I feel, were covered well.
Laura’s dog, Chewey, picked up a scent in Forest Park. The trail took us through brush, over downed trees, etc. Laura feels it could be just days old but we cannot be 100 percent sure it was Vivi’s scent. Sam’s dog, Brando, picked up a scent at Mt. Hebron Cemetery. Brando led Sam to a spot under a bush and after taking him away from that spot, lead her on a trail and tried to cross the highway. Again, we cannot be 100 percent sure the scent that was picked up belongs to Vivi.
As I was headed to the Rego Park area with Laura and Chewey, a man pulled up next to us and seeing Vivi’s poster in my car window, asked if the dog was still missing. He said he’s seen that dog, though he said it’s heavier than in the picture, on numerous occasions on Yellowstone Bouelvard. The exact location we were headed. We searched a good few block radius of the area, but no scent was picked up at all. We checked the abandoned train tracks as well and still nothing.
Once we got back into the car, Rosa called to say a woman just called in a sighting. She claimed to have seen Vivi last Sunday at a location in Kew Gardens, which is not far from the Mt Hebron Cemetery. We headed right over to the area since the scent would be fairly fresh if only a week old. Again we searched a few block radius. Going through courtyards and behind buildings but unfortunately, no scent was picked up.
As I’ve said before, there IS a dog wandering the Rego Park area but now, I do not believe it is Vivi these people are seeing.
I'm sorry to say we have no good news to give you. I was hoping to have at least something concrete, one way or the other, but it's just not the case. We can not be 100 percent sure the scent that the dogs picked up was indeed Vivi's.
For me, this brings some sort of closure to the active search for Vivi. I cannot say that I speak for the other volunteers.
The last "loose end" is the restricted phone number, which we should have information on sometime this week. Once that's checked out, the search will pretty much go on maintenance mode. We'll keep the 800 number going for a while and continue to send fliers to the vets/shelters but there really isn't much more we could do. Or should I say, much more that I can do. I believe, as quite a few others do, that someone has found Vivi and may be comfortably sleeping on their couch. The hardest part of this search is knowing when to say when. Well, after thinking about it for so long, I feel it's time. It's a sad day for me but I can honestly say we've done all we could. We've gone above and beyond what any other searchers have done, and this is what I heard from some of the experts and a few other rescuers that have logged many years doing searches. I don't even think that missing person's searches are kept up like Vivi's search has.
Jil and Rick get married this Saturday. I wanted so very badly to bring them good news about Vivi or Vivi herself. They’ve been through so much these past nine months, as many others have, even postponing their wedding.
I pray that they, as well as Paul and Bo everyone else, understands.
Vivi’s plight has touched so many people around the world. Newspaper articles, TV news programs, talk shows, live radio, magazines, web sites. The many animals that were saved, now all in good homes. It still amazes me.
I’ve made so many friends since Vivi went missing. Many I’m sure will be lifelong friends. Those I’ll speak to often and those I can pick up a phone or drop an email to in a few months and pick up right were we left off. I’ve received tons of emails from all over the world thanking me for what I’m doing, wishing me well, praying for me and saying kind things. It’s not just me that should be thanked. I just happened to be one of the people that made a few phone calls and sent a few emails asking for help that chilly February afternoon. Those volunteers mentioned above as well as sooooo many others including Denise Flaim, Liz Rhodes, Joanne Anderson, Bobbi Giordano, Brian Rosenberg, Joyce Randazzo, Karen Stinnet and many from out-of-town, some that I don’t even know, that need to be thanked.
I said from the beginning that after Vivi is found, I wanted to do something to change how the airlines take care of animals while in their care. There should be some kind of procedures and policy, mandatory training of some sort, for those employees handling the animals. I don’t care wether it’s a horse or a goldfish, every animal should be treated as if it belonged to the person handling it. The animal, from the time it is checked in to the time it arrives, should be treated as if it were a child were traveling on the plane by themselves. I wonder how many of them go missing with no explanation?
Since I’ve started a new job, I cannot work on this project till the beginning of the year, but I will be reaching out to everyone for their help again. I want to know what policies different airlines/airports in different cities have in place for flying animals. From the time the animal is checked in till the time it is picked up. I want to know, how often animals get misplaced or lost totally. I want to hear what other people have gone through, good and bad. I’m open for suggestions as to how and where to get information and others thoughts on what we can do to make the mandatory changes. I don’t know what I’m getting myself into on this one but I cannot let what happened to Vivi, happen to another animal.
My husband, Billy, is a saint and I love him dearly. No matter how crazy he thinks this search for Vivi has been, has been very supportive and tolerant with the late nights on the computer, cell phone calls all hours of the day and night and going out to meet the team. I hope he understands about my next endeavor. <G>
I will NEVER give up hope that Vivi will be found.
I will ALWAYS keep the faith.
Bonnie>>
Comments (297)
I'm just another of the many who say thank you again and again. I'm heartbroken but feel everything and then some was tried and tried again..so I won't feel nagged by "if only"... keeping the faith in No. Calif.
Bonnie -
I want to thank you and all of these wonderful people who have helped so much. The foot soldiers are wonderful, and all of the other people involved. I also thank all of these people who have worked tirelessly from out-of-town as well.
Here is hoping some day we will find Vivi and know she has been safe and happy.
It may not mean enough from a distance but I am not giving up.
If they can't determine it was 100% Vivi's scent, then what determined it last time they did verify a scent in an area? Who was the tracker back in the begining when they tracked Vivi's scent to the mans garage? was that Karin Goin and her dogs?
I hope this doesn't sound like a stupid question, but either there was a scent or not right? I guess what I am asking is what determins a confirmed scent?
Good point, Rosa.
Thanks Karen, Thought it would sound stupid, I just can't help but nit pick at this, to help make up my own mind on this matter.
Neither am I, Karen. I was thinking if I should send out the info. to the vets in CT. If a new whippet comes in maybe it should be checked for a microchip. Missing people and animals have been found after long times because someone recalls a picture they saw or are suspicious.
To the fantastic foot soldiers, thank you a thousand times over for all you have given up and done to find Vivi. You are my heroes.
Keeping the faith.
Bonnie, I have been staying in touch daily with this blog from the very beginning of Vivi's disappearance and this is the first time I've made any comments to anything that has been done or said. My heart and my most heartfelt thanks goes out to you and the other searchers who have sacrificed so much in the search for Vivi. I feel so sad for Rick, Jil, Bo and Paul in their great loss. I have an 18 month old Whippet, Tasha, who I was fortunate enough to get from a breeder in Harrisburgh, PA and had her flown to Huntsville, AL at the age of 9 weeks. Yes, I most definitely lost sleep and sweated over the fact that she had a long flight - changing planes twice no less. I was very blessed as she came in safe and sound and quite relaxed over the whole adventure. Based on what has happened to Vivi I have made up my mind never to have another animal fly the friendly skies again, that's for sure. Unfortunately, there comes a time when a person has no choice but to fly their pets and for that reason I would like to help you in your new endeavor of making changes in how the airlines take care of animals while in their care. Please keep me in mind when you start this major and worthwhile undertaking.
Rosa, your question makes sense to me, too. What exactly determines a confirmed scent? I was kind of expecting the results to end up like this. Just not sure one way or the other. Thanks NYC foot soldiers. You have all gone above and beyond the call of duty!! Not many would have searched as long and as hard as you guys have done.
I feel a special kinship to Vivi because I have Whippets too. Like Vivi, my dogs travel to shows and also compete in Lure Coursing events around the East coast and beyond.
My daughter and I are very close to our canine companions as they each share our furniture, sleep in our beds, and comfort us as much as we comfort them.
Vivi is lost and doesn't know how to go home. She needs each of us to continue to burn the candle and keep the faith.
To everyone involved in this rescue, a very sincere Thank you from me and my family. Each of you continue to inspire me and daughter each day as you look for this lost little girl.
You will find her.
Warmest wishes to everyone,
Shannon T.
Bonnie, I would also like to help you with the airlines project. Many thanks to you for your dedication to our best 4-legged friends.
We need to follow up with the phone number.
I agree, Elizabeth. We have to know whose phone number that belongs to and have it checked and get an answer.
To all of the volunteers, words cannot express how thankful all of us out-of-towners are of you. You are diehard animail lovers and we thank you for all your time and hard work.
It is truly heartbreaking to "give up" on Vivi. I can only pray, like many, that she is a couch potato on someone's couch and loved very much. I wll hold that thought until someone confirms where she is finally.
We love you VIVI, don't EVER forget that!
I have met so many wonderful people on this blog. You are ALL animal lovers to the extreme - please don't ever change!!
Could a flag be attached to Vivi's micro chip record? If she is or has been found - hopefully she will go into a vet's office sometime & perhaps be scanned. so whether a vet knows the story or not there will be that red flag???
Having whippets myself I have been following this story every day. I know how hard it is to catch asighthound. I have have been involved in a few searches and not all have turned out to be happy endings. I was so hoping that this one would have closure if not the ending that we all prayed for.
Still hope she shows up!!
Unfailing Prayer to
Saint Anthony
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.
O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God
and Charity for His creatures made you worthy, when on
earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on
your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in
trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore
of you to obtain for me that, Vivi who is lost will be found. The answer to my prayer
may require a miracle. Even so, you are the saint of
Miracles.
O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full
of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the
Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and
the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours.
Amen.
Just wanted to wish my Bowdee Cat a Happy 8th Birthday. Also wanted to thank all the searchers and the tracking team and dogs for their work this past weekend - although Vivi wasn't found, I felt they tried their hardest and feel a lot better with this search than I did with the one that Harry did.
Beautiful prayer Diana
Thank you so much Bonnie for the detailed report on the search with the dogs. Good luck on your new job.
Also, a heartfelt thanks to all the "Vivi Warriors" near and far for your strength and courage in the face of disappointment.
As to my visions, I tried many times this weekend to get something "different" that might be helpful. I still believe Vivi is "caught" based upon this concrete patio/enclosure and her well/happy comfy state. I have had my moments of doubt, hearing what the other "famous" AC's have reported, but I can only, in the end, trust what I now "see".
God bless all.
Last night while waiting for news of Vivi, I
stepped out onto my deck, and there was a constellation that looked just like a "V" It was
sparkling like crazy, and I thought maybe this
is a sign from our little girl that she is safe
and sound somewhere. One can only hope. I will not
give up that maybe someday she will be found.
A huge THANK YOU to all the volunteers, and especially the foot soldiers. You girls are the best
and I will never forget this blog, or the friends
I made along the way
Bless you all
Everyone - please add Skittles to your prayers and if you want to visit the ebay site to bid or to donate, it would really help. Here is Skittles story:
Ebays being run for Skittles can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/6b2of
Here is the news GALT posted on Skittles that had me start these ebays. What a brave boy - he deserves so much. Please read his story and see
his pictures - and then send lots of white light and prayers for this boy. No affiliation just another stray that needs our help.
Skittles
Skittles, (Skillet) aka Sandhill Skillet, is a 5 ½ year old black male greyhound, born June 9, 2001, and his grand-sire is Molotov. Skittles was
found as a stray on a farm north of Hillsboro on Thursday, October 26. According to greyhound-Data.org, Skittles finished the last of his 259 races this past June 2006 at Daytona Beach, Florida. His whereabouts since then to now are unknown, although the NGA owner of record said he had given Skillet to a man for rabbit racing who lives on the Oklahoma/Texas border this past August.....because he was an "old dawg". Skittles is now 21 pounds below his racing weight and severely malnourished, which as we all know can be deadly in itself. He is currently under evaluation for possible Leptosporosis, but the results won't be received until November 6. Prophylactic drugs have been started for this condition. Skittles spent two nights at the Collin County Emergency Clinic, receiving supportive therapy and 3 units of blood plasma each night in an attempt to stabilize and improve his health. During the day he was with Preston Park Animal Hospital under the care of Dr. Jeff Ellis and Dr. Christy Soileau. He was transferred to the Diagnostic Clinic on Wednesday, November 1, to be evaluated by Dr. Susan O'Neal. Protatek results just received show he is positive to Ehrlichia, Babesia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever; fortunately his titers are relatively low compared to some others.
Please keep Skittles in your thoughts and prayers............his condition is very, very critical and he, like all GALT's other strays, deserves a chance at this next part of his life.
He ran his heart out in the first part of his life, and his "retirement" truly sucks - let's just hope his heart can be filled with the love and care
of a family for the second part.
Skittles medical care costs are mounting each day, because GALT is committed to giving him the chance he so much deserves.
Can you please help by sending just $10 or $20 to help this sweet boy...................he is not an "old dawg".........as we all know he could easily have another 6-8 years ahead of him. He deserves that at the very least, don't you think?
Donations can be taken on line at:
http://www.galtx.org/store/index.php/item_50
Thanks for anything you can do.
Skittles
Some airlines already do have the steps and rules in place that you mention. Continental Airlines has very stringent rules and regs about taking care of animals during flight. They double lock with tie strips the crate door, the animal is last on and first off and carried in weather protected vans to safety. Yes, it costs more to take an animal on Continental, but their safety standards make it worth it. They even have a kennel facility on airport property in Houston, should an animal have to be overnighted for any reason.
The ties that they use to secure the crate doors have a neat release on them, so they do not have to be cut open, and can be opened by hand for easier use. Yet, they keep the door very secure.
I hope that Vivi is found. However, please don't lump all airlines together saying they are all bad or uncaring. The Continental employees heard about Vivi and were very upset but told me their methods were already in place BEFORE Vivi got lost. There is a difference in carriers.
Diana - Thank you for that beautiful prayer above.
I would also like to pray and pledge the gratitude of my heart as well. This part is so beautiful.
"O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours."
If someone does truly have Vivi, PLEASE return her to us. Our hearts are breaking with love and concern for her, or at least let us know she is safe and loved.
ELIZABETH: I AGREE THEY NEED TO STAY ON THE PHONE CALLS OF THE WOMAN WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE VIVI. I am hoping when they track this number down that it will answer more of the questions alot of us still have, I am feeling very unsettled with the results.
Rosa
Karen: I'm with you..I'm not giving up hope for Vivi to be found! Right now, I have as close as it can be, to a broken heart. It's a sad time. I also felt sooo much better with Laura and Sam hunting. I give my love the all the searchers, they know how I feel about them: admiration and love for all they've done.
I will say I'm sick of the hocus pokus and hope that it will stop on the blog! (did I spell that right?)
This is heart breaking time and visions don't help me at all, perhaps they help others, but they can be talked about in a private chat. Kick me to the curb some of you, but thats how I feel.
I love Vivi and always will. How could anyone forget what WE have all gone through. The Team Vivi gals are amazing!
I'll continue to light candles for Vivi and any animal that needs help! I'm still working on the Otis Greyound petition site and will continue to do so and only hope the guy who was the cause of Otis being hurt, will be sent away for a long time and that the other prisoners will take care of him!!!
Little Bowdee, I hope you are in a warm house and will remember to head for home soon! Your mom is heartbroken too.
I LOVE YOU VIVI!
For all we know the phone # could open a new avenue, to the location of where Vivi could have been taken to or staying. Maybe Harry's findings arent as far fetched as everyone once thought.
Ruby -
I know too about that broken heart. Thank God I have a private office where I can shut my door, because I have been crying all morning thinking this poor little dog may be out there forever in the cold and not rescued.
I only pray someone has rescued her and she is warm, safe and loved.
And I do so thank everyone who has tried to help her. I will not give up hope either - never.
Well, better get control before I short out this keyboard!
I didn't expect much from the tracking dogs, and I feel very encouraged and hopeful and not sad at all.
Picking up a scent - good news. I took my Moses on a tracking exercise in the city near a wonderful park in town, lots of activity - and he followed a scent that had flowed out of a car window. He is becoming a real trooper. And I know the dogs this weekend are better trained than he is.
I will keep up my visions and my prayers and my well wishes for Vivi and for all the searchers. This is not over.
I hope there are other people out there feeling encouraged by the dogs getting her scent too! Not old scent - fairly new scent. So why all the tears?
P.S. I bought a canvas at the art store yesterday and I'm working on an oil painting to honor Vivi - a small mural showing some of Vivi haunts, including my "fountain", and the rose gardens, and the pond, and the carousel, got to have the horses, and the Vivi searchers on their hands and knees holding a magnifying glass following her little tracks. Vivi will be traveling across the canvas sniffing and we'll be following. She is still out there and like the great Phoenix will rise again!
I don't know where Vivi is, but it appears that Bonnie, at least, is calling an end to the local search. That's a shame. I do think it's important to talk with the woman who called, not once but twice. I would believe it was a crank call if she called once; but twice makes me think it wasn't a crank call. I think she may have had Vivi at one time, and likely gave Vivi to someone else. It will be very important to talk with her and hear what she has to say. I am skeptical, however, about the phone number actually ever being obtained.
I am skeptical myself, they keep saying they should know something by next week, but yet a few weeks have passed. ????????
The phone numbers may never help - as if this person would tell the truth.....lots of luck with that! It's called cover your fanny time.
I believe too that a new New York leader will emerge when and if one is needed - like when good Vivi sightins reappear.
Sedona; IF they trace her address to her phone # they could alway's take a tracking dog and see if it picks up Vivi's scent, this way they would know if she was there at one time. So it wouldn't matter if she tried lying about it right? just grasping at straws here.
My childhood dog Freckles used to sleep in a concrete patio enclosure off her living room and Freckles had a big fluffy dog bed pillow. We would take Freckles out running and let her roam all over.
Sometimes she'd ride in the back of the truck - and her cage would vibrate and rattle. She didn't like that much.
She's go on summer vacations with us and all the holidays too. She was the best dog.
Rosa - I've thought the same thing. Yes, they could catch a lie that way. Wonder if the tracking dogs would come back or could come back for another "sniff" or two.
I wonder also if the police showing up at the womans door would help pry out the truth? And all the New York searchers too right behind. Maybe they'd even search her place. I like that idea.
They need to work on tracing that call first, then a possible address, not sure how that works, or how easy it would be, if it was a cell, can you link a home address from a cell phone? It would probably be easier if it was a land line that the call came from.
No stone should be left unturned. The phone number and address should be traced. Just because someone might have Vivi does not mean it's in a warm fuzzy place. Animal control here had a rottie that was rescued by someone who took it away from a gang. Now she is in a wonderful adoptive home. I don't think everyone has good intentions and this just can't be left up in the air.
Here is another poor animal that could sure use some help from all of us, to ensure that he is able to fully recover from what he has been put through http://www.greyhoundadoptiontx.org/available/lee.shtml
Well, ummm...no one else feels encouraged about the dogs picking up Vivi's scent.... ummm...
My Moses likes to grab my underwear and run with it around the house, like most dogs do, and his nose is so sensitive that I can wash my clothes, dry them, (and I have a new Maytag set) and he will stick his nose in the pile of clean clothes, eyes closed, and start sniffing and pull out one of my panties and off he runs. And I use fragrant detergent and Moses still gets the prize he wants. So I put much faith in the ability of a trained dog to find their "scent" prize.
So I think we have good reason to feel encouraged.
Meri-Lou - this is the same group that is helping Skittles - they sound like a GREYT group - they seem to take in the worse cases and give them a chance for a life - too many places don't or can't but GALT seems to be very good at raising funds and helping them out. Thanks for bringing Lee's story to our attention. I know there are a lot of GREYT hearts on this blog.
We have checked with Bonnie and the 800 number will remian active indefinitely...
Isn't GALT the group that Diane Tamm and Iva have worked with. Seems I remember reading this.
They are wonderful folks, no doubt.
Good news Karen - thank you for reporting that.
Beth,
do you know how the process works once the number is received - can the police go out?
I will keep sending out fliers from afar, direct if needed to e-mails and business addresses and cemeteries to keep hope alive for Vivi. I will also keep up with the Vivi visions and postings because those that have faith, need to continue.
Does anyone know if fliers will be posted around the parks now. Or is that ending too?
On another note, I'd like to know why Bonnie posted that the scent the dog's picked up cannot be 100% confirmed as being Vivi's and as to why the dog's picking up Vivi's scent is not good news, very good news indeed. It means she is alive, maybe not caught, but alive. Now that is a reason to celebrate. I simply have to trust that the dogs brought in know their business and Vivi is still at Forest Park and Mt. Hebron cemetery and also Flushing Meadow area.
And it is my understanding that the dogs got very excited about the scent - meaning it was not old - one day to one week old. So if the search is formally ending, then it needs to continue informerly, because Vivi is out there.
The entire tone of the Post by Bonnie was on the low key side - to put it nicely. I appreciate that some of the searchers may be worn thin and need to leave, but I am also hoping that the blog can still play a major role in rescuing Vivi.
P.S. I will continue to post my visions about Vivi being caught and the woman who has her and whatever I get as to what is happening.
But I just think it is odd how the scent dogs findings were put on Bonnie's post for all to draw their own negative conclusion.
A lot of questions need answering still - and I hope my visions will provide if not the entire solution to where is Vivi now, then a darn good clue.
And I also am in correspondence with another visionary that is confirming what I am getting as correct.
Especially since it seems, the dog picking up Vivi's scent is not to be taken seriously.
I also am drawing a picture of the woman I believe has Vivi now and when finished I will send it out to a few people I can trust to get their input.
I have started a candle site for Skittles - called skitt and one for Lee - called lee
If someone has absconded with Vivi, then it just sucks big time and we need to find Vivi, and if you think my take on this is wrong, I suggest you reread Bonnie's post and think about what doesn't add up, besides, of course, the many thank you's given to everyone who has helped.
I too am confused as to why Bonnie's post wasn't more upbeat about the dogs picking up Vivi's scent... not just an old scent either, but a fairly new one. I thought this is why the dogs came, to see if Vivi is still alive and find an area to focus on.
The post almost sounds like no scent was found so it's time to call off the search.
I do thank everyone that has been involved in this for all these months and completely understand being tired and needing to go on with their lives at a certain point.
But a fresh scent needs be followed up on by someone, I hope.
Strange, isn't it, Susan? That they all aren't more upbeat? And . . . by the way, where are the local searchers? They seem to have vanished. Much like Vivi.
Beth, now is not the time for your needling!
Ummm let's see - how does scent get on the ground??????
Beth Thompson wrote: "I would believe it was a crank call if she called once; but twice makes me think it wasn't a crank call."
Beth, that does not add validity. The reason she called again is because she spoke with such long pauses that she got cut off, so she had to call again.
The woman spoke real slow, low, rambling and occasionally slurred.....she constantly paused and would rephrase her words as though someone was telling her what to say....one of her earlier statements was that she "got Vivi from the pound" and then she says "If you want her back call me at (mumble mumble)".....the phone number is not said clearly at all...
The woman continues to say things like "If you don't call (mumble mumble)" again the number cannot be made out "then I guess you don't want her back"....this insanity goes on a few more times! Her other statements are said clearly and always the phone number is mumbled....gimme a break.....someone is obviously playing games big time!
Then she starts to say "Oh and she might be"........real long pause here.............and finally she says: "There's a good chance that she's pregnant"....another long pause....
HELLO....pounds do not adopt out intact animals! No animal leaves a pound without it being spayed or neutered! They spay even when the dog is pregnant! So there certainly wouldn't be a "good chance that Vivi might be pregnant" if she was adopted from a pound as this woman has claimed!
ALSO pounds use scanners when they pick up strays. All the pounds in NYC have been alerted about Vivi and even if she was picked up and brought to a pound outside of NYC they would have checked her for a chip with their scanner.
So clearly this woman is lying....the pros had cautioned us way in the beginning that while all calls need to be checked out, there's always some crank calls that come with the territory.....
So don't hang any hopes of this call leading to Vivi, the only hope that remains for this poor girl is for most of us to not give up. Bonnie has devoted a tremendous lot to this, hence her position is understandable. IMO what we truly need is for someone in Queens to step up to the plate and fill her shoes so this can continue to be a coordinated effort......
The leaves are steadily falling in NYC, without a doubt very soon this will help local folks to see her more frequently like they did last March, April and early May, but with so little flyers up and no mention of her in the news it will still be hard to get sightings unless we can get it together folks asap....that's my take on it.
Keeping the faith....
Yes, I was thinking fall might help things out a bit too.
So what do we know? Scent in two locations (at least), scent is not taken too seriously even though fresh, and Vivi is probably caught, at least most of the searchers believe this.
So how does it go, Vivi is probably caught so any scent is not taken seriously?
I just find it odd - and meaning no disrespect to any Vivi Warrior who has spent countless hours of lost sleep pounding the pavement etc.
It just seems odd. How can Vivi be caught and fresh scent be in two locations? What can a person believe to be true. I believe the dogs got fresh scent. Now one just needs to wonder about the scent and how it got there and why it is not to be trusted.
If by "local searchers" you mean, Darlene, Debbie, Lo, Monica and on and on, they are probably at work and will be here later to do their "thing"..They have never given up for a single minute that I can see or hear of..The whole Vivi Team was hard at work Saturday, today is a workday, don't you think thats why they have "vanished" Beth???? I'm not being sarcastic nor trying to start anything, just stating what I think...(0;
I understand Bonnie's view on this and agree to a point. But I still have questions. Is the heavier dog a pregnant Vivi. I have to know for sure before I can sleep good. I want to post that area and see what comes up. Did the heavy rains wash away the scent. If it is possible that the scent they picked up was not Vivi's then it is possible that they did not pick up Vivi's scent at that location. I think it would be a shame not to follow up on Rego Park / Kew Gardens Hills sightings, it is just one more area. And one or two days to post If everyone helps. Lets see who pops up.
Tara is recuperating from her surgery and is doing fine. She has started to act like herself today.
Gail, Whitestone
I believe what Bonnie was saying is she has devoted 3/4 of a year to this and she can't continue to coordinate it which is clearly her choice and I don't think anyone will hold that against her. Still no one else I have heard from feels like giving up. And something tells me if a sighting comes in Bonnie will be there if she has to. Also I think it is quite understandable that local searchers are very circumspect about what they say because of the recent uproars on this blog. You can hardly blame them.
I neighbor told me he saw a stray pug in Whitestone with a pack of dogs. He was going to pick him/her up but got scared when the other dogs approached him.
Gail, Whitestone
Following up on what Gail has said this could also be another lost soul pulled in from the streets like Pablo even if it is not Vivi. So either way it's a good thing, posting that. There is someone out there who people have repeatedly mistaken for Vivi. For awhile we assumed that was Pablo. But it isn't Pablo we know now, this sighting came in after he was picked up by weeks AND if they think it's perhpas heavier than Vivi it's surely not Pablo, a chihuahua!
Fresh scent in two locations::::: Vivi could have been raiding a trash can in one location, then moved on to location #2 the same day::::::hence, fresh scent in 2 locations..Seems fairly easy to figure out and ummm, I mean no disrespect, but isn't that what it amounts to?
Gail, could it have been little Biggie I wonder? He's been gone a very long time and maybe is with a pack of dogs. I always thought Biggie would be found, then I decided a Pug might be easy prey to someone who likes the breed. I'm hoping Biggie is living in a happy home!
I wish Mila could find Sniffles......Poor boy has been out there almost as long as Vivi hasn't he?
If the scent the tracking dogs picked up was Vivi's scent, placed there by her own little paws, then I wonder why Bonnie or others aren't excited about it.
But if there is some reason not to trust this as being placed by Vivi (because I believe her dogs made a correct ID - meaning it was Vivi's scent) then it would be nice to know that too.
It seems odd to read that most the searchers believe Vivi is caught, except I suppose, those making comments and saying they are continuing posting or want to look.
If we have other good reason to believe Vivi is caught, and the scent the dogs hit upon is not to be trusted, I'd like to know that too.
Gail, I had thought the same thing about the heavier dog being a pregnant Vivi.
Beth & Sedona,
You two haven't a clue what most of the local searchers feel, think or believe at this time, so can the two of you knock it off with speculating about "all" of us.
You two are not just speculating, you both are making false declarations about us and you are both way out of line to do this....
Bonnie clearly stated she cannot speak for all the volunteers, so where do you two get off speaking for us? You guys are not out here and you don't even know us! If you truly care about Vivi you both will stop confusing the issue with this warped garbage of yours.
A number of us are happy there was scent and a number of us believe she is alive and still out there and a number of us are not giving up....
Once upon a time this blog was about positive energy, twisting things up with false declaratiions and speculation is not positive ladies, it just saps the energy of those who are still left to find her....is that what you two want? Think about it....
Fresh scent in two locations means just that. One in Forest Park one under a bush at Mt. Hebron. This is not the point I was making - possible to get many fresh scents in one day.
Diane - you don't run the blog. So stop giving orders.