Mission 'Ginger Whinger'.......

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Now forgive me, wasn't it only a few days ago I was cursing how much we hated these silent times ?! I was wasn't I......!

Well today (thankfully) that silent lull was broken, and news sped it's way across to sunny Essex about another possible sighting of a 'Jacobesque' dog being seen near some shops, tied outside whilst a shopper filled his or her basket.

Have these folks never heard of dog knapping ???!

So, in haste, we all downed tools, and the Ginger Army was meticulously rallied, and operation 'Ginger Whinger' went into action.

Whilst we all sped across to Welwyn we were both conscious not to get our hopes up as this dog might well not be our lovely boy, and we really didn't need any more dashed hopes.....

But then of course it could well be him, oh lordy, can you imagine.

No, we mustn't get our hopes up, we just have to hope a little teeny bit, but be otherwise realistic that there are perhaps some dogs out there that look very similar - but then well, there aren't many that do are there ??

As we got further onto the main roads, we were held up by police escorts (sadly not ours, but I was tempted to ask them do they not realise the urgency of us getting to Welwyn, but thought better of it as we dutifully abided by the speed limits !)

I was getting so uptight and frustrated as we just wanted to be there to start looking around for clues that may lead us to Jacob, or the dog that might be like him at the very least.

Nothing worse than delays when you're on the trail, walking boots at the ready.

On arrival the 'Ginger Army' grouped, and with military precision, we each went off in different directions to cover all options.

We flyered lots of people both around the shopping arcades, the parks, the lakes and people walking dogs nearby any of the above.

I'm amazed at how helpful people are, and how willing they are when they know it's about a dog.

Many I have to say scowl and try to walk away, no doubt thinking we're canvassing for double glazing, or a 1/2 hr questionnaire about their soap powder preferences, but as soon as you show them a flyer they mellow, the frowns lighten to a slight smile, and they will tell you all about their own dogs and offer to help.

It's absolutely brilliant how people rally. I know I say it over and over, but it's true.

Never a nicer person than a dog lover.

Most are genuinely happy to help, or at the very least, keep an eye out for you.

It felt a bit strange today, just because the man we are advised may be the person who has Jacob, is supposedly a really nice guy, and really loves his dogs. All good in my book.

I hate this supposed manhunt that we seem to have going on, it feels a bit wrong, though I have to admit I can honestly say we're not vageuly interested in him, just the dog.

We understand that he (if this dog is Jacob) rescued him from travellers, who "could do nothing with him" apparently, and so in our eyes, he has saved him from lord only knows what.

For that alone we are eternally grateful, and so whoevers' dog this is, he can't be a bad person can he ?

I just hope, deep down that if this is a dog that he feels is ours, he will take courage and get in touch with us in order to dispel any doubt or show it is him.

Okay, it's a hard thing to do, he may well have grown attached to this dog by now, we totally understand that, and like I say it surely will take some encouragement, in that there's no doubt, but if he genuinely loves dogs, and knows right from wrong, then it's the right thing to do for all concerned to come forward, or hand him into a vets or rescue if no further involvement is wanted.

People have asked us time and time again, are we baying for blood here, and to be quite honest, we aren't.

That's the truth, we don't feel any malice for what's occurred in the past, we put that to the back of our minds, as we're pure and simply only looking forward, not back.

There's no point causing trouble about what's past, there's nothing to gain only further heartbreak, and quite frankly we've had a lifetime of that already, hence why we rely on this being over by Jacob being returned safely by anyone in the know.

So far, despite our joint efforts we haven't spotted anyone walking this dog.

To be truthful, I don't think we expected to, but it's times like these when you don't go out expecting results, that deep down in your heart you really want them, and perhaps you'll be suitably rewarded for your doubt.

So, today we've flyered lots of locals, the shops, supermarkets, and dog walkers, all of whom have been very helpful and promised to report anything they see that is 'Jacoblike'.

We can only rely on these people now, and also send out huge Thanks to Chris Richards at the Welwyn Times for writing such a heartfelt appeal for our boy, and helping to widen the audience for Jacob for us so wonderfully. Many Thanks Chris.

Meanwhile, we'll keep you posted of any further developments here, and fingers crossed some good will come of the whole Welwyn scenario in the next few days.

Someone must know something, it's just courage that's needed now to get those in the know involved, and make that call to help this nightmare end.