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.

Time for my straight jacket if you please !

" Say Cheese" !

After a busy Easter weekend doing what seems like nothing and everything all at once, i'm glad to find us back to normality again.

Being back at my desk at Ginger Army HQ makes me feel good, and somewhat lifts my spirits.
It feels good to be back being pro-active once again. I hate this quiet lull, a sense of no direction leaves us feeling the loss even more.

So today i'm back in the GA hot seat and working out what direction we take next.
I am thinking of contacting all the traveller liaison officers across the country in order that I ask them to keep a lookout for Jacob on their visits.
Now, of course this task for me is easier said than done as how do you diplomatically ask someone involved with a minority group, to look for a missing dog, without it coming across as you seemingly say they have him.
It's a difficult one to tackle, and one which will take a few email drafts to get right me thinks.
It would be good to have these 'lookouts' but I fear their could also be a down side to us doing this also. That said, if word spreads throughout the Traveller community that there's a missing dog out there, and additionally there's a really substantial reward then it could set up a hunt for him, but then hey, if that's what it takes then that's what it takes.
Quite frankly we're running out of ideas right now, and so will soon no doubt find ourselves covering old ground to think back to things that maybe offered clues, but were suitably dismissed at the time as being no go's.
CSI has nothing on the Ginger Army - ;-)
Once we get some clues or leads, we spring into action, and the 'thought lab' goes into overdrive to decipher the information until it's rung dry !

I wish I could relive the dream I had last night and change a few things in it, it was very vivid and those that read into dreams may be able to take something from it perhaps ?
I was in a huge factory, in fact forget factory, think huge processing plant of some kind, the type with massive steel cylinders all around and steel walkways and ladders.
This place was the size of a football pitch, and I was walking around and saw 2 other dogs their, cross breeds tan and black, then in the far distance I saw Jacob, but he had grown a longer coat, it was slightly fluffy, about 3/4" long. He came closer when I shouted his name, and didn't know who I was (I remember feeling bereft at that moment), I walked closer, slowly, and he did too.
He was interested in me, so I crouched down and he came across, suddenly realising it was me, but not quite sure all at the same time. As I had my hands on him, I slipped a belt round his neck, I had him. We started to walk away through the factory and the belt had a knot in it, so I stopped, took it off to untangle the knot, and then suddenly he was no longer there.
He was gone again.
What does this all mean I wonder !? (apart from i'm losing it!)
I was then looking over a beach with thatched parasols, and next to the side of the water were 2 men (foreigners) of which one of them was in the water baptising (I know but remember it was a dream !!!) 2 dogs who were visibly floating under the water.
The next thing I remember thinking (dreaming) was that oh, no they aren't dogs perhaps, as on the side of the water were monkeys !
Most of all I remember waking and feeling terrible anger that i'd had Jacob in my grasp but had lost him.....I remember shouting out his name in my sleep, then that awful reality check, you know how you feel when you wake from a dream and it feels so real you confuse it with real life.
(Have I lost the plot I hear you ask......well, yes, most probably !)
Hmmmm ! Dr Ffion, Dr Tim, I think it's time for my straight jacket now please !
I think I definitely need that chaise longue Ffion, but I think I will definitely need to be the patient, and you the psychiatrist this time !
:-0

Jon just had a call from a lady in Dover, I think she said she worked at the port.
She saw our poster in a vets there over the weekend, and remembered seeing a Bracco go through the port the day after Crufts, or the Monday, so 8/9th March.
She was very savvy about all the details, Jon said had times etc if we needed them.
She knew it was a Bracco as she was going to get one, but later chose another rare breed (which breed slips my mind right now) - so she would definitely not confuse a Bracco with another dog.
The lady was Swedish, and the car plate was Spanish. She said the dog looked quite thin too.
I am wondering, could this be World Champion Bracco Axel ? isn't he owned by a Swedish lady ?
But the Spanish plates ? I cannot remember what colouring Axel is but I was sure he was Chestnut and not Orange ? Off to interrogate the Bracchi community now, someone would hopefully know more information and put this (hopefully) down to being a dog that was shown at Crufts.
Time to call in the CSI.GA !!

Will report back later on my findings..............

The GA cogs have been whirring
The dog that the Dover lady saw was definitely Axel, and yes he is orange and white, and actually looks quite like Jacob (except Axel is a heavier build) - so this lady was very keen eyed, for which we are very grateful indeed. We are very thankful for her letting us know.
It's good to know that there are people like her who are visibly out there, looking and taking note. Thank You, i'm so glad we know it's Axel !
PHEW ! Off to take a nerve pill now !! - EEEEK !!!!

Contemplation and Persil

Today I woke thinking it was Saturday, and then realised it was of course Friday !

From those waking moments it seemed the whole day has continued to carry this state of confusion, and we've both felt a little out of sorts today.

I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is somewhat a definite feeling of anger and frustration for us both today.

I can't quite explain it, but you long to make plans, and enjoy holidays etc, but feel and know there needs to be a conclusion (of the happy sort of course) to this scenario before we can mentally move on.

God I miss normality SO much !

We both were out with the Spins this morning in the nanoseconds worth of sunshine that descended on us.

It was lovely.... no wet, no mud, no rain, and 3 happy Spinoni running about like huge lolopping (Easter) bunnies. Quite relevant really what with it being Good Friday I suppose !

Only problem was that as we both sat on the 'log of contemplation' by the side of the fields (I would say don't ask ! - but it's our tree stump, just a lovely place where you can just sit, and be, ...silent and full of nothing but your own thoughts) we were watching these Easter bunny imposter's chase after blackbirds (when will they ever learn!) knowing 3 should be 4.

We missed our boy being there, part of our family. I can honestly say I shed a tear, probably more out of sheer anger and frustration, but also because emotions were running high, and looking out at the Spins, well it was so evident that Jacob was not with us enjoying this moment. He loves his walks, he should be here where he belongs.

It really dawned on us he was most definitely not here. BUT....Where the hell is is ?

This is just bloody ridiculous, no dog has yet (to my knowledge) been abducted by aliens, nor has any dog fallen off the face of the earth (NASA may prove me wrong) so if he's not currently getting studied by the Mars pooch detectors with Sky (Coats) then where the hell is he, who has him and why don't they come forward and end this misery and worry ?

Stupid thing is it could all be over so easily, we don't care about the circumstances that have gone before, just bring him home, hand him over to someone, call us....

Sometimes when the whole missing thing is in full swing and we're out searching or emailing hundreds of people, or talking to many of the people who take time to call and give advice or a shoulder to lean on, we kind of forget in a strange way.

We allow ourselves to feel a luxurious titbit of normality, and we're acting like normal people do, visiting friends, taking leisurely walks and going shopping on a Saturday.

BUT we find it hard, it feels very wrong, and as much as we crave that normality again, it just feels strangely illicit. I hate that feeling.

We feel we can't move forward yet, we can't cancel his insurance, we can't move his bowl away from view, nor tidy away his favourite toys that still sit on his bed, hell we can't even launder his favourite blankie (and believe me it is very Gingery and SO desperately needs some Persil !)

.... how sad is that !

I can honestly say we are far, far off from doing any of those things.

I'm really glad that we are too. It would be a sad day the day we say enough is enough.

I doubt we ever will to be honest no matter how times moves on around us.

Someone, if they have him, should know that us Haggerwoods don't give up without a fight, and he can't hide away forever.

We feel we can bring Jacob home, it may well take some time, some effort and clever thinking, most likely a few more tears along the way, but we can do it.

We have the 'Ginger Army' ready and waiting to be deployed on their latest mission at the mere drop of a ginger whisker.

We'll find you Jacob, just hang in there boy.

An update on another ginger boy and that's the Lurcher x Saluki we found and rescued last Sunday.

We took him to a rescue as you will remember, and I phoned through the week to check on his progress.

Poor boy, he's obviously had a really hard time of it lately from his previous (I hate to call them this) owners.

After a series of x-rays, it does show old 'breaks' and that he does have problems relating to these injuries both new and old, and as such has had to have a splint.

He's had a good clean up with some 'derm' washes, and lots of lavished care and attention by the rescue fabulous staff.

By Monday he will legally be 'owned' by the centre, and I for one will breathe a huge sigh of relief as on that 8th day it will signify a new start for him - hopefully in a loving forever home.

He so deserves that, his body tells us that he's been through an awful time and he couldn't take much more I am sure.

I'll let you know what else we find out about his progress later next week.

HAPPY EASTER WEEKEND everyone......

Don't eat too much Chocolate......

......"remember a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips"

More Galaxy anyone !!? ;-)

Thankful for small 'Twitterings'

Today has started well, whilst eating toast and watching GMTV's article about Twitter, the lovely Jenni Falconer mentioned Jacob and stated that his search had reached it and had had many "Tweets" - Fantastic ! (our Twitter is adoredpaws)
I have to say a huge Thanks Beverley Cuddy (Editor of Dogs Today magazine) for her absolute sterling efforts in bringing his search to life on Twitter for us. We even had Twitterings from Richard Hammond (Jon was chuffed as he loves Top Gear!) yesterday.
We so hope to reach the dizzying heights of Twitterdom, and get mentioned (Re-Twittered) by the greats that reside there, the big cheeses such as Wossy and Stephen Fry would be fantastic. Raising the missing profile for Jacob is so very much needed right now as we have fallen into that dull silence that makes it difficult to know what to do next.
Like I said yesterday, we point blank refuse to let him fade quietly into the distance. I know you will all agree that if he were your own dog, a member of your own family, that you yourselves put into our position would do the very same.
It's funny the campaign kind of takes over your emotions sometimes (a good thing) and when you get these dull silences you kind of react to the situation more intensely, you sit and take a step back and realise what it is that you are campaigning for. You miss the dog, you miss their little ways, and more than anything you just miss them being yours and being around you and part of your life.
Someone asked me do I feel anger towards that person who might have Jacob tucked up somewhere, albeit they might not be aware he is missing ?
Well, to be honest it's a catch 22 situation that.
I would be glad that he's alive and being looked after, but on the flip side, that person would obviously know there's a chance he belongs to someone somewhere, noone is that dumb or ignorant surely.
He would have been acquired through abnormal means too (i.e not through the average rescue channels) so whoever had him would know there must be a history behind him, and most probably a distraught owner desperate for him to come home.

Yes, I know, for many this all seems somewhat over zealous and extreme with regard to the lengths we will go to to be reunited with our Ginger Whinger, but until you've had the unconditional love of an animal, and grown to love them as one of your own, then quite simply you can't quite explain to someone who hasn't, that utter sense of loss you feel when they aren't here any more.
Some folks have a dog, and it remains 'a dog', others like us, well that dog becomes a family member, like a child would be to a parent, we worry about it in the same way as a Mother would about her child. Surely noone would just turn a blind eye to a child missing, and as I have said before, and as controversial as that is for some, I won't apologise for the comparison, childless as we are, we miss Jacob as he is our child, and would stop at nothing to bring him home

I used to apologise to people when they queried us and our motives, and the sheer extremities we've gone to looking for Jacob, now I most definitely don't. Why should I.
There's no embarrassment to me that we love that dog, and that we want him home, it's up to them to judge us for that, however they want to - mad, insane or otherwise barking we'll campaign with the 'Ginger Army' in tow until we see those stunning amber eyes staring back at us, and those gingery paws snuggled up under his duvet again !

Calling the "Ginger Army" !!

Very quiet on the Jacob front today, however we plan to target all the main cities and larger towns for a mass email, so i'll be calling up on "Ginger Army" later on today for their help.
That's not target with missiles you understand (eeek!) but with posters and flyers to show dog orientated businesses, organisations, and rescues that he is missing.
After the smoke screen that is Welwyn not giving off any clues there, we need to be pro-active again whilst that area is worked alongside in the background.
If we can target large cities, places not too far away from us here, then it might offer some more clues as to his whereabouts.
Quite frankly his gingerness could be absolutely anywhere right now.
We'll start off with such towns as Huntingon, Newmarket, Peterborough, Northampton for starters.
I wish we could get some tv, or a mere mention at primetime, in fact anytime
I just know for sure some sod out there knows something, they are cleverly pulling the wool over many eyes it seems.
It's so difficult without having a valid 'angle' to alight some media interest.
What do we need to get that interest I hear you ask ? - hmmm I don't really know......
but i'll do my best to search out that 'angle' as best I can and let you know any updates!

Right now, everyone involved in Jacob's search all just feel we should be doing something rather than nothing, and we need to ensure our gingery boy remains a focus of attention and fresh in people's minds.
Quite simply, we will just not allow him to become yet another lost dog statistic, one of the 16% who are never reunited, and whom fade into the background never to be heard of again.
As an important, and very much loved member of our family, our fur-kid deserves this mass focus of attention and we'll make sure he gets it.

Stop Press
If anyone should want an up to date Missing Poster - to make life easier please email me haggerwoods@aol.com
Thanks

Stray Lurcher x Saluki Photo's

'What goes around comes around' ???

It's been a very quiet few days, hence nothing to really report on Jacob or the whole Welwyn scenario.

I'm wondering what's doing there, but have to stay hopeful that this man will materialise with the dog we all want to see.

There are many (many) posters out there for all of the public to see, as well as we have postered the other dog walking haunts also. If he is about, he will be seen.

It feels terrible that we seem to be on a witch hunt for this fella, but really it's not like that at all. We are reasonable people and we just desperately need (for our sanity to remain intact!) to rule out that he's managed to acquire Jacob, or rule out completely that it's not him.

This waiting for him to show is absolute torture.

The sheer thought of someone else having your dog puts you to the test in itself.

Now, whilst the whole Welwyn thing is on hiatus, we'll carry on campaigning for him to be kept fresh in people's minds.

We'll try to get some more coverage in the press, although it's difficult both in the media and the tv channels as they all need an angle to promote his appeal or run his story (there are some wonderful exceptions to the rule, the dog press such as Dogs Today and Dogs Monthly for whom they can't help enough).

To the majority, unfortunately it seems he's just another lost dog statistic, not a precious member of our family we are desperate to be re-united with.

Our local news are not interested until there is something other than him being lost (doh!) and the opposite channel (BBC) were suitably revved up by a fab friend (Thanks G) but sadly they don't cross stories other channels have already covered (double doh!)

We did previously try The Paul O'Grady Show with little effect.

I think looking back, the mass of emails got too intense, and perhaps we blew it out of proportion somewhat and it had a paradoxical effect of scaring the producers from understanding what it was we were actually wanting, and that yes, we are for real.

I had a text from someone recently saying he read an email live on air recently for a lost Springer, so maybe I will email him today and ask for him to appeal for Jacob.

I'll also target a few other 'celebs' I know have a great love of animals, and who I feel might be willing to help. If anyone else has any ideas/media connections that would be great.

Some days it has to be said that we both feel at an utter loss as to know what has happened to our beautiful boy.

It's a strange feeling as you never want think the worse could have happened to him, (we're assured by farmers and farm workers, gamekeepers and other rural workers he'd have been spotted by now if he was dead locally in the fields ??) nor do you believe he could be out there in the wilds, fending for himself totally unseen. Jacob is clever, but not that clever.

Further still you would like to hope that should someone have him, or know about his whereabouts they would be forthcoming by now with information, I can't believe for a second that someone would knowingly withold information, noone is that cruel surely?

I know we haven't and couldn't reach everyone, so it's quite possible actually he's sitting on someones comfy sofa getting loved. Rather that than dead in a field, but all the same

I just wish it was our sofa that's all. We so miss our boy.

Yesterday though, a strange thing happened.

We headed out in our car along the single track lane 5 minutes from our house, and saw 2 cars driving terribly slowly in convoy, and made in the distance ahead there was a gingery coloured dog in front of them, ambling slowly, winding across the road and back into the surrounding fields.

Shamefully these 2 cars passed this dog by revving up impatiently as they passed it.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Knowing this could have been Jacob, you'd have hoped someone would have stopped, but it just confirms that "not getting involved" mindset of people these days.

It's shockingly evident it exists.

We stopped nearby where he was in the field, and noticed he seemed in pain with his back, he was exhausted, painfully skinny, and was wary initially of us going too close.

He looked to us like he was a Lurcher (turned out he is a Lurcher x Saluki)

Half an hour later we managed to bring him within 10ft of us by just sitting quietly and not looking at him directly.

Probably another 4 or 5 cars passed by our awkwardly situated car (not far you can go on a single track road, and we didn't want to risk losing the dog in sight)

Not one of those drivers came to help, or even wound down their window to ask is it our dog, or did we need any help - quite frankly it's shameful how they just passed by.

15 minutes later we had a lead on him (phew!) and were off with this lovely friendly boy to our vets to check if he was chipped.

Sadly no chip, so after a good few hours, he was passed into the safe hands of a rescue centre where he would receive medical attention and a full check up, as well as much needed meal and some love.