Merlin the mssing hound

[Oneofthepack]

The foxhound I posted about is still mssing but has been spotted many times just 2 miles from me. It seems the whole world and his wife has seen my dog except me! The last person to call was at 11.20 last night while I was at work, so I left and shot down the road but he had disappeared again. My question is, does anyone know how long a dog can survive without food as although he has access to plenty of water the person who called last night said he was 'staggering' in the road. It's been 6 days now.

 

[Maesfen]

Well, that's good news that he's been seen, even if not by you. Hounds are usually foraging creatures and can usually catch something to eat even if it's only a frog, they don't usually starve and after all he had been running free for some time before hadn't he? The staggering could partly be due to his wounds troubling him or he might even have been caught up somewhere and struggled to free himself so pulling muscles but until you can catch him you won't find out.

Have you thought of taking some of his food out near where he's been seen and leaving it in various places in the hope that his nose will tell him it's there;at least then you know he has the chance of food? Who knows, if you continue putting it out and it keeps being taken, you can entice him nearer home that way (although unless you see him you won't know if it's him or some other waif and stray taking it!)

I have to be brutally honest and say, perhaps if you do catch him again, perhaps the best solution would be to put him down because even after all your care and nurturing he has still tried to revert back to being a semi wild animal; he obviously wasn't happy before even though you've done your best and could you cope with this type of hassle again and again, I know I couldn't cos I'd always be thinking what if he caused a serious accident/caused untold damage with livestock etc? There are some animals you can save but sadly, he doesn't seem to be one of them, I'm sorry.

 

[Cobnut1]

Have you been in touch with the dog warden? i "lost" my frineds BC (she ran away, when i made the mistake of yelling at her) for 2 weeks, I phoned the dog warden who said they'd keep a lookout for the dog, and also if i found her, they'd come and give me a hand catching her, if i phoned them. She was ound safe and well in a nearby caravan park, took a while trying to catch her though...timid little thing!!

Is there anywhere your dog would be attracted too? like schools at pick up time?

Good luck with this and hope you get him back quickly

 

[Oneofthepack]

I went out and put sardines (apparantly the smell is really strong) water and the dog blanket he had in the field where he has been spotted and the dog warden is coming out with a trap later.

I know you're right re the PTS thing because in my heart I know he's not happy but I keep thinking one more week might make all the difference, and he was getting better slowly and starting to enjoy life a bit. It's the stress of not being confident that he won't do the same thing over and over. I think I'll know whats best if I see him again.

 

[piaffe]

I put three posters up. one near tesco express, one near the unit and one further up lyde road. But, i noticed, the one at tesco had been taken down

 

[Oneofthepack]

Thanks for that, I put one up in Tesco Express and one outside so maybe they're taking the outside ones down for some reason?

 

[Oneofthepack]

After receiving an email saying she had seen my plea on a website and had found my foxhound I then received this today. I knew it was a scam because the thick cow also sent me an email saying she had found my missing staffie! I thought people might like to phone or email the evil toad. I emailed 'her' and told her exactly what I thought!

QUOTE ...I dont know if its yours but it needs a new home cos Im always busy going to studies but I will do you a very big favour and that is shiping the dog over to your address, i will need you to send only 150POUNDS and I will have the dog to your address, if you find out its not yours you can keep the dog. The name and address to send moneygram is below

LINDA PHILIPS
LONDON UNITED KINGDOM

As soon as I get the money I will send the dog over to you, Linda. My number: 07031902863.......IT'S email address is linda.philips@yahoo.co.uk

............HAVE FUN!!!

Lots of sighting of Merlin but nothing concrete and only a very wet fox in the trap at 6 this morning.

 

[piaffe]

Some people are such bloody bastards

What an awful thing to have recieved.

FInger crossed though.

 

[dingle12]

i really hope you find your hound, i think he/she will be able to find food or water they have survival instinks (sp)in them please let me know any news you get.

 

[Cobnut1]

Perhaps you could get some help from a meduim?

 

[Oneofthepack]

I asked if anyone knew of a good medium (even though I'm not a great believer) on my first posting about Merlin as I can't find any and I'm really not sure about contacting anyone just out of a paper. I'll try anything. I've been trying to contact a huntsman about getting him to come and blow a horn to call him but I can't get a reply.I've left food out wherever he's been seen but he's not taken it

 

[Bess]

You've mentioned twice that you were thinking of contacting a psychic to help with the search for Merlin. I met someone who does that quite successfully now and have been racking my brains to remember/find her name. She is Joanne Hull, her website is www.joannehull.com and her email address is joannesanimals@aol.com

I met her at a course I was on so, she was also a participant. She was genuine and a very nice person. Good luck with the search, hope this helps.

 

[Oneofthepack]

I managed to contact a hunstman and he is out in the fields now blowing his horn, nothing as yet but it's so nice of him to at least try.

 

[spike123]

We have a foxhound at the stables.She has been there since she was a pup and is now 2 and like yours she frequently takes herself off for days at a time no matter how much exercise,food and attention she gets.I guess it must be something in the breed like an instinct to hunt as to why they go missing.We get constant phonecalls from members of the public telling us they have found her and someone from the yard is always having to go to collect her.Good luck in finding your dog.I hope he is found soon and as someone else has said they are good at hunting out food so I am sure he won't starve.

 

[Oneofthepack]

We've had no sightings for 3 days now so I'm not hopeful, and because he's so nervous he keeps moving on when people try and catch him. I just hope we get some calls again soon so I at least know he's still alive.

 

[louismacshoe]

Just a thought but, do you know anyone who has trained their dog to track scent, might be worth asking around at your vets or local dog trainers, or indeed someone who breeds/has bloodhounds.
Good Luck, hope you find him soon.

 

[Oneofthepack]

Thanks, it's good idea but I don't have anything at home that doesn't have all my other dogs scents on it as they all shared the same bedding and he was criss crossing the same area for days last week so I wouldn't know where to start. I will ask around though so if I get another positive sighting it might work.