Someone has dog but isn't saying where she is

By MARGIE TRAX PAGE

Staff Writer

mtrax@starbeacon.com



There is a sick feeling in the pit of Dawn Shimp's stomach. Though her heart twists with every thought of Josie the dog, Shimp's determination holds strong.

As an animal rescuer, Shimp knows a good home for every animal is hard to find, and she isn't convinced Josie the dog has found a good home.

Josie, the cream-colored collie/husky mix dog, slipped her collar at a rest stop at routes 90 and 45 in Austinburg Township in July while she was being transported from a kill shelter in Indiana to a new home in New York.

Though volunteers and rescuers spent many hours trying to find Josie, they were looking for a dog that was literally nowhere to be found.

Rescuers were contacted via the website http://wheresjosie.blogspot.com, where Josie sighting were being tracked, by a person who claims to have the dog. The person remains anonymous,Shimp said.

"This person just told us to stop looking. They offered no proof (that they had Josie), so we didn't believe them. They eventually got in touch one of our rescuers, and did send pictures, which we are pretty sure are of Josie," Shimp said.

The pictures show a happy dog, her pale blonde fur shining and brushed, her body stretched out and relaxed in a comfortable living room.

But rescuers and searchers aren't convinced the pictures of Josie the dog are telling the whole story of her capture.

The problem is, they may never know the whole story.

While rescuers are grateful Josie wasn't hurt or killed along the road they are still concerned about the welfare of the dog, especially because of the strange correspondence with the people who claim to have her.

"Unfortunately these people have been playing all kinds of childish games with us. (They) refuse to tell us where Josie is being kept, they use the email identities of convicted criminals, and call us all sorts of nasty names," Shimp said.

Because the people refuse to allow rescue workers to follow up at their home, the search is stalled, but the worry continues, Shimp said.

"All we want is for Josie to be in a good home. If these people had acted like adults and truly seemed to have Josie's best interests at heart, we would have been glad to let them keep her," she said.

The false name on the email address is enough to keep the rescuers searching for Josie.

"If for no other reason than this lie, we will continue to search for Josie. Unless the people who currently have Josie provide verification, the search effort will continue. (The) blog will update on where we are looking and where we are posting fliers," Shimp said.

A home visit is standard procedure for adopting a rescued dog, and Shimp said the visit is all the dozens of rescuers want to ensure the health and happiness of an animal so many care about.

"Because the people who supposedly have Josie are being so uncooperative, we are now considering her stolen and are proceeding accordingly. We are now to the point of having to hire a private detective, which none of us can afford," Shimp said.

A large cash reward is being offered for Josie's safe return, and the rescuers believe the dog may still be in the area, Shimp said.

"There is also still the possibility that the dog these people have is not Josie and that the real Josie is still out there. We hope people will keep the phone calls and blog comments of sightings coming," Shimp said.

Anonymous tips are taken by email at findingjosie@yahoo.com. Sightings can be reported at the website http://wheresjosie.blogspot.com.