Oh, dear God, no....missing

[pnance]

My continued prayers...I really hope it's Delta

[Catty1]

So glad this man has been feeding Delta...with the collar and behaviour, must be him...

Could you go over there around 'feeding time'? Surely Delta would come over to you, right?

PRAYERS AND HUGS.

Catty1

[wolf_Q]

Still thinking of you and Delta....I hope that was him!

[Dot]

Phred had the right idea -- since Delta is so shy, you should set a trap for him!

One of our dogs had been a stray living on her own for almost 3 years (which we learned later after having first spotted her). The little black dog had "taken up residence" at a huge trucking terminal a mile from our house. The truckers all tried to befriend her and took turns putting out food, but no one could ever get within 30 feet of her. The truckers told us she considered the terminal her home, though, and lived around and under the trucks and trailers -- spring, summer, winter and fall.

When I first saw her, it was during the bitter cold winter of 2002-3. I couldn't bear to see her suffering in the cold (she was a short haired dog, too!) and like the truckers, I had no luck at all getting close to her. So we hired a professional trapper to set a large trap in the area she frequented most often. I baited the trap with fried liver, and in two days, during a blizzard, she went in for the food and we caught her.

It is very likely that a trap would be the most positive way to catch Delta. When dogs get as skittish as he obviously is, trying to coax them to you can sometimes scare them off and you might never see them again.

PS: The little black dog is now our beloved "Sweetie". In the last two years, we have borrowed the trapper's trap and used it to catch two more stray dogs, one of which we kept. Neither was "on the run" as long as Sweetie, though. They were all lured into the trap with fried liver.....dogs simply cannot resist the smell of fried liver! I highly recommend it for bait!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Phred had the right idea --
since Delta is so shy, you should set a trap for him!

It only >sounds like< a good idea.

I'm sure Glacier (Tamara) is giving a lot of ideas serious consideration;
but the most important thing right now is NOT to frighten Delta to the point
that he "moves on" to what he thinks is a safer or less stressful location.

If he's comfortable hanging with the Neighbor's Dog and eating when / where / what
the ND eats - that's a BIG step towards a return to civilization!
If The Neighbor could snap a photo to use in confirming it IS Delta ...
then some plans can be formed to try and "capture" him.

A standart "live trap" - no matter how *yummie* the bait inside - may still
look and smell too human for Delta to approach.
(AND - there's a great chance of catching Neighbor Dog! )

For the short term;
just keeping the dog we are Praying *IS* Delta content so that he STAYS where
he is and becomes comfortable at ND's "House" will be welcome progress.

Prayers Continue that this IS Delta!!

/s/ Phred

[Glacier]

It's HIM!! IT'S HIM!!!!!!!!!! We just got back from spending several hours out there. We saw him. It is absolutely, most definately, without a doubt DELTA!!!! Not only is he alive, but he appears to be uninjured. A little skinnier than when last seen, but not life threatening and no other visible damage at all!!!

We took his favorite dog house and left in these people's yard. We left the straw that smells like his buddies in it and I put a shirt of mine in as well. I took a bag of his food out too.

I got within a 15 feet of him. But he wouldn't let me get closer. He's very spooky and on high alert. No, Delta wouldn't come right up to me. Three weeks ago, when he saw me every day and was safely in his own territory, he wouldn't come right up to me and let me touch him. It's always been a process to catch him.

When we left, we hadn't seen any sign of him for over an hour. I suspect he got scared and went back to whereever he's been hiding. It was too dark to track him, even with headlamps on. I also didn't want to scare him off. Phred is right, I don't want him to move on again. He's at the last house on the last road for a long way. He's safe where he is, not as safe as he would be here, but safer than alot of other places. There's no major traffic(it's a small gravel road), no recent wolf sightings in the area, everyone in the area knows he is an owned dog and are trying to help. He won't be shot or anything like that. One woman has a dog team and he's been through her dog yard repeatedly. I told her if she catches him, I'll take one of her dogs home with me too--she tried to give me one already! She also has chickens. I told her if he gets in with them to slam the gate and I'll pay her for all the birds.

I'm going to see my vet in the morning. I want to ask him about a fast acting tranquilizer. Something I could hide in a chunk of meat that would knock him out fast. Animal control won't give us a live trap as the area is well outside of the city limits. I'm going to beg, whine and plead with them tomorrow too! Maybe they know someone else who has one or maybe they will consider giving me one for the weekend, since they are closed anyway. I'm asking my boss for the afternoon off. I'm supposed to be in a course all weekend, but I'm calling them too tomorrow. I'm sure there is a waitlist for it and someone else can take my spot.

Keep those prayers coming, PT. They are working. My boy is almost home!!

[gemini9961]

Tamara......this is AWESOME news. I am so happy he's okay. I am sending more good vibes and prayers your way. If he only knew how much everyone has missed him. I know that in due time he will be back in his yard with his buddies and many pics of him to celebrate.

[Giselle]

Oh my GOSH!!! I can't believe this! My eyes popped out of my head when I read this. Congrats and we'll always be sending more PT prayers your way!!! Ahhh, the power of mutual compassion and prayer

[koxka]

Happy tears here that your boy is *almost* home!

[Cinder & Smoke]

It's HIM!! IT'S HIM!!!!!!!!!!

Keep those prayers coming, PT. They are working.
My boy is almost home!!

Thanks, God!!

Easy, Tamara!!

Give him a chance to check out the Dawg Howze and the Home Smells.

Within 15 feet!! WOW!

Now that's pretty darn close for the first time in weeks!

Ask your Vet if he knows someone he could borrow a Blow Gun / Dart Gun
from to *shoot* him with a Tranquil Dart?

Be CAREFUL - you don't want to scare him off now!!

Oh Delta ... Here, Boy! ... Come to Momma!

{{{Hugs}}}

[Killearn Kitties]

This is just amazing news! I wish you all the very best of luck in getting Delta today. I'll look forward to reading about how you got him.

[vinjashira]

Please let it be Delta and may you bring him home soon Tamara!

[Barbara]

I've been following this thread and now I simply can't believe it. I agree with everybody- take it easy. I am so glad to hear he found himself a spot where he's comparatively safe.

All the best for you and Delta

[Vette]

Heh!! glad to hear it.

all paws and fingers crossed with extra umf this thime.

[Kater]

What absolutely FANTASTIC NEWS!!
GOOD BOY, DELTA, for staying near some hoomans!!! (or some doggies...either way )
I will be praying that you can catch him by whatever means ASAP. I know you want this nightmare behind you!!
Lots and lots of continued prayers coming for you, Delta, Stuart and the whole furfamily!