My friend in Memphis that lost her dog at a rest stop in Arkansas gave up and got another little one. A beautiful little shih tzu. Luckily one came available and she got it. Ashamed to say that I don't know boy or girl, but looks alot like her lost pup. The new one is a puppy and they are so much fun that maybe it took the hurt away.

Michele said that Sassi needs medications for a chronic problem I hope whoever has her will take her into a Vet's office soon. This may be the only way to get her back to Michele as the person or people have had plenty of time to report her as being found - whether by bringing her to check for a micro-chip to a Vet or shelter or by advertising in classifieds or craigslist.

I have attempted to submit a news story (with photos) to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and its Suburban Journal. The editor I spoke to at the Post-Dispatch was nice enough to read what I wrote and reply that they cannot use the story as such, but he will hold onto it in case they do a story on missing dogs. At least he replied, and I understand that they cannot write individual stories about every missing dog.

I have received no reply at all from e-mails to the Suburban Journals. what gets me is that the suburban Journals invite the public to submit their news stories. Michele is a long-time St. Charles resident with an interesting story. she is a

"U.S. Air Force Veteran, a Law Enforcement K-9 Handler, serving her country with a dog at her side. Michele and her Narcotics Detection Dogs served at US & International Customs and provided Presidential Support with her Explosives Detection canine partner."

One would think that the newspaper would be interested in running a story about her at the very least.

Those of you in the St. Charles - St. Louis area - could you possibly call the newspaper and/or local TV news and/or radio to try to publicize this? Posters blow down (or people take them down), and the story needs to remain fresh in people minds.

I could pm the story if that would be useful. Otherwise, you can get it from Michele as I cc'd her with my efforts.

I have no idea how expensive it would be, but maybe she could buy a page in the newspaper to post the flyer. I know that a while back some one lost a dog here and they would post something every week, usually in the classified pet section.

Maybe she could find out how much it would be to buy a page and then we could make donations to help with the cost if it's something she can't afford...it breaks my heart for everyone involved....I couldn't imagine one of my babies disappearing and never knowing what happened....a friend of mine one time lost her dog...it was a mixed little breed very cute...she posted flyers all over the neighborhood.....one day she happened to be home at an odd time and saw an old woman walking HER dog...she ran out and the woman insisted and insisted that the dog was her dog.....luckily the dog was microchipped so eventually she did get her dog back....but there are people out there who would keep a dog that didn't belong to them!

I am sure the she has already spent a lot of money in the search, including using findtoto.com to make 2,000 calls on the two days following the disappearance.. She also has a classified ad in the Post-Dispatch. I have no idea of the cost of a large ad in the body of the paper.

How wonderful your friend recovered her dog from that woman who kept her. What was her excuse for not reporting her as found? Did she (your friend) have to go to the police to get her back, or did she talk the woman into doing the right thing?

It was more like coerced her into doing the right thing.....she did have to call the police and they "explained" how a microchip worked and got the dog back....she lied all the way to the end saying it was her dog........and I don't think anything happened to her for taking the dog...crazy! But at least it turned out well and the dog got home and had been taken care of.

Glad it worked out OK for your friend and her dog. I am afraid that this may be what has happened with Sassi as she is cute and friendly. sigh....