I hope her hiding place is out of the wind

It's so windy out. It's got to be frightening for our little girl. Hang tight and stay warm Gigi. We are thinking of you and praying for you. Thank goodness that the big snow is missing us here in DC this time.

Gigi seen in same area at 5:30 PM

Gigi was seen twice around this time. The first folks thought she might have a slight limp, but a little bit later the sighter saw no evidence of this. This is second time this difference has been reported. In both instances, walking on snow/ice vs. grass may explain the difference. Or it could be a slight limp that she walks off. Given the fact that she probably crossed Nebraska Avenue at rush hour yesterday, we are not too worried about this. We know she has fed.

Gigi being observed right now at 6:45 AM

She is checking out the trap, and laying down and occasionally walking near some trees against a fence.

E-mail from a Gigi fan

These current posts remain heart wrenching!! GiGi looks very good. Wow that lil' monkey Houdini! Her street savvy is saving her now; she knows how to negotiate a busy avenue. I thank the Gods for that.

Better news--Gigi seen at 9 &11 P last night in safer location

Gigi was seen at 9 and eleven PM last night where she was photographed yesterday morning. This is in an area that is safe from traffic!

Disturbing new sighting--can anyone confirm?

At 4:30 PM this afternoon, Jim received a call that reported seeing a dog that looked like Gigi behind the McDonald's on Wisconsin at Van Ness, walking down Van Ness towards Nebraska. The call was from a young girl. Jim immediately drove there and canvassed the area and could get no confirmation. Both Van Ness and Nebraska were choked with traffic, and this would be the first daytime sighting of Gigi. All others have been clustered from 10PM-1Am and from 5AM-8AM--none in the afternoon. I pray and hope this was a mistaken ID because the traffic is so bad in this area. On the other hand, it is not that far down the street where she has been reliably reported--just across a very Nebraska which she hasn't crossed before.

IF ANYONE WAS ON VAN NESS BETWEEN WISCONSIN AND NEBRASKA AROUND 4:30 THIS AFTERNOON--OR HAS FRIENDS OR KNOWS AU STUDENTS WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN IN THE AREA, PLEASE REPORT ANY SIGHTINGS!

Gigi photographed 7AM February 24

It is a blurry photo, but that's our girl. She's reported moving fine. You are probably wondering why we can't get her? Remember, she's smart and fast, and in survival mode. She avoids all humans. The great news is she's staying put in a relatively small area that is free of cars. We are advised by all the experts to be patient. It's driving us to distraction, but we are taking their advice. They have been through this many times. Jim tried sitting on the ground near here 15 minutes after this photo was taken. with my back to where she was this morning, I spoke happily to Gigi and sang badly (I can't carry a tune to save my life). It didn't work (I don't think the off-key warbling was the reason why), but I took some comfort in the fact that Gigi was there and heard every word. I left her some nice fried chicken--her favorite! She needs some nourishment with the snow storm predicted for tonight (luckily, not a deep one--fingers crossed).

So close, so close and yet so far

Gigi is closeby and what frustrates Jim and I is the fact that while we attempt to sleep, she is roaming around cold and alone. We know where she is living. We rest assured in the fact that AU Park neighbors and friends are respecting Gigi's need to roam , while we strategize with folks in the "dog rescue" business about the best method to reel her in. We are beginning to think this may take some time.

Another letter and more prayers

These letters do help. After a cold and rainy night, tossing sleeplessly thinking of Gigi alone out there, reading letters like this helps to lift our spirits and give encouragement.

Dear Nancy and Jim,

I live in Chesapeake, Virginia. You and Gigi have been in my thoughts and prayers for days.
Something similar happened to our "new," unsocialized sheltie who spent her first five years at a mill - she was not a NVSR dog. We were able to "bring her back home" because of the help of some wonderful people and the power of positive thoughts and prayer.
I was distributing flyers to individuals going to church on a cold February, Sunday morning. After church one of the ladies decided she would spend some time looking for our girl. She spotted her and was able to enlist the help of some work men (who also had been given flyers that morning). They followed her until we arrived - I was able to entice her with food while sitting on the ground.
The members of the church had posted our flyers on the front doors of that beautiful church - I will never forget that image. The woman from the church would not accept the reward, so we donated it to the church in her name. The pastor called me and he told me that he read our letter of appreciation to the congregation. The workmen also received the reward.
Our girl is now a very, very stable and happy member of our family. Obedience and agility classes really helped tremendously in the bonding process. She is a radically different dog today and nothing like that could ever happen again.
I know that Gigi will be home with you very shortly. Until then, please know that you are all in my prayers.

A letter from one of Gigi's readers

I want to tell you I am following Gigi's progress each day. I hold tight my sheltie's, Hidalgo and Bella and send my positive thoughts to her; wishing her safe return home.

I had an idea. I suggest Bella is a great deal like Gigi and if she were in Gigi's position, I'd record my voice and that of Hidalgo's and place near that Havaheart along with the scented clothing, her blanket. She would be apprehensive of the small confines of the trap too. (less it were crate size.) but i'm certain she will go in just to feel home.

Know I am praying many times over the course of our day.

Jan Edwards

Gigi just seen at 7AM Tuesday

We just received a call. Gigi was reported looking healthy and active. It's now been almost a week. We have feeding station and humane trap in the area. The good news is she seems to have stopped her wide wanderings and is staying in a relatively safe area. Now, we need her hunger to overcome her fear of being caught. Whatever your inclination--prayer, intentions, positive thinking, please send good thoughts her way.

Thanks to all the volunteers this weekend!

We had more than a dozen folks come and post flyers in Gigi's roaming area over the weekend. Drive the area from 46th east to River on the north, Wisconsin on the east, Nebraska on the south and Massachusetts on the west and you'll see LOST SHELTIE flyers. We couldn't have done it without each and everyone of you!

Gigi seen this morning

She was doing OK at 6:30 AM this morning. She was seen on private property. The owner is cooperating with our efforts, but asked us not to disclose the location. I'm sure everyone who cares will respect that. It is a safe place, and we have established a feeding station, which will encourage her to stay, and give the humane trap a chance to work. We don't want anyone near her, because it could cause her to run and hit the streets again, which would be a grave danger. Since it is an open area, no one will be able to catch her. It is a waiting game, and all the experts advise patience, which is hard to do, but essential to her safety.

So keep your eyes open for Gigi on the streets or sidewalks. If you see her on the street, call either number on the top right of the web page immediately.

Do's and Don'ts if you see Gigi

We have been advised everything a person might be tempted to do instinctively if you see Gigi is probably wrong! Gigi is now in survival mode and perceives everyone/everything as a threat. We are providing tips straight from our pet tracker on what to do if she is seen by you.

Here are the DON'TS if you see Gigi (they are counterintuitive to us):

1. Do not look directly in her eyes.

2. Do not approach her at all... not even a step.

3. DO NOT CHASE.

3. Do not convey alarm or concern in your voice.

Here's what to do:

1. Turn away and pretend to run away from her for 10 steps or so.

2. While running, use a positive and conversational tone of voice, and say her name, as if you were in the house playing.

3. Then, ideally, get on the ground (even though it is a mess outside) and squat, with your back to her, continuing to say things like "Sweet Gigi", "good girl" etc. in a happy tone. By doing this, you are in effect putting yourself in a submissive position to her.

4. Keep doing this. Gigi may appear to run away, but could well be hiding and observing you from a bush. Sam Connelly, the Pet Tracker, says you should keep this up. If you are walking another dog, crouch down and praise that dog.

5. If she does not come, which may be likely, please report your sighting--call 202-537-3660 or our cell--202-528-7724.

Many thanks for your help and consideration.

Gigi spotted 3 more times last night

We have proven sightings in her territory. We are working with Sam Connelly, of Pure Gold Pet Trackers, and narrowing in where Gigi is sleeping. This is real progress.

Robo call has yielded great results

This week we reached out to all 0f our neighbors in our zip code--2500 folks, through a robo call on Find Toto. You may have heard that Nancy (that's me) is missing a dog, Gigi, via phone. Jim and I want to say that we appreciate all of our neighbors in AU who are looking for Gigi, and we hope she will come home soon. I hope the call was not too much of a nuisance.

Guys, she is skitterish. The concern for me is that her bond is with her foster mom in Charlottesville is great. She is looking for her in Washington. Jim and I only had her 3 days. But you know what, even though her time here was short, Jim and I fell in love with her.

So if you can spot her, and you can cajole her into a safe, warm place, with 3 sides (she likes walls), that would be good. This advice is from her foster mom, whom I must say knows her like no other.

Two humane traps being set up

Based on sightings and the Gigi track that was defined when Salsa, the scent-dog, followed where Gigi is travelling, we are new setting up two humane traps. We have our fingers crossed. Though we are worried about how hungry she must be, we need her to get hungry enough that her desire for food overcomes her extreme fear of people. Gigi was caught by the humane animal officer in Charlottesville five months ago. We believe she had been abandoned. We don't know what her first year and a half was like, but it was probably not good. It is ironic that so many people are trying to help this sweet baby, but that she is so fearful of the humans that are so willing to do so much to save her.

The Hunn's reach out to each and every person today who came out to post the flyers on her behalf. Thank you so much.

Posting on telephone poles, posting online--every post helps

Teams of volunteers for Gigi covered the eastern half of her territory. Tomorrow, the western! We need the eyes on the ground of the folks who live there. All of our confirmed sightings have been from local residents who saw flyers or read about Gigi online. So if you can't post flyers on poles, please write about Gigi online, including local list serves, your Facebook pages, etc.

Six teams working. Need four more!

Thanks to everyone who is out posting flyers. Our goal is to cover half of Gigi's territory today. We need four more teams if we are going to get it done. Today. Or tomorrow.

Gigi's foster mom arrives from Charlottesville to help--can you?

Gigi's foster mom, Nancy Tisdale, Scottie--one of her three Shelties--and Nancy's friend Kay are arriving in a few minutes to help with our search and posting of Gigi Flyers. We're ready to hand out flyers to those who want to post them at 10 AM.

Confirmed sighting at 10:10 PM 2/19 at Van Ness and 44th

A nice man called us--he saw Gigi who was once again at 44th and Van Ness. He said she looked fit and running fast. She narrowly missed getting hit as she ran across Van Ness before running into a fenced area. This is the second specific spot we know she's returned to. The other is 44th and Harrison, many blocks north.

How to docs for volunteers

Here are critical documents you can download.

Please read the tip sheet first!

We will have flyers in plastic sleeves, push pins, duct tape, and maps ready by 10AM tomorrow, Saturday, February 19 for pick up at our home in AU Park (it is Metro accessible) (directions in Tips doc). You can print and post the flyer yourself within the track Gigi has been making. But please follow tips if you do (i.e., flyers need to plastic sleeves or will quickly dissolve).

Broadly speaking, Gigi is moving in the area between Mass Ave on the west, Nebraska on the south, Wisconsin on the east and Western on the north, plus a push into Spring Valley just south of the Crate & Barrel. In terms of neighborhoods, it is AU Park, Tenleytown, Friendship Heights and Spring Valley.

Posting widely outside this area is not advised by the experts. A few blocks outside the perimeter is good, since her route may expand gradually, if she doesn't find what she is seeking--shelter, food, and water.

If you do post on your own, please let us know via commenting on this post

Here is downloadable map of Gigi's route.

Here are tips for volunteers--critical you read.

Here is a Gigi poster you can download.

Area where Gigi can be found

Sam from Pure Gold Pet Trackers and I established this area where Gigi is moving at night. As a herder, she travels in circuits. Now we need help posting flyers in this area.

E-mail me at jhunn@kaboom.org to volunteer. Time is of the essence!

YOU CAN CLICK ON MAP TO SEE IT LARGER

Sending good thoughts to Gigi on Sat 2/20 Noon

From Gigi's Ttouch practitioner in Charlottesville:

The power of Intention is that a group of people holding the same thought carries more power than a single person holding that thought. This is often thought of as a prayer. Even if you are not nearby DC to volunteer to look for Gigi directly, this is something else we can all do to help.Please join me in holding the prayer/intention; May Gigi be completely safe. May she be easily and gently found, caught and safely reunited with her people. Please hold these thoughts through out the day and night whenever you think of it. Then, on Saturday, February 20, at 12 noon EST, please hold this prayer or silent meditation for 10 minutes together. We will increase the power of this prayer if we join together at the same time. Please use your social media outlets to post this prayer & info. The power of this prayer will increase with each person who joins in. May Gigi be completely safe. May she be easily and safely found, caught and reunited with her people.

Dog tracker and Gigi, so we now know her route--now we need volunteers to post Gigi posters this weekend

I just got back from a 4 plus mile trek, as Sam and her scent dog Salsa (a golden) tracked Gigi's route from the sighting at 1:30 AM this morning. She has established a circuit that is primarily in AU Park, but she crossed Massachusetts in to Spring Valley and back, up Mass Ave to the circle, down Nebraska Avenue to Wisconsin, then back into Tenleytown, across River to 44th and Harrison where she was seen Tuesday night, up to Western, west on western to River (again) and across River yet again. We gave up the track one block from our home (what a heartbreaker). I'll try to get up a map soon, which will define where we need to put up Gigi posters. My wife and I DESPERATELY NEED VOLUNTEERS. If you are available this weekend, please e-mail me a jhunn@kaboom.org. I will print posters, but you can also e-mail me the e-file. I'll post more tomorrow. I'm exhausted now.

PS. Gigi is sticking to sidewalks on busy streets, and in the street where it is less busy. I guess she has some street savvy. Of course, the walls of snow on either side of the sidewalks act like a luge track, directing her use of sidewalks.

PSS. I nearly had a heart attack at some of the places she went last night (Tenley Circle). The greatest risk to her right now is being hit by a car, not cold and starvation, though those are also factors. AS ALWAYS, please re-tweet this blog and let your friends know on Facebook. She'll be save (if she makes it) by someone who knows who she is. We can reach far more with social media than any other way. Please, please help.

Pettracker's dog has Gigi's scent

The pettracker's dog that we are using now has caught Gigi's scent. Let's all pray for a miracle!

From Gigi's therapist in Charlottesville

Gigi was just getting used to people food, but she did like the carob Sammy Snacks I left with you. I think what's likely to make her really salivate is something with more aroma, like the chicken, catfood or a cheap cheeseburger.

How Gigi Was Caught the First Time

From Gigi's foster mom in Charlottesville:

I spoke with officer Larry Crickenberger this morning, the Albemarle county dog warden that caught Gigi in September. He remembers her well, and even remembers telling me that if she got away she'd be hard to catch. He eventually caught her with a Hav-A-Heart (humane) trap and cat food. He says she's got to get to the point that her hunger overrides her fear.

RESCUE INFO FROM GIGI'S FOSTER MOM

It would be wonderful if someone had a fenced yard where she could be trapped. If you ever get to that point, still approach her with caution. She'd never bite, but she's constantly going to be searching for a way out, even if that means upward. She can really jump and I'm sure she could climb a fence.

I'm hoping that the trust in humans that I tried to instill in her will eventually override the incredible fear she must feel.

New sighting at Van Ness and 44th in AU Park

This is as directly reported:

I saw Gigi at 4400 Van Ness St tonight (this morning at 1:30)! She was running down Van Ness St toward Mass Ave. I pulled over, but before I was out of the car she slipped under the chain link fence to the yard of 4400 Van Ness. I considered climbing over, but it's a huge back yard and I couldn't see her anywhere and I'm not sure that its fully fenced and she was actually confined.

In the moment that I saw her -- she looked fine.
I'll stop at that yard and slip a can of cat food under the fence to establish a feeding station tomorrow morning.

Nancy, you should see if you can make contact with the people who live at 4400 Van Ness to see if they will cooperate -- let us put out a feeding station, call if they see her, NOT CHASE her, POSSIBLY let us place a trap there if there are additional sightings or Sam from PureGold finds evidence that she is hanging out there, etc.

There were several Gigi flyers on my stairs when I got home tonight (great work!) so I'll drop one at their front door as well.

This is a quiet neighborhood -- not a lot of traffic. And it may be an enclosed back yard with limited points where she can enter and exit, so this could be very good news.

On a side note, I have NEVER driven home this way. I was on my way home and testing out an alternative route to work for tomorrow to avoid snow constricted Nebraska Ave. It is also incredibly rare that I'm driving home at this hour. It is nothing short of a miracle that I happened upon her. My fingers are crossed that this is just the first inexplicable miracle in the Gigi search!

Potential sighting 2/17

Gigi was spotted at the Armenian Church tonight at Jamestown and Flint across Western in Bethesda. This was at 10 pm; she was headed in the direction of Mass Ave.

Thanks to our new volunteers

We and Gigi appreciated everyone who has emailed for the Lost Gigi poster and have agreed to post it near Friendship Heights and Chevy Chase. We are praying for a new sighting. You can call 202.528.7724 or post a message to this site and we can send out additional electronic posters.

Gigi may move at night

Northern Virginia Sheltie Rescue says that Gigi may move at night. Please be alert if that is the case. If you see her, please call 202.537.3660 up until 10 pm.

Gigi spotted last night at 44th and Garrison

Gigi was spotted last night at 44th and garrison (2/16) at 8 pm headed toward Chevy Chase Pavilion down from Rodmans. Sandy McKnight kindly tried to corral her and she came back several times, but to no avail. If you see her please let me know.

Best,

Nancy

Pls help with the search for Gigi

Folks,

My husband and I have tried our best to canvass with flyers for Gigi. Can you please help hand out flyers? If so please call Jim, my husband, at 202.528.7724.

Best,

Nancy

Thanks to all of our neighbors in AU Park

Thanks to all of our neighbors in AU Park who are helping to search for her. Though we have no sightings, we are praying that Gigi will be seen by someone in the neighborhood. Though I do not know many of you and am acquainted with others through our passion for dogs, please believe it when I say, I am trying touched by the kindness that you have shown in the search for Gigi.

Regards,

Nancy

Gigi got out last night

My beautiful Sheltie (AKA miniature collie) newly placed in my home by the No. Va. Sheltie Rescue got loose last night. I had her for three days in which she made my husband and me very happy. We are devastated by her loss. Her name is Gigi, she is shy, hard to catch, needs medicines and is microchipped. She can be lured with chicken, by crouching down and praising another dog. PLEASE DO NOT CHASE HER. She is skitterish and fearful. She got out of my gated kitchen last night at 7 pm when I went to collect the mail in American University Park. She was last spotted racing down 45st NW towards Friendship Heights and River Road. As I am recovering from a serious illness, my husband and I need help tracking her. We have put posters around AU PARK and Tenleytown. We have pinged the community list servs, Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Tenley, Glover Park, Cleveland Park and have put posters in public places around Tenley. We need help placing flyers. If you can help, please call my husband Jim at 202.528.7724. Thank you in advance for your help and your interest.

Regards,

Nancy Hunn

nhunn72@comcast.net

202.537.3660 (H)

202.512.6279 (W)

202.528.7724 (Jim's phone)