Dining in...sort of...

As I walked the back yard to deliver his trail of treats to the kennel, I happen to look ahead to where the traps are sitting (his "old" area). Standing there poised and firmly planted...stood some sort of a creature looking at me. I froze. Without my glasses, the world at a distance is a little fuzzy. We both stood looking at each other unmoved. I tried to figure out what it was-could it be a fox-yet it looked gray and smaller, could it be a bobcat, was it a little dog? Within seconds twenty guesses went through my mind as we stood looking at each other. Big brave me, I softly but firm said "shoo" and waved my free hand-the "thing" didn't budge, and I thought to myself that was pretty dumb as that could have been perceived as a threat. So I courageously (believe that and I'll sell you some swamp land) took a step forward...it lunged forward and then quickly turned and ran up the mountain. Needless to say for a moment I thought I was had. And worst part about it-I think it was ANOTHER stray cat!

Teddy arrived and ate his treats. I did not put any food up in the trap area as I am focusing all attention in and around the kennel. I placed a very small helping right at the open door, and took a huge plate of "good stuff" and placed in midway inside the kennel. Teddy circled and paced and stopped and looked at that tempting plate of food inside. I thought he'd never go in, when finally...he did. With every bite he took from that plate, his head shot up and he looked all around. I can't imagine eating with such "nerves." He did pull the plate more towards the door (I guess safety in the openness), but he cleaned the plate while still inside. He lingered for a little while and then made his way back to the mountain. This is definitely a new experience for him in more ways than one-now he's eating more in the open and he has a new area/kennel to become accustomed to. I'm going to put a little food inside later today-not much just enough to hopefully get inside the kennel once again. So onward... with your prayers of course!

The first set of T-shirts have arrived-this quantity is limited so if you want to help out and order, please either email me or order through paypal. It will take approximately 2 weeks to restock after this initial order.

Thanks!

Survival stories, et al

(Kennel area-our house is pretty far away as you can see in the pic on the top. Bottom (facing mountain) kennel is under big tree, next to bush and shed to hopefully provide "hidden perceptions." There is space all around the outside of the kennel.)

My husband had an interesting conversation about our Teddy over the weekend. He spoke with a gentleman who was familiar with the "running dog" on Sharp Mountain as he himself had seen him on numerous occasions. He shared a story that will help us all to learn first hand how Teddy survives. As was related to me, this gentleman was hunting during deer season on the mountain (I believe he had hunting companions with him). ( Now this story is not for the squeamish-I admit I don't like to hear about anything being hurt, but then again I'm not trying to survive in the wild either). These hunters saw Teddy running down a deer, and were quoted as saying, "he wasn't too far behind either." A while later they came upon him again as he was dining. To see and observe Teddy, one wouldn't think this boy had that ability in him. I don't see any aggression whatever with regard to people or other animals as he runs when a dog barks or even when the turkey gobbles. But I guess in the wild, survival instincts take over, even for a domesticated animal-this boy is so smart, can you imagine the constructive things he could learn given the opportunity? So now we know one way that Teddy managed to survive the winter.

Interestingly I watched him this morning-this dog is soooooo smart. I placed a very small amount of food at his "old area" and trailed tidbits down to the kennel area. I placed another small amount of food on a plate approximately 5 ft, from the open kennel door, and I placed a heaping pile of smelly foods right inside the kennel door. As I watched him follow the trail of treats, he suddenly disappeared behind our shed. He reappeared on the opposite side (facing the house), and began investigating the kennel. He stood for the longest time looking inside (from the no door side) and proceeded to sniff and walk around the entire kennel excepting the door side. I wondered if he was checking to see if there was another way out if he entered. I don't want to humanize here, but that's what I thought as he investigated, and finally as he looked into the kennel through the fence again, said "there ain't no way out of this one either." (Of course I'm kidding here but...) He then trotted away. So once again, survival instincts? "I don't see a way out, so I'm not going in?" Only Teddy knows for sure.

I have lived with dogs and cats and an assortment of animals all my life. I also have been involved in Scottie and Westie Rescue for many many years. All of my dogs continue to attend training classes well into their senior years and we all try to be very active, so I do feel my dog experiences give me a fairly good understanding and knowledge base. However, my "dog education" has expanded so much since watching our boy. He has shown me an entirely different perspective of "dogdom," survival, and spirit. Just watching him -his reactions, his demeanor, and his intuitiveness have revealed to me "parts" of a dog that I may never have known, nor began to understand. He has taught me! Just to watch him and consider....what his days have been like and how he endures and obviously persevered before coming to the shelter a year ago. For surely, the issues he came with when brought to the shelter, were created and supported elsewhere in his young life at that time. Only God and Teddy knows what his true experiences were before that "shelter drop-off day," and now only God and Teddy knows what he experiences in a day. But hopefully (if Teddy is not TOO smart) we'll rescue him and help him learn to live in peace.

I can only hope that his "study" of the kennel this morning brought thoughts of safety and good food. I have to believe, I want to believe...and I hope. As do all of you!

Please continue to pray for his safety AND for his rescue-thank you!

Geez... I forgot to let you know that he did eat this morning. He pulled the plate of food that was inside the door to "safety" and dined on the lawn just outside of his kennel. So tomorrow...the plate goes in further.

Gearing up...

Well we got the kennel together yesterday, picked up a dog box from the shelter, sprinkled his "new" area with straw (just like his "old" area), and rigged the door in the open position. This is a little tricky as I discovered the door swings both ways, so I needed to devise a "stop" on the inside which wouldn't interfere too much with him going in and out.

This morning I placed most of his food at his usual spot, but trailed delectables down to the kennel. I also put a small plate outside the kennel, and a smaller plate with food right inside the open door. There is a fresh brand new blue bowl filled with water at the far end. I didn't put a tarp over the kennel yet as the openness I thought might be more inviting (less scary) for him. The kennel is under a tree and concealed a bit by a bush to give him some sense of "not being seen." Once he's in (yea!) we'll put a tarp over to ensure more shade if needed. God I hope this works! It's pretty far from the kennel to our balcony door so I hope the rope thing will work, if not I may end of sitting and waiting closer some mornings. Heck I'll be sitting and waiting any way!

Earlier this morning I took a picture from the balcony and was heading up to take a front view to show you all and darned if I didn't see movement around the kennel. I froze. To me it looked like he had gone inside (a little), but from that distance it was really hard to tell. I slowly backed up and retreated to the house. I emerged with a can of Vienna sausage, hoping once again to perhaps gain his attention. He saw me and trotted a distance away, but did stand and watch me throw the sausages. Now I'm waiting to see if he comes back to get them before the crows. I'll get a picture later today and post today or tomorrow for you all to see.

Keep Teddy close in thought and prayers...we're gearing up once again!

Returned....yea!

Well our boy arrived this morning and devoured his breakfast. I trailed some delectables from "his" area down to where I think we'll be setting up the kennel. We'll have to see once we get it up. It's pretty far from our house to the back yard and I think I'm going to have to play around with the rope-door scenario. I may end up at some point hiding some where closer, waiting for him to arrive, and pulling it closed. We'll see.

I did contact the person who has told us she has fed him in the past. At first she didn't know if he was there yesterday (cause he wasn't here), but then her husband said he was. I didn't quite get a response for if they HAD or HAD NOT fed him yesterday-somebody had to. No matter, I explained what we would be doing and asked her to not feed him AT ALL starting Monday, and she agreed. So hopefully all will be set up and ready to go. Keep your fingers crossed-I'm going to take it a little slow at first, once again trying to get him used to some thing new and different can be a challenge.

As always, and especially next week-please pray for his safety and for his rescue! Thanks!

No Teddy...but we found a Friend of Teddy

I can only assume once again that he is getting fed elsewhere-I need to call the other person who has fed him in the past (I didn't get a chance to do that yesterday). I can't (don't want to) think of any other reason for him not to return.

I met a wonderful new Friend of Teddy today. A gentleman by the name of Glenn who manages the Cressona Country Store, has agreed to let me "rent" at a very nominal fee, a large kennel-bless him! They will be delivering the kennel this afternoon and hopefully my husband and I can get it together over the weekend. Then I will start to attempt to lure our Teddy in here to eat-door locked open initially until he gets used to going in and out (wouldn't be great if he stayed on his own?). Then eventually I'll set it up so once he goes in I can ideally pull the door closed behind him. Please pray for this to work!!!!! And please pray for Glenn and the folks at the Cressona Country Store for their kind hearted help.

In case any of you other Friends of Teddy out there would like to share your thanks and appreciation to these folks their address is; Cressona Country Store, 22 North Second Street, Cressona, PA 17929, 570-385-2160. He almost brought me to tears when he said he'd try to help out, so if you all could let him know how much his help appreciated, it would be great! If you're in the area, please stop in and say thanks-it would mean so much! ( They have a great selection of all varieties of pet foods-we have always bought our foods there and of course will continue to do so!)

Keep your fingers crossed and your prayers coming!

Thankfully....here....

Well it was a relatively quick visit early this morning for some odd reason, but I suspect once again that he is getting food elsewhere as he quickly cleaned his plate (midway inside the trap) and even left a few trail tidbits behind. As I headed toward his area this morning the crows were swooping and squawking midway up the mountainside, which usually indicates that "some thing" caught something live to eat (they typically like to squawk at the foxes). So my only hope at all that commotion was this it was Teddy who found some thing and not Teddy as the "found" thing. He soon appeared and proved he was not the "found thing"-thank God!

When I saw him I quickly grabbed the steak from the fridge and headed up back hoping to sustain his attention like last Friday, but...he was gone at that point.

I don't know who else to contact to try and entice attempts to get the word out about him, mainly to stop other kind hearted people from feeding him-it seems no one feels Teddy's saga is newsworthy enough to share. Too bad though it is a GREAT opportunity for not only humane education, but also supports caring for animals in a responsible manner, helping those in dire need, and well....the list could go on and on. Only the cruelest of cruel would turn their back on something so helpless, and face it, most people always will read a "dog story (just look at the number of visits here-it's so wonderful to see so many checking in on our boy).

As we all know the only possible way of capturing him is if his food source is only coming from one place. We were close last time, so maybe this next time it will work. The shelter is going to bring me a dog house. My thought was to try and get him to stay around. Also, I'm looking to "borrow" a kennel, so if any one can help, please let me know. The kennel will act ideally as a place for Teddy to go on his own for safety (wouldn't that be nice), I'd start feeding him there with the door open, and eventually either he'll just stay (big dream here), or I'll rig the door so I can close it. We discussed doing this on a larger scale in our yard but the fear of him trying to jump the fence put a damper on that. We had talked about the "kennel situation" previously also, but wanted to try the trap and other means (like making friends), but it is getting to be a long time for our friend in the wilderness. No one really wants to resort to darting him or tranquilizing him, but that always remains a remote possibility at some point.

So I have to make another phone call to one person who has been known to feed him to see if they are hopefully not feeding him again, and that they will continue to work with us for the benefit of Teddy.

It was wonderful to see him this morning but disappointing that he left so quickly after all his lingering "moments" all last week.

We'll keep plugging away here. Thanks for your prayers and support for our boy!


Link added, scroll to "links" stage right and down
For the Love of Hanna (A Very Special Dog)

NOW I AM worried...

I just went up to check Teddy's food as I hadn't spied him at all this morning, which at this point is quite unusual. I had a vision in my head, one of Friday last, where he was actually lying in the open path, watching me toss a few tid bits in his direction. It was a very uplifting sight then and one I thought was bringing us closer, but then the routine needed to change for a few days. But of the utmost importance was that he DID return to eat ALL those days, up till now. His food dish is still full and untouched. I was saddened to see this as he is now like one of my own and I worry so much when I don't see him. Even though I've never even pet him, I'm still very attached-day after day of watching and hoping does that. I felt a lump swell in my throat as I bent down and found a 4"x4" clump of matted black hair. I'm sure it is Teddy's. Now it just looks like a matte that finally fell off, not like anything attacked him, but still to see the size of that matte I can only imagine what is left on his body and what discomfort he may have from being matted, flea infested, and tick infested. And then the worst overwhelming feeling over came me as I looked up his usual traveled path...what if he is lying up there some where all alone, hurt, sick, in pain, and of course fearful, but unable to do anything. It just rips my heart out to think that all that could be for him...after all he's been through. I (I'm sure we all) always hoped and prayed for a happy ending, a rescue, and we'll continue but...I didn't like that feeling. Hopefully it will go away and he will show us all once again how brave, and strong, and courageous he is by returning. I pray. I couldn't help but shed a tear though, at the possibilities...

Not to worry....

Sorry for my absence as I have been out of commission for several days, but hopefully am on the up swing. Not to worry...our Teddy was fed throughout this time and continues to return-so he is safe and fed for now. It is times like these that worry me and it makes it all the more imperative that he be caught soon. I hope to start back up with the trap and hope in the mean time some professional or big time news station comes in and offers our boy help too. My posts may be short for a bit, but hopefully life will once again return to normal.

To those who have sent me emails, I may not get to respond right away, but please know I appreciate your thoughts and concerns and will answer as soon as I can. As always I know Teddy is in your thoughts and prayers...please continue to pray for his safety and rescue.

Not exactly what I had in mind...

..for obvious reasons. As you can see he/she was not too happy with me nor I with him/her. We don't have many cats in the neighborhood any more so I'll have to ask around about this one. Maybe I'll have to set-up a cat trap for him/her. Any way I decided to let him/her go since I didn't know if it was owned by anyone. Naturally he spit at me and I had a momentary concern that he may come out and attack due to fear but...he ran as soon as pulled up the trap door.

And guess who was no less than 50 ft away, lounging, watching the entire scenario play out...you guessed it...Teddy. I had brought up some meaty treats too as I always am hopeful I will one day get him to watch me throw one to him and he will come to me...I know big hope. But he DID watch me as I tossed a few meaty treats in his usual path, and he didn't leave. Also, when I gave my special whistle he actually looked at me this time...hmmm. I even was brave and used my voice and he still didn't budge. So I decided to sit with more treats and wait, he was making his way around when the neighbor started yelling for their dog, and that was the end of that. He walked further up instead of down the mountain. I did give my whistle once more and he stopped and looked again, and I tossed some treats and left. Haven't noticed him back yet, but I will have to clean up the remains later.

Yesterday...

I was really under the weather yesterday so my monitoring was a bit slack. It was a very rainy day, but that didn't stop Teddy from hanging around (which is a good thing). Seems he's getting a little braver as this picture shows him lying behind the mulch pile, actually in the open back yard. It was pouring at the time too, but he just laid there (naturally making me feel more guilty as I know how hungry he is). When I went up late afternoon to clear the trap, I came upon him actually lying in front of the trap, tugging at my heart strings even more. I froze momentarily and he looked at me. I quickly opened the can of Vienna sausages that I had in my possession to hopefully offer him a treat. I stood with my hand outstretched with the smelly sausage, avoiding his eye contact, hoping he would come closer, but...he didn't... he moved from his position. He didn't run, but went further up on the hill and just watched me. I cleaned up the trap, locked it in the open position, and dropped a few tidbits for him. I also left a little food for him midway in the trap (I'm a little concerned about all this time with absolutely no food). Then since I could see him watching me I decided to move away from the area and sit on the edge of our garden with a sausage in hand. If I could only get him to see that I am tossing him actual food, I think we'd be making a step in the right direction. So I sat and waited, and then he came around the corner of the stone wall and grabbed two morsels I had left there. He looked right at me and when I went to gently, with as little motion as possible, toss a piece of sausage, he WALKED away. I sat for a little while longer , but due to not feeling well, gave up. He did return and clean up what was left, AND tripped the trap again. Could this guy be so smart as to know when the trap is locked in the open position? If so, imagine!

Please keep your positive thoughts and prayers focused on our Teddy, for his safety and rescue. Thank you!

He's just gotta' be hungry!

Well it is day 9 of major foods being only in the trap. Of course water is provided with a few tiny tidbits to entice outside the trap, but so far no go. It was a torrential downpour this a.m. so by the time I got his cooked feast up to the trap area I was soaked, but then again...I could go back in the house and dry off. Something tripped the trap (it is tied in the open position at night), and I believe it was him. One reason being when I cleaned up his area early last evening he came back and was checking it all out, sooooooo....if he can go in then why not when there is great food awaiting him? Darned if I know!

I do know he's going to have to go in soon, or the plan will have to change, as I don't know how much longer he can really go without a substantial amount of food. I worry that it is taking too long. I am at a loss for holding out some times as my emotions want to take over and just feed him, but we came this far maybe just a few more days...

So he arrived during the heavy rain, made his circles, and proceeded to lie in the clearing facing the house-it was pouring! One of my dogs barked downstairs and he eventually moved. I'm sure he'll be back, and let's hope he heads in for the food.

Your support for this guy is so appreciated!

Waaaaay TOO funny...

Well our obviously hungry boy arrived bright and early this morning. He did his usual circles, sits and stares, pawing at food, running down the yard toward the house and back up again. However after some time of this ritual, he did something different, he sat and barked at the trap filled with food. I was hopeful that this was a good sign and then the barking seemed to get louder. I looked out the balcony door and there was Teddy at the edge of his area in the clearing barking loudly wagging his tail and looking directly down at our house. And then...............................................................

he picked up a paper plate and started playfully tossing and chasing it. He bounced around that area as if to show off a bit-it was hilarious AND unbelievable. He continued his play for a little while. It was great to see that his spirit isn't totally broken and hope that maybe one day he will be able to play with others. It was a wonderful sight and I did capture it on video. Unfortunately I am technologically challenged and don't know how to upload that one-you'll just have to take my word for it. Teddy is still a puppy, a very hungry one, at heart. He's still IN there-thank God!

Please keep him your prayers as always!

UPDATE: (not what you were hopin' for I'm sure but...) He is lounging in the clearing, I assume hoping that I see him to bring some food or rescue the food in trap. However I know if I step one foot outside the door he'll be gone. But it is good to see him in the opening, he's getting braver. 8:06 a.m.

Friends of Teddy T-Shirts

This is the t-shirt designed for our Teddy. Please scroll down the side of this blog to see more details and/or to order. Thank you!

Just wanted to show you...

Just snapped this minutes ago. He's heading down toward our fence. Do you think he's trying to tell me something? I watched him for about 20 minutes and he goes and circles the trap, stares at it, sits and looks, and then comes across the yard down toward our house and then goes back up to the area. It's almost as if he's saying follow me, and either bring more food or get me this food....but just don't get too close!

(Once again blurry due to screen on door. Maybe next time if I'm quick enough, I can be hiding on the balcony and get a clearer one)

Hanging 'round...

It's now 3:30 PM, and it seemed that every time I looked out the back door this afternoon, he was standing there staring down at the house, just like in the picture below. My dogs saw him as well but I THINK (and that's a big "think") I have them where they hopefully will no longer bark at him, seems they too are getting used to him and me saying "shhh, you'll scare the dog!" Now if only the reverse could be true and he would get used to all of us.

I took up some more treats to add to his plates hoping the aroma might drive him in. I also dangled, by string, a nice smelly chunk of meat in the center of the trap, hoping for the best of course. In a few hours before it is dark, I will make my way up and clear away all food as always (don't want any other critters to make the trap a home), and start again tomorrow. The water/broth is almost gone. So maybe...just maybe...tomorrow will be the day.

Please continue to pray for his safety and a little Godly nudge to go in the trap. Thank you as always!

Rustling from behind...

As I trudged the back yard at 5:30 a.m. after cooking up a wonderful feast for our boy, I kept my eyes peeled, but no black and white flash in sight, at least my human sight. As I was setting the foods in place I heard a rustling behind me...now bear in mind we are at the base of a mountain which is filled with all kinds of creatures. Teddy's area is in a bushy area at the base. So with the noise behind me I knew I had to turn slowly and get ready to run, just in case it wasn't a squirrel. As the old heart started to pump a little faster I slowly turned around to see what might be in my vicinity. Alas it was Teddy. As I turned, he trotted up the mountain-bummer for him leaving but WHEW for it not being something else like a bear!

He did come back but still is not entering the trap...yet. We'll see as the morning goes on. I must get flyers out again to the neighbors and ask them not to feed him. I still (as do others) think he must be getting some food some where. There won't EVER be a possibility of trapping him, if he is getting food elsewhere-he's got to rely solely on food from here.

On an up note, he did drink all of the water I placed out that was seasoned lightly with a little turkey broth. So I put more out as well to encourage him to at least drink and hopefully stimulate that appetite.

Well I'm very disappointed in our local newspaper and our local news shows-Janine's letter to the editor STILL has not appeared, and neither of the news shows apparently are interested in the poor plight of a fearful and starving dog. Myself and a few others contacted WNEP and I recently contacted WBRE to no avail at this point. If anyone wants to contact them again, please feel free-perhaps if enough people share their concern about getting the word out about our boy, they may listen. One of my hopes with a news story would be first that everyone might learn from this tragic situation, second that people will hear of Teddy's story and keep an eye out for him and hopefully understand why we don't want him fed, and third maybe some expert somewhere will see the story and offer us some major assistance. Simple hopes to help with an unpleasant situation. I don't understand why it isn't important enough to want to help. Ok...rant over...thanks for listening.

I'll keep my eye out for our Teddy, and now every one concentrate and pray real hard for Teddy to have a feast and a wonderful life after! Thank you.

A Glimpse...

I just caught a glimpse of our boy standing at the edge of the clearing, suddenly a noise that I didn't notice spooked him and he bolted. I hope he comes back and EATS!

I know he wasn't back earlier as someone was mowing grass in the area close to his area so therefore, he would be a no show. I know it may sound a little fanatical but I was so angry at this person for doing this especially this early in the morning. He knows I have been working to try to trap this poor guy, rising early in the morn to cook for him and create enticing plates, I just thought it was so disrespectful of what for so many months I've been trying to do. He at least could have waited until later in the day when Teddy sightings are few or why didn't he do it yesterday afternoon or evening-it was a beautiful day and the grass was dry then, not moist from the morning dew like this morning. Ok I'm picking, I guess I'm wearing down.

Two tempting plates of delicious and aromatic foods await him, if we could only some how tell him it would be "All good, ever after." But he doesn't hang around long enough to even attempt a conversation so to speak. I WISH, and that is a big wish that he would begin to trust the one who feeds him, but I doubt that that will ever happen as he has been running and possibly chased for too long. I just don't know where to go from here. He has GOT to be very hungry!

As always keep his safety and rescue in your prayers-thanks! We'll keep going on!

Teddy shopping...

Just got back from the store with a bag full of smelly, juicy and hopefully "Teddy appealing" foods. I'm cooking some up now, preparing for tomorrow. Again I really had hoped upon my return home today that I would find him in the trap, but...............not yet.

He must've gotten a little excited while I was out as his water dish was empty and seemingly tossed to the side. (It was at a place where the wind couldn't tip or an animal wouldn't be able to knock it over.) I will refill it a little bit later today.

I just hope any frustration or overwhelming hunger will lead him into the trap. If only he knew what life awaits him.

Keep on prayin'!

Round and round and round he goes...

He was trying to be a bit creative this morning as I saw him try to come in from the side with his teeth and paw to attempt to pull one of the plates of food through the back. Of course he wasn't successful, and he just circled the trap several time. It really is very emotional to watch as I know just how hungry he is-it is hard not to run right up and say "here's a t-bone just for you buddy." Of course he'd run away first, then return when I left. Maybe that's not a bad idea...

This poor guy's fear is so great he won't even go for food, can you imagine? I can't, even the most wildest of creatures will go for food if hungry enough, and I KNOW he has GOT to be hungry! I'm so hoping today is the day and I know you all are too!

Let's gather together in thought, prayer, karma, whatever, and focus and concentrate on sending Teddy into a den of food, and provide him a future of warmth, companionship, good food, clean water, and lots of love!

"Teddy, go in, YOU CAN DO IT!"

So hungry..so afraid

He was here this a.m., obviously very very hungry as he trotted down toward the house, staring momentarily and then spooking when he heard a noise elsewhere. He lingered and circled the trap, and stared with keen intent. I saw him stick his head inside at one point but his head or tail must've bumped the trap door above as he jumped back and ran a bit before returning. This IS the problem, he just is fearful of the trap, a place that he knows there is no exit from. It's not like it is something novel in his environment as it has been there for quite some time. It's when he approaches and a body part touches the trap, he bolts. I even hopefully made it more enticing by adding three plates of a variety of good smelling foods. I graduated them back toward the back of the trap, first one just before the middle, second a little bit further, and the last at the back. I though at least if he could get most of his body inside, he might forget himself because everything is so delicious and continue on to the trip plate, but so far not yet.

We had to leave for a few hours this morning to take our young pup to Reading for a test. As we were driving away, I saw a white flash sort of rear up in the trap area-I slammed on the brakes and was like "whoa! what was that?" I backed up to get a better view and to see- what apparently had happened was that he bumped the trap door and it startled him. We had to leave, but he was on my mind for the entire trip.

I actually flew home hoping and praying that he was IN the trap and that he wasn't in there too long, and panicking. My anticipation was so great I couldn't go fast enough (of course you know I drove safely and just about within the speed limit). My husband wanted to go to the farmer's market and I said, "You go. I need to check on the dog situation. I'll take Maddie (our little pup) and tend all the dogs including my hopeful "catch" in the back yard." Unfortunately.....no Teddy in my trap. Oh I was sooooo disappointed. And now I am worrying. I'm so concerned about his lack of food. I know I'm suppose to hang tough, but I think soon I may have to go back to square one and lock the trap open and place his food gradually inside again. I so hope I don't have to do this again, as this takes so long and so many things can happen to him.

I did take some water up and mixed a little turkey broth in so perhaps he could get a little liquid sustenance without deterring his appetite. I know you all share my concern...please keep praying. God has got to help us help this beautiful boy.

I'll provide an update if anything changes.

Still Lurking...I know he wants to...

I just arrived home again and there he was pacing and sitting in his area, still trying to figure out how to get the food out without going in-bless his survival heart! I admit to vocally coaching from the house, begging at times, but so far no go. He walks around it, goes behind it, walks across the yard, lays on the hill looking but he still hasn't taken the plunge. Earlier this afternoon I took another plate of aromatic warmed delicacies up and place in midway in the trap. Now there are two plates sitting, just waiting to be eaten. I wanted to tempt him as much as possible that's why I decided to "sneak" another platefull up. So I'm still waiting and pleading from the house and still asking for God to guide him in. How about you? Will you ask? And...maybe if we all concentrate hard enough we can will him in too. Hey I'm desperate and open to trying anything!

I can't hardly STAND IT!!!

It's a little after 12 noon and I just arrived back home a few minutes ago, and who did I see circling the food? Teddy of course! Right now he his laying approximately 30 feet from the trap looking so forlorn, I can't hardly stand it. Every time I pick up the binoculars to look I find myself saying out loud, "God please let him go in, once and for all!" He's breaking my heart cause I know he is so very hungry, but I keep hearing the experts telling me to be strong and try to hold out. It is so hard to imagine what he's been through and we can only pray that his hunger will overcome his fear of the trap and he will go in to dine-keep praying all!

Trap Trumps Tummy again...

I noticed our boy circling his area, trying to figure out how to get to the plate which is filled with aromatic delicacies. I really felt so bad as I know he really wants to eat, but I am trying to stay strong (as per the dog experts) and keep thinking/hoping this will soon be over and he will give in. However, so far today that is not the case.

However it was quite funny after he had circled and paced and stared at the food and trap for a while, he did make his way down toward the house. I called my husband's attention to him and said "watch this." Teddy came all the way down to the fence and looked directly at the house-no dummy, he knows what door the food comes out of. He stood there briefly and then......................................................................................................................................................................
decided to mark his turf, a.k.a lift his leg, or perhaps in this instance, THIS is for YOU!!!! I never thought I'd enjoy a dog marking before but it did make me smile. After his "statement" he trotted back up to his area probably hoping to figure out how to get the food. He did circle around the area several times, left and came back, resting himself a few feet away from the trap on the mountain, and then I lost sight of him. Whether he is in the brush or left the area, at this point I cannot tell.

I have to admit it is very difficult for me to watch him want and not be able to get, as I know some of his year long plight. It breaks my heart not to give in and feed him, but I have been told this may be the only way of getting him in the trap-he has to be really hungry. I have to hold my emotions aside and go for the greater good (I hope).

I actually feared he wouldn't return if he didn't get food, but thankfully he did this morning.

And so now....we wait once again...and hope...and pray...it will be soon.

Guess who came back?

You guessed it and here he is staring right down at me while I'm standing at our balcony door (inside of course). He stood there for the longest time, probably willing me to get the food out of the trap. He actually came back in the late morning so the food is definitely on his mind, I hope. I think tomorrow I will even make his pile of food bigger and smellier and then maybe...

I hope he continues to return and doesn't lose heart or interest.

(I apologize for the blurriness of the photo. I actually shot it through the screen as I didn't want to spook him.) And sure enough when I ever so gently opened the screen door to come out, he left. If you look closely you can actually see his eyes staring straight ahead. Cool! Oh how I want to give him a special treat by hand one day, and maybe he'll even let me pet him.

Keep the prayers coming!!!!

Arrived, looking and wanting...

Well he eagerly scanned the yard this morning looking/hoping for a trail of treats as has been past practice, however I am determined to stay strong as suggested by the experts. I did put a few tiny tempting morsels leading to the trap as always, but the divinely aromatic feast awaits a very hungry dog inside the trap.

Upon his visit this morning, he paced and sat and looked and paced. He circled and sat, and sort of funny he looked down at the house as if to say "Hey you wanna' get this out for me?" (Naturally I'm humanizing here but I have to make fun where I can as I need to laugh because this entire situation just breaks my heart.) So I'm now waiting to see if he will be coming back as he did yesterday. Since he didn't return after his long yearning yesterday, I wonder if he had gotten more food some where else. If others continue to feed him we will NEVER entice him into the trap and he will be destined for...who knows what.

I can't say it enough, if any one is feeding him or knows of any one who is feeding him, please please let me know so we can work together-at this point it is the only chance he has of being rescued. No one wants to see this guy continue to live in fear and perhaps succumb to something awful.

Please help to get the word out! So far no show of Janine's letter to the editor in our local paper, darn! I believe it would so help to have that printed. Also any coverage we could get would help and be appreciated, but I guess a poor fearful solitary dog running for a year isn't news worthy enough. It certainly is in my book as this is a living breathing creature who is so afraid and on constant "high alert,"any one with an ounce of compassion would want to see his fears alleviated. Ok, enough of my rant...I'm going off on a tangent again...I'll stop.

As always your prayers and continued vigilance are so needed and appreciated! Bless you all, Friends of Teddy!

He's lingering a bit today...

I came up with another tempting aromatic treat to add to the pile (which I won't disclose just yet), that seems to have him hanging around a bit longer this a.m. He also has left and come back a few times as well. I hope he's not raiding someone's garbage-if so email me and I'll come and clean it up!

A kind "Teddy's friend" lady received one of my flyers and called yesterday. She has been feeding him. After we talked for a good amount of time, we decided that she would still put food out for him but only one or two tsp., that way he should be hungrier and perhaps easier to entice. Of course, we still don't know if he'll get in the trap, but we hope if he is hungry enough he will. We agreed on at least trying this for one week. He also was barking again this a.m.-I wonder if he barks at snakes? I know also, he was barking at the trap this morning-perhaps in frustration. It is so good to hear his "voice" though.

She also told me of someone else she heard might feed him once in a while-my husband is giving him a call this morning to explain what we are trying to do and hopefully get him on board with us as well.

Yes I still feel badly that this guy is really hungry, but I understand that this is the only chance we will have of getting him in the trap and rescued this way. He has to be a very hungry boy.

Please pray as always for his continued safety and rescue (SOON!) Thank you all for your support! You all are true friends of Teddy!

Repost of original story /post in April

I thought I would re-post the beginning just in case new followers didn't get a chance to go back to the beginning...

Saving Teddy 4/22/09

Can you imagine looking over your shoulder at every noise heard? As your belly burns from hunger do you think you could handle your fear long enough to consider when and where you might have your next meal? Could you survive living on the run through all kinds of weather, escaping the claws and attacks of wild animals, and possibly people perhaps hunters or others who choose to torment and tease you as you so desperately try to survive? One can only presume that this has been part of Teddy’s journey.Teddy (a beautiful black and white collie possibly border collie mix) was originally turned in the Hillside SPCA reportedly as a “stray.” Apparently Teddy’s young life filled him with fear and he was wary of most things, but he was fortunate enough to be adopted. With his unknown past overwhelming him with fear, he apparently bolted from his new home within a short time of his arrival. That was June 2008. Posters went out in the area; search parties looked for him, all to no avail. He was seen infrequently over the next few months but no one was ever able to get him to trust enough to be rescued. Weeks then months passed, and sightings became less frequent. Winter set in and all concerned were certain that Teddy succumbed to the winter.And then a miracle….in February 2009 he was seen again! I happen to live at the base of the mountain where Teddy was known to roam and wander. I had never seen him before but one morning as I looked through the dusk of the morn, there he was in my back yard. He caught a glimpse of me as I stood at my glass door inside the house, as he startled. He then bolted.My neighbors too had reported seeing him again and we all felt good that he survived the winter (the neighbors and their young girls saw him more frequently and even tried to capture him in a humane trap to no avail). Other neighbors down the road had also reported sightings and were anxious to capture him. However, as we all hoped we could rescue him and enable him to know a safe, secure, loving environment, he was so very afraid of any voice, noise, or change in his environment and escaped any sort of friendly efforts. Even the distant sound of a dog barking sent him racing into the woods.I noted the time of his visit and devised a plan; I would make sure I placed food in his path during this time every day. By providing him a routine and a good meal my hope was to encourage him to return daily and ideally make friends, but this was to be a long arduous journey. He spooked and bolted at every little noise. Time was going to have to be on our side and we would have to take it very very slow. I finally got him into a nice routine to which he would return each morning to a place I set up on the edge of the bush covered mountainside. Each day I add more twigs and sticks to “cover” his dining area, therefore changing it with each addition. My eventual hope is to slide the humane trap in this concealed area, and eventually, once he doesn’t seem to notice it, conceal it further and set it up. My next step at this point is to get him used to eating and walking on cardboard and straw as these will be the two substances I plan on using to “hide” the cage. We’ll see….

April 23, 2009 The sun had barely risen when in a flash I saw Teddy seemingly happily and playfully bouncing and trotting in my back yard this morning. I had not yet gotten his meal ready as it was so early for him and ME. He raced across the open yard stopping to look at the usual places for tid bits of food, but then…the terriers inside the house saw him too and began to bark. Teddy froze momentarily and then ran with great speed up the mountainside. I was so disappointed because the last time the dogs barked at him, he didn’t return for some time. I now have put cardboard sections on the lower parts of the upstairs doors so my precious terriers won’t bark if he returns. I wondered if he, by some odd chance, actually was staying with another human as his exuberance was almost like he was freed and came running to a familiar place. We can only assume that he still lives and roams on the mountain until we may discover otherwise. And until that time…our quest to save him will continue.

Concern: If and when Teddy is “captured” he will need a very loving, patient, and well supervised home for quite some time. I understand the shelter has a rescue organization that will take him, which is good because rescue folks are used to having to work out a lot of issues some times. (I too participate in rescue and have seen many a good turn arounds and unfortunately, tragedies throughout the years.) Our hope is Teddy’s young life can one day be a forgotten memory and he can live out his days in security and love.

He's Baaaaaack!!!!!!

I have to admit when I cleaned up his uneaten food last night and when I placed another plate of smelly delicacies this morning, I was not hopeful. He never stayed away this long and it was becoming obvious to me that he may not be returning. I decided I would continue to place food for at least another week.

As I trudged up the back yard, I did so with a heavy heart, filled with disbelief as I figured he wasn't coming back. Once back in the house, I even went so far as to take one of my dogs up stairs with me as I was sure Teddy wouldn't be seen.

As I went to pull the curtain back on the balcony door for my pup to look out....I saw a black and white flash. My heart actually fluttered as I had to look twice. He was definitely looking for food, but the only food I placed was in the trap (as advised by dog experts). Then suddenly I realized my dog would spy him at any moment and begin barking which would in turn encourage the others to bark which surely would send him running. So I quickly scooped up poor Rori (much to her surprise) and placed her in another room and quickly went downstairs to close the french doors so the others wouldn't come up. Whew! I grabbed the camera but he was too far out of range. He so wanted the delicacies in the trap, and he paced and looked and paced and looked-my heart was breaking and weakening for his hunger, but I kept hearing the words of the experts "stay strong." So I did, half heartedly...

Suddenly the gobblers began their chatter and Teddy froze-he must be afraid of them as well. He looked like he wanted to bolt but decided to pace around the trap once more. He doesn't persist for long, it is amazing he has survived, as a few more paces and I'm sure a lot of salivation-he left. There sits the trap filled with good food and he chose not to enter once again. There has got to be a better way-I just don't see him entering the trap, ever. This is exactly what happened on previous occasions-he just won't go in.

Again if we could discover his other food sources, perhaps we could curtail them to focus more here, but so far I haven't heard from any one as to sightings or feeding.

I know you all cheered this morning when I announced that he was back, and I thank you for all your support. We WILL get him, some how!

I'd like to thank the husband and wife (from Frackville-I didn't want to mention names without permission) who offered to help search in the future if needed, and the very kind lady from Kutztown who has been following our blog-this lady made all kinds of media contacts on behalf of our Teddy. These people really helped boost me up as I was feeling so down and disappointed, but somehow they both reached out to offer help to a creature they don't even know-bless them all! Thank-you friends of Teddy!

My spirit is renewed...so onward! Please pray for his continued safety, his continued return, and his soon to be experience of a warm bed, love, and good food.

An after thought...my concern with his fearing the trap is that if he doesn't get food when he arrives on several occassions, I am afraid he eventually won't return at all. It's kind of a double edge sword, and a puzzle I don't know how to solve.

Searching for Teddy...

We loaded up the backpacks and headed for the mountain...Sharp Mountain of course. While one might think it is a small mountain, when one attempts to hike from one end to the other it is a bit longer than originally thought, however it IS beautiful and great exercise, especially hiking to the top (just ask my husband, poor fellow ). Once on the top it is fairly flat and a nice walk, although walls of bugs attacked us every once in a while (and yes we did use deep woods off). While I knew if Teddy was around he wouldn't come to us, I really just wanted to make sure that he wasn't injured or worse. It is impossible for two people to scour the entire mountain but we figured by being at the top at least we had the opportunity to search both sides within our vision.

We did not see him unfortunately, or perhaps that is good. We did find a few muddy areas with single dog prints, looking relatively fresh, but that was about the only signs we saw, and it is possible it could have been another dog's prints.

We walked from one end of the mountain to the next and ended up hiking down on our side of the mountain (we originally went up on the other side), so we had to drive back over to pick up a vehicle. We were disheartened and Teddy weighed heavily on our minds as we both thought, "he's gone." The thoughts of how he might be "gone" are unbearable to consider.

We also distributed more posters, hoping that someone somewhere might call and give us an update-so far no luck.

Yesterday morning after I placed the steaming plate of smelly delicacies in the trap, I kept watch intermittently, and then I heard the trap snap. Excitedly I grabbed the binoculars to see what was caught. Well it didn't take long for me to see that I caught myself a bird. At least I know the trap works and that I set it correctly but this was not the outcome I was hoping for. I made my way up to the trap where the bird was frantically trying to escape. Of course it was a bold Blue Jay, however he wasn't feeling so bold at that point. I opened the trap and moved away, and he flew out and was gone-probably swearing at me under his breath.

So I didn't trap Teddy, we didn't see him after two and one half hours on the mountain, he didn't eat his wonderfully smelly food, and no one has called to say they saw him or fed him. I still wonder why he was barking those two mornings last week and hope he isn't suffering from some kind of illness mental or otherwise, although it wouldn't surprise me after living the life he's lived for the past year. This morning I placed another full plate of roasted chicken, vienna sausage, mac and cheese, and liverwurst, and once again...I wait.

Help with the "word"...

I am getting extremely frustrated at this point as I can't seem to get the "word" out about our boy. I've tried the local paper (to run a story), the local news station, even TLC all to no avail. Flyers don't seem to get much of a response either. (I'm hoping Janine's letter to the editor will appear REAL soon.) It just doesn't seem to reach anyone who has seen him or fed him, or they just don't respond. SOMEONE else has got to be feeding him, unless something bad has happened, as this is the longest he has gone without showing himself to me. I am worried.

He did not return to eat yesterday and I removed his food from the trap at approximately 5 p.m. I was determined to set the trap this morning, and I did. We purchased a nice roasted chicken from the food store (of course I removed it from the bone), heated up some macaroni and cheese, cut up some good smelling liverwurst and some vienna sausages. It smelled...well let's just say it smelled. My dogs were hopeful as their noses enjoyed smelling the aromas, but it was not to be their breakfast. Sorry!

I placed the steaming aromatic plate full of goodies inside the trap and set it...and now I wait...and I hope...and I pray.

Pray with me. Please spread the word!

He must've been here...

When I went to check his plate yesterday, late in the day, it was clean and it appeared to be a typical Teddy cleaning. He always pulls the plates to one side. Although I didn't see him, once again I can only assume it was him as never as any other creature taken that food during the day...yet.

It's funny how he still doesn't want to trust me yet the crows seem to recognize when it's feeding time, they're NOT shy. If I drop a few morsels on a trail, if Teddy doesn't get it first, they are out there cawing and swooping up the treats. Too bad he won't come running to me like that!
Don't I WISH!

Well I placed his food a little further in the open trap. If it is gone or I see him, I will be setting the trap with some yummy smelly delicacies (hopefully irresistible) tomorrow. I can only hope this will soon come to a happy ending.

Thank you for your support in any way! Prayers too please!

Something is strange...and a rant

I know it's still a little bit early here, but I'm once again feeling concern over my lack of seeing Teddy in the flesh/fur. He might have come by yesterday to clean his leftover plate, but I have no way of knowing that for sure. It may mean a search party for the weekend, if he is a no show today and tomorrow. I just don't get it-outside of something major happening or having another major food source, why he stopped returning so regularly.

A few minutes ago, I thought I heard his bark, but then...so did our youngest pup and as she barked, the outside barking ceased. It sounded like him too, at least I thought it did, or maybe I wanted it to be him. I don't know. I scanned the back yard and lower mountain with binoculars searching for a black and white flash, but saw none. Luckily I do not have neighbors behind my home or they might think I'm a peeping Thomasina because I'm always outside with the binoculars.

Each time he doesn't show (and I begin to worry) I really get a little angry at this entire situation. THIS should NEVER have happened! This beautiful creature had some fear issues before he was adopted-this was a well known fact. But yet I and others are the ones who are worrying, trying to feed him and trying to save him. Now, this poor fearful boy has been running for a year from God only knows what or who, struggling to survive, when all he and any other living breathing thing should have is a warm bed, clean water, love, and fresh food.

I won't apologize for my rant-it is unfair to him especially and torturous to those of us who are trying to get him in our grasp. He's had a long year where he has learned more fear and less trust, and THIS should NEVER have been. He is probably filled with ticks and who knows what he may have been bitten by along the way. The possibility of infestation with fleas and possibly heart worm exist, after all he's been in nature for a year without any protection. (Fortunately he had a rabies shot so at least he has that protection for a while) The list could go on and on, and the ending can only be one of four-he can succumb to illness or an attack of some sort (and die a horrible death alone), he can continue to live the life of fear but surely his life will be cut short, OR he can be rescued and rehabilitated for a loving home. The last one is what keeps me going-I can only hope and pray for this.

I've invested much emotion in this and it is so disheartening to think that this all could have been avoided first, and second I wish I'd seen him last year before fear and mistrust were so embedded in his psyche. However, I'd do again and again and again if there was a chance to help one of God's precious creatures-like so many others out there! You know who you are!

Keep him close in prayer, please!

Who knows...

Well I made a mistake yesterday...I forgot to clean up the uneaten food. That means it was left in his area over night which is something I don't like to do. Obviously since we live at the base of a mountain, I run the risk of feeding something that I don't want to feed if I leave it over night, but...I had a meeting and forgot. This has happened on two other occasions over the past months and both times to my surprise it wasn't eaten by morning. However this morning the plates were clean, and still inside the trap, so I really don't know if Teddy came by early or something else had a nice meal, but I don't want that to happened often. I enjoy the wildlife on the mountain and that's just where I want them all to stay...on the mountain. They can visit me once in awhile, but not for dinner.

Any way, I took up another full plate this morning and placed it inside the trap. I didn't see him this a.m. but I had errands to run so I wasn't watching. At 5:30 p.m. I visited his area and discovered the food dish still full. Disappointed I removed the food and planned on tomorrow. I hope he comes back, something is going on. Whether it be someone else feeding him or something /someone chasing him, or something keeps happening as this once consistent visitor has taken to taking a hiatus now and then. To my way of thinking if he is hungry, he would return as he as always done. Of course I still don't know what had him barking two mornings in a row either. I can only hope and pray that nothing bad has happened to him and he will return, so I can try once again to fill the trap with yummy stinky food and attempt to capture him.

As always your prayers and thoughts for his safety and rescue are appreciated and needed.

WAKE UP call...

Well this morning, 5:22 a.m. to be exact, I was awoken by an unfamiliar bark to the neighborhood, but one that I want to believe is our friend. Like yesterday it was a repetitive bark that went on for a few minutes and then ceased. This time it was not in our back yard but sounded like it was coming from down the road a piece. Again, I haven't a clue what could provoke this all of a sudden, but now it has occurred two days in a row.

Teddy didn't return to eat yesterday after his morning bark fest so his plate was removed before nightfall. This morning after being awoken by our friend, I made my usual trip to his area, and placed his food again, about 12" inside the open trap.

After checking at noon, the food inside the trap is still untouched. We did have a thunder storm last night, so who knows how frazzled he is today. Hopefully, tomorrow he will return and be hungry.

I'm hoping to have the new flyers ready to go in a few days. If any one wants a few, please email me. I'm also hoping the the newspaper will print Janine's "Teddy Letter to the Editor" this week-do you think I'm hoping too much? I've been known to "over hope." (I realize that that isn't good English but it sounds so perfect for the situation).

I think I'm getting slap happy with this entire situation. I need to find out who, if any one is feeding him, and then figure out a way to lure him and get him back on a consistent return once again.

Prayers for our friend are needed! Thank you!

A voice...

As I made my way up the back yard to Teddy's "dining" area, I heard the gobblers near by. They are a noisy bunch! And boy are they huge! Never mind you hunters you're not allowed to hunt that close to homes. Any how...I placed his food approx 12" inside the trap with high hopes once again. I retreated back to the house to complete some chores but continued to check periodically for my backyard black and white flash. Time passed and I grew concerned that once again he would not be returning and then I heard it...

A bark...a continuous bark...an unfamiliar bark, yet I knew immediately who it was. It surely was Teddy and he was right behind the line of thickened brush in our back yard. While I couldn't see him, I heard him loud and clear, he was close. When I showed dogs a friend had collies and they have a very distinctive bark...it WAS him, I know it! It was the type of bark signifying either a standoff with something or a startle then stand-off as it went on for quite a while. I wasn't sure if he came upon a snake, saw something else that brought up his dander, or perhaps even he came upon a turkey. I stood on the balcony with binoculars in one hand and a video cam in the other. I struggled to see, trying to scan the thickened brush, but it was for naught as the buds and blooms filled the area. I so wanted to go see what had his vocal attention as this had never happened before. I thought about creeping up, but my instinct held me back, as first I knew he would try to run if he saw or heard me, and second I was concerned that I would startle and distract him, and he would run without thinking and perhaps get in trouble with whatever had his attention. He barked like that for a few minutes and then stopped. I didn't hear him yelp so I was relieved about that, however, he did not come to dine. Whatever it was either filled his belly or scared him away.

It was soooo good to hear his voice though. I remember when my dog Hanna was so sick and she didn't bark for what seemed to be an eternity. And then one day her bark returned and I knew she was on the way to recovery, which she did. A bark is just so natural, and to hear one from a dog (sick or runaway) that has been silent, is music to one's ears. It truly is the little things in life we must appreciate.

Hopefully he will return tomorrow and we will continue our quest. Perhaps he dined on a fresh turkey this morning (although I didn't hear that kind of noise either). I hope that he is okay and I'll see him in the morning.

Your prayers for his safety and rescue are appreciated!

I wonder...

Well Teddy returned this a.m. Yesterday I had locked the larger trap in the open position and lined the bottom of it with straw. I also spread some straw around "his" area hoping he would not notice. I placed his food about 6-8 inches inside the trap this morning. I was anxious to see his reaction to the placement and the straw.

The straw didn't seem to bother him as it even appeared to me from a distance that he did enter the trap a bit. (It's is difficult to really see clearly at that distance but it looked like his "flash" entered a short way.) I was anxious to visit "his" site later in the morning to see where his plate might have ended up. While he did pull one plate out, the other plate (cover) was still in the trap so he almost had to enter to flip the lid off his food plate and drag it out. I'll take it as a good sign, even if I am kidding myself. I'm just going to allow myself to believe he entered the trap. I'm sticking to it and please don't try to convince me otherwise (I couldn't take it )

I wonder where he goes all day and night. A while back I had seen him lounging a few hundred feet from his feeding station, but that was many weeks ago. He doesn't seem to linger after eating. It almost makes me wonder if he has other "stops" to make. I can't imagine where he hides, sleeps, or what he does during a day. The only thing I DO KNOW is that he probably spends a lot of time running from other creatures, noises, and perhaps humans. His fear level and startle responses are extremely elevated, which why it is so important for people not to speak to him or chase him. We must get the word out!

I'm still trying to locate contact numbers of those who may be feeding him once in a while.

So tomorrow...I will place his food inside the trap a little more. Day by day...inch by inch...and then I will set it once again.

I'll keep you posted, and as always please pray for his safety and his rescue.