More Sightings Collected, More Sought

Today, more sightings, or possible sightings, were called in, and were also collected while Antonia and a couple others of us were out posting signs and talking to people. These sightings will be mapped later, so check the map tomorrow to see them plotted. (If anyone out there would like to participate in the search for Vixen, and is comfortable with Google Maps or willing to learn, please send a comment. Thanks in advance!)

One of the sightings -- in a townhouse community off Braddock Rd west of Van Dorn -- may well have been the male husky found at Seminary Towers this morning, and we think the sighting at BJ's may have been that dog, too. The sightings that we are pursing more extensively include sightings near Agudas Achim, a synogague on Valley Drive on Friday at the same time as the Parkfairfax sightings, a Saturday evening sighting on Quaker Lane on that scary stretch coming off 395N, and one that put her at Trinity Church on Cameron Mills. These sightings all make sense when considered together with each other and with the sightings reported on Friday evening.

These sightings are encouraging, and we are hoping for many more, especially if they start showing her slowing down and staying in a smaller area. We want to start putting together a plan that will lead to her capture.

If you live close to the Beverly Hills, Parkfairfax or Fairlington areas and can help with the search, please leave a comment on the blog and specify if you do not want it published for others to see. Lots of help is needed in this search!

Oh by the way -- we are in contact with the owner of one of Vixen's puppies from the litter she gave birth to after she arrived in this area. We are considering the possibility that the puppy could draw her out. We hope to get a chance to find out if that works.

Another Husky Running Around?

OK, now it looks like there is possibly another husky that has been on the roam in Alexandria, according to this Craigslist posting which was found by an AWOL Dogs volunteer. It is being checked out now, but comparing it to her pictures, the eyes look different from Vixen's eyes. So if this dog is Vixen, then obviously that's awesome. But if it's not, then sightings over the past few days may have complicated by this dog -- depending on what area of Alexandria this dog was found.

(double-click to see a larger version of this Craigslist ad)

So when reporting sightings, please do be very careful and very specific! It could be another dog!

Update - the dog posted to Craigslist this morning is not Vixen; it's a male and he is now at the shelter in Alexandria. He had an injury and it wasn't practical for the guy that found him to hold on to him while he continued to search for the owner. Here's that dog's picture on the Pet Harbor website:

Sightings Mapped

The sightings -- or possible sightings -- have been mapped (see the Links section at right). There are some questions about some of the sightings, and if we can get them cleared up, we will do and update the map and associated sighting information.

If you see a dog that you think may be Vixen, please contact Antonia as soon as possible. If you can let her know precisely where and what day/time you saw her, this will be a huge help in tracking her movements, and eventually figuring out a location to try to condition her to stay in -- with food, scents and other attractions that we hope will work to keep her more still than running around like she has been. Also, give Antonia the direction she was traveling, anything you noticed about her demeanor, and whether or not you still see her collar.

You can also comment your sightings right here, which will serve as an email directly to Antonia, who receives email on her cell phone.


View Vixen Map in a larger map

Keep checking the map to see where we find out that Vixen is travelling.

Vixen is Lost!

After a difficult life at the end of a chain and used only for breeding in her first 2 or 3 years of life, the humane society first rescued Vixen, an Alaskan Husky, from a breeder (also possibly a hoarder) in Canada last December. From there, she made her way to Northern Virginia as a Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation rescue dog. She was fostered at Woofs! Training Center for most of the time from when she was taken in by LDCRF, and when she was adopted by Antonia on Sunday, August 22nd.

As Vixen and Antonia returned home from a walk on Tuesday morning, August 24th, and were almost at the front door, Vixen made the surprising move of backing out of her halter, and bolting! Antonia didn't know that a dog could just do a kind of a stretch/bow thing, and slip out of her halter with ease! Remember that Vixen had zero socialization with humans during her formative years, so she experiences a host of fears pretty much every day of her life! Name it, and she's liable to be afraid of it. She's improved some during her time as a foster dog, but she has a long way to go, and Antonia wants her chance to help build Vixen's confidence and show her how good life can be.

If the numerous sightings that have been called in have truly been Vixen, she has been moving around quite a bit since Tuesday morning. Those sightings will be plotted on a map as soon as we can get this done, but we think that after started her run from Ft Williams Parkway, she first went west towards Jordan and Seminary, and was later was seen near the Lexus dealer at the Quaker Lane/King Street/Braddock Road intersection. By Friday (8/27) about 5:30pm, she was spotted near Crestwood and Quaker Lane; several people were trying to catch her as she crossed Quaker and ran into Fairlington. They lost sight of her as she ran towards another Fairlington entrance at Quaker and King.

We are now looking for more sightings, each of which we need to investigate -- so call Antonia at 571-243-9881, or if no answer call Laura, with Woofs! at 703-622-8001 as soon as possible if you see her! And please check back for more information, which wil be posted as it comes available.