Monday, August 18, 2008

The Search Continues

We still are looking for Bear. We have found a few clues. Brodi, our other dog, came home Thursday evening with rice in his dog hair. That ment he had been running around in a field behind our house. There were a bunch of men back there cutting rice. I had ridden my horse back there and called for Bear but nothing. So, today, I got Mr. Cowboy to drive me back there while the men were cutting so I could walk around the fields to see if we could find Bear. I have never been this close to a rice field. It looks just like an overgrown field of grass. We walked down the side road looking in the ditch and in the rice field. While walking down the road a large tractor approached us. Big Cowpoke was worried it was going to run over us. But the nice driver saw us and drove in the field instead of on the road. It didn't take long before the boss man on the job got in his truck and came and met us. He asked us what we were doing. I guessed we looked innocent enough with our three kids and our dog. The boss man told us that the only thing they have seen was a very large coyote. They have not seen a yellow lab anywhere. Which I think is strange being that Brodi had freshly cut rice all over him from Thursday and again from yesterday. I know Brodi has been back there. But the nice farmers said they hadn't seen Bear, so I just have to believe them. Mr. Cowboy told me today that he thinks Bear is gone. He says there are so many snakes that hide in the rice fields. He thinks that maybe Bear and Brodi were playing and a snake got Bear. Then if Bear had to sleep there at night the coyotes would have found him and he wouldn't have a chance. Despite Mr. Cowboy's stories, I insisted we walk a bit farther. I looked in the ditch next to the field just with a small bit of hope. Hoping to find just a small trace of my Bear dog. But we didn't see anything. The kids seem to be alright with Bear being gone. I think Brodi dog and I are the most pathetic. Bear was just too good with my babies. He was always so careful not to knock them over. He would just lay on the floor and let the kids crawl all over him. I sure do hope that someone picked him up. Maybe they won't ever see my Lost Dog posters, but hopefully they will take good care of him. I just think it's strange that a big dog like Bear could just vanish. Nobody seems to have seen him. We have asked all our neighbors. It could be one of three things. Bear could have been picked up. Bear could have been bitten by a snake. Or, Bear could have been shot or hit by some random hunter/person on a four wheeler. I am hoping for the first one. Mr. Cowboy gives Bear two weeks and then he wants to look for a new dog. Brodi has issues with being left alone. So, he needs a friend. I hate having to train a new dog. I pray that Bear comes back.

12 comments:

gwen said...

Andrea, I am SO sorry. I'm sure just the not knowing is the worst. I'll pray for a miracle for Bear. I remember him at that crawfish boil we came to out there and he was just so sweet.

kdwhorses said...

Andrea, I'm so sorry you all are going through this. I get attached as well, you are not alone! THey are such great companions to have, especially when they are great for with our kiddos! Hoping and praying he is alright. ((HUGS))

Nuzzling Muzzles said...

I feel for your family and Brodi. In our area, farmers and construction workers let their dogs run loose, but we can't do that anymore because too many people from big cities are moving into the area, and they are convinced that any dog off leash is a runaway or abandoned. So, they pick them up and either keep them or turn them in to the pound. Dogs are not allowed to run off leash in most cities, and these people don't realize that it is a whole different lifestyle out in the country.

Beth said...

We are HOME! :-) Go look!

I'm so SORRY about Bear. That is heartbreaking that you are missing him.

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

That's awful! I'm so sorry Bear didn't come home. There is still a chance that he will turn up though, so keeping my fingers crossed for you and your family!!

Trailboss said...

Oh my, I hate that. Dogs are part of the family and I know how much that must hurt. I noticed Pioneer Woman lost her border collie a while back. I have never had one just come up missing before but I imagine it is a lonely feeling.

The Wades said...

:( still sad for you. i think i'll go hug hank a little tighter today in honor of bear. good luck!

Cactus Jack Splash said...

I am sorry he hasn't made it home yet.
My little guy's dog got lost once, it took us a month to recover him. Poor dog was confused and scared, afraid to let anyone too close. We were lucky, I hope you are too.

Pony Girl said...

Andrea, I am so sorry Bear has gone missing! I know it must feel awful to wonder what happened and if he is okay. He sounded like such a great family dog. Don't give up hope! I will send out positive thoughts and prayers your way!!

Pony Girl said...

Andrea, I am so sorry Bear has gone missing! I know it must feel awful to wonder what happened and if he is okay. He sounded like such a great family dog. Don't give up hope! I will send out positive thoughts and prayers your way!!

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Oh how I wish dogs could talk. Then maybe Brodi could shed some light on poor missing Bear.

I hope he's ok no matter what, but I also hope you find him and bring him home. So sad for you :(

Cheryl Ann said...

I just found your blog! Any updates on Bear? Oh, gosh! How sad! Our puppy got through our fence and our neighbors brought her back. I ran around and plugged up all the holes in the fence where she could squeeze through and she hasn't got out since! She is a black lab.