Lost: Black & White Collie Cross Male In South West (PL21)

Sightings and Information

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2015-03-03 22:19 CG

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428825550721461/permalink/1551007108503304/

2012-02-25 08:57 lillyb

He really is a beautiful boy. I hope you have some good news soon. X

2011-01-12 11:40 Millys Mum

Good to hear that Bish has been given a slot in the CMW. I have never forgotten about him (as with Blaze, BC also missing from Devon) and hope and pray that someone, somewhere will recognise this lovely boy. Everything crossed for you...x

2011-01-12 09:32 B30

Advertised in The Countryman's Weekly magazine. I hope it brings some news.

2010-09-04 14:29 DogLostAngus

It is over 3 years since Bishop went missing - I have contacted owners to see how they are and to ask about a feature for long term missing dogs that I am writing

2010-05-29 16:36 Millie's Mum

Still thinking of you Bish. Just pray that one day you will be reunited with your owners. You have not been forgotten.

2009-02-27 08:34 Unknown

Always looking for you Bishop. if i see a dog that looks similar. i take a pic and look at your poster to compare! hope Harry is ok chris.

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2009-01-08 16:18 Molly 'n' Buster Mum

Any news on poor old Bishop at all? Still thinking about you mate...hope all is well, wherever you are.x

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2008-11-20 17:23 Millie's Mum

Still thinking of you Bish. Sending positive vibes that you will be found sooner rather than later.

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2008-10-24 23:17 Bess 'n' Barney's Mum

Thank you!   Let's hope this is a good omen.....Bishop, we would so love you see you back home where you belong, you gorgeous boy xx

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2008-07-14 18:33 Millie's Mum

Still checking on you Bish. Just come back from a week in Slapton Sands. Did look for you when out and about in the area. Let's hope you will be found soon. Love to your family, including your new playmate.

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2008-07-03 00:00 Bess 'n' Barney's Mum

Is there any chance of Bishop’s other photo being reinstated in the first image space, as well as the second one?   It’s such a beautiful picture of him standing sideways on the beach and would look good back on site - it’s the photo on his poster if we can’t have the real thing then I guess that would be next best... :-)   be safe dear Bishop, such a lovely boy xx

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2008-06-14 00:00 DogLostAngus

Chris & Gilly - just to say still here, still looking for Bish, hope you are well and Harry is settled in nicley now. Sandie xx

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2007-12-09 11:51 Patsy

Dear Gilly and Christo: first of all, just to say how very sorry I am to hear about poor Ted. I know this was expected, but it is always so sad to loose a much-loved dog. But you know you gave him a wonderful life and saw him to the end. Your house must feel very empty . Now I know you are both throwing all your energy into finding Bishop. Daily Mail is a brilliant idea. Or Mail on Sunday. I would suggest speaking to Jayne and Keelah about this straight way (TODAY!). I think Daily Mail has been supportive before and Jayne probably knows best journalist to contact. Jayne: if you are looking on Bishop's page, please call Gilly and Christo! PX

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2007-12-08 22:38 christo

We're happy with any publicity including Daily Mail if you think they might run the story. What do we/you do? Contact details or info?

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2007-12-08 22:34 christo

Just to say thanks for all your wonderful messages, ideas and encouragement and for following Bish's story each day. He's a bit of legend in Devon but only thanks to all your help. Couldn't get to Allerleigh today with unceasing rain, flooded roads etc. and thought if he was there anyway he would be lying very low. That's all. GillyX

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2007-12-08 14:38 Unknown

yes millys mum, i do think that is what has happened to the Bishop. i have yet again sent another e-mail to paul o'grady show. trying to tug his heart strings. thinking they might get fed up and look into this. also mentioned Gunner and Murphy as well. more people who e-mail the show they might take notice!

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2007-12-08 11:26 Millys Mum

Just look at the number of viewings on Bishop's page - 11,210! I have been following Bishop's story from the word go. I don't always post but check up on the latest news EVERY day. I have been wondering for a while now whether it might be possible that a holidaymaker came across Bishop, took a shine to him and took him home with them. And, thinking along those lines, I was also wondering whether it might be worth contacting a 'middle of the road' national newspaper like the Daily Mail (they often carry both lovely and sad animal-related stories) to see if they would run a story about Bishop. The story of the search for him would be of interest to many readers and also inspirational to other dogowners. And a mention of the sad news about dear Ted passing away recently would tug at the ol' heart strings. The story just couldn't fail to attract the paper's dog-owning/loving readers (especially with Christmas coming up - goodwill to all men, dogs etc.). Does anyone have any good contacts at the Daily Mail? Hope you don't mind me suggesting this but just thought it best not to leave any stone (or should I say pebble!) unturned. Like so many others on this site, I just long to see him back home with Chris and Gilly, and now more than ever.

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2007-12-06 20:53 Gunner's family

So, so sad to hear about Ted, bless you both and you are amazing and good things WILL come your way because you deserve it!! xx

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2007-12-06 20:19 christo

Do we have any DL helpers in the Dartmouth area who might be able to help over Allerleigh way? We're spread quite thin on the ground around the South Hams but just wondered if there was a DL angel (unlikely I know!) around there who is unaware of Bish? Could Greylady or HQ have a check for us if they have a mo? Many thanks as always - Gilly.

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2007-12-06 18:10 christo

It's clearly not possible - even for Bish - to be in Allerleigh and in Ermington almost simultaneously. No more news from Ermington. Sightings in Allerleigh are sporadic but clearly there is wandering collie around the area which seems to match his description and interestingly from our research and the quality of the previous sighting by local farmer it wasn't a local dog. But - it's a long way away from home and the sightings have been very ocasional over the four months he has been gone. We have walked and searched, scented and put down food, and did some more house-to-house with Dillondog the day of the organised search around the River Avon. Not a pip squeak for ages until this one. Not sure where to go next? Gilly.

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2007-12-06 14:23 DJP

Walked with my dogs in Ermington Woods today lunchtime. No sign of life - human or canine. Despite the density of trees, not much shelter from rain in there. Bishop's poster still up on the fence by the car park.

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2007-12-06 12:40 christo

Someone left a message to say they had seen collie in road near the Wormery at about 7.30 last night which is near Allerleigh/Forces Tavern. I phone the wormery and they haven't seen him and didn't know of a stray collie around there. Too busy at work today but will get over there tomorrow and ask around. Have dug out old pics of Ted & Bish and put them on Facebook where there are now 2 sites Bishop and also Find Bishop. Chris.

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2007-12-06 08:24 Unknown

at the beginning of october i went up a38 to cornwood. then ivybridge and up through all those places where there has been a supposed sighting. up to westlake and langbrook ermington and flete. we postered everywhere then at the scrapyard. as well and where they were laying pipes. i even spoke and gave poster to lady walking her 2 collies. so if it is him someone has taken all my posters down as was well covered. just to let you know as if it is him (pray god) he must have recently come to the area ok.

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2007-12-06 01:57 Islander

I've emailed C and G about poor Ted, but here want to suggest that the latest supposed sighting should not be ignored. It's not normal for a straying farm collie to try and climb up a steep Devon hedgebank from the road - he knows where the gateways are. A collie doing that would surely either have been frightened by something or be on unfamiliar ground. I think the suggestion of leafleting houses is a good one - coupled with postering, of course, and as soon as poss. I can't help, I'm afraid, as I'm going away for a few days at the crack of dawn. The area seems a very possible one - easily close enough for Bishop to have reached, but maybe just far enough away for him to have got himself lost.

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2007-12-05 17:17 Millys Mum

I was so very sorry to hear the sad news about Ted. I know how you must be feeling because we lost our own very special boy just a few weeks ago. I just really, really hope that it won't be long until everyone's tenacity and hard work pays off and that Bishop comes home soon so that he can pay his own doggy respects to his companion. Rest in peace Ted - sweet dreams, lovely boy ...x

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2007-12-05 17:17 DogLostXenas Mum - Area Volunteer, Norfolk

I am so very sorry to hear about Ted my heart goes out to you both. Come on Bishop your Mummy and Daddy need you more than ever now -go and woof at Sir Simon and Lady Day!

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2007-12-05 15:19 trailhoundmum:

I'm so sorry to hear about Ted. With both your boys gone the house must seem so empty. I hope that the latest possible sighting of Bish turns out to be him. The Days that you spoke to from Keaton House, are Sir Simon and Lady Day. I only know this as the company that i work for have done some building works in their house. Thinking of you both Sue

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2007-12-05 14:51 christo

There are now a couple of videos and a few photographs on Bishop's page on Facebook and on the 'Find Bishop' Group on Facebook.

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2007-12-05 14:17 DJP

Chris and Gilly, So sorry to hear the sad news about Ted. I only met him the once but he was a lovely dog. Take care and thinking of you both.

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2007-12-05 10:21 Not known

Im so sorry to hear about Ted, run free at the bridge.

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2007-12-05 09:35 christo

Just to say it's Simon Day - not May. The housekeeper called her Lady but don't know if she is really a lady or a Mrs! Feel a bit weedy today for calling around. Perhaps best to wait for further sightings anyway as this is completely new area, and as we used to work about a mile away Chris feels if he was in that area, he would get himself back to his old place of work.

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2007-12-05 08:41 DogLostAngus

Chris & Gilly, as you have spoken to Lady May in the big house do you think it would be worth asking if she would possibly lay some food daily as she is very close to the last sighting? - then maybe if the food is being taken it could establish a base for him rather than the roaming pattern that you have got a the moment. Thinking of you today again, xx

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2007-12-05 08:22 Unknown

god bless you Ted.

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2007-12-04 22:48 Yasa

Oh dear ! Chris and Gilly, I am so sad reading your post. So very very sorry you have lost dear Ted. We will all miss hearing about him, but he is young again now and running free at Rainbow bridge. You are both amazing people. Bless you Ted x

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2007-12-04 22:43 christo

The sighting was at Keaton Bridge or near there, on the road between Ermington and Ivybridge of black and white collie trying to climb off the road into a hedge. Drove around and spoke to a couple of people in nearby houses including David and Lady May who live in the very large house by the bridge on the left, going towards Ivybridge. Chris thinks unlikely but Lady May suggested we do a house to house with the little posters. Spoke also to pipe laying party who had seen nothing and to herdsman at Penquit Farm who also didn't know of local dog answering Bish's description. What do you all think? Thanks everyone for thinking of us on this sad, sad day. GillyX

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2007-12-04 19:27 DogLostAngus

Chris & Gilly, in tears as I read your last post, Rest in Peace dear Ted and bask in the sunshine of your garden for evermore. Lets all get on to facebook and myspace and join Bishops page and try to get more people involved in getting him home. My thoughts are with you guys tonight and always .....

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2007-12-04 18:20 Millie's Mum

I am oh so sorry to hear the sad news regarding Ted. Run free at Rainbow bridge. If there's any justice in this world, Bishop will be home soon. My deepest condolences to you all. Rest In Peace Ted. xxx

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2007-12-04 17:31 BonBon

Oh, how I feel for you. So sad but at least you had one last walk together. RIP Ted. Thinking of you and willing Bishop home. Suggest everyone look at Bishop's facebook page. Fab photo of him. Can't get on to myspace.

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2007-12-04 16:09 christo

We took Ted for his last walk this morning and burried him in our garden this afternoonrest in peace, dear friend. A message on my mobile about a sighting in Ermington at 1pm, waiting for the caller to get back to us.

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2007-12-03 15:46 christo

Facebook address for Bishop is http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=814158674 he is also starting a Facebook group...

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2007-12-03 14:28 christo

Thanks to my gorgeous neice Penny Bishop is now on Facebook where he has a group - please visit and become his friend. Facebook is amazing.

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2007-12-02 22:43 christo

Thanks to Suzy we have made a start on using the web: Bishop is now on Myspace, see www.myspace.com/comebackbishop - he needs friends to log on to his site and to help spread the word. There are a few pictures and a jpeg of his poster which we hope people may download and display. We will add more content soon and try to make his space as compelling as we can. If you - or your children or friends - are on Myspace please make Bishop a friend. He is not 56 nor is he pisces - that's me - but he needs all the friends he can get. We will try other sites as soon as we have time.

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2007-12-01 18:16 christo

Fist sighting today for over two weeks. Chap on his way to Oyster Shack (on River Avon just above the tidal road) saw a black and white dog on the narrow lane down to the Oyster Shack eating a buzzard at the side of the road. Dashed down - found buzzard but no Bishop. Toured all around, as usual, but no sign. Spoke to chap in farm close by who said it could have been his dog which was in fact a blue merle collie - not black and white but had quite a black and white head. Man who reported wasn't able to give much of a description as he was driving and more intereste in buzzard and then saw the posters down at the Oyster Shack. But... once again here we are on the Avon Estuary. Gillyx

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2007-11-29 19:53 Millie's Mum

Christo, You are doing a brilliant job in your search for Bishop. It may be a long shot, but a poster of Bishop and Gunner are now in a plastic folder at my local vets surgery on a table for clients to peruse, (TA8 Somerset). People do travel and hopefully anything that we can do to bring these boys home has to be worh a try. Bishop and Gunner's mini posters will also be sent in with my Xmas cards this year, from Penzance to Buxton in Derbyshire. I do hope that Ted is still doing OK, and that Bish will be home soon to join him. Love to you all. x

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2007-11-28 23:17 christo

Thanks Islander, and Cornwall

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2007-11-28 20:23 Islander

Today walked all around Andrew's Wood - the long circuit, not the short one. Met a woman walking her smallish collie, quite different to Bishop, who lives roughly between the wood and Torrdown plantation. She knew about Bishop, and promised to keep her eyes peeled. Yesterday walked from Topsham bridge to Loddiswell station and back again.

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2007-11-28 09:52 Nicolap

Came up from Cornwall on Saturday with my husband,and looked around Thurlestone/Thurlestone sands,Outer hope,Kingsbridge,Aveton Gifford and around to bigbury.Unfortunately no sign saw a couple of collies down at the beach with owners at Thurlestone but where nothing like Bish,was going to come up when you had your big search but could'nt get out of work(sorry).But will try to get up again when life will allow,but hope he will be back by then.Come on Bishop come home.X

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2007-11-27 14:14 christo

Thanks Debbie, Mell and Rambo's stories are inspiring but it worries me that dogs get so scared and ellusive. We had a friend from Wembury to dinner last night and his collie X went AWOL just before he left home. 11pm when he was about to leave the phone rang. Someone in Wembury had spotted his dog and assumed it was Bishop and rang our number. This is the only sighting for months from west of the river Erme which possibly adds more credability to the Avon valley sightings. Islander had deliberately re-postered west of the Erme to test Gilly's theory that posters will generate a number of 'sightings' and the only one to date is a dog we know well!

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2007-11-26 09:30 DJP

Chris and Gilly, I have been looking on the Dog Lost Reunited sections. If you look at these two, it will hopefully lift your spirits. Dog ID=11414 Dog ID=9640 One suggestion was that dogs seem to like to hang around cemetaries. Have you already thought about this and checked with local churches in areas where Bishop has been sighted? Will keep my thinking cap on for as long as it takes! Best wishes, Debbie

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2007-11-25 17:45 Patsy

Christo and Gilly: Jayne just phoned me about one of our local reunited dogs. We were talking about media coverage in general and I suggested that she gets in touch with you regarding helping with poss. local TV coverage for Bishop. Do call her anyway to discuss. Px

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2007-11-23 23:39 christo

Thanks as always for all your brilliant ideas and to Islander for battling through dense undergrowth. Islay might well have flushed Bish out if he was hiding there - such energy was just what was needed. No sightings today. Thought of aeroplanes and gliders but there are no glider clubs herabouts and think a low flying plane would probably only scare him into cover of woods, trees or a hedge. However, will e-mail poster to Plymouth as I think they have private planes there. Ted now much enjoying a diet of Cesar which for some reason tickle the taste buds that other foods (including human) don't reach! We'll probably search around Avon estuary again tomorrow and on Sun. GillyX

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2007-11-23 21:51 DogLostXenas Mum - Area Volunteer, Norfolk

Have you thought about having badges printed with MISSING, Bishops photo and your telephone number? Could also send them out with Christmas / Birthday cards etc. Hopefully the children would be prepared to wear them as well as the dog walkers, tel number always on hand !!! .... come on Bishop hometime xxx

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2007-11-23 21:44 Islander

Went for a walk in Torrdown Plantation today. Tried to walk straight through the middle lengthways, but couldn?t really as too dense with rhododendron, bramble and holly. Much easier for Islay and she galloped around in wide sweeps all the time. No sign of Bishop, I?m afraid.

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2007-11-21 21:50 DogLostAngus

Chris, I'll plant a tree when he comes home to balance your sooty pawprint. !!

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2007-11-21 20:55 christo

A call from Blackawton today, I knew it wasn't him: 'pricky up ears and green collar' but felt compelled to go over with dear Ted in tow. Yet another sweet collie, as the lady said, looking out for his owner but this dog's owner will no doubt have come home from work this evening. We can't not respond to people who phone, even when the description is suspect. Worried about the size of my growing carbon pawprint with all this driving though!

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2007-11-20 20:52 Greylady

Angus that is a wonderful idea! I will definately be sending these out with my Christmas cards. Brilliant!

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2007-11-20 20:42 Gunner's family

Just want to say a big thankyou to Chris and Gilly who have done a fantastic poster for Gunner and we are hopefully going to get some coverage together. Lets hope and (although I am not religious particularly) pray that we get these two home soon. It has been far too long...

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2007-11-20 10:12 Unknown

that is a relly good idea angus. will do that, anything to get the Bishop home again.

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2007-11-19 21:58 DogLostAngus

HAVE YOU DONE YOUR CHRISTMAS CARDS YET? if like me the answer is no then please go to www.logoswift.co.uk (username Bishop password Bishop) go to the files link and download the brand new 4 to a page posters of Bishop and Gunner and put them inside your christmas cards and send them out early - ask the recipient to in turn put the poster into his or her cards and 'pass it on', also if you are like me and sell any gear on ebay or the like please stick a poster of Bishop and Gunner in the package - the more the merrier, local postie may even some in with the post for a small folded donation !!

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2007-11-19 15:59 DJP

Following on from Xenas Mum's idea, does anybody know someone with a light aircraft / helicopter willing to fly over the areas where Bishop has been sighted with a heat seeking camera that the police use ? Perhaps if the police need any training sessions with heat seeking cameras, they might like to consider that area? You can only ask !

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2007-11-19 15:54 DogLostAngus

linkto the list o dogwardens from luton website
http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/environment/environmental%20health/dog%20warden%20services/dog_warden_schemes/DogWarden.html

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2007-11-19 12:38 UNKNOWN

Not a silly idea at all, though probably more of a summer sport. The people who would be good to contact now would be the birdwatching groups as they are likely to be out around the estuaries spotting the winter migrants.

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2007-11-18 21:13 DogLostXenas Mum - Area Volunteer, Norfolk

This is probably a really silly idea but do you have a hang gliding or gliding club in the area? They would be able to see over a much larger area ?

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2007-11-18 12:12 Millys Mum

Always checking Bishop's page and hoping to see him transferred to the Blue area. Was pleased to hear that your dear Ted was feeling better and keen to join in the search for his companion. Hoping and praying very hard that Bishop will pluck up the courage and come out of hiding very soon.

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2007-11-17 23:41 christo

Plantation doesn't have anyone looking after it. Reputed to belong to some people out of the area but no one seems to know who, its just old trees, scrub, rhodedendrums, lots of brambles and then little clearings. Private property signs on the trees along the road, one muddy track which seems to be used by horse riders but which peters out. Otherwise just an old wild wood. It's not the sort of wood used by walkers with paths and trails through it. Thanks again to all the woderful doglost helpers.

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2007-11-17 21:00 UNKNOWN

Has this plantation got foresters or wardens or anyone who works there? I've usually found the Forestry Commission people very helpful and friendly when I have asked them to look out for missing dogs.

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2007-11-17 20:44 DogLostXenas Mum - Area Volunteer, Norfolk

Oh I so hope that this time it is him... I have been e-mailing his poster to friends and family around the country today. Have you thought about contacting the dog friendly hotels around the country?

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2007-11-17 19:14 christo

Lone collie reported yesterday at Hanger Down and another report that he has been seen in Torrdown Plantation which has been said by a few people now. Searched and left some food there and will go back tomorrow.

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2007-11-17 13:59 christo

Thanks again EVERYONE for all your help. Just to say Woodside did ring us on Thursday about a collie brought in - but wrong sex. But at least they are still aware. Just got back from searching around Aveton Gifford estuary - but no sign. Teddy and Chris joined us later, Ted seemed better and keen to join in with Great Bishop Hunt! Thanks as always AGAIN! GillyX

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2007-11-16 15:37 Unknown

will send posters to birmingham, bristol ,milford haven, and can you chris e-mail to all the dog trust kennels as you should know by now i can't do that. will give you all the e-mail addresses plus any relevant rescues ok? i know you are busy and know you have nevermissed following up any sighting however remote for your lad. and admire you both for that.

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2007-11-16 10:34 Millie's Mum

I know it must be hard for you Bishop's Mum and Dad, but Posters printed, and will be put up in Somerset, TA8. Bishop can not have just disappeared into thin air. Riding on the success of Buddy's return, let's turn up the heat on all of our South West dogs that are still missing. It's been a long time, but hang on in there Bish, we are looking for you. Can all Dog lost helpers who visit this page, please email a copy of Bishop's poster, to all of their friends and family where ever they live in the UK. As we all know, missing dogs are not always found in the area in which they were lost. Thank you.

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2007-11-15 11:26 Patsy

With all the current media interest in the story of Buddy, lurcher re-united in the West of England, maybe you could get a mention for Bishop and Gunner in one of the articles, if not too late. Just a suggestion.

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2007-11-14 23:18 christo

I was starting to draw a line after this weekend's multiple search. I thought I had when I was walking with Ted on Monday morning. Then a call at work midday Monday and I'm out and - long story cut short - I've come across Flight in Loddiswell. Does he account for all the 'sightings' clustered there? Yesterday: very down to earth, collie-knowledgable local farmer very accurate description which sounded just like Bish: black collar, floppy ears etc. etc. and no excitement from Ted on several visits there (32 mile round trip from our home Dillondog). I keep thinking 33% dead, 33% stolen and 33% feral in the Avon Valley or westward from there. A friend said 'as long as you poster you will get 'sightings'' and as a result of saturation postering, along with local press Ads, Bishop is now quote: 'a local legend' and so I think we should ease back on the intense local publicity and, instead, think about the possibility that he has been abducted out of this region. I must admit I find it odd that we have only just got to heard about ready established sources of contact info for DWs. This must surely be an on-going resource for anyone searching for a lost dog. P.S. Not moaning! Chris

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2007-11-14 22:21 christo

Went over to Allaleigh again this evening and peered under Combine Harvester with torch but food not taken, and no evidence of Bishop camp underneath. Shortish grass with oily leak and perhaps not that comfy for dog on the run. Miles of woodland nearby which we have walked and searched as best we can when you think of vast territory and the fact that the missing boy might be yards away or half a mile away. Hey ho. GillyX

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2007-11-14 20:02 Unknown

i have mentioned luton before on this site. that is where i got the dw's for the southwest etc.

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2007-11-14 17:34 Patsy

dilondog, have sent you pm. Px

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2007-11-14 17:04 dillondog

Patsy, that info re dog wardens is a huge help, but I have to ask, why hasn't this been mentioned before? This link is something that everyone needs to know about, it would save anyone searching for their dog, or helping someone else, so much time.

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2007-11-14 13:01 Patsy

Have been following Bishop's story from afar. I do hope this sighting is him. That would be wonderful. Gilly and Christo regarding your earlier post about spreading the search nation-wide, can I suggest you look at www.dogpages.co.uk website which list dogs homes and rescue centres all over the country. Also if you look on www.luton.gov.uk, and follow the prompts to the dial a dogwarden page, you will find a list of all dogwardens nationwide (only phone numbers,not email addresses). Maybe you already have this info? Could you not employ someone to do the boring, but essential, secretarial job of contacting all these places? If there is a sighting far away, local DL helpers in that area can go and check it out. Local DL area Co-ordinators are in touch with local dogwardens and gipsy liason officers, often on a daily basis, as well as with DL helpers. We could all do the initial follow-up sighting checks in our respective areas, and then contact you if we think it may be Bishop. This is how the wonderful network of DogLost can work - no need for you two to charge around the country. Good luck and lots of love. Px,

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2007-11-14 11:20 christo

No sign of Bishop this morning. Food under Combine not taken but Suzy is going over later to check again. PLEASE! He was seen there at around 1pm yesterday so perhaps he might return at the same time and find a lunchtime treat awaiting! Anyone else around Allaleigh - please keep a good look out! Cheers Gilly.

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2007-11-13 22:53 christo

Gilly here. Not sure where we would set the trap! Left food under the combine and will be back there tomorrow morning to check. You know what this countryside is like - lanes, green lanes, woods, fields, hills and valleys. Even with the stinkiest food in the world it would be easy for him not to smell it if he's moved on even half a mile. Chris will follow up on Suzie's e-mail list but 'going national' is quite daunting - when you think we have had 125 sightings in 90 days, mostly in and around the Avon Valley even though none confirmed and plenty discounted. But even if we positively discount one as a "wrong dog" identified then the boggle is are all those in that particular area wrong? Teddy also not too bright this evening so would be reluctant to travel far from home just at the mo. Anyway - sleep tight all - early start for Christo, Gilly and dear Teddy.

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2007-11-13 21:04 DJP

Chris and Gilly, Is it worth trying to set up a large trap in the area where the sightings have been recently? Then if you catch the dog, you can confirm or eliminate the sightings. I agree with Suzy that it is possible that Bishop may have been picked up by someone. Is there any chance of doing another article in the paper - perhaps nationwide? If you visit Milly's page she was returned the following afternoon after their article came out. Dog ID=11361.

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2007-11-13 19:40 christo

Suzi, it's got to be worth a try, if you compile the list I will email the poster. We had a possible sighting today at Allaleigh which is the fourth unexplained sighting there since 31st October. A farmer returning home for lunch to Blackdown farm saw dog run out from beneath a combine parked in the field where he was hedge cutting. Dog ran out through gate and up the road towards the Forces Tavern (deja vu). Very accurate description including black collar and black floppy ears but... said he looked very healthy and shiny. He was emphatic that he had never seen this dog before and he farms all around that area and knows most of the people around there. Went over with Ted but no sign so left some fish under the combine. Will go there tomorrow before work. (I don't feel quite so guilty now about dragging Dillondog over there with us on Sunday morning after she had driven all the way up from Penzance).

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2007-11-13 13:10 Unknown

christo and gilly, do you think after all this time. with no actual sightings by helpers or yourselves that Bishop might have been picked up and taken out of the county by people who live miles away? dont you think we should be contacting dog wardens and centres all over the country, just in case. i know it is awful to say this but want to cover every avenue open to us. obviously will go on looking down here but i can also get a full list of the dw's and rescue centres and if you could e mail posters(as i dont know how)no stone unturned then. please dont think badly of me for saying this.

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2007-11-12 11:50 Unknown

shame nothing too positive came of yesterdays efforts. must be very frustrating for you all. such hard work put into getting Bishop home where he belongs. as you say chris everyone seems to be aware of Bishop. even in plymouth they ask me if he has been found yet! when i can drive later(still in a bit of pain, and lacking confidence for those little lanes) will just drive around and look everywhere .might go up moors way tomorrow, as near cornwood. you never know. will take some posters to put up also. if it was by will alone he would have been home ages ago. do not hesitate to get me to do somethimg ok.

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2007-11-11 21:24 christo

Lots of different areas around Avon Valley covered with searching and postering. It seems that (with the exception of one jogger) absolutely everyone we spoke to is aware of Bishop and were keeping their eyes open with lots of genuine concern that he hadn't been found yet. Handed out lots of micro leaflets and put them through letterboxes. No sign of any wandering collies. Dillon Dog, plus Chris and Gilly revisited Allaleigh area/Forces Tavern. Only vaguely helpful info was from a farmer who said the dog at the Forces Tavern (which confusingly seems to be closed and deserted) had been in season and that a nearby collie (black and white) was constantly roaming around the area in search of true love. Anyway - thank you Dillondog and Islander for your help and unfailing support, various pals who gave up their Sundays and also to Debbie who was busy checking out Gables and Woodside and Suzie who had car problems and couldn't make it. No doors closed and the search WILL go on! Thanks again EVERYONE. Chris and GillyXXX

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2007-11-11 10:55 DogLostXenas Mum - Area Volunteer, Norfolk

Good Luck today everyone - come on Bishop give yourself up Ted needs your company now. xx

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2007-11-10 22:56 pontsian

Will be thinking of you tomorrow and wishing you loads of luck. Sadly I am too far away to help but my thoughts will be with you all x

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2007-11-10 14:56 christo

Good idea. We thought we would meet at the carpark at Aveton Gifford just off the tidal road (turn right at the roundabout before the bridge) at 1pm. Then split up to cover different areas.

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2007-11-10 11:43 Islander

Suggest that you ask people to bring with them tomorrow, if poss, a sqeaky toy (to attract B's attention so that he might think it's a mouse), smelly food (like sardines) and a slip lead (in case he's lost his collar).

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2007-11-10 11:32 Yasa

Yes good luck everyone this weekend. Will be thinking of you all x

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2007-11-09 22:07 Gunner's family

Good luck for Sunday , Will be thinking of you with everything crossed!

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2007-11-09 19:24 Millie's Mum

Sorry that I can't help in your search, live too far away, but I always check on Bishops page, along with Gunner's, in the hope that they will be in the blue zone. Good luck in your search this weekend, I pray that Bishop and Gunner are both reunited soon.

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2007-11-09 18:56 christo

I was told of another sighting today from Tuesday evening of him on road by the Thatches near Harraton X off A379 which is about 2 miles away from Monday evening's sighting. which was closer to Aveton Gifford. Farmer at Bablands confirmed it was not his collie. Talk (hearsay) of recent sightings at Torrdown Plantation. I will look into all this tomorrow before Sunday's search.

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2007-11-09 12:08 Islander

Just to confirm that I can do Sunday and await further instructions - though not by text please! Suggest you bring lots of posters for locals to put up, including about 40 A4s on thick paper for me please.

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2007-11-08 19:47 christo

We have had problems posting on the site in the last few days. Thank you Saj and Clarabel, we don't post all the sightings we get which we subsequently find are a wrong dog but everyone, but everyone who calls us now are doing their very best and we rush out in response to every call. The concern and genuine sympathy we get is really touching. So many people are really eager to find him it seems. It gives us real encouragement and lifts us when we are feeling low. There is a buzz when rushing out to a new 'sighting' which, even when it proves wrong (Wednesday was the most recent) still lifts our spirits.

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2007-11-08 19:31 christo

We are making plans for a coordinated search of the lower Avon Valley and, depending on how many people we can muster, we will try and cover South Milton/Thurlestone, Bantham Challaborough/Bigbury and up to Aveton Gifford and beyond to Loddiswell and Ham Farm on both banks of the river. The lack of mobile phone reception in much of this area is a problem. The more people we can get the better. It is low tide at noon so the river bed will be walkable with wellies. We missed the Totnes Times deadline again but we would prefer for now to concentrate on where the concentration of unresolved sightings have been which is consistently in the Avon Valley. If we are going to find Bish it will be so good to get him back soon while Ted is still with us.

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2007-11-08 19:18 saj

I agree with clarabel. I have family in Noss Mayo and Dartmouth and both are well aware of Bishop due to your great coverage with posters/ newspaper ads etc. Although they can't be directly involved with his search they are certainly on the lookout for him (they often walk at mothercombe and many of the areas he has been spotted). I so hope you are lucky soon and he comes home.

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2007-11-08 19:00 clarabelww

I have nothing helpful to add I'm afraid, but just wanted to say that we were staying in South Milton for Oct half term and were very impressed by the amount of posters we saw. It really made us aware of looking out for Bishop. If the posters made our family aware, they must be alerting hundreds of other visitors to the area all the time as well as local residents. With all those eyes on the lookout, I pray it will only be a matter of time before the handsome boy is back where he belongs x

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2007-11-06 21:07 Islander

I should be able to do Sunday - will confirm later.

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2007-11-06 13:50 christo

We would like to organise a search on the lower Avon Valley for this Sunday. Dillondog is coming all the way up from the far end of Cornwall. The more people we can get to help the better chance we stand of finding him.

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2007-11-04 22:18 DJP

Riding stables confirmed that their dogs had not been roaming, so not sure which dog was sighted in the area recently. Probably another mistaken identity.

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2007-11-04 20:38 christo

Better to have a supposed sighting than none at all: Sunday 7pm on road near Fir Trees garage near Aveton Gifford/Ashford moving in direction of Aveton Gifford. Drove all around with Ted but, by the time we were there, no sign. It is yet another in the lower reaches of the Avon valley though - or are we clutching at straws in a haystack?

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2007-11-04 18:03 PaulaK

Keep up the good work - you have to get lucky soon I hope x

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2007-11-03 22:20 christo

Thank you Islander, I think you probably did the best thing today and, yes, we should try and re-visit the places we assume posters are still up. We will advertise next week in the South Hams Gazette Group and we will advertise in the Totnes Times (for the first time) this coming week. We can try and get some editorial later on. I think Gazette Group will feel compelled to give us some editorial again sometime soon as the ads and posters have raised Bishop's profile to 'hot story' status. Looking at our map of sightings - see www.logoswift.co.uk username and password is bishop, go to files on the top menus bar - the great concentration of credible sightings is around Bigbury and the lower Avon valley. These - ed - sightings are presently the best we can do to build an accurate picture and they do seem to be forming a pattern. It will be useful to see if we get a spate of 'sightings' from west of the Erme valley following Islander's re-postering of that area today. If there is no response it's a pound to a penny he is mucking around on the Avon. DJP will check out (highly dubious) Cornwood sightings, we've re-visited the outsider at Allaleigh, still not sure - but dubious - about Harberton. Ted is a brick.

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2007-11-03 21:05 Islander

Had already left on a postering trip when you posted at lunchtime today, Chris. Anyway, postered much of the area between Holbeton and Noss Mayo. Started at Creacombe Cross, then down to and along the coast road before turning inland to Membland and Bridgend, then along main road to Lolesbury Cross, then south again to Preston at which point it was too dark to see any more. Put up about 25 posters in all, including just outside all farms. Saw no old posters anywhere. I get the impression from other areas that most of our posters have now been removed, so feel that we should poster again, as well as investigate, in areas of recent sightings, particularly as I?m not aware of any Bishop press ads running at the moment. The news editor of the Totnes Times ran a good news story about another missing dog in this area a year ago, so may be sympathetic to a human interest story about Bishop if you can say that you?ve had sightings in his circulation area ? he?s very precise about this. Had yet another talk to a manager at Tesco and got him to put up a new poster in a good spot in customer services. Also checked Sainsburys at Marsh Mills ? poster still there. Can?t do anything tomorrow, I?m afraid.

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2007-11-03 19:57 Gunner's family

A massive thankyou to Chris for Gunners's new poster, it is fantastic! no exageration. Our boys have been missing for long enough, time to pull them in...

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2007-11-03 18:27 DJP

Chris, I will check with the riding stables at Cornwood. When I postered in that area after the last possible sighting, a collie from the stables had been off wandering. I will let you know what I find out tomorrow.

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2007-11-03 13:26 christo

I have updated our sigtings (the most likely ones) on a map which can be downloaded (along with a new Bishop poster and a new Gunner poster too) at www.logoswift.co.uk - login: bishop, password: bishop and go to Files on the top menu. We had a sighting reported yesterday from Cornwood from last Sunday at 11.15pm which is where (Blatchford side) someone reported a sighting at similar time on date of Goosey Fair if anyone could check out if there is a roaming insomniac collie in that area it would be good to knock him off the list. Also had another sighting at South Milton yesterday afternoon (and last Sunday) near Sutton X. I phone Mrs Munday (v chatty!) at Waleham farm who said there dogs didn't match sighting, so we're a bit puzzled about that. We will walk down from Allaleigh to Tuckenhay (2 previous sighting there which we discounted as too far off at the time) this afternoon. I think it will be more useful to check out some of these sightings with people in the area instead of further postering at the moment. Blakemore farm near Harberton, Totnes for instance could be part of his roaming area or it could be another (early rising) local collie.

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2007-11-03 07:22 Teddys Mum - Area Volunteer, West London

This is so encouraging with the sightings. May I suggest that you now put x's on a map join them up and find the Triangle....Dogs often move around in this way and may have a den at a number of points on route. Find a quiet place away from people in this triangle and scent +++++ Then put down some nice smelly pilchards to home him in to one area. I wish you all the luck & strength in the world and hope that you find him very soon and get him home

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2007-11-02 18:17 Gunner's family

That is a lovely story about the Bassett hound Chris, Gives everybody hope! Anything is possible...x

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2007-11-02 17:37 christo

PatsyB - collie in found section isn't Bish - but thanks a million for looking for us! Cheers Gilly.

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2007-11-02 14:41 Pat. S

Border collie on found pages today, South west...

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2007-11-02 11:14 Unknown

Come on Bishop darling really is time to go home. Stay safe darling until they find you xxxx

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2007-11-02 00:29 christo

Ted and I met up with man who saw dog at Allaleigh and, when driving towards the spot where the dog had been seen, met the lady who had seen the dog and another resident. They mentioned a dog who wandered up the green lane from Tuckenhay and thought he was from Priory Farm at Cornworthy. Gilly phoned them and their dog is ginger so he's ruled out. Good walk down lane with Ted in golden Autumn sunshine. Even if we are on yet another wild goose chase, at least it's more wonderful time for us to be together out walking in fabulous South Hams countryside - beats work any day!

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2007-11-01 21:53 christo

Just to say that in view of recent sightings we are trying to work out the best place for helpers and postering this weekend. Islander is keen to do the West of Erme between Mothecombe and Newton and Noss. Uplifting story today from new client who had seen existing posters etc. and told us about her family dog which was a Basset Hound and had been left on beach by mistake and had gone completely AWOL one May. After numerous sightings had got had got him back the following October after he had been surviving on his own in the wild all that time. Very thin and bedraggled after this ordeal but he had done it all on his own! Will post up weekend plan tomorrow. Come home Bish

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2007-11-01 21:33 TracyB

I check on Bishop regularly although miles away. Used to go to Kingsbridge years ago, ex's family lived around Thurlestone. Lovely area & have fingers crossed that this is Bishop & he come's home soon. So sorry to read about Ted, hope your time together is happy & all your hard work is rewarded

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2007-11-01 21:12 Islander

Just been talking to C and G, who are not flagging in spite of everythng. They're going to post up here priority areas that need to be postered in response to this new spate of sightings, as we think that a lot of the posters we've put up have been taken down.

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2007-11-01 18:53 DJP

So sorry to hear the news about Ted. Lots of TLC required, for Ted and both of you. Take care.

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2007-11-01 17:34 Unknown

So sorry to hear about Ted.

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2007-11-01 16:22 Unknown

i am so sad to hear this awful news. poor Ted. he is a lovely dog. feel really sad now. we got to find Bishop so he can be happy in his last few months. you must be devastated, i am so sorry for you and gilly. you have had enough to contend with. be strong.

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2007-10-31 22:40 Gunner's family

So so sorry to hear about Ted, can't believe this is happening for you both. All our thoughts are with you both. Karen X

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2007-10-31 21:47 dillondog

I'm really sorry, and sad, about dear Ted's news. Thinking of you all xxx

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2007-10-31 21:05 christo

Another deja vu sighting: 3.30 pm two people saw dog like him at Hiher Venice, Allaleigh. Talked to both on phone and meeting one of them at 9am tomorrow, live next to Forces Arms. The other was sure it was not the bender lady's dog. Sad news today: Ted has cancer and about 3 months to live.

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2007-10-31 18:53 dillondog

St Giles, Foredown and Animals in Distress all have Bishop's poster and were re-reminded he's still missing monday/tuesday this week.

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2007-10-31 18:40 janie

by reading these possible sightings it appears that bishop maybe heading towards newton abbot, fordowne kennels, and animals in distress numbers have already been mentioned, on the odd occassion when fordowne is full i 'think' st giles kennels is also used for this area, has any one called them just in case he was taken there, i'm sorry i dont know there number

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2007-10-31 10:53 Islander

Tried to post last night after midmight but website not working. Will collect posters today and poster if I can, but have a lot on today so might not have time. I think our response to these two sightings should be the same as before ? investigation of area, postering and talking to people ? so if anyone else can poster these two areas it would be very good. C and G: if I don?t manage to collect posters today and if you?re coming this way please can we discuss you ping them off somewhere, like the California Cross garage, but wherever you them we must ask permission first!

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2007-10-31 09:39 christo

AND YET ANOTHER sighting at Blakemoor farm near Harberton at 7,45 this morning. Lady checked with John Anning, the farmer who said that his dog was locked up and was brindle. This is almost exactly the same spot as a sighting weeks and weeks ago. Accuate description.

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2007-10-30 22:36 christo

ANOTHER sighting in South Milton. Seen on Sunday at 4pm on lane between South Milton and Preston Farm by person who rang us's mother. Reporter was very frustrated her mother had not it mentioned before today but her husband out on the search tonight and she was EXTREMELY knowedgeable about all local dogs as she is from Shute (sp phoenic) farm, has her own collies, and hunts so she knows countryside very well. Fiona: posters will be waiting at work tomorrow if you want. Searched all around Ringmore, Kingston area down to beaches on Sun and noticed most posters had gone so perhaps change of plan??? Why should Avon valley be stuffed with wandering collies and practically nothing from Erme Valley unless quite simply fewer posters equals fewer sightings but Suzi originally did a good job around this area I think. Anyway I am at work all day and no meetings so turn up whenever you like! Cheers Gilly

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2007-10-30 22:18 christo

Flor the LIST! South Hams Dog warden told me that dogs usually taken to Gables unless in poor condition or distressed in which case they go to animals in distress who have more time and professionals on hand to adminster whatever if needed. Also he does have a scanner in his van so can scan instantly.

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2007-10-30 20:36 DogLostXenas Mum - Area Volunteer, Norfolk

Oopps spelling!!

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2007-10-30 20:35 DogLostXenas Mum - Area Volunteer, Norfolk

Just for a minite Jayne I though you meant BISHOP ! If only.......

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2007-10-30 16:48 Unknown

well done will switch him to blue.

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2007-10-30 16:24 dillondog

I have registered Bishop with all the dog wardens at all the district councils in Cornwall - Caradon, Carrick, Kerrier, North Cornwall, Penwith and Restormel, and they all have his poster. Some of the offices were spectacularly unhelpful, and one, without naming names, was downright rude. I should add that all the dog wardens were out on their rounds - they're not easy people to speak to in person. None of these councils would divulge where they take strays "it's not our policy to give the public that information". Great! If anyone else would like all this dog warden info, please pm me, it is compiled in a word doc. with live links, and includes Devon and Cornwall so far, with Somerset to be added, then hopefully Dorset! I will happily email it to anyone else for their use or reference.

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2007-10-30 15:53 DJP

Well done Chris and Gilly. I wish someone had done the same for you and Bishop. Dillondog and Suzy have done great work compiling all the information too. I will check Gables and Woodside again this week for you. I hope Bishop turns up soon.

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2007-10-30 14:23 christo

Stray collie who stayed with us last night collected by his owners this morning - local dog warden did a fine job. Owners had been searching last night and we had a 'found' poster all ready to put up. Nice dog, nice owners.

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2007-10-30 11:58 dillondog

Posters emailed to DW Tina Kick.

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2007-10-30 10:00 Unknown

tina kick dw of sedgmoor, bridgewater, burnham on sea and cheddar rang today. number is 01278 436487. web site is tinakick@sedgmoor.gov.uk. all strays are taken to whitehouse kennels tel 01934 750352. which is in lympsham towards weston super mare. will let you know url when they get back to me. i told her about Gunner and Murphy so asked if she would display their posters for us also. she thought it wierd for them to all go missing in practically similar circumstances. and obviously seemed very sympathetic to our cause at doglost!she covers a wide area also.will pm you dillondog ok.

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2007-10-29 22:11 christo

Anyone lost a collie cross Alsation? Just had call from man in Devon, who has 12 month old neutered dog for sale. He said he has blue merle collie and son of, and wants to breed son of, so no longer wants Alsation and wants to sell him. hmmmm? Telephone number available if it rings any bells with anyone. Cheers Gilly.

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2007-10-29 21:39 UNKNOWN

Oops - sorry, just ignore me - I'm having a blond moment!!

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2007-10-29 21:38 UNKNOWN

Hi Christo - any chance the dog you've been looking after could be Kez - collie x spaniel that went missing from Cornwall 7/8/07? There is a photo of him on here.

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2007-10-29 20:59 dillondog

Lucky stray ending up chez Gilly and Chris for the night! DW list for Cornwall nearly complete, will do the phone calls and emails tomorrow, and check where each district council sends its strays. Bed now!!!

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2007-10-29 19:36 christo

We are overwhelmed with all your efforts. The list Dillondog is compiling with Suzi will also save so much time and work in future. We have a stray dog staying the night - collie x spaniel picked up by some well meaning schoolboys. I have emailed Jayne with details, told police, will inform dog warden tomorrow and put up some found posters with his pic on. He is not Kaz.

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2007-10-29 17:37 dillondog

Dogs Trust at Ilfracombe have been emailed details and poster

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2007-10-29 16:35 dillondog

North Devon contracted-out DW rang me back, very helpful, have emailed Bishop's poster as well.

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2007-10-29 16:28 dillondog

Poster/info emailed to St Giles Kennels and Pitleigh Kennels.

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2007-10-29 16:09 dillondog

Just to confirm: west somerset and taunton deane DWs have been emailed.

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2007-10-29 16:04 dillondog

L Drake was emailed on friday, as that office comes under east devon as well, so hopefully they will be aware of the duplication! Have just emailed over Bishop's poster as well.

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2007-10-29 15:39 Unknown

sedgemoor have a part time dw. but she will ring me to get details. the strays go to rspca kennels tel. 01278 782671. mendip were very helpful. dw is called jane witelock she is ringing back. they took all his details but a poster would be helpful sent to L. drake@sdkenvironmental.com. also they have ties with torbay council apparently

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2007-10-29 15:36 dillondog

Suzy, if you pm details of who you want emailed, I will do it, no problem, and add info to list am compiling for the south west. Thank you. Diana. Chris - emails done to the DWs Suzy mentions below, together with Bishop's poster.

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2007-10-29 15:16 Unknown

rang dw for west somerset they send found dogs to pitley kennels. tel 01643 841122. could you e mail them a poster( both of them)they only have part time warden.customerservices@westsomerset.gov.uk taunton deane dog warden said e mail her poster and she will make sure she copies 1 off for st. giles kennels at wrantage where her strays are taken. tel 01823 490333. address dw is/ dogs.warden@tauntondeane.gov.uk. will ring some more and leave details as i really do not know how to e-mail posters. so christo can you do this please.

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2007-10-29 14:10 dillondog

Torbay: (direct line 01803 208123) 2 DWs, one covers Torquay area, the other Paignton and Brixham area. Strays go to Foredown Kennels 01803 872260. Without wishing to state the obvious - for every council/DW I have listed in my posts, they have been notified of Bishop via telephone and had an email too.

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2007-10-29 10:45 dillondog

Woops! meant contractor!

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2007-10-29 10:44 dillondog

North Devon (01271 388870): DW is contracted out and I'm hoping to speak to the contactor later. Bishop is now registered here too.

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2007-10-29 10:37 dillondog

Dog Wardens in Devon - now added: Teignbridge (direct line 01626 215859), strays go to Foredown Kennels 01803 872260. West Devon 01822 813600, DW was out, so info from switchboard - strays to Margaret Green Foundation, Wingletang Animal Centre at Tavistock 01822 810215, and another kennels at Hatherleigh sometimes used, I will try and find out the name. Still no answer at Torbay!

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2007-10-28 11:51 christo

Bishop, I mean, not Rex!

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2007-10-28 11:49 christo

Possible sighting at 5.20 Saturday evening between Seven Stones X and St Annes Chapel. There have been two flase sightings around there before so checked with Highland farm and Tufland farm and it isn't likely to the any of their collies. Rex from Holwell farm, a previous possible doppleganger, is no longer in this world. Let's hope he's making his way westward.

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2007-10-27 16:11 Islander

Have just spoken to Clunkamoor Kennels and she said she hasn't taken in strays for several years. This is what I thought, which is why I haven't contacted her before. She was aware of Bishop as she's seen the posters. I'll put another one in her letter box so she has one to hand.

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2007-10-27 01:08 Yasa

Sorry you've been ill dillondog, but glad you are back with us. I've got to say, I'm proud of the lot of you. This is fantastic teamwork, and you have all got it back together. Jolly well done to all of you. this is what we like to see. Brilliant work. And all the best to Suzy, hope you are on the mend x

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2007-10-26 20:48 dillondog

Just to say I have all telephone nos for all district councils in Devon and Cornwall - today got no answer, despite repeatedly trying, at Teignbridge and Torbay councils.

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2007-10-26 20:28 christo

Hello team - wow - (or should it be bow wow) you have all been so busy on our behalf! As always a great big thank you. The previous owner of Klunkermore (phonetic) Kennels phoned and said they used to take in South Hams DW strays... is this right? We will phone tomorrow anyway. Chris has suggested that we divide up THE list of DW's and kennels so that we all take a share and phone each week as recommended by DL to spread the load. Would this be OK? We'll work out the list to save duplication if it's not too much of an imposition? No relevant sightings the last couple of days but people still phone to ask, to report fallen down posters and say they will put them up, and on the off chance with unlikely sightings. Dog lovers are wonderful people! Gx

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2007-10-26 20:11 Islander

And Velma wasnt' even tagged or chipped!

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2007-10-26 20:04 Islander

Dillondog: that?s great work, and sorry you?ve been ill. The local authority directly to the east of the South Hams is Teignbridge, and this begins just two or three miles to the east of Totnes, so very much relevant to Bishop. Then Caradon is directly to the west of the South Hams, with Plymouth and Torbay councils tucked inbetween. Today I went to Animals in Distress rescue centre at Ipplepen, which is just in Teignbridge. Spoke to the kennel supervisor, who was very much aware of Bishop, and updated her about him, checked contact details for C and G, and gave her new poster with new photograph. She said that only a few strays were brought into them and they had only two ?stray kennels?, and she was certain that no dog like Bishop had passed through their hands since August 13. She recommended that we make the same personal contact with Foredowne Kennels, just down the road, which takes in ?ten times as many? strays. She very helpfully telephoned Foredowne to check that the right person to speak to, Clare the deputy manager, was there, and found that she wasn?t, so this should be followed up next week. It would be so easy for someone walking by the sea at Bigbury or Bantham to pick up Bishop, seeing that he was lost, and take him back home to, say, Newton Abbot, before reporting him, in which case he could easily get taken to Foredowne.

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2007-10-26 19:19 Unknown

I see Velma has made her way home after 3 months. so come on Bishop, your turn now!

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2007-10-26 17:46 dillondog

Just had an email from one of the DWs at Plymouth - she confirms they take most strays to Gables Farm (01752 331602) and occasionally Woodside (01752 347503).

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2007-10-26 15:03 dillondog

Mid Devon (direct line 01884 234925): they won't disclose kennels they use for strays, "various", however, they do have a new computer system which in theory means that now Bishop is registered, any possible match will flag him up, and regardless of any time lapse, he's on their system.

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2007-10-26 14:38 dillondog

Having offered to help, my apologies I've been slow to do so, but have been unwell. I am tackling the dog wardens and trying to speak to them in person, and back up with an email and Bishop's link on DL. So far: East Devon ( direct line 0845 7573268): the dog wardens here also cover Christchurch and North Dorset and the Mendips, and West Somerset. Plymouth (direct line 01752 304147), South Hams (01803 861234) obviously are aware of Bishop, the DW is Malcolm Orchard. I was informed that strays mainly go to Animals in Distress 01803 812121 and sometimes Gables Farm 01752 331602. Torridge (01237 428700): No DW as on long term sick leave and no funds fot temporary replacement. All calls dealt with by generall environmental health office. Strays taken to Dogs Trust, Ilfracombe 01271 812709. I will continue through my list, and will make greater progress when I'm a bit more up to speed! Diana

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2007-10-24 23:16 christo

Sorry, I meant to say that Bigbury and Avon Valley sightings may be all linked, in which case altogether they account for 25% of all our supposed sightings which, given the wide area of publicity far and wide around this area, gives us hope that he really is in the Avon river valley, moving up and down. Silly B!

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2007-10-24 19:22 christo

72 days and counting... Here are Bishop's supposed sightings to date: definately wrong dog and subsequent calls - 31. Too far away/too vague - 27. Odd ones in S. Hams - 18. Bigbury area - 12. Avon Valley 15. Over 100 calls in all, where possible replied to and, if at all likely, followed up with visit(s).

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2007-10-23 17:22 Islander

C and G: look at Doris, Westie reunited today. Went missing 9 August 2006. That's 2006!

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2007-10-23 15:23 DJP

Spoke to RSPCA at Little Valley Animal Shelter and gave Bishop?s details to them. I was told that his details will be put on the RSPCA National Register. If someone has picked up Bishop and then decided for whatever reason to leave him at a RSPCA centre, I was assured that any dog in their care is given a health check and scanned before rehoming. So if Bishop did end up in a centre, supposing his chip hasn?t moved, then he would be scanned and his original details would show up.

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2007-10-22 22:55 christo

Thank you for resolving that sighting Islander, it soundedsuspect from the brief 'black' description, but too close to recent sighting for us to ignore.

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2007-10-22 19:10 Islander

Black collie seen north of Ham Farm this morning was not Bishop. Went to chilli farm and man there saw the dog too and is completely sure it wasn't Bishop - too black. Also postered right outside apple juice farm, and repostered Hazelwood's three entrances. Walked river between Topsham bridge and Loddiswell, down one side, back the other.

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2007-10-22 17:18 christo

I have added him to the National Pets Register.

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2007-10-22 15:04 Islander

Got to go that way now anyway so will scout around a bit too and go and talk to chilli and apple juice people.

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2007-10-22 14:29 christo

There was a message on South Hams radio at about 8.30 this morning concerning a 'black collie' on the road north of Ham farm on Loddiswell road. Went over and checked the lanes etc. and footpath down past Read farm but no sign.

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2007-10-22 13:07 Islander

Postered Avon estuary footpath yesterday between Bigbury and Bigbury on Sea, including within the woods as local resident said pheasant shooting would start in these woods very soon and it would be good to make sure the shooters knew about Bishop. (She assured me that they would not shoot him!) Talked to all walkers I met along the path and gave them little flyers (very useful, especially as they have on the back ?What to do if you see this dog?). Met couple who live in barn complex in the middle of the golf course and they said they were going to get in touch with Bishop?s owners anyway as they have a collie bitch who is the spitting image of Bishop and they were worried that people might be getting confused. Met this very pretty dog and she seemed almost indentical to Bishop, and she also responded to me instantly when I called ?Bishop? ? responding to tone of voice, rather than name. She, however, is very much a pet dog and does not stray, though runs around with her Jack Russell friend on their almost daily walks on Bigbury beach. Met someone else who said that the collies at Mount Folly farm at Bigbury on Sea do stray. Postered and talked to all the inhabited houses along the estuary footpath. In Bigbury on Sea I saw only two posters ? the others had been removed. So postered golf club clubhouse, footpath down to sea, Pilchard Inn and all around the big carpark again, and bumped into C and G at dusk, who were looking for Bishop around the area he was seen ? if it was him ? at the same time the day before.

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2007-10-22 12:50 DJP

The Blue Cross Torbay have passed on Bishop?s details to their Customer Services at HQ who will circulate his details on the national missing pet database so he will be covered nationwide. This reaches most rescue centres of all descriptions and vets.

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2007-10-21 17:32 DogLostXenas Mum - Area Volunteer, Norfolk

Hi guys, 8 years ago I spent a very pleasant holiday in Bigbury in a dog friendly apartment that overlooked the bay, the owners lived downstairs. As its half term they may have people in the apartment who being doggy people would keep an eye out from the very large picture window that you just cant help looking out of!!! Mariners Apartments, Ringmore Drive. Unfortunately they dont seem to be on e-mail. Also have you spoken to Burgh Island Hotel and the Pub? Lots of wildlife on the Island to keep a dog happy for hours. Hope the tractor has a poster on it:) Have you spoken to the Coastguard and the RNLI, so wish I was there to help you all.

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2007-10-21 12:29 christo

Suzi - we willadd him to the national register, what is the URL? Some extra posters in igbury/Burgh Island may be useful but he seems to be going up and down the Avon estuary but not sure which route and where he may be camping out. Early on there was chap aclled FRank who works for Folly farm and I am sure he still has his eyes open for him.

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2007-10-21 12:07 Unknown

hi all, i see they have a few web cams at bigbury for surfers etc. i have found about 3 sites so far. one that i have just found is a1 surf bigbury. also for along the coast, cornwall etc. i see Bishop is not registered on the national missing pets register. i know you are busy christo, i would do it for you, but you have to put your last name in and his chip details. also there is dog rescue pages . south west. good luck.

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2007-10-21 10:47 DJP

Is it worth putting up extra posters in Bigbury / Burgh Island? Especially with half term starting and lots of extra people around, hopefully.

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2007-10-21 09:35 christo

esterday searched land around Ham farm and woods by Avon. Phone call last evening from Bigbury-Burgh Island tractor driver who had seen him on beach and then running up the slipway. Dog barked ack once when called. He said he had seen him there on Monday as well (we had a separate sighting there on Tuesday evening). We had a quick look between there and Challaborough but without luck.

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2007-10-20 18:02 dillondog

DJP - I've pm'd you!

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2007-10-20 16:42 christo

I talked to someone who lives in Kingsbridge would phones me regularly for news on Bishop. He knows the old man and says that his dog looks just like Bishop but is definately not him. This accounts for sightings in parkand on Wallingford Rd.

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2007-10-20 15:50 Unknown

i am always up and down to gables. it has always been a rescue centre. formerly plymouth cats and dogs home. as for woodside they do not take in strays, but do re home pets. but they have 2 posters at gables . one inside and one outside.

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2007-10-20 15:02 Islander

Well done DJP - that 's very good. But I don't understand Woodside. The South Hams dog warden department told me only two days ago and very definitely that they took strays to Woodside and Animals in Distress and, only recently, to Gables as well.

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2007-10-20 14:29 DJP

Just got back from Gables. They have Bishop's details in a folder. Asked them to check that they hadn't re-homed a similar dog since Bishop went missing and they hadn't. Woodside only open for appoinments on Sat & Sun but got through on phone. They do not take in strays. They also had Bishop's details on their board. Blue Cross Tiverton have also put Bishop on their Lost Dogs register. The only collie they knew of was back in June, so not relevant to our search. Will keep trying other rescue centres and keep you posted. Is it worth following up that sighting of the old man in Kingsbridge with a collie? Are there any Doglost helpers in Kingsbridge area?

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2007-10-20 13:40 Islander

Thinking a bit laterally, have just have a chat with a local bloodhound breeder and owner of trained bloodhounds to find out whether a trained bloodhound could be used to track Bishop if we have a very positive sighting, but the answer is no. The scent on the ?smeller?, which is what the bloodhound is given so that he knows what he?s looking for, must be no more than a few days old. I asked whether Bishop?s bedding at home wouldn?t do, as presumably it still has Bishop's scent on it, but the answer was a definite no. The scent the bloodhound is being asked to pick up must also be no more than a few days old, and fades fairly rapidly after 24 hours.

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2007-10-20 11:54 DJP

OK, I have just rung the following who are all aware of Bishop and have his poster Animals in Distress - Ipplepen, Foredown Boarding Kennels - Newton Abbot Margaret Green Foundation Trust Rescue Kennels - Tavistock I am going to visit Gables and Woodside in person and ensure they have posters.

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2007-10-20 11:41 christo

Dillondog has also so kindly offered to do some phoning around for us. Perhaps DJB and she could liaise together to save overlapping. We are so grateful for all your wonderful help and support, so thank you to all the fabulous troops. Cheers Gilly

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2007-10-20 11:21 DJP

I am able to go and check some of the local rescue centres. I will post a message later to let you know which ones I have been able to do and any that are left to visit.

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2007-10-20 09:56 Patsy

So sorry you still haven't found Bishop. Regarding visiting dogs' homes, yesterday I went to Battersea Dogs Home, London branch, to look for any of our local missing south-east dogs. Gave them Bishop's latest poster and registered him as missing. His details will be kept and also sent to Battersea Windsor and Brands Hatch for info. Had a good look round, was shown behind the scenes where all new arrivals are kept, as well as for sale kennels. So very many dogs, mainly staffies, not a collie in sight. Staff so helpful and gave me so much of their time. Could you perhaps ask a friend or relative to check local south west dogs homes in person on a regular basis? It is so much easier for someone not emotionally involved to do this for you. Px

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2007-10-20 09:00 christo

I am sorry Nick and everyone. I was 'tired and emotional' after a v difficult week. C

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2007-10-20 02:20 christo

I hear what you say Nik about contacting all these agencies, I am sure you are right as it stands at the moment. But I have a business to run and my staff depend on me to devote as much of my time as possible to the work in hand to secure their long term employment. If our public services, whatever their status is, as far as our beloved missing dogs are concerned, is so disorganised we must fight to change that RIGHT NOW, otherwise this stupid regime of having to hassle everyone every week will continue. I don't have the time while there are possible sightings - however dubious - are coming in to sit on the phone calling all these different people. You are encouraging us to shoot ourselves in our feet by letting this stupid, uncorordinated, situation continue. Let's take action to co-ordinate these various agencies to streamline the logging and tracing of missing pets properly and efficiently. It's just pathetic as it stands at the moment. I AM NOT AT ALL HAPPY ABOUT YOUR MESSAGE! I am sorry to sound off at you like this but come on, even in my plight I can see that there is a bigger picture.

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2007-10-20 01:37 Islander

Christo: I updated the Hazelwood people about Bishop just a few days ago and checked that they still have posters up on their entrances from the road and in their porch. I can go and talk to the chilli and apple juice people over the weekend if you don't have time to do this, so let me know.

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2007-10-20 01:31 Islander

Have just seen that George, a golden retriever, is missing in mid Devon and that Trailhoundmum has posted on his page: 'Contact all Devon dog wardens as their areas very often overlap and they don't always talk to each other.' If this advice is applied to Bishop, and the further flung Devon dog wardens are omitted, the following should still be contacted: Plymouth, West Devon, Teignbridge, Torbay and Exeter, as well as our local South Hams warden. Don't know whether this has been done. Spoke to S. Hams warden's office today and updated Bishop's record. Will email new poster to them. They apparently had a supposed sighting of Bishop in Bigbury reported to them at the end of August.

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2007-10-19 22:52 Unknown

I haven't had the opportunity to catch up on Bishop all week, so I thought I'd better see what was happening. You've certainly all been busy, but it's occurred to me that with all the running about that's been done, no-one seems to have been regularly checking with the rescues, kennels, DWs, vets etc. The situation at these places changes on an hourly basis and it important to phone them every couple of days. (And to be honest some can be very unmanageable about keeping records and often have a myriad of volunteers.) You must check regularly - it's no good thinking that because Bishop's got a chip that he will automatically be scanned. Bizarre as it may sound, many places don't have a scanner. Postering and rsponding to sightings is important, but so is maintaining regular communication with relevant organisations !!

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2007-10-19 18:47 christo

And lets not discount Kingsbridge..... collie with blue collar in main street pulling hard on lead with old man, and relationship didn't somehow seem right. Seen by same woman a couple of times, reported yesterday. My sister in law (who knows Bishop very well) saw a dog about six weeks ago in Kingbridge. She thought it could have been Bishop and described exactly the same scenario. At the time she was so curious she drove to the bottom of the main street and turned around to go back for another look, but by then they had turned off somewhere and she couldn't find them. Food for thought - so be alert if anyone is in Kingsbridge... but would somehow to discover address if it seems likely! Chris out searching again. Cheers Gilly

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2007-10-19 15:40 christo

Ham Farm people are checking out with farms on other side of the road at Fernhill X. Will walk Ted from Ham Farm to Reed Farm this evening and, if neccessary tomorrow morning. Has anyone been to the Chilli Farm, Hazlewood and/or Heron Apples as we could do with some help talking to people in this area.

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2007-10-19 14:28 Unknown

Gosh the sightings are flooding in!

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2007-10-19 00:18 Islander

Interesting Loddiswell sighting. The people at Ham Farm are very nice and sensible - their daughter works at the pub in Loddiswell. When I was postering in this area before (Aug 25) I met a girl on a horse on the Fernhill side of the road (ie the opposite side to Ham Farm), who said that there was a collie who ran loose in the area - though maybe he keeps to the Fernhill side of that busy road. I can't remember where she said he belonged, and I see I haven't written that in my post - maybe Tunley, maybe Woolston Farm. Would be good to eliminate this dog from enquiries, though if he was in the habit of wandering around Ham they would presumably have seen him before, especially as one of them works from home.

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2007-10-18 22:58 christo

Two 'sightings' today: Ham Farm, north of Loddiswell oposite Fernhill Cross - close description matching Bishop, they saw him rabbitting along side of hedge but he was spooked out by low-flying naval aircraft and ran off and they were unable to keep him in sight as he ran off up a green lane. They phoned around local farming community, no known dogs out at the time. I went straight there and returned again this evening. Ted got very animated there this evening (more so than since Bish disappeared as he has been very lethargic). Second was old man spotted in Kingsbridge with 'disconnected dog' in High St and reports of similar dog to Bishop in park behind hospital. BBC Spotlight contacts told me that they do not cover lost dogs as this would 'open the flood gates'. We feel quite up beat about Loddiswell sighting today!

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2007-10-18 12:29 Unknown

am being taken out tomorrow. will try and get my friends to take me to challaborough. and look all around that area. i just cannot rest until he is found!like everyone else the poor darling has become our cause. so many people ask me about him and whether he has been found. christo do you want me to give the gables and woodside in plymouth a ring, as it must have been at least 6 weeks ago since i delivered posters to them? best of luck to you. c'mon Bishop show yourself!

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2007-10-17 22:29 christo

No peace for the wicked: a 'sighting' at Bigbury on Sea this evening at 9.45pm, description sounded accurate, daughter dashed off in van, we went over, but no sign of him. Thought to be heading on path to Challoborough but couldn't find him.

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2007-10-17 19:31 christo

I went to BBC studios at lunchtime but none of my contacts were there so I will try again tomorrow. Talked to a cameraman I know there who said that the studio's cleaner has lost his dog v recently too, gave him DL details. Talked to Murphy's owner who thinks that Murphy must have been taken too. Lady from Kingsbridge has checked with owner of dog who may have been loose recently and was told that he had not.

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2007-10-16 21:49 DJP

Fingers crossed that you can get some TV coverage for both Bishop and Gunner.

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2007-10-16 20:13 christo

Two calls yesteday - one above Ermington: ruled out as he had pricked up ears, one at West Alvington a about 6pm, went round and talked to the man who rang and walked Ted all around in the darkness at about 7.30. A call today from a woman who had seen a collie X on Saturday who looked like him, confused in the traffic at Old Plymouth Rd/Cookworthy Rd, Kingsbridge - said he looked grey when I phoned her. So phoned one of the two people who saw dog in Wallingford Rd, Kingsbridge on 5th/6th Oct and she will check with Rex's owners who may have been running loose. Placed a run of 12 ads in Western Morning News starting Thursday. Tried local BBC contacts and will call in tomorrow to see if they will do an item on Bishop and Gunner - if nothing comes of that I will try Westcountry TV. Got Petlog to re-notify 'authorised agencies' within a 30 mile radius.

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2007-10-16 12:40 Unknown

just a thought, i saw they have web cams at bigbury and blackpool sands. i think it is on "this is devon site" i am not a genius on a computer so it was easy to find!

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2007-10-15 15:06 trailhoundmum:

Guys out kayaking yesterday saw no sign of Bishop from the river or the beach, but noticed several posters & Lots of dog walkers on the beach at Bigbury. Good luck in your search. SueXX

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2007-10-15 09:58 Unknown

went to cornwood through the moors way. realised posters were still in plymouth so came back and got them! we stopped riders and asked and made them aware of Bishop. not that we had to as it was well postered. went through the usual routes replaced missing posters. out to bantham. saw the same dog as islander,took photo of it, but after deliberation came to same conclusion. looked everywhere.

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2007-10-15 00:11 Islander

After saying goodbye to DJP postered more walkers on and around beach. Saw Bishop-like dog on beach but he didn?t have enough white on him. Put four new posters around car park entrance. Visited and postered the three houses at Aunemouth Cross, where a woman who works in the Sloop Inn lives and she took more posters to put up in pub. Talked to man on road who lives in Woodleigh and he took posters to put up in Woodleigh and Moreleigh. Postered outside North Upton, which is now about ten houses, including the farmhouse (no longer a farm), and at entrance to caravan site. Met community midwife who said she travelled all the time between there and Ivybridge and would keep her eyes peeled. Put more posters on road between car park and roundabout to catch anyone else.

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2007-10-14 20:28 christo

Sadly no calls. Thank you for the info from the American website DJP, as a result I have re-recorded our answering machine message and I will amend what we say on the posters, i.e. to add a rider that we will take the posters down as soon as he is found and let everyone know etc. Thank you to all our helpers for your efforts, as always. We will try and widen our publicity campaign next week.

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2007-10-14 19:00 DJP

Met Islander at Bantham and met another group of ramblers as well as the Devon Festival lot. Gave out small posters to any walkers with dogs and lslander left some with Lifeguards too.

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2007-10-14 12:41 christo

Just heard South Hams Radio put out full description of Bishop - wonderful service.

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2007-10-14 12:35 christo

We leave more posters if anyone needs them outside our offices. South Hams radio have promised more mentions today.

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2007-10-14 11:39 Unknown

am leaving soon, and will go up a38 to ivybridge and go from there then. i am just going to drive everywhere , all the farms i know. and as i am taking mum she knows loads! got posters if i run out know where to get them. good luck everyone , lets bring him home!

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2007-10-14 11:14 DJP

Just got back from postering at Dinnaton Golf club just north of Kennel Lane, Conifers boarding kennel, Cornwood post office / shop / tea room and Tin Park Treking stables. Owner at stables said her collie bitch ran off yesterday (not day before) for the whole day - this is something she has never done before. Her dog is back home now. Did what I could until posters ran out. So if Suzy has any posters, there may be a few gaps on the Ivybridge / Cornwood roads. Islander's poster was very prominent in Tesco yesterday.

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2007-10-14 10:22 christo

Thanks a million Trailhoundmum - that's briliant - with the walk we will be covering both land and water at the same time. Postering today... sightings at Kennel Lane and Cornwood are both tenuous but for want of any other idea suggest DJP posters at the Kennel Lane end of Ivybridgew, which is up near the railway line at the top and up to and around Cornwood. Susie - not sure from your list if you postered or searched around areas you mentioned yesterday - but if there was anywhere posters seemed thin on the ground then - the more posters the better! Ringmore or Kingstone for example? Sighting yesterday near Thatches - and Heathfield Cross so Lixton and Stockadon are possibilities and I don't think any of us have postered those villages or that yellow road that goes from there to Aveton Gifford. Thanks for your info DJP - will read it next! Fingers crossed for today team! Cheers Gilly

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2007-10-14 09:09 trailhoundmum:

I have been watching your search for Bishop from afar, as I live near Exeter I'm too far away to be much help. But today my husband and son are kayaking with their local club, and are starting at Averton Gifford out to Burgh Island so they will all keep a look out for Bishop. Everything crossed that he's in the blue soon. Sue

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2007-10-13 21:31 Islander

Tomorrow I'll pick up the posters at the garden centre, then go to Bantham to meet and poster the walkers, then visit and poster the farm, campsite, barn conversion and valley leading down to the Avon that I didn't have time to do today. May be able to do one or two other farms in the area too. What about the other sightings Christo - Cornwood road, Saltram, Torcross? If these are serious possibilities they need postering and both Suzi and DJP have time tomorrow. I'm not sure, but I guess Suzi didn't get down to west of the Avon today, so that may still be another area to do additional postering in tomorrow. We'll all await instructions!

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2007-10-13 21:20 Islander

Forgot to say that I met some people today who told me about a local collie who, about two years ago, was knocked down by a car on the road. He wasn't much hurt, but ran off in fright and was found a few days later SIX miles away.

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2007-10-13 20:42 Islander

Refreshed posters at Avon Mill garden centre (by till, on gate, in caf?), where they?re having an autumn ?fun for all the family? festival tomorrow, so there?ll be lots of people there. Postered, as well as they would allow, Somerfield in Kingsbridge, which is the local supermarket for Thurlestone/Bantham etc. Then added some posters to Thurlestone, particularly around the golf course, including right in the entrance to the golf club where they?re having a big event tonight, and updated reception at hotel. Walked along coast path above Thurlestone and South Milton sands, replacing snail-eaten posters and adding some, and along the beaches. Met lots of dog walkers throughout the afternoon and talked to all of them and gave them posters ? very time-consuming, but it does get them interested and involved. One woman said she?d seen a dog that appeared to be on its own two weeks ago outside Thurlestone post office. It looked like Bishop, she said, but after much discussion we decided that it wasn?t as big as Bishop. Although a dog owner herself, she was confused about what foxhound-size meant (mixing them up with beagles, perhaps!), but when I said ?golden retriever size? she was sure the dog wasn?t that big. I hope other people know what ?foxhound size? means?

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2007-10-13 19:49 DJP

Have you definitely elimated the supposed sightings of Bishop in Yealmpton? I only ask as looking at the map, if it was Bishop, perhaps he went from Yealmpton to Westlake and over to Ivybridge (how he crossed the A38 doesn't bear thinking about). The previous sighting in Kennel Lane and then last night on the road to Cornwood would be credible and give a direction this dog is heading in. I will try and get out to Cornwood tomorrow morning.

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2007-10-13 19:46 Unknown

i am ready for tomorrow. now things have changed ,due to ramblers etc. will leave plymouth as soon as i can ,so if someone would like to suggest where you would like me to be, say after 12.30 as it will take me at least an hour to get to kingsbridge. i probably have enough posters but if not can i pick them up from that pub? i will go with the flow, so dont mind where as long as we find him! so please one of you tell me.

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2007-10-13 19:20 christo

Thank you all for charging around on our behalf yet again, the little B is leading us all on a merry dance. We checked as much as we could of the wood between Bigbury Court and Challaborough - it's extensive! Two phone calls - a girl who 'saw him' on road between Ivybridge and Cornwood last night and a man who didn't leave his number who 'saw him' between Harraton X and Pennymoor Caravan Park. Will meet up with walkers at Loddiswell tomorrow morning and hand out posters and leave a stock of them at Avon Mill Garden Centre for Islander to pick up for Bantham walkers. We have put the landline number where we will be tomorrow afternoon on the back of the posters as it is near the tidal road and probably out of mobile range. Gave instructions not to try and chase him but to note exact appearance, location, direction of travel and to phone us.

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2007-10-13 15:56 DJP

Been to Aveton Gifford and walked along the tidal road and up through woods to Were Down and followed the footpaths back to AG. Did some postering until I ran out of drawing pins. Spoke to several people and handed out small posters. One really nice farmer said he would keep a poster in his tractor just in case he saw Bishop. He had collies too, so was very sympathetic. He wanted advice on what to do if he saw Bishop but I said just to call you as I wasn't sure myself what the best method of approaching a lost / scared dog is. Last thing we want to do is spook him at the crucial moment. Any advice Doglost team? Also went to Loddiswell, posters still up in PO and on telegraph poles. Gave Blackdown Ring Kennel another poster and changed an old black and white one on the road for a larger up to date colour one.

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2007-10-13 13:02 Islander

It's Loddiswell at 11am, not Thurlestone, starting from car park next to village hall - I've emailed you the details. Note that there are two walks, but I expect the leader will be the same for both, so you can give him a bunch of posters for the afternoon people. I will do Bantham at 2pm if no one else is going to be in area anyway, as this one is important and they'll have lots of people, so I'll need 50 posters for handing out. Can collect from Avon Mill garden centre or Sloop Inn. Good idea to print something on back. Will email you later with suggestions - want to get off now.

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2007-10-13 12:26 christo

Perfect timing and just the right area. We can do Thurlestone at 11am - do you know where they are meeting? Sadly we can't do Bantham at 2pm but willl leave a stack of posters in the Sloop Inn. Should we print on the back of the posters 'what to do if you see him' advice and, if so, what should it say?

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2007-10-13 12:15 Islander

As well as Christo's excellent ad in the Gazette this week, there's also a piece by the Ringmore correspondent in the Village Gazette section about how Bishop is still missing, and saying that I've phoned her to reassure her that we'll take down the posters when he's safely home.

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2007-10-13 12:10 Islander

Well done DJP - this walking festival is brilliant. Have downloaded (with a bit of difficulty) the complete prog, with timings and all necessary details, and emailed it to Christo and you. Tomorrow there's not only the Avon estuary walk but also two walks around Loddiswell organised by the South Hams Ramblers. Suggest that C and G should meet the people just before the start of the Bantham walk at 2pm and the first Loddiswell walk at 11am armed with, say, 100 posters to give to participants. If they can't then one of us should. The Ramblers are important people to get on board anyway.

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2007-10-13 11:28 DJP

Christo - I will leave shortly and go down to Aveton Gifford / Loddiswell, please phone me on mobile you get any more sightings in area and we can liaise.

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2007-10-13 11:25 DJP

Christo we might be able to requisition some other helpers tomorrow - Today is the start of Devon's first walking festival - South Devon AONB Unit has organised the area?s first walking festival from 13th to 28th October 2007. For further info call South Devon AONB on 01803 861384 One walk tomorrow 14th Oct - is along Avon Estuary farmland water and wildlife - starts at Bantham. If we can get down there with posters etc, you could have lots of extra pairs of eyes on the look out for you. http://www.southdevonaonb.org.uk/downloads.asp?PageId=273

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2007-10-13 11:21 Islander

Will do. Good to have all the troops on the ground at the same time. Well done with the radio - excellent timing.

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2007-10-13 10:55 christo

I've now managed to get through to Radio Devon news.

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2007-10-13 10:40 christo

I took Ted to the area of the Ivybridge sighting - Kennel Lane! - but I don't think this is at all likely. Soth Hams Radio have promised more announcements and have asked up to keep them updated during the day. Can't get through to Radio Devon. I think we should all concentrate on the Avon estuary. Perhaps Islander South Milton/Thurlestone area - cavan park at Staddicombe and also large barn conversion behind it (long wooded valley goes from there down to Avon). Suzzi, Challaborough and Ringmore, Kingston and St Anne's Chapel. DJP Aveton Gifford and Loddiswell. We'll do Bigbury village and investigate west of there.

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2007-10-13 08:41 Unknown

will go up a38 from plymouth to ivybridge. through to westlake. langbrook, ermington, through modbury, churchstow,thurlstone, bantham, bigbury challaborough and any where else tomorrow. will take my mum and harry (my dog) as i think they are allowed on beaches now. and just stay out as long as possible because it is time to come home Bishop. i have posters to put up too. -meant dogs are allowed on beaches as well as mums!-

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2007-10-13 07:51 DJP

Ivybridge is on my doorstep, so if you know where in Ivybridge the sighting took place, I can follow that up. This afternoon I was planning to walk around Avon Estuary area, unless there is somewhere else you would like covered.

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2007-10-13 01:03 Islander

Sounds as though we should re-focus our attention on South Milton/Avon valley ? there?s always room for more posters. Ivybridge is certainly a possible area and I think should be postered if the sighting sounds good. Torcross and Saltram less likely but maybe should be postered ? depending on how good the sightings sound. Cornwall much less likely. I can do some postering tomorrow, and I suggest you contact me when you?ve made your calls in the morning to tell me what you want me to do. If anyone else can help tomorrow, please say, then C and G can allocate us different areas. Called in at Tesco today to check on Bishop?s poster. It had vanished, as the shop is expanding and things are getting moved, but the staff were helpful and sympathetic and promised to put the two new posters I gave them in as good positions as possible. I think they will. The managers have agreed that Bishop posters have what they call ?special dispensation?! Saw the postman in South Milton last week and tried to give him a poster but he said he knew all about Bishop and there was still a poster in the Kingssbridge sorting office. Still, he needs one in his van in case he sees something, as Dillondog says, and I agree with her too about maximum postering.

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2007-10-13 00:50 dillondog

Phew! I think you can never have too many posters, and small flyers to hand out to literally everyone, and put on every car windscreen, etc. Otherwise you risk the phone call coming hours or even days after the sighting as number just wasn't to hand. In the areas where you've had consistent sightings put a flyer through every letterbox you can....and I was going to say, get all the local posties on your side to help you too, if not already, but that's not so easy with continued postal strikes! Good luck, hope to see Bishop blue over the weekend.

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2007-10-13 00:11 christo

CHANGE OF PLAN! Interesting day - sightings reported at: Ivybridge, Cornwall, Saltram and Torcorss... however, returned home with message to ring someone who's son had seen message written on poster at Bantham "I saw this dog here (Bantham) and at Thurlestone on 4th and 5th October". This ties in with sighting at 6.45am on 4th when he was reported heading south from top road out of Thurlestone. Also another message on answering machine from lady to say call me - seen your dog on 4th/5th. She wasn't at home when we rang but her ans. machine message said something about Chalaborough so she could easily have been in South Milton/Thurlestone. So - if you have to choose - it would seem that this area and the Avon estuary are the hottest contenders to date. Poster writing could just have been a joker meaning they had seen the poster in both places but will try and talk to Chalaborough sighter tomorrow again. In the meantime I guess this area is the best to pursue in view of today's activities. It seems well postered already - but might there be room for more? What do you all think? And just for the record I think we have now had over 80 phone calls. Cheers Gilly.

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2007-10-12 23:17 Islander

And Christo and Gilly have had more than 70 supposed sightings of Bishop - none confirmed.

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2007-10-12 22:16 DJP

I am no expert in the search for lost dogs, so please can you explain the strategy for 'waiting' to go national with the publicity. Poor Christo and Gilly are now entering their 9th week of agonising non stop searching, postering, logging sightings etc. Practically everybody in the South Hams has heard about Bishop (if they haven't they must have been on another planet) but no one has found him yet or even had a really positive sighting of him. Is it not fair to think that someone might have taken him out of the area?

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2007-10-12 21:12 Islander

That should be 'ever', obviously!

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2007-10-12 21:11 Islander

The only trouble with this advice, Nik, is that I see no reason why sightings should every be exhausted. Devon is stuffed full of black and white collies and many of the farm dogs wander.

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2007-10-12 14:25 Unknown

Great work, everyone ! I still think that national publicity should wait until all the local sightings have been exhausted.

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2007-10-11 23:58 Yasa

No thanks needed Christo. Just want all the dogs back, but not enough hours in the day. Reading this every day though, and will do all I can x

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2007-10-11 20:19 christo

To Yasa and Glynavon - just to thank you both - truly heroic efforts! So much appreciated and to all at doglost and all our wonderful helpers. Sometimes I think we don't say thank you often enough but we really, really do appreciate all the hard work that keeps us both hopeful! Fingers crossed as always.

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2007-10-11 12:58 Islander

Glynafon: thanks so very much - brilliant work. Yasa: thanks very much for your work and for the info, which I'll email on to Bishop's and Gunner's owners now.

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2007-10-11 11:45 DogLostGlynafon

posters sent to vets in PL area of Cornwall

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2007-10-11 10:43 DogLostGlynafon

Just under 70 vets in Devon now emailed about Bishop and Gunner,about to start on Cornwall

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2007-10-11 10:11 Yasa

Have had a reply from Sun Valley Holiday Park, Mevagissey (on the list I sent you) re- Murphy's poster. They are animal lovers and are happy to display, so have now sent Bishop and Gunner's too.

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2007-10-11 09:35 Yasa

Good Luck with The Countryman. Islander, I have emailed you a couple of useful links to help with the search, and a list of some camp sites. I don't like to send too many posters at a time in case they are removed as junk, but Old Kerrow Farm Holiday Park, St Austell, have been lovely, and are willing to display posters, so have already sent Bishop's and Gunner's new posters off. Great job everyone x

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2007-10-11 08:43 christo

well done Jayne - thanks a million. Much appreciated

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2007-10-11 08:08 Unknown

Bishop is in todays countrymans weekly.

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2007-10-10 22:40 christo

Lovely to see Suzy today! And to have the chance to say thank-you for all her long hard work face to face! She reported another sighting she found out about today which was up at Westlake on the night of 4th October - the same night as a previous sighting and ties in vaguely with a sighting in Ivybridge on 27th. We didn't pursue the original sighting on the 4th as he was supposed to be in South Milton at 6.45am that morning, following two sightings on Sunday 30th, and at the time of the Ivybridge one we were chasing around Harberton at dawn and dusk, until we found out it was wrong dog! Westlake has usual dog friendly country with scrub moors, woods, etc. Tomorrow we are going to talk to pipe laying community in case they have anything on their security cameras. Thanks a million all our helpers and team at doglost - not sure where (literally) to go from here! How confusing is life in Devon: over 70 reported sightings but not one confirmed as right dog but try as we might, only about 35 % confirmed as wrong dog!

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2007-10-10 19:21 Unknown

hi i put the posters up from flete to smithaleigh, around westlake and marjory x. plus various gates. also i gave some to walkers that i met on way to ivybridge also ped some to a lady i met who works in council offices and she took some more to give to her friends. i surely hope you will find him asap. poor Ted, he is a lovely dog, but i did not realise how big his son Bishop is until i saw him! so hope you get lucky and let me know where you want me to post please.

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2007-10-10 01:56 Islander

A week ago I had a chat with Keelah and an email from Nik about wider publicity, as you know Christo. Will send you a note later of what they said. Was about specific publications/progs though, not about strategy. But I think we definitely should not give up on the South Milton area yet.

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2007-10-09 20:41 christo

Thanks Glynavon, we're very grateful for your help, thank you so much. I have spoken to Gunner's owners this evening and both of us feel that we should try for wider publicity, beyond our local areas Jayne says 'Dogs don't just go missing' - so where are they? Our stories, and the dates when the dogs went missing, are similar and difficult to explain. They are both striking dogs in areas that, when they went, had lots of holidaymakers around who have now dispersed to their homes which could be anywhere. Gunner's family sent me some photographs of Gunner with their son astride his back taken before he went missing, there is a really heart-wrenching story there. Is there a gap in the news now that there is no election on the horizon? If you have any thoughts, please post.

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2007-10-09 19:49 DJP

Is it time perhaps to see if we can get some national publicity for both Bishop and Gunner? They may well have been taken by well intentioned holiday makers. Paul O'Grady, This Morning, GMTV ? Any thoughts?

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2007-10-09 19:46 Islander

VERY kind Glynafon from DogLost has said she will email all the vets in Devon and Cornwall about Bishop and Gunner. Both dogs? posters are now updated and ready to go. Both dogs? stories are similar: one disappeared from a beach in Devon, the other from a beach in Cornwall, both at the height of the tourist season, and there have been no confirmed sightings of either of them since. Both dogs are microchipped, so are readily identifiable if taken to a vet, and rural vets are themselves out and about a lot of the time visiting farms and noticing animals. Thank you SO much, Glynafon.

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2007-10-09 17:59 DJP

Went to South Milton, Thurlestone and Thurlestone Sands beach - plenty of posters up in the area but no sign of Bishop. Lots of hiding places and nice small caves for shelter on the beach. Stopped a tractor carrying farm workers with a collie and gave them the small pocket sized poster of Bishop. Also gave out more little posters to anyone I saw - not a lot on this dull afternoon. Hopefully though, if they do see a collie, they have some reference and won't send you on a wild goose chase. I did put up another poster at one end of the beach (the other side was well postered). I also put one down towards the valley where the South West Water works are located, as there was a public footpath nearby. Perhaps we should organise a mass walk at the weekend and invite ramblers, children and parents to do a 'Look for Bishop' walk covering the area we think he is likely to be in? Obviously with instructions not to chase or frighten him. Running out of ideas here!

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2007-10-09 13:19 christo

No sign of him in and around South Sands and no interest in the area from Ted's sniffing around. As it's a one-off so far we will keep our focus back where it was: S. Milton/Thurlestone area and the Avon valley.

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2007-10-09 08:57 DJP

C & G, Let me know how you got on at Salcombe this morning and if you want more postering done over there, if there isn't a Doglost helper in the area, I will try and get over there this afternoon for you.

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2007-10-09 01:38 Teddys Mum - Area Volunteer, West London

This is typical lost dog behaviour, especially collies. I wish you luck in being in the right place at the right time, for that is all that will be needed. Take some scenting liquid with you!! He will recognise it. What ever you do, if you see him, dont chase him. Watching posts now with baited breath and fingers crossed.

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2007-10-08 23:25 dstaylorhawkins

Have been quietly watching your search, fingers and everything else crossed for you tomorrow, hang on in there! Come on Bishop.

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2007-10-08 21:19 DogLostAngus

Wishing you all the best for the dawn patrol, you really deserve a break - there have been so many possibles but this does sound hopeful. Sleep tight and all the good luck in the world....

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2007-10-08 20:25 christo

Just had a call from people with the South Sands sighting - 'black and white, not fluffy, black collar, fully grown, keeping close to wall near cafe/beach, looked healthy and fit' She seemed aware of collie behaviour: 'completely on his own, sharp, stalking'. Guess where we'll be tomorrow at first light? Chasing tails?

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2007-10-08 19:18 christo

A message on our answering machine from a holiday maker who saw a lone collie with a collar on, on South Sands beach, nr Salcombe between 1 and 2pm this afternoon. This is 4 miles, as the crow flies, from Thurlestone. Got his mobile number and left a message for him to call me. It's got a wooded valley above this beach. We have not bothered to poster Salcombe, DJB can you help, or is there a TQ postcode helper out there?

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2007-10-08 10:07 Unknown

Bishop-I cannot believe you are still missing-all these sightings though are good signs.

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2007-10-08 08:30 christo

Dawn Patrol along Thurlestone Beach revealed seal playing near water's edge and chap with four very noisy and boistrous collies. He walks there every morning... which means that this may scare Bish, that the dog seen close by near the golf course could not have been his as this was at noon, and that dog on the top road seen at 6.45am could not have been his either as he would have been on the beach at that time! Anyway we can rest assured that if BIsh is on this beach at dawn he will be seen or won't be there because of the other dogs!

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2007-10-07 23:55 Islander

Thanks very much Nik - looks good.

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2007-10-07 22:54 Unknown

Bishop's poster has been updated by request, with a lovely new photo which will afford far better recognition.

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2007-10-07 22:31 christo

Did some postering north of Kingsbridge following a couple of (dubious) sightings there - Combe fish farm and Royal Combe farm. Roamed around footpath from tidal road south of Aveton Gifford and into Doctor's wood on west bank of the river Avon.

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2007-10-07 20:38 Unknown

Chris, if the 'clairvoyant' phoned you on your mobile then Bishop got other mentions than David Fitzgerald's, as he gave out the DL number rather than yours.

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2007-10-07 12:51 Islander

Great work yesterday Christo, and good that you tracked down the collies that ?never roam?. I agree that the one of these is very unlikely to be the dog on the Thurlestone road on Thursday. Yes, I?m pleased that you weren?t seduced by the so-called clairvoyant! Nik did a brilliant job with Radio Devon.

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2007-10-07 09:01 PaulaK

Christo & Islander (and others helping) you are doing a great job! Wishing you all the luck in the world. Hope today is the day! Paula x

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2007-10-06 17:36 christo

Postered Bantham at entry to footpath to coast and another behind pub, also down by bend on Thurlestone Golf Course where he was seen, on footpaths leading off this road to S. Milton, at Aveton Gifford end of Tidal road and in car parks, at footpath leading down to Cockleridge point, at Bigbury Beach at entrance to beach at Bantham end, in shop in Bigbury village, at other footpath entry points around Thurlestone/S. Milton. also in Kingsbridge in Wallingford Road as sighting of Bishop-like dog reported there - hanging around for a few days - sighter thought it belonged to friend but it checked with friend and it didn't. Road ends in a long unmade track alongside stream/trees/hedges going north to Croft. Also visted Stadbury Farm who were v helpful and Wakeham Farm: no one at home, two farm dogs hanging about -one very old and shaggy, one small and nervy with big pointed ears and very dirty, left posters in house. Then found farm at Sutton - two blokes with ram in back of pick up and four farm dogs milling about - all black and white but only one that might have been mistaken for Bish - but not really like him - much smaller, narrow little head with narrow stripe and shortish legs. Assured by two blokes that they never roamed - and they seemed to be hanging around in a pack together. It seems unlikely to me that one would have got all the way down to the golf couse or to the road at the top. Sighting up at Westlake but a few days old, they tried to catch dog, but it headed off down where they are laying the pipe up there. If we get another report from there helpful lad said they have security cameras so can check out if next time sighting time is more precise... and just for Islander - one clarevoyant type who'd heard us on Radio Devon but you will be pleased to know we didn't pursue their kind offer!

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2007-10-06 16:45 christo

Just got back in from postering and walking the footpath from Bantham to Aveton Gifford. Fantastic to find out about the local radio coverage. I worked at 2 local TV stations with David Fitzgerald, a big, BIG thank you to him, now we have Radio Devon's help we have so many more eyes out for Bishop across a much wider area, we'll surely find him soon. Well done Nik of DogLost PR, thank you.

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2007-10-06 14:51 Millys Mum

You are all doing a brilliant job! Surely, it cannot be long before the elusive Bishop is sighted again and trusts someone enough to go to them. Great to hear that everyone, including the farmers, are being so helpful. Hope you're getting similar weather to us here in the South East. Keeping everything crossed this end that handsome Bishop is back home with you very soon and hopefully this weekend. Come on Bishop - time you gave yourself up!!!

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2007-10-06 11:52 Not known

Nice work everyone!

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2007-10-06 11:42 Unknown

Terrific mention from David Fitzgerald on BBC Devon just now. Thank you so much, David. He'd seen the posters too.

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2007-10-06 11:31 Unknown

Big radio push this weekend to presenters who have helped before. Some are dog owners who have helped before. BBC Devon & South Hams.

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2007-10-06 02:12 Islander

If this is Bishop, I?m not sure why he?d want to move on from this area, as it's got everything he needs. There are three parallel valleys with shelter, water and food (man I met today said he killed five mixi rabbits last week) ? the two ideal little valleys I was in today, plus the valley leading from South Milton down to Thurlestone Sands. Bishop, if it is him, could just be moving between the three (which would explain the sighting yesterday morning), together with excursions to the beach for a seafood breakfast (might be good to go there at dawn before other dogs start scavenging there), and possibly also to the sheltered farmland beside the Avon. It would be good to make sure the Avon Estuary footpath is postered at the start in Bantham (note that this is near this end of the village, and is not the same as the path down to the quay), and at the end at Aveton Gifford (near the nursing home), and to check that the car parks at AG are still postered. I postered the link path at Higher Aunemouth Farm today. Would also be very good to visit and talk to the people at Stadbury Farm. East of South Milton the land is less hospitable. Suggest you should check Bantham posters. I put about eight posters on the road between California Cross and AG a while back, and today only one was left. I don?t think this is significant ? people just think that they?re old and out-of-date and so take them down, which is another reason to keep on advertising (lots of people today had seen your very good Gazette ad). You can see from my list today and earlier this week, and DJP?s, where hasn?t been postered, and what farms haven?t been visited, and it would be good to fill in these gaps. The farmers are all very helpful and sympathetic. If Bishop crosses back over the Avon he will do so at Bantham at low tide, so Bigbury and Bigbury-on-Sea are important to do well. On that loop of the Avon Estuary footpath that goes from one village to the other it's low and sheltered and there are a num

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2007-10-05 23:47 christo

Islander - I will check your locations on a map. As we have scented heavily in this area, we will he be still around there, or can we predict his next move on? Bigbury or up the Avon valley up towards Aveton Gifford/Hatch and will poster both tomorrow. Thank you for working so hard for us... you are right, we must keep one jump ahead. Sounds right though because, between us all, we seem to have eliminated false hopes. Rest assured, we'll be out there all over the weekend postering with Ted doing his bit too. C&G

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2007-10-05 21:58 Islander

Forgot to say: met a woman who said that stray dogs in the area often go down to the beach as there?s always something to eat there ? bits of crab and fish etc. She?s right, there is, and the strand line on Thurlestone/South Milton sands is very long.

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2007-10-05 21:07 Islander

Just back from an afternoon?s postering, visiting farms and talking to people. Met lots of people, talked to all of them and gave them posters. Started beside Avon at Lower and Upper Aunemouth farms, which together cover about 600 acres ? all the land between the road and the river, down to Bantham and up to maybe North Upton. Everyone on both farms v. helpful. Then postered West Buckland and along the road to East Buckland, outside both entrances to Clanacombe (closed electric gates!), and out on to the Thurlestone road. Between here and where I turned off at Easton Court Farm was where Sarah saw the possible Bishop yesterday morning. (I met a teenage friend of hers who said that the dog ran off south of this road. He goes to Kingsbridge College where he?s seen the posters and he says all his friends are looking out for Bishop.) Visited Easton Court Farm, Lower Kerse and Kerse Farm (no longer a farm). Finished up postering Kerse Cross (the one near South Milton, not the one on the outskirts of Thurlestone ? have only just realised there are two). The valleys north and south of the Thurlestone road, ie the Buckland/Clanacombe valley and the Kerse valley are ideal for dogs living rough: sheltered, with water and also, I was told, plenty of mixi rabbits. I asked everyone about wandering collies and no one knew of any at all in the area apart from the ?well-known? farmer?s in South Milton, and these don?t seem to have been seen for many months. He has apparently been told by the police to keep them under better control, and his mother now does! One person said that his dogs were all smallish collies, while another said he thought he had a biggish black and white one, although he hadn?t seen it for ages. Conclusion: I think it's rather unlikely that the dog seen on the Thurlestone road yesterday belonged to the well-known farmer, and there appear to be no other wanderers in the area, so it is still very much a contender for Bishop. Christo: I?ll send you a pm later this

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2007-10-05 19:49 christo

Thanks Owl, we don't know who Bishop's father was, it was a double mating with our Ted as the other sire. We will re-examine our sightings and the map over the weekend and try and clear out more of the less likely sightings to get a clearer picture. 3 sightings today from the road above California Cross at Marriage Cross (earler sightings there and at nearby at Mary Cross near Modbury) - went over and talked to lady at Higher Witchcombe farm who showed my her collie bitch who looks very like Bishop. Her dog had wandered onto road and been the one who was spotted this time. Another farmer near road said that there had been another stray dog a week or more ago running with his collie, I need to talk more to him as, at that stage, I still thought Bishop was around. 2 further reports: one near Riverford farm yesterday morning and one between Ashsprington and Cornworthy yesterday (both reported today). The latter is not far from Harberton where there were two unresolved sightings (plus one definately discounted). The hunt goes on!

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2007-10-05 12:41 UNKNOWN

Sorry, I see you have already been doing the things I suggested. I have just been catching up on Bishop and see he is nomadic rather than working out a territory. My watercourse suggestion still stands though. Any idea who the non-collie parent is? Just wondered as it may help us to understand how he is thinking. Do the clusters of sightings follow a general overall direction or do they seem to be completely random? What do they have in common? Are they on higher ground or in valleys? Close to woodland? Do they relate to main roads at all (thinking of roadkill bunnies as a food source)? What is the usual time of day for him to be seen? I'm just throwing in ideas here, hoping that a fresh pair of eyes on the situation may help.

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2007-10-05 11:12 UNKNOWN

Christo, that pattern of a few sightings at one place followed by a few more a bit further away is typical for a dog living rough in a rural area. Have you marked them on a map to see if Bishop is doing any kind of a circuit? Most, though not all, dogs stake out a roughly triangular territory with various dens and shelters especially at each corner of the triangle. Also, how do the sightings relate to watercourses? Is he following a river or stream where there will be rodents along the banks? The big questions are: where does he eat, where does he drink and where does he find shelter? Are you working with internets maps e.g. google earth, virtual earth, to get an overview of the terrain? You can't simply follow after a dog who is living rough, you have to think ahead of him.

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2007-10-05 09:09 christo

I don't know tha names of the farms and not sure what you should do next Islander - you may be able to think clearer than us.

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2007-10-05 09:07 christo

Out at dawn and roamed around Thurlestone East and West Buckland and road between South Milton and Thurlestone. Met two men walking their dog south of South Milton towards Thurlestone - saw them yesterday, they do it every morning. They had not seen him and said that they didn't know of any farm dogs ranging in that area. Too busy looking to put up posters. Suspect he may have gone to the Avon valley beyond Bantham? Does anyone think there is a behavoural pattern or a pattern to the geography of the sightings? We seem to be getting a couple of independent sightings at the same time and place, then another a couple of days later a bit further on and then nothing for about a week.

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2007-10-05 01:02 Islander

I will try and go to this area tomorrow to do some postering and investigating. Please post an update here tomorrow morning so I know what?s going on, and please let me know where and what you think my priorities should be, as presumably you will be postering as well as searching. Kerse Cross is only half a mile from South Milton, so I hope this dog is not one of the wandering collies we already know about. Do you know the names of the two farms they belong to? The one farm collie that I was told about only wandered, or so I was told, between these two farms ? and he was not tall.

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2007-10-05 00:21 Yasa

Wonderful progress christo. Everything crossed for you tomorrow x

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2007-10-04 21:38 pontsian

Hi, I check your page regularly and really really hope that you get Bishop home soon. Fingers and everything crossed that it won't be long now. Sending loads of luck and positive thoughts your way from Essex! x

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2007-10-04 20:33 christo

Went to Thurlestone this morning and back again this evening, no sign, didn't have time to check farms and locals about similar looking dogs. This evening I talked to the lady who spotted him this morning. It was at 6.45am and she described him as tall, white neck, floppy ears, very scared - she is 99% sure it was him. She turned her car round but he had run off. Sizeable areas of woodland around there at West and East Buckland also, between South Milton and Thurlestone, around Kerse Farm. Will be there for dawn tomorrow.

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2007-10-04 09:45 DogLostAngus

Paws crossed here in Milton Keynes - looks like our south west two are showing themselves at last -I do hope that today will bring you closer all the best Sandie xx

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2007-10-04 08:55 christo

Gilly here - another sighting! Christo off on the search. This time on the road out of Thurlestone between Kerse X and Whitely X heading in the direction of Thurlestone. Seen at about 6.50 this morning but the sighter's only just been able to phone us... right time and right place! Only a few miles from South Milton but hopefully too far from there to be the wandering farm dogs we know about and if this sightings right am now assuming it wasn't them. Reported (as usual) as looking very scared. Usual routine - leaving scent at cross roads and gateways to try and keep him in the area... which way he might actually go is so difficult to predict as there are (as usual!) so many choices!

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2007-10-03 20:36 christo

Phoned lady in South Milton who said local farmer had '2 or 3 thin, scarred-acting collies' who wander between either end of village' so we suspect one of these may account for Sunday's sighting. There was a message on our answering machine from a lady who was reporting the same sighting at The Thatches at noon today - see previous message - proof indeed that lot's of people have their eyes open and our contact details. Did a scout round part of Torrdown Plantation this evening with Ted.

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2007-10-03 18:02 christo

Off on what quickly proved to be a falso alarm today near The Thatches /Harraton Cross (farm dogs bolted with noise of humane gun putting down calf with broken leg). Farmer said a friend spotted Bishop-like dog (seen poster) near Torrdown Plantation/Wizaller 'about 10 days ago. That would be around 23/9 when he was reported near California Cross.

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2007-10-03 13:21 Islander

Suggest you phone Jenny again as she's the person who 'knows everyone'. She certainly knows the wandering collie and its owner, who is well known in the village, and she may know if there are any other loose collies around the village. I'll pm you the name and number of someone else in the village who is apparently very observant and very chatty! I haven't got time to make these calls myself today, I'm afraid, but can tomorrow if you can't today.

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2007-10-03 13:09 christo

Jude checked again with her colleague who lives in S Milton who maintains that it is unlikely to be local dog who has not been seen wandering in the village for ages. Would be good to know more about local collies as the locals we talked to on Sunday were along a different road to Thurlestone - single track whereas the dog was sighted on wider road leading towards the golf club.

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2007-10-03 08:00 christo

Floppy ears which never prick up. I'll knock that location off the map.

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2007-10-03 01:37 Islander

Forgot to say yesterday that I met yesterday the two people from the Forces Tavern who had reported sighting there a while back. Man in his 30s, woman maybe in her 60s. The man was certain that the dog he'd seen had pricked ears. He'd phoned, he said, because sometimes flop ears can prick up, but Bishop's ears don't do that, do they?

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2007-10-02 17:49 Unknown

You're all doing a great job. I think it would be a really good idea to eliminate the other collie (so to speak). Can someone follow that up ? If we're to up the PR in the locality, then we need to be as sure as we can that this is Bishop and not a regular wanderer !

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2007-10-02 15:46 DJP

Have been down to Thurlestone and put up some posters. There was a poster of Bishop in the Post Office but taken from a different angle showing a white tip to his tail, which isn't evident on the current posters. Does Bishop have any other distinguishing markings that would make him stand out from other collies? The lady in the Post Office did say there was a farm dog similar to Bishop, so I hope this isn't the dog that was spotted earlier. Popped into South Hams Radio and they will try and make more announcements about Bishop throughout the day.

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2007-10-02 09:35 DJP

I will go down to Thurlestone this morning and poster where Islander ran out of time to do. Will keep you posted as to any news etc.

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2007-10-01 23:04 christo

Well done Islander, let's hope the local collie isn't the one our two people spotted. We will do a dawn patrol tomorrow. Just two more pairs of eyes and a very sensitive nose out looking, paws crossed!

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2007-10-01 22:38 Islander

Postered South Milton village fairly well, and a little way outside the village on approach road from Kingsbridge, and on road going down to South Milton Sands, including at entrance to Southdown Farm. Another parallel road from the village leads down to Thurlestone Sands (which is the other end of the same large beach) and I did not have time before it got dark to poster down this road, or in Thurlestone, or by the golf course, so do hope someone will be able to do this tomorrow. Met at least eight lots of dog walkers and talked to them all and gave them posters. One of them turned out to be Jenny, being taken for a walk by her springer puppy! Another one said that there was a farm collie which wandered in the village between his owner?s two farms, which were at either end of the village. She said the dog was a normal collie size and shape and was always very dirty so she didn?t really know what colour he was. Have just phoned Jenny and asked her about this dog and she said she doesn't see it often and hasn?t done recently, even though she walks around the village a lot, and that it was not a large collie. If the latest sightings were definitely of a large collie type they are probably of a different dog. Also: called in to Loddiswell pub which was posterless so gave them new one, and to Loddiswell shop where poster was still up inside and out so asked them to keep them up. Talked to reception at Kingsbridge Community College and they took six posters to put up at key places around the school (1,200 pupils). Gave poster to South Milton man to put up outside Kingsbridge primary school, where his children go. Talked to Robbie, the Ringmore village correspondent for the Gazette, who said she would do a short follow-up in her Friday column this week to her previous piece about Bishop.

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2007-10-01 22:29 Sally Nicholson-Fisher

It's been long enough now. Time for Bishop to go home. Good luck x

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2007-10-01 21:19 Unknown

Concentrate on the local media for now. If these sightings are really Bishop, you don't want to waste what might be the only bite of the cherry with the nationals. Keep the publicity very localised with posters and emails to local businesses/organisations etc. Concentrate on the ones who'll be out and about on foot and in vehicles. If you need emailing help let me know and I'll get someone on the case.

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2007-10-01 19:31 christo

Spoke to Jenny re her South Milton column so she will write about Bishop - with a note to the editor NOT to edit it! Also it appears that man who saw him also on Sunday actually saw him in South Milton itself. Spoke again to lady who first saw him and it was on the road by the beach and golf club and he appeared to be heading away from beach direction towards village but seemed confused as another car came in the opposite direction at the same time.

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2007-10-01 19:14 DogLostAngus

Come on Bishop - give yourself up and show your face to your Mum & Dad - a nice warm bed awaits ...

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2007-10-01 12:53 Islander

Will go down to this area this afternoon to poster. It's a very possible area and close to previous sightings. Gilly and Christo are contacting the 'village correspondent' for South Milton who is writing her column for this Friday's Gazette this afternoon and is very sympathetic - good timing!

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2007-10-01 12:10 christo

I have just picked up a message from a man who said he saw Bishop yesterday near South Milton/Thurlestone moving in the direction of Salcombe - this is exactly the same place as yesterday's call, but we now may have a direction of travel. I have contacted South Hams radio and asked them to put out an alert to everyone in that area. Unfortunately the man did not leave his phone number so I am unable to quiz him for more details.

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2007-09-30 20:18 Islander

Went to Modbury Harriers races (dogs and horses) and postered in key places. Lots of people there, especially horsey people, and those I talked to had heard about him. Christo and Gilly: I've just had a good preliminary chat with Keelah about national publicity. She was really helpful and full of ideas and I'll email you about this. Great that South Hams radio is running the story again - hope they will keep this up.

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2007-09-30 19:39 christo

Another possible sighting this afternoon at noon, phoned through at 2pm on the road between South Milton and Thurlestone. Rushed over and drove/walked around for four and a half hours. Checked local farms and houses, no likely look alikes. As usual everyone knew of him and were keeping their eyes out. He had regular bulitins on South Hams Radio today.

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2007-09-30 16:21 DJP

Spoke to someone today who suggested getting in contact with the company Bishop is registered with for his microchip. They may have contacts etc that they can distribute Bishop's details to and make other people further afield aware that he is missing. Has anyone tried this in the past and if so, did it help?

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2007-09-30 01:07 DogLostMajorjet (Jan) - Area Co-ordinator - Liverpool/Merseyside, North West

Everyone is doing a brilliant job searching for Bishop. Christo there is one avenue I would take if my dog was missing. I deliver the Merseymart which is a free local paper in Liverpool, Merseyside. Each week there are lots of leaflets to be delivered with it. It may worth getting some small leaflets printed and paying to get them delivered with whatever free local paper is delivered in the areas you want to target. Or approach a company that just do leaflet deliveries. If you could not go the direct route to paper distributor, then try and find out who actually delivers any papers etc and give them say ?5.00. Hope this helps and everyone is rooting for Bishop to come home. If you need any further advice on the leaflet distribution just pm me. Jan xxx

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2007-09-29 07:46 DJP

There is just a 'missing' poster in the Ivybridge and South Brent Gazette, in the classified sections, no editorial.

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2007-09-29 02:34 Islander

Went to Totnes today. Talked to manager of Morrisons who replaced little flyer of Bishop on noticeboard with A4 poster, and also put another one in staff canteen. Talked to headmaster of King Edward school who took eight posters and promised to put them up all around the school (1,600 pupils). Talked to two policemen walking around one took poster to put in a second place in Totnes police station, while the other took posters and promised to put them up in the two main Plymouth police stations. Updated petshop with Bishop news and they promised to keep his poster up. Checked other Totnes posters, including in sorting office ? still in place, though lots more postering possibilities in Totnes. Christo?s ad looks good in the Kingsbridge and Salcombe Gazette, but they haven?t used the editorial. Anyone know if it's in the Ivybridge and South Brent Gazette?

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2007-09-28 23:40 christo

We went off to Loddiswell tonight on an unlikely 'sounding' but when we got there there was neither sight nor sound of him. Still, if he's in that neighbourhood hopefully he'll pick up Ted's scent as we quartered the area pretty thoroughly.

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2007-09-28 18:37 christo

Fantastic Keelah! It's up to us to push the local PR, we're trying but with little success to date, we'll crack it though.

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2007-09-28 11:16 Islander

That's great - thanks Keelah!

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2007-09-28 10:46 Keelah

Bishop is in he countrymans weekly colu,mn i did today

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2007-09-27 23:36 Islander

Just to alert you to another loose collie who is not Bishop. A friend saw him today in Avonwick in the main road, looking ?purposeful?, and got excited, but quickly realised that he was a collie/whippet type and not at all like Bishop. This may be the collie that I?ve seen several times in Avonwick looking unhappy. His owners say that he?s a working dog and lives out, but he clearly wants to live in, particularly when it rains. Modbury Harriers are holding a racing event on Sunday for horses, ponies and dogs so I?ll go along and make sure everyone knows about Bishop. Not sure exactly where it's going to be but it?ll be signposted from California Cross and Kitterford Cross so it's right in our current core area. Will go to the King Edward school in Totnes tomorrow.

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2007-09-27 18:37 Yasa

So sorry for for your false alarm x

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2007-09-27 13:05 DJP

That's a shame. I have left posters with market holders in Ivybridge this morning and also saw the Big Issue seller who was able to take a poster and spread the word. A lot of BI sellers have dogs so hopefully they may hear of something or see something. I am now out of posters again but won't really be able to do much till Saturday. Let me know where you need postering done and I will pick up more posters.

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2007-09-27 08:44 christo

False alarm. Caught up with Sarah who showed us a picture of the dog which she had taken on her mobile yesterday afternoon: not Bishop. Lesson learned, spend more time quizzin people before jumping to conclusions and rushing off. Back to theCalifornia Cross/Brownston/Avon valley area I guess???

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2007-09-26 23:56 Islander

Christo: have been in Cornwall all day and only just got back to get Gilly?s message and see this exciting post. Have found all these places on the map. I can do some postering tomorrow so suggest you get in touch in the morning to tell me what you?d like me to do. I?m well stocked up with postering kit (and nice smelly dog food) ? thanks for posters collected at Avonwick. I will also go to the King Edward VI school in Totnes and aim to do, or get done, some good postering inside the school. DJP: if you can do a bit of postering tomorrow too suggest you give me a ring on my home number so we can arrange not to duplicate each other.

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2007-09-26 23:06 christo

We're studying the map Yasa and we'll take bedding with us tomorrow morning and try and find a likely spot.

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2007-09-26 22:46 Yasa

This is really brilliant news Christo. I am watching this, and almost holding my breath now. I feel really excited that you are just a little behind him, and oh so very close. Well done, and good luck for the morning. Is there somewhere safe you can leave a blanket, food and water?

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2007-09-26 22:31 christo

Another sighting! From Jane Muckrow at 3.10pm today at Leigh Bridge cottage which is between Harberton and Dipford from lady who drove by and saw him looking thin and distressed. Didn't pick up the message until 4.15, drove straight over and talked to lady (Sarah Trott) who lives in the left hand cottage who confirmed he had been there for a couple of hours that afternoon. I didn't quiz her beyond that (stupidly) and set off on the hunt with Ted in tow, he was very interested in sniffing all around there. When we came back Sarah was out but talked to neighbour next door. Went up to Torre Mill farm opposite, very ramshackle, talked to farmer and gave him poster. Went to Belford as there is a green lane connecting up towards Blakemore where he was seen on 14th Sept. Interestingly there is a public footpath directly opposite on the road and this leads towards Dorsley Barton and on to one of the places he was spotted in Totnes (16/17/19th Sept). Left a sock at the Belsford end of the green lane and Ted and I scented the other end, no paw prints. Followed the brook and mill leat from old mill outside Harberton towards Langford farm. Drove round and handed out posters to cyclists, walkers and farmers. Didn't have postering kit (large stock of posters, plastic sleeves, drawing pins etc.) so couldn't do much of a thorough job. Will be back there at dawn. Need to talk more to Sarah. Phoned Jane Mucklow, who had phoned in sighting, this evening to keep her informed, she lives at West Leigh and will be keeping her eyes peeled and will have food and a spare lead with her. It's so encouraging to have another sighting and it seems to be addingto a patern. If he follows the same route he should be heading towards Totnes again. We put up just a few posters on Plymouth Road in Totnes, need to do some more.

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2007-09-26 07:09 Unknown

am off on my hols now. but will be willing Bishop to come home. you are all doing a fantastic job.will be back on the 10th and know i will log on and see him in the blue!

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2007-09-26 00:08 Islander

The other big secondary school we should do is the King Edward VI Community College in Totnes. Anyone got any contacts there - staff or pupils? My Kingsbridge school contact isn't contactable until the weekend, so if anyone else has a contact there that would be better. Failing contacts, a chat with the school secretary should do the trick. Yasa: thanks for Keelah info.

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2007-09-25 21:22 christo

Posters ped off at Avonwick shop for Islander. Have contacted South Hams radio to ask for their help, when they ran missing Bishop story when he first went missing, everyone seemed to have heard it - real community radio at its best. So fingers crossed there. Ad going in Gazzette newspapers end of this week. Will try Radio Devon as this is a different audience profile. Missed Totnes Times AGAIN as they publish on Wednesdays. Didn't have time to go to Totnes police to follow up on Totnes sightings (one of which was in their car park). We were out on dawn patrol and dusk patrol today around the most recent sighting areas - exhausted and still trying to do the day job too. Full moon kept us out late, lost in mazes we never knew existed, yet so close to home. We're hoping for a big push from the local media this weekend so that everyone has their eyes open for him. Islander has come up with a great idea about schools - perfect times of day for the school runs, remote routes and the sharpest eyes around.

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2007-09-25 20:10 Yasa

islander, I have sent you PM with keelah's number. She may be able to suggest suitable publicity ideas.

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2007-09-25 15:25 DJP

Put up a few more posters in Modbury ? not all shops could / would take them though ? but those that did were very helpful and sympathetic. 3 pubs in Modbury took posters too. (Hasten to add I am teetotal and don?t have an ulterior motive for postering pubs !) Tourist information centre took poster and a couple with dogs staying at one of the campsites took one. Antique shop on hill (with Guide Dog collection box outside) also took poster. The really nice lady in The Wild Goose Antiques (Antiques and Gift Shop) also took a poster and said she would love to be able to find Bishop ? and if she did she wouldn?t take the reward! Is it worth contacting South Hams Radio again and asking them to do a bit on Bishop on their 5.30pm news roundup?

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2007-09-25 13:51 Islander

Sherlock Bones and Yasa: I've had no reply from my pm to Keelah about Countryman's Weekly and the media list, and no postings on this page from anyone else about my publicity question, which is: Can anyone please suggest daily and weekly national publications, and national TV and radio shows, that have in the past used stories about missing dogs and may be sympathetic to a story about Bishop? It would help Christo and Gilly if they could start national publicity with these. Should we phone Jayne, or ask you to email all the PR advisers? Please advise!

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2007-09-25 11:20 Islander

Went to see a body on the road yesterday afternoon and it was NOT Bishop. It was a badger. Suzy told me about it in the morning and wanted a second opinion as it was very decomposed. It was on the Orcheton road in a passing place, about three-quarters of a mile from the main road, in case anyone else reports it. The short stumpy tail was unmistakeably a badger?s as were the short legs with very long close-together claws. There are many badgers in this area and sadly lots get killed on the roads. All the Bishop posters on the Orcheton road still looking good. Went down towards Wonwell and met a girl on a chestnut horse who said she went to Ivybridge College and most of her friends knew about Bishop. She offered to put up posters inside the school, which has 2.000 students from all over our core area, and in the staff room, which is fantastic. Dropped off a bunch of posters at her family?s house in Kingston, which is also a livery yard, and they?re going to put a poster where all their horses? owners will see it. Apparently all the other livery yards in the area are west of the Erme (don?t know where) and I think these should be postered too (maybe in their tack rooms), as riders get much further afield and see more than walkers. I know someone who I think still goes to Kingsbridge College, the other big secondary school in the area, so I?ll ask him if he will poster inside his school. Both secondary schools have websites that list their feeder primary schools and some of their email addresses, and I think we should poster outside these schools so that parents see the posters.

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2007-09-24 21:15 christo

Booked another ad in South Hams Gazette. Totnes Times is different group so will place an ad there tomorrow. PR stories going to both too. Dropped off posters for DJP who is getting in very good places around the area. Searched this evening around Mary Cross - California Cross and Gara Bridge. Phone call from postal delivery driver who used to work for RSPCA and so knows dogs who said he saw a lost looking dog matching Bishop's description with some children outsideTotnes police station last Wednesday and told a WPC. He had seen posters we had ped off at the Unigate Dairy depot in Totnes following sightings there. We also ped off a poster to the police station - no one there to answer the door when we were there last Friday, will phoen them tomorrow.

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2007-09-24 12:30 Unknown

wont be here saturday, but there is a farmers market up in totnes this saturday if anyone is going up there.

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2007-09-24 11:09 DJP

Latest posters up in various shops, pubs, police station, post office sorting depot etc, in Ivybridge. Have run out of posters now but will continue as soon as I can get more copies done. Thanks to all the postering that's been done previously and the coverage in local papers, most people are very aware of Bishop and keen to know where and when he was last sighted. So I think the time is ripe for more publicity in the papers and other media if we can get it.

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2007-09-24 00:37 Islander

As Christo and Gilly are thinking that they need to start doing national publicity, in case Bishop has been taken out of the area by some well-meaning but misguided person (maybe a tourist) thinking he was a stray, it would be very helpful if, as a starting point, we could compile a list of national daily and weekly publications and TV and radio shows that have in the past been sympathetic to missing dogs. Can anyone suggest some please? I remember Take a Break ran a story (about Digby?) and the Paul O?Grady show is probably worth a try, but there are presumably a number of others? Following up sightings (almost 50 so far, but none certain) and local postering and publicity is of course still our main focus, but C and G now want to cover all angles. Sherlock Bones: thanks very much ? have pmed Keelah as suggested and also asked her to look at my question here.

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2007-09-23 22:31 DogLostSherlock Bones Police Liaison Co-ordinator

What wonderful helpers we have in this area - keep it up all of you, you're doing brilliantly! Islander, a quick pm to Keelah and ask her to add Bishop to the media list, mentioning Countrymans. DJP we've found dogs, especially fit ones, can do 10 miles in a triangle "circuit", but normally 3 miles between each stop would be normal, so if the sightings are within that sort of scale then i'd be pretty hopeful - obviously dogs wandering in zigzaggy lines not straight ones so it might vary a bit but their habits and tracking seems to follow a pattern. Sounds like you might be catching up on him thankfully! suzy - if posters are coming down - make sure 2 go up in the place that they went missing from. I think it's a long shot that someone has him (unless caught recently) but just in case, you need to make sure that they know that he'll be too hot to handle and no matter how many posters come down, more go up in their place. If he's wandering on moor type land it may be that local bylaws prevent postering and could be something that innocuous (and in towns again could be fly postering rules) but even so... don't tell anyone i told you to ignore rules eh ) Keep it up you're doing fab! Keep that map monitoring going too - make sure you're watching his route so that you can work out where to scent and then were to put a trap - if we can work out that then you're laughing and it's just a matter of time xx

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2007-09-23 22:28 christo

Do we think there is any signficance in someone removing Suzi's posters... ??

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2007-09-23 22:11 Islander

Jayne/Yasa: do you think you could put Bishop in Countryman's Weekly? He badly needs more publicity over a much wider area in case none of the sightings turn out to be him. Please!

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2007-09-23 19:57 christo

Met up with Islander and DJP - wonderful to meet two of the three DL people who have been so helpful and supportive. We're so grateful for your time, effort and support for people and a dog you don't even know and also to Suzi who was charging around postering. Mid meeting there was another possible sighting somewhere on road between California Cross and Wrangaton. Drove over and checked every road off and then every footpath off, but as it started to rain relentlessly, no dog to be seen. Phoned farms (Cole Witchcombe and Witchcombe) along that stretch to see if it could have been one of their's and that doesn't seem likely. Also phoned Weeke farm by Mary Cross to check if Thurday's sightings there could have been local dog, again was told this wasn't likely. May be closing in? Hunt is now on in that area. We are surprised at how sympathetic and help every single farmer we have spoken to has been, it an seem quite intrusive and forbidding going down long, rough tracks to remote farms. DJP's infor she had dug out from an American site is really interestingfrom www.lostapet.org. Time for a hot bath!

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2007-09-23 19:07 Unknown

went out looking for Bishop this afternoon for a few hours. noticed that a few posters had been taken down on the way to newton ferrers and noss mayo.seems a bit odd as i put them up less than a day ago.more so as there were 3 other posters when i put Bishops up and they are still there went to langbrook, westlake modbury turned left before modbury sheepham, brown something or other, got lost ended up in dartmouth. then came back through to flete.took a turning to orcheton and womwell. stopped looked and called to no avail. everywhere is so well postered, so it makes me wonder why is just Bishops posters being removed on the road behind yealmpton. ?

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2007-09-22 21:01 DJP

Went to the Dog Jamboree near Mortenhampstead today and met up with Islander who was busy putting up posters and we walked around with posters on our backs. Talked to a man from one of the search and rescue groups and his view was that most missing dogs usually stayed within a 3 mile radius from where they originally went missing. Not sure if this applies in this case though with the wide ranging sightings.

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2007-09-22 19:39 christo

Thanks yet again Debbi, I suppose now all the second home owners have gone back to Islington the good folk of Newton Ferrers have nothing better to do than to keep their expensive back passages clean and poster free. We had a phone call to say South Hams Radio had reported a dog hiding under a car in Aveton Gifford, he was growling and wouldn't come out. We belted over there but no sign of anything in either car park and no one knew anything about it. The guy on the news desk at the radio station had no more info. postered a bit and walked Ted for miles around that part of the estuary. We were well fooled by a black and white box in a field until we managed to get a walker's binoculars on it. What have we learnt? Not to rush out so quickly on a possible sighting without taking the full kit (binos, map, jumpers, leads, food, scent, posters etc. etc.).

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2007-09-22 17:07 Unknown

Picked up posters thankyou. put one in brixton garage.Drove from yealmpton towards noss mayo and newton ferrers, put a couple up on main road. to cut a long story short ALL the posters i had put up in bus shelters. notice boards , telegraph poles had been taken down. this had happenned near civilisation as it were. so put loads more up in where they had been taken down. are they too proud to poster in these villages then? then went back to yealmpton and went to pusching bridge. had a look around. showed and asked dog walkers if they had seen or heard of Bishop.most were aware as still well postered there. let me know where you want me to go tomorrow. will definately go to langbrook as lived there and will visit farms and go back lanes to modbury.

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2007-09-22 12:54 Yasa

Christo. You are doing so well, but you need to get an ordnance survey map which will show you all the pathways, ridges, and walks etc. If you plot your sightings onto there, you can work out the dogs route, and walk some of it yourself, leaving your scent.

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2007-09-22 12:44 Gunner's family

All the best of luck , you must be so close now, it must be excrutiating. Keep plugging away, can't be long now. x

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2007-09-21 23:21 christo

Good news about Tescos ('Every little counts') - just about everybody around here shops there, great exposure, well done Islander.

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2007-09-21 22:39 christo

Modbury Harriers' kennel is between our home and work - we frequently walk to work past these kennels which are 5 mins walk from work. We've checked them out to see if he's joined thier pack but not dirrectly informed the hunt. Will do tomorrow. For tabbard - Gilly just taped an A4 poster to her back at the Kingsbridge show - it was seen by everyone around.

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2007-09-21 22:12 Yasa

HA HA you made me chuckle islander. Great idea about the tabard! had to go and have a google, but nothing really peculiar came up. Modbury Harriers kennel did though:- Flete, Ermington, Ivybridge. Tele 01752 830266. Meet Tue and Sat.

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2007-09-21 21:52 Islander

The South Devon foxhounds are going to be at the jamboree tomorrow so I'll talk to them about Bishop and give them posters. What about the Modbury Harriers - haven't they got kennels on or very near the Flete Estate? Googled them, but not thoroughly, and came up with some slightly strange stuff.

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2007-09-21 21:31 Islander

Bishop has been promoted in Tesco! A nice manager has put the poster at the end of the tills, so that everyone going out of the shop, unless they're in the middle of a massive row, can't fail to see it. Drove through Loddiswell without stopping on my way home and the 4 or 5 posters that I'd put up so they could be seen from a car had all gone. Christo: just had a thought - if you want to me wear the tabard (or whatever it was with Bishop's poster on it) at the dog jamboree tomorrow I'm happy to do so, but you'll need to get it either to Avonwick shop or the newsagents in South Brent by 10.15am. It's quite a big event - 1,000 or so people - and has a website if you want to check it out.

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2007-09-21 17:14 DJP

I walked across the fields again but this time in the other direction from West Leigh towards Ayleston Cross. Very nice lady (presume farmer's wife) took a poster and will keep a look out too. Did hear a dog barking in the distance. It might have been coming from the campsite but I couldn't see it, so I presume it was camper's or farmer's dog. Is it worth checking campsites this weekend with new visitors coming to stay? Despite using squeaky toy, whistle and getting my dog to bark, we didn't see anything unfortunately.

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2007-09-21 12:37 christo

Updated map of sightings available as a PDF on www.logoswift.co.uk - username: bishop password: bishop and click on 'Files' in the top menu bar.

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2007-09-21 11:55 christo

Visited farms between Spriddlescombe Manor Farm and main road, no one had seen him, all have their eyes out and v sympathetic, none had a similar looking wandering dog which is encouraging. Drove slowly back across main road, across Aylestone Cross to A379. I think Ted will be doing some walking around here later and over the weekend.

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2007-09-21 11:38 Yasa

I am calling in here even though I dont always post, but you are doing really well now. This one will go down in history! I would think if these latest regular sightings are definitely Bish, then he has got his route well sorted, and calls in at food sources and water holes on a regular basis, and may be two or three times a day, at similar times. Once you are sure he is on a route, scenting can be done, and a new safe place provided. Refer to Sherlocks instructions. Good Luck. In the blue soon x

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2007-09-21 09:06 christo

Just checked map - as today's caller saw him yesterday just before 8am and the lady who phoned yesterday morning saw him a 8.10am he would seem to have been moving in exactly the direction DJP walked yesterday afternoon. Both these callers felt v sure it was him. He may have gone back north of the road agin after second sighting.

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2007-09-21 08:57 christo

Another Modbury sighting from 8am yesterday at same place except the other side of the road, nr Marycross/Leycombe farm/Croppings Combe. Off we go again.

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2007-09-21 08:12 DJP

I can leave details with Dartmoor Hunt kennels if you like, but not sure what areas they cover. I will let you know.

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2007-09-21 01:39 Islander

On another dog's page there's a mention of how the owner has contacted the local hunts and asked them to circulate details of the dog to everyone on their email list. Good idea and worth investigating here, I suggest.

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2007-09-21 00:35 Islander

Will collect posters from Avonwick tomorrow ? thanks Christo. Will check posters in Tesco tomorrow and talk to manager to make sure he keeps them up. Last night put one in Sainsburys at Marsh Mills as the one Suzy put there had vanished. On Saturday am going to the Hayne Dog Jamboree at Moretonhampstead and will poster there. Out of the immediate area, I know, but people will be going there from all over, so worthwhile.

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2007-09-20 23:58 DogLostMajorjet (Jan) - Area Co-ordinator - Liverpool/Merseyside, North West

Christo you have sent a pm to me instead of Teddy's owner, I have copied and pasted it and sent it to them. Jan xxx

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2007-09-20 20:12 christo

Thanks DJP, it was a wet afternoon for walking, much apppreciated. We drove around that area this evening and saw your postering. We ped off posters for Islander at Avonwic shop, visited the travellers at Marley Head and postered South Brent. Still feel positive.

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2007-09-20 17:08 DJP

Double checked Ayleston Cross, Bablands and up to Bearscombe. Drove around area and back to Modbury but no sign of Bishop. Walked from Ayleston Cross through fields, down to stream and couldn't see any sign of him. Gave small posters to some ramblers and workman who I came across during the afternoon. Dare say Bishop is tucked up warm and dry in a barn somewhere in this weather. Will try and do more searching tomorrow depending on sighting reports overnight.

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2007-09-20 17:07 DJP

Double checked Ayleston Cross, Bablands and up to Bearscombe. Drove around area and back to Modbury but no sign of Bishop. Walked from Ayleston Cross through fields, down to stream and couldn't see any sign of him. Gave small posters to some ramblers and workman who I came across during the afternoon. Dare say Bishop is tucked up warm and dry in a barn somewhere in this weather. Will try and do more searching tomorrow depending on sighting reports overnight.

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2007-09-20 13:04 christo

12.15 dubious sighting of dog running across field on north side of A38 east of South Brent. Will check this area this evening and visit travellers at Marley Head. Posters in South Moor vets for Debbie, posters this evening to Avonwick shop for Islander.

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2007-09-20 11:27 DJP

I will pick up the posters and double check areas you have mentioned. If you think of any other areas you think might be worthwhile checking, please let me know.

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2007-09-20 10:02 christo

Poss sighting 8am today on Dartmouth Road just out of Modbury. If heading from Modbury to California Cross it is the first crossroads which go south to Ayleston Cross and on up to Westerns/Bablands. Drove round and round, asked walkers and joggers but no sign. Checked north towards Bearscombe. Maybe DJB could check again? Posters will be in vet at 1pm.

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2007-09-19 22:51 Nicki&Hounds

I'm so sorry - only just picked up your message from 15/9 that you posted on my reuinuted thread with Teddy. You were asking about how far afield to take the search. You must be so desperate by now. If you want to call me to talk about how we found Teddy then I can PM you my home number. He never went further than about 1/2 a mile from where he was staying but he didn't know the area. If Bishop knows where he is he may be wandering further afield. It's hard to say. I really feel for you and hope he can be caught or gives himself up soon..... I have everything crossed for you.

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2007-09-19 22:46 christo

I did have a message left on my mobile (no signal at home) at 3.30am Wednesday morning - a driver had seen a dog he thought may be Bish at the bridge by Puslinch - Yealmpton. Maybe he's been here, and stayed here after all. Not terribly hopeful about it though. Walked and marked there with Ted late last week. Hmm...

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2007-09-19 21:17 christo

Great to find another helper on board DJP - we have colour posters of all shapes and sizes if you need them, we'll happily deliver them to wherever. We went to see the people living in the benders in Allerleigh Copse but they hadn't seen him, but lady said that landlord of Forces thought dog around there had standing up ears and there is a local dog that wanders. I'll double check lady who saw him on Saturday and quiz her about ears. Story submitted to South Hams Gazette Group - fingers crossed they print it.

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2007-09-19 20:42 DJP

I went over to the area where Bishop was last sighted (A3122) and I only had a few posters in the car with me but the reception staff at Dartmouth Golf Club took 3 and were happy to help. I went to Capton and did a circular walk via Kingston, Barberry Farm, Capton Wood, Capton Mill and back to Capton, as I thought and hoped maybe Bishop had headed in that direction but no sight of him. I only saw two people while walking but asked them if they hadn't seen Bishop to keep an eye out for him. Fingers crossed he will show up soon, hopefully playing with another dog rather than the traffic ! Does Bishop have a favourite breed he likes to play with?

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2007-09-19 15:46 Patsy

Have been following Bishop's story from afar (I live in Surrey, so sadly cannot help). Just a suggestion: I know the local police are aware, but is there some way of getting a poster to all the Traffic Police patrol cars in the area? If they are called out to an incident involving a loose dog, they would be able to recognise Bishop immediately. Or they may see him roaming around when on patrol. Around here (lots more traffic, so lots more traffic cops!) I've always found the patrol car drivers v. helpful in searching for our local missing dogs. Good luck Gilly and Christo . . . Px

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2007-09-19 09:47 christo

Another sighting just phoned in: lady saw him disorientated and disrupting traffic at 2pm Sat 15th on A3122 road between Halwell and Dartmouth Golf Club. This is very near Forces Tavern and just north of Blackawton. Very accurate discription including observation that he still has his collar on.

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2007-09-18 23:59 Islander

Christo: nope, don?t know of any travellers in Totnes. Have thought of some other people who it would be worth visiting, though. At Allerleigh, which is about a mile east of Halwell, there?s a small group of ?eco-farmers? living on their own land in yurts and benders. They have 40 sheltered acres of fields, woodland and water and they?re out and about on the land all day, although some have jobs in Totnes too. They?re nice people (I know one of them and will email you her name) and certainly wouldn?t steal Bishop, but they might not think of reporting him if he?d lost his collar, and I?m sure they?d look after him. Even if he?s not there now, if he?s been in the area they might have seen him, which would confirm that this is the right area. Incidentally, the land between the Totnes-Avonwick road and Harberton is mostly high and cold and not ideal for a dog living rough, so he?s more likely to move on from there, I guess.

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2007-09-18 21:56 christo

Islander - we saw your posters everywhere we went, we did Morrisons (didn't ask!) and the footpath through from their car park to the town centre, Vire Island entrance, the Pack Horse and a man with a cafe took a big one for his window, did Civic Centre but will re-do there again ready for the market, lamp posts on Plymouth Road. Gilly will try and get press release in Gazette Group and I'll try for an ad in Totnes Times but suspect we're too late this week as we thought it came out on Saturday. There used to be some travellers round the back of Totnes on the ridge road above Follaton house, we couldn't find them, do you know where they are? Will visits the ones at Marley Head soon.

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2007-09-18 20:49 Islander

Just got back from doing a bit of postering in this area ? nothing like enough, though. Started on the western outskirts of Totnes in the Follaton House car park on Plymouth Road (district council offices, so hundreds of staff arriving by car, and arboretum, so dog walkers too), then postered the Blakemore turn-off on the Totnes-Avonwick road, and the next turn-off, Fork Cross, then all around Blakemore Farm, which consists now of at least half a dozen houses. Nowhere to put poster at Blakemore Cross (can?t do much with hedges!), but put a few posters between here and Harberton, and a very few in the village, where I ran out of them. Drove back home through the little lanes to Diptford but saw nothing. Christo: if you can?t get guaranteed editorial in the Gazette on Friday (and when can you ever?), maybe you should repeat your very good ad this week. I suspect (though am not sure) that the same ad automatically runs in the Totnes Times, but this comes out on Thursday. As they?ve already got the ad, maybe if you phoned up first thing tomorrow you might just be in time. As it's a display ad, I suggest you try to get them to put it on an early-as-possible editorial page, ideally the front page, rather than in the classified. The Gazette has display ads on most editorial pages, including the front page.

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2007-09-18 19:35 DogLostSherlock Bones Police Liaison Co-ordinator

christo - that's more like it, 3 miles apart isn't unusual at all. Keep watching his route, he'll be hiding out somewhere. Lots of posters!! Best of luck - will be keeping an eye out on progress xx

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2007-09-18 17:32 Unknown

please god let it be Bishop. we all got our fingers and toes crossed for you. the very best of luck to you all tonight.

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2007-09-18 15:00 christo

Change to last message: lady just phoned back to say they first saw him on Sunday pm 2 miles outside Totnes on Dartmouth road and again yesterday afternoon near the traffic lights at the top of the bypass which is the junction with the Plymouth road which leads out to Tigley and Blakemore. Totnes tonight - police station, milk depot and posters.

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2007-09-18 14:17 christo

Another sighting - yesterday afternoon - couple saw him on road, disrupting traffic near Moreleigh. Our last three sightings - Harberton 14th, Blackawton and Moreleigh 17th - are all within about 3 miles of each other. Couple are going back to check. I'll go this evening. Can't get hold of the lady who rang from Forces Arms.

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2007-09-17 23:24 christo

Hi Sherlock, he went missing from PL21 9NX approx 4 miles west of Modbury. His dad Ted, who went at the same time, was reported at 9pm on that night at Mothecombe beach which is near Nethercombe on the map. Opposite Wonwell beach.

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2007-09-17 22:50 christo

14 miles from home by car.

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2007-09-17 22:34 DogLostSherlock Bones Police Liaison Co-ordinator

That's what, 15 miles as the crow flies - to the east? Not unusual for a lone dog particularly fit collie types to do that but it just seems too far to me to be honest. He's more likely to have stuck near home and where he went missing from - looking at those locations I'd say gut feeling would be the major cluster are more likely - but rule nothing out at this stage - we really need more sightings to come in! Keep plotting them on the map, regardless...

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2007-09-17 22:10 christo

Just picked up a message on the phone from lady at the Forces Arms near Blackawton. No reply on phone so went over, no one there, so posted posters through the door. She said in messge that collie had been hanging around for last few days. Been there 3 or 4 weeks ago. Also saw lady in Sportsmans Inn (not a pub crawl, I was driving dammit) who had previously explained a false sighting (her collie locked out all night) which does not show, amoungst several other disproved sighting, on our maps of possible sightings. Is this the triangle with the lad circling in the wrong direction? Will call her tomorrow. Will poster tomorrow eve. Did not poster anywhere else because of this.

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2007-09-17 18:54 DogLostSherlock Bones Police Liaison Co-ordinator

OK... and where's the beach he went missing from? I'm peering over the map but i can't see it...

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2007-09-17 18:47 christo

Hi Sherlock - home is Holbeton - it's just a small village so EVERYONE there is likely to know about Bish! There are posters on lampost, in the shop and both pubs and in our house windows.

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2007-09-17 18:36 DogLostSherlock Bones Police Liaison Co-ordinator

great maps, christo - keep that up! Question - which town is home?

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2007-09-17 13:08 christo

Maps of more likely of Bishop's sightings with dates and comments can be downloaded from our website at www[dot]logoswift[dot]co[dot]uk - both the username and passwork is bishop - then click on 'Files' on the top menu bar, click on either file to down load it - PDF or JPEG file. I also have a Google Earth file with place markers and information if anyone wants that I will email it to them. Thanks for the info Szi, I'll contact Torbay DW now.

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2007-09-17 10:12 Unknown

christo, i dont know if you have this number, but it is for dog warden in torbay district. phone no is 01803 208122. e mail dogwarden@torbay.gov.uk. at least you can register him there if you have not done so already! the site where you can find a dog warden anywhere in the country is:www.ndwa.co.uk will pm you later as dont know where to look for him any more. help.

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2007-09-17 01:59 Islander

Spoke to Chris and Gilly this evening and the woman who thinks she saw Bishop at Harberton has phoned back, having seen a second and different photograph of him, to say that she?s confident it was him. The sighting was close to Blakemore Farm, about a mile north-east of Harberton and two miles west of Totnes. I?ll put up some posters there tomorrow, and visit the farm, on my way to Exeter, but I won?t have time to do as much as is necessary so if anyone else can poster around this area please do, and post here what you?ve done so we don?t duplicate. Chris and Gilly aren?t now confident that the dog seen at Yealmpton was Bishop, but the area is now plastered with posters.

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2007-09-16 22:06 DogLostSherlock Bones Police Liaison Co-ordinator

I'm not looking at a map at the mo - but just to clarify yasa's advice - the triangle can take weeks to cover - so i'm not surprised to see you are finding that bish, if it is him, is being seen in clusters, it's not a straight kind of triangle but a wandering one and usually between home, (assuming where he went missing was close to it - if not, the direction of home), the place he went missing from and a third place - he'll be using the path of the rough triangle to get his bearings so he can find his way home. If you can plot all those sightings on a map (an OS is great) then see if you can see any kind of pattern. If you can, start to see if one of those areas is more regularly seen and look around there for poss safe places - stables, barns etc and try and narrow down your search so you can use it as a place to scent regularly and to put down food - and a trap if necessary. The food the lady is putting out might be enough for him - he's been out long enough now to be acting ferally and if he's near stables etc he'll be eating wild food quite happily! SB xx

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2007-09-16 19:10 christo

Hi Yaza - don't think my pm to you went through so here is info again! Chris plotted all possible sightings on Google Earth and are hoping to stick this on our website tomorrow for you to download. In summary we have had about 37 sightings, 13 we have identified are definately not Bish, 14 are possible and 10 dotted around individually and a little further away, or too vague to be of much use. There are so many farm dogs roving around Devon - most black and white so we can't say we have even had one single definate sighting and they seem to be in clusters rather than a triangle and some conflict in terms of time and behaviour (eg playing with other dogs or looking lost and frightened in the road) but you have to assume that both are right because you don't know which one isnt. Loddiswell 20th/23rd/31st Aug and 1st sept but this one unlikely. Bigbury Village area: 20th/21st/22nd/24th/25th/26th Aug and at Bantham yesterday. Lane between Churstow and Aveton Gifford 20th August Easton - 24th August Yealmpton 16th August/11th Sept x 2 NOTES Loddiswell - identified a farm dog that was defintately not Bish. Lady on horseback said there were farm dogs which wandered about but dog warden said one only known and it hung around its gate. Bigbury Village Landlord said local farm dog wandered widely. Dog warden said it only went 500 yards up the road and back again. Yealmpton My sister in law lives in Yealmpton and sees a lot of our dogs and looks after them for us when we go away which might explain why Bish was hanging around there. She is out at work all day but no neighbours said they had seen him hanging around. Yesterday she also saw a large collie cross with it's owner which looked very like Bish from behind - so she called it and there was no response at all from dog. Perhaps this is one that has been seen in Yealmpton? Any futher advice welcomed - and thanks for all your help. Oh - and the lady that feeds on the bank only puts out a few

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2007-09-16 15:35 Unknown

Sounds as though you are all still going strong!

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2007-09-15 18:07 Yasa

Have you plotted all the positive sightings on a map as asked Christo? We need to work out how far he is travelling, and in what pattern. It will probably make a triangle. Try not to include sightings which could have been another dog. You really need to get detailed descriptions, and he is quite distinctive. Otherwise you are going to continue to be run ragged. My thinking on the lady who feeds was that if it did turn out to be him, she may be able to lure him into the yard and gain his confidence enough to close the gate? perhaps she doesn't have a gate anyway. When you have the triangle, tell us where the 3 points are and we can look at it on a map. Perhaps she is giving enough food that the animal does not need to look further?

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2007-09-15 17:05 christo

Hi Yaza - the lady who puts out the food lives in a little bungalow with a 4ft yard and then there's a two foot wide footpath with the bank running along side it where she puts the food. So it's very close. Our safe-home is literally 6 mins walk into the wood and we have scented all around. No food has been taken from here - started Wed pm and done dawn and dusk since. So think he might have moved on or that it was another dog and that local cat population are feasting on the offerings on the bank! Had two sightings today - one back at Bantham where we started about a month ago so postered campsite and footpaths at North Upton where sighted. One near Blakemore farm, Harberton, a little village but a fair way away, put leaflets through letterbox of the lady who had reported sighting for her to distribute. Did all footpath entrances around woods in Yealmpton. Do you think the wood is still possible or should we extend our search on the premise that he has moved on? Thanks to our two helpers and still got our fingers and paws crossed for more news!

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2007-09-15 15:09 Yasa

Try and get the lady who feeds, to gradually move the food ever so gradually toward her house, in order that she may eventually be able to spot who is taking it. Keep up the good work.

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2007-09-14 23:39 christo

Food not taken from feeding station, no new sightings today. Plodded around in rain, scenting further around the area. Loads of cats and dogs around. Original sighting lady has continued to put out fooood which is going by the morning but who knows who takes it? Loads and loads of places for a dog to lie low, will keep walking, scenting and singing favourite sayings. If he's there we'll bring him out at sometime. Thanks for support everyone.

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2007-09-14 21:14 Unknown

just got back from yealmpton. drove all around the area. brixton.kitley house etc. plus opposite side of road from where he was sighted-just in case- drove down stray lane to marjorie walk. parked up for a bit. got out and walked up a little way. stopped and just listened. could not see a thing as was pitch black. then went other direction. wish i had had my dog with me, but did not as i knew ted might be around and did not want to frighten BISHOP. my niece started getting scared so could not go deeper into woods. i was thinking Christo can you get hold of some night sight binnoculars. my partner has them for his lakes, but at the moment he is in birmingham. but they are brilliant. will try again tomorrow.

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2007-09-14 20:56 dillondog

Gilly and Chris, thinking of you and hoping to see you reunited with Bishop before the weekend is out. Good luck. Diana x

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2007-09-14 19:55 Gunner's family

Good luck guys, sounds like you are very close to being reunited, fingers and toes crossed.

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2007-09-14 12:33 christo

Dawn Patrol out this morning before daybreak, scenting spokes from feeding station. Half food from last night gone. Just had a call from a hiker who saw a collie at Harford (Tor Rock quarry) on Saturday evening in gloom. Large build, rushed by him, no further details observed. As friends were camping near there at same time, think it unlikely and as we put a poster in the carpark there a while back other people would have been looking out for him.

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2007-09-13 23:56 Islander

Christo: call anytime day or night if you want help on the ground. I can be there in half an hour. I've got a little tent that you're welcome to borrow if you want to camp out in the woods with Ted.

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2007-09-13 23:17 Yasa

Good work Christo, and very encouraging the ladies food had been taken. Can she edge it ever so gradually nearer the house, and eventually into a garden??

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2007-09-13 22:02 christo

Thank you for all scenting info - and Hazel for added info on how many safe houses to set up (ie one) - and use of torches (NO), out tonight at 6pm and although our food not taken the lady's food who saw him yesterday had been... used plant sprayer (mister type aparatus) for scenting which was easy to use - just thought this might be useful for others doing the same thing. Started our spoked wheel pattern in 500m radius but loads of tiny and not so tiny criss-crossing paths through the woods. Up at dawn tomorrow!

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2007-09-13 14:39 christo

More news from Yealmpton: just had a call from someone who saw him twice on 16th August in woods in Yealmpton and then in her road. Dark collar and tally, couldn't read it in dark and released dog as someone was calling a dog some way off. A friend of hers has just called her to say she saw Bishop in the park in Yealmpton yesterday. Jude and 'the children' checking park now. We'll do the woods and river banks this evening.

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2007-09-13 14:07 Unknown

so hopeful for you both. really think he is on his way home now. cant wait to see him in the blue. good luck. if there is anything i can do, let me know. if you want me to drive around yealmpton after dark anytime of the night i will. would not approach him if i saw him as i understand what sherlock bones says. i would just ring you instead.

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2007-09-13 01:20 Islander

Yasa: thanks very much for the addresses, which I?ve passed on to Christo. Gilly and Christo: yes, the sighting does sound promising ? fingers crossed. In case you didn?t see Yasa?s last posting tonight, and to save time, I?ve sent her your email address. This afternoon I spoke to a manager at the previously unhelpful Tesco at Lee Mill and she agreed to make a special exception for Bishop and put up his poster. It?s in a brilliant place by the customer service desk next door to the senior staff portraits! (This supermarket is huge, everyone goes there and it's less than three miles from Yealmpton and from where Bishop went missing.) She also took another poster and promised to ask the manager of the Tesco garage to put it up there tomorrow. I also postered the very busy short approach road to Tesco in two prominent places. Then went to Yealmpton and saw posters there, but gave the garage a poster and another to the Rose and Crown, who said that theirs had vanished this morning. They ? again ? put it in a very good spot by the bar. Gave poster to man who said his girlfriend worked in Follaton House in Totnes and she would put it up there (South Hams district council offices).

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2007-09-12 22:49 Yasa

christo, if you PM me your email address I will send you Sherlock Bones's scenting instructions. It is looking very hopeful now. You really need to take some of Bishops blankets with you tomorrow, and some of your worn clothing to make a safe place where you can leave food. You now want him to find that place and to keep returning to it, so that you can set up a feeding programme. If this is him, you are going to have to go very slowly and not rush this, but help him to feel secure there. You will need smelly food such as pilchards, sardines and tripe. Will be watching how this goes now. Good Luck x

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2007-09-12 21:02 christo

Very hopeful sighting this evening in Yealmpton at just after 6pm at Marjorie Walk on the corner by woods. Lady has left water and dog biscuits there, dog ran away. She gave very accurate discription of him, no collar though, which is possible. Maze of paths through woods by river - Yealm is next estuary to Erme where he went AWOL. We'll be back there tomorrow morning. Suzi, we have stuck a poster at the start of the walk up the Erme by the viaduct at Ivybridge which leads up the Erme and on the footpath by Ivybridge tennis club. We've also been up to Harford but there is a long length of river between, up through Lukesland. Yealmton is very, very possible, Kitley caves area, Puslinch and heading north towards Lee Mill up the river valley. I think this is more likely than Dartmoor.

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2007-09-12 20:38 Unknown

hope he is around the area. sounds promising. have postered wembury, yealmpton, newton ferris, noss mayo at the weekend so will start up dartmoor this friday, could someone tell me where to poster please as no point in going where someone has been before postering. i am just praying he will be home as soon as. all my family are routing for you bishop!

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2007-09-12 19:24 Yasa

Good news, another sighting. Come on out Bishop, we want you home now. Islander I have emailed some addresses through to you to give christo a start. Places people visit, so you will get many eyes searching. Good Luck, and keep up the good work x

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2007-09-12 18:03 christo

Possible sighting in Ford Valley/Victoria Rd area of Dartmouth - a colleague (who knows Bishop well) will check it out this evening and put posters around. Phoned about a dozen contacts from Islander today and emailed Dartmoor National Park rangers. Will start to compile list of campsites/caravan parks etc. to email. Yet more woods to search this evening...

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2007-09-10 22:12 Islander

Whoops - don't mean Somerfield. It's Morrison's. Want to be sure the black marks go to the right place.

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2007-09-10 22:11 Islander

Was in Totnes today so postered the two vets, the pet shop, fish and chip shop and at the entrances to Longmarsh, the walk beside the Dart which is popular with dog walkers. Somerfield supermarket wouldn?t take a poster ? even though they have a ?community noticeboard? they say it is only for charities.

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2007-09-10 00:40 Islander

Walked today from Bantham to Aveton Gifford (posters looking good in both places) along the Avon Estuary footpath and then canoed back down the river, keeping eyes peeled all the time for Bishop, but saw nothing. The woods come right down to the water for most of that part of the river so actually would have been difficult to see him from the water even if he had been there.. Spoke to everyone I met about him and they all had seen the posters. Collected more posters from the pub at AG ? thanks Gilly and Christo. The new display ad in the local Gazette looks great and stands out really well ? two-column width, red lettering, colour pic. Need to keep on postering, especially in areas less thoroughly covered such as west of the Erme, and also maybe should do more in busy shops and petrol stations.

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2007-09-09 21:23 christo

Spent fruitless day along river by Gara Bridge. Checked on story about farm dog but it turned out that the farmer's wife had already rung us with a possible sighting - and she knew the dog that had been reported as possibly Bish was definately not Bish. She breeds collies so unlike most people can distinguish one from another by markings, coat length and size! Nothing more to report - thanks as always to helpers for all their work postering and endless support. Cheers Gilly (other half of Christo)

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2007-09-08 22:50 DogLostAngus

Sending good thoughts to you, I do hope that this weekend brings Bishop back into the fold.

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2007-09-08 10:47 dillondog

Thinking of you as your search continues, and hope one of these leads brings Bishop home. At least with the tourists mostly gone, it should be easier driving round the little lanes. Good luck x

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2007-09-08 09:00 Unknown

went to challaborough, bigbury, all along road to kingsbridge and back through aveton gifford, ermington, westlake, along a38 to plymouth. left posters where they were not any. but nearly everywhere is so well postered. also put them in newton ferris and noss mayo. in vets and pet shops in crownhill plymouth. (they go that way to get on a38). I really hope that the farmer does have Bishop, sounds promising. will keep my fingers crossed it is!

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2007-09-07 23:59 christo

Three possibles in last two days.... a dog in a farm near Bigbury turn off from Modbury road - farmer said it lived a couple of miles down the valley but was always hanging around and they'd only had it a couple of weeks - so off to try and find farmer who said this... one on Wembury Beach which is interesting as it's dog free at this time of year and in the other direction - at Thurlestone beach a few days ago - handsome collie on his own and possibley heading towards Salcombe on the footpath.... busy day tomorrow and will laise with Susy and Islander about best place to poster. Article sent to Western Morning News re Bishop and Gunner from Cornwall but no guarantees when or if they will publish it. Advert also in South Hams local newspaper group.

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2007-09-07 13:47 Islander

Jayne: in case the new poster confuses anyone, please could you correct spelling of beach - it's WONWELL. Thanks!

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2007-09-07 12:06 christo

Updated poster now on this site - thanks Jayne.

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2007-09-07 12:05 christo

A long shot, possible siting in car park at Latchbrook area of Saltash. Someone may just have nabbed him and dumped him.

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2007-09-07 09:04 christo

Another false alarm we think, but checking further. Our refuse collectors thought they had found him, called his name and got him in their cab. Got to a phone box and called the number on his tally only to find it was another collie who had gone AWOL after being zapped by an electric fence. The grateful owner gave them a bottle of Glenfidick! Have stock of posters for anyone who needs them - just call to arrange a meeting place. I agree with Islander about the dog-infriendly prairies, the wooded Avon valley is a much more likely area but some areas are very difficult to get to.

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2007-09-06 20:55 Islander

Postered the five caravan sites at California Cross ? one actually at CC, two on the road to Modbury and two on the road to Bigbury. Then postered the road from CC to Aveton Gifford, starting at Higher Wizaller Farm, but a bit sparingly as poster stock getting low. In AG postered entrance to church car park and Tree Corner, then Waterhead and the start of Drunkard?s Hill green lane. Posters finished now ? more please Christo!

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2007-09-06 13:46 Islander

Christo: I do think you?re right to be hopeful. The pattern of the sightings, excluding the obvious red herrings, does indicate that he?s somewhere in the area. I?ll poster the caravan sites around California Cross this afternoon, as caravanners are here to explore the area and are constantly out and about. Incidentally, the area around Scobbiscombe is dog-unfriendly, apart from the around the two farmyards ? big open arable fields, little wildlife or shelter, no water. But the area between Aveton Gifford, Bigbury, Seven Stones Cross and Harraton, for example, is much more dog-friendly, with plenty of little coombes and shelter and water. I saw a few posters in this area the other day and put up a few more, but I think it needs more so that all the houses are aware. I don?t know why DogLost hasn?t updated the poster on the website but I suggest you phone them about this, and you?ll probably want to update your update now anyway. Other helpers please note: Christo has designed his own really good posters and will let you have as many as you want. I think it would be good to put ?microchipped? on these, though, as if someone has got Bishop it should deter them from keeping him, as sooner or later the chip will come to light.

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2007-09-05 19:30 christo

I spoke to delivery driver again who had driven the same stretch of road this afternoon and he said the exact place he saw him was on the narrow bend by Harraton farm / Heathfield Down which is on the Kingsbridge side of the turning to Bigbury / Thatches at the top of the hill. The sighting was about 3 weeks ago and the dog was distressed with the traffic and looking for a way out from the busy road. Off to explore (better than sitting around moping)! Suzy - I'll PM you later.

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2007-09-05 18:46 christo

Spoke to SHams dog warden re stray farm collies. He said that the one at Willings Farm was known to him - but that it usually only went to the Farmer's Mother In Law 500 yards down the road, and that the one in Lodisell was also known to him but that it normally hung around quite close to the farm otherwise was in the fields - which he said, would suggest that the other sightings were probably neither of these two dogs and therefore should be regarded as genuine. Hope springs.....

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2007-09-05 16:51 Unknown

did the man say where abouts on the way to Kingsbridge he was spotted? i just will go looking anywhere, up hill and down dale on friday. i shall take some posters as well of course. but there are not too many places to put them as the area is well covered by owner and friends! Hopefully he will be home by then.

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2007-09-05 14:26 christo

Another sighting, albeit an old one: a delivery driver phoned today and said he saw a dog which looked exactly like Bishop on a high banked section on the A379 as he was going towards Kingsbridge on a fine day sometime in mid August. The dog was lost and confused and disrupting the traffic. We have already had a very similar sighting which suggests that he wasn't washed out to sea on the night he disappeared which was our worst fear. He's either lying low or been taken in (or away) by someone. Speak up 'Mr Noisey'

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2007-09-04 12:15 dillondog

Just a thought re Western Morning News: we have three dogs missing in Devon and Cornwall - Bishop, Gunner and Bess. Bishop and Gunner are both very distinctive and it would be great to get Bess more publicity too, so how about combining efforts, it would make a good story and have more impact. Any thoughts, pm me. Thank you. Diana

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2007-09-04 10:43 Unknown

have put posters in vets and also in the Ark pet shops in crownhill and plymstock( which is on way to modbury) on friday i shall be taking my mum, who was bought up in westlake and knows ermington and surrounding areas really well.(i was born at flete!) to look for him, but hopefully by then he will be home. have you put an ad for him on radio devon. they are really good about lost pets. it is on in the mornings.01752 260323.please come home bishop.

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2007-09-03 23:36 Islander

Postered Westcombe beach today, on the coast path and on the footpaths leading inland. Then postered all the way from the boathouse holiday cottage along the road to Little Orcheton Farm. Didn?t call in to houses, but I think that everyone living in the houses along there, including Clyng Mill. Oldaport and Great Orcheton, can?t fail now to see a poster. Christo: here?s an idea. I know you?re doing an update for the Gazette, which is excellent, but I think that the Western Morning News might also do editorial on Bishop. They did a piece on the last DogLost dog in this area, and it was just a straight story without any particular angle. In Bishop?s case, the angle could be the huge number of ?sightings? that you?re getting of him, and the tremendous difficulty you?re having in sorting the wheat from the chaff. Many of the sightings are no doubt generated by the WMN ad, so the story would be about one of their advertisers, which would help too. Presumably you?ll run the ad again if Bishop isn't home by the time it runs out.

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2007-09-03 20:13 christo

Thanks Suzi and Islander, you are both putting in great efforts and inspire us with your energy when we might start to flag. Started postering Ivybridge this evening: sports centre (by river Erme), Erme valley footpath, Ermington Mill (where we used to work with Bishop for first 4 years of his life), Ivybridge leisure centre, river footpath entrance by viaduct above Wiggins Teape. Tomorrow will do other Ivybridge vet, Harford, Penquit, more around Ermington, Westlake, Endsliegh Garden Centre. No more sightings, not even red herrings or wild geese.

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2007-09-03 13:25 Islander

That's great, Suzy - thanks.

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2007-09-03 11:22 Unknown

hello islander, i will do plymouth tonight, marsh mills etc. took posters into gables and woodside yesterday, they were all aware of him, so having his picture will help. took one to my vets, will take one to estover vet hospital later.hope you are soon home BISHOP.

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2007-09-03 02:19 Islander

ADMIN: please can you update the poster as requested by Christo with details of the reward etc. Can anyone please poster in the Marsh Mills Sainsburys? They have a customer notice board by the tills and are very helpful. Maybe the filling station will display a poster too. Tesco at Lee Mill has not been helpful in the past, but maybe their filling station, at least, will take a poster.

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2007-09-03 02:16 Islander

Collected Christo?s updated and very good posters from Avon Mill (they took another one for their caf?), drove through the lanes to Aveton Gifford, postered entrance to car park, put another one on the tidal road, postered Marwell Cross and talked to the three houses just south of the road, postered entrance to Oxenbury, talked to the farmers at Scobbiscombe and Wonwell Court (both helpful), postered outside the cottages at Scobbiscombe and talked to the National Trust seasonal warden who lives in one of them, postered the Scobbiscombe footpath at the beginning and at the end where it joins the coast path at Fernycombe Point. Missed out on Westcombe beach and footpaths leading back to Kingston and plan to do that tomorrow, though there is also the small matter of work that I must do?

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2007-09-02 20:30 christo

Dropped posters off at Avon Mill for Islander. More posters at Wonwell and decided time best spent searching through woods by the Erme down from Sequers Bridge, oposite Flete Castle (near where they went missing). No new sightings, just hope he's laying low somewhere. Will check Ermington Woods tomorrow.

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2007-09-01 19:06 christo

Thanks for all your effort Suzi, the lanes and back roads are endless. We went to Kingsbridge show and stuck posters all around and I think there was a tannoy announcement. Everyone seems aware of him. A call on our answering machine this evening with a possible sighting at the garden centre in the mill near Loddiswell so back there tomorrow. A vague sighting at Staddiscombe garage, off there now.

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2007-09-01 18:20 Unknown

just got back from looking for bishop. went to mothecombe, bantham, challaborough, big bury, up to kings bridge then loddiswell ,,, ugborough.aveton Gifford, ugborough, ermington and back through to Plymouth. saw loads of posters in all these places mentioned. but put some where there was none. brixton etc. driving around all those lanes seemed to be like looking for a needle in a haystack. so many places for him to lie low.Tomorrow i shall take some posters to gables and wood side animal shelter. i know you will find him soon, don't get despondent, their are loads of posters out there, he will show himself soon i hope. if there is anything else i can do, apart from looking, please let me know.

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2007-08-31 19:33 christo

Just spoken to person with sighting at Loddiswell - near Fernhill Cross... again! Third (possible) sighting in this spot.

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2007-08-31 19:08 christo

Have sent new wording for poster as recommended by Islander but it's not here for downloading yet. We will cover Kingsbridge show tomorrow and also try the farms and woods east of the Erme. Possible (vague)sightings at Aveton Gifford and Loddiswell - awaiting more information before we can check them out. We have up to date colour posters of various sizes in any quantity if anyone needs them or could send as attachments to email addresses. Thank you for your help.

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2007-08-31 11:34 Unknown

thankyou i got the poster, getting some printed to distribute around the area. will be going challaborough, bigbury and probably dartmouth as they have a big do up there.but might not go until tomorrow . whatever will leave posters around for this lad. hope you are home soon bishop.

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2007-08-30 02:30 Islander

Christo: very sorry there?s no definite news of Bishop ? yet. How about updating the DogLost poster ready for Suzy on Friday and me when I get back home? My suggestions: update sighting info, maybe with something more general (we don?t want people to not look around the Erme, for example, because they think he?s definitely on the Avon) maybe call him a collie/foxhound cross maybe describe his colour more precisely and definitely, in my opinion, say something about the reward and specify the amount. I?m not sure exactly where you?ve postered, but that area east of the Erme is obviously important, including visiting isolated houses and farms like Clyng Mill. There?s a brilliant postering opportunity on Saturday with the Kingsbridge show as loads of people from the South Hams and tourists will be going, especially as most of the agricultural shows have been rained off this year. Even though there?ll be no sheep or cattle because of foot-and-mouth, lots of farmers will still be going. Suggested postering sites could include: pedestrian entrances to the showground and exits from it (ie, posters should face both ways), the programme seller?s tent/table (if there is one), the secretarys? tents/tables for the dog show and the horse show, at the entrances to the big tents (horticulture, crafts, food and drink), by the members? tent, by the bar. You could ask the secretary to make a Tannoy announement about Bishop. You could make or buy yourself a tabard to wear as you walk around and stick a really large poster of Bishop on the back and front. Everyone would notice you, which is exactly what?s needed!

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2007-08-30 02:29 Islander

Hi Suzy, good to have another helper in this area. Suggest you phone Christo to ask where he?d like you to poster on Friday. Or maybe he?ll post that here.

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2007-08-29 22:49 Unknown

Suzy, we are going to re-email Bishop's poster to PL1. Can you let me know if you receive it ? I am wondering whether we have a technical problem or whether the poster is going into junk mail.

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2007-08-28 22:34 christo

Another call from Bigbury today. Went there and searched with no luck. Talked to the landlord of the Oak who said that a local farmer's collie was always out and about and this sighting indicated that he was heading in the direction of his home, Willings farm. Sad story from Paignton - will email Jayne. Possible sighting at Wonwell Beach on Saturday. Drunken psychopaths who phone never have a traceable number. Sorry to hear Jayne was flooded out of her home recently, maybe why Suzy wasn't emailed.

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2007-08-28 18:47 Unknown

sorry i was not informed about bishop. but just checking and found he is missing i was at this area yesterday and if i had been told i would have done some postering for the lad. please this is not the first time i have not been e mailed. i am a carer so sometimes do not have much time to look. will make a point of going up this friday, but fingers crossed he will be found by then.

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2007-08-27 19:53 christo

Eight of us out searching different stretches of the Avon estuary today, up and down from Aveton Gifford, down as far as Bigbury/Bantham and up to Loddiswell. Calling, coaxing, whistling. We'll see if we can get another peice in the Gazette.

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2007-08-26 22:54 christo

somewhat frustring day - mainly spent at place where sighting was yesterday. Crossed to Bantham side of the river to put up posters but pub had been done already but shop took two. Most people given leaflets had already seen posters, or newspaper. Went off on wild goose chase after dog which had been caught and tied up by children but wrong dog - belonged to their neighbour. Bantham and Bigbury Beaches heaving with people and Lots of dogs but from various view points viewed all v. carefully through binoculars but none Bishop. No loose dog playing with other dogs on the estuary as reported yesterday so that could be good or bad news - ie no other dog whi ch could have been mistaken. Postered around Thurlestone and Hope Cove (next around on coast) and plan to walk down Avon from Affeton Gifford tomorrow as that's the only place that seems to be drawin any sightings at all. Tourists near beaches and volumn of traffic down Devon lanes make moving around very tedious. Feel a bit dispondant as no new sightings phoned in today - and hundreds and hundreds of people with and without dogs around the coastal areas. Anyway thanks for all your support and please can anyone get out around that area tomorrow and keep their eyes peeled....

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2007-08-26 09:01 Unknown

Fingers crossed for you today.

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2007-08-26 02:03 Islander

Sounds promising ? fingers and everything else crossed. Challaborough is very near to Cockleridge and they must throw away loads of edible food there. Good Lost ad in Western Morning News ? stands out well because of the pic. As arranged with Christo this morning, I postered today north of Loddiswell ? around Topsham bridge and on approach road from the west, outside Blackdown kennels, by the two entrances to Hazelwood and inside the house (b&b and restaurant), on the California Cross noticeboard (the garage refused to display a poster, pub already has one) and on various gates and telegraph poles. Would have done more but ran out of time and posters. Didn?t do Woolston or Gara bridge. Christo: very sorry I can?t help from tomorrow for a week. Suggest you continue to post daily updates in case other local people offer to help. Don?t forget that the DogLost poster is the only place not to mention the reward. Someone in Loddiswell said to me yesterday that a reward of that size should help to bring in sightings, particularly from kids. I?ll check in here daily and will post if I have any bright ideas.

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2007-08-25 23:09 DogLostMajorjet (Jan) - Area Co-ordinator - Liverpool/Merseyside, North West

christo this sighting does sound very promising and great that people are getting in touch with you. If it is him and he was playing with her dog at least you know he is o.k. (apart from being with you that is). Too far to help with any postering and hope you have him home soon. Jan xxx

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2007-08-25 22:16 christo

Very hopeful possible sighting today from lady phoned this evening and who said she had seen a dog like Bishop who had played with her dog for a long time on Cockleridge beach today and yesterday. This beach is on the mouth of the Avon estuary oposite Bantham near Bigbury golf course. Her description of size and markings etc. were accurate to Bishop's and she said that he was on his own. We searched round, will be back there tomorrow. Anybody who can help: please poster around Bantham, Thurlestone and Hope Cove... please!

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2007-08-25 21:00 Bluebells mum

Come on Bishop please show yourself so you can be found ,stay safe xxx

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2007-08-25 09:31 christo

Thanks Islander, that's a terrific area you,ve covered yesterday, we're very grateful. I'll do Salcombe and Hope Cove area this morning. I agree with you that Erme to Avon countryside is worth saturating so, if you have time, best focus there. I will contact Blackdown and other kennels, police, vets etc. Had one report of a sighting last Tuesday Haytor! Will wait for any more before contemplating 365 square miles of Dartmoor!!! Just need him to be brave and show his distinctive face to someone...

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2007-08-25 03:11 Islander

Jayne, thanks for sending poster out to local 'helpers' again. Though where are they? I can't help at all after tomorrow (Saturday) as am going away for a week, and by the time I get home I hope Bishop will be safely home too. But this is a big area with masses of tiny lanes and footpaths and remote houses and the owners need help postering. Forgot to say: gave my postman a poster today to put in the Totnes sorting office. Blackdown kennels needs to be visited and postered too (could they have a bitch on heat?).

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2007-08-25 03:02 Islander

Very good article in Kingsbridge and Salcombe Gazette, with owners telling the story very vividly ? everyone reads this paper. Postered today in and around Loddiswell ? all around the village, including pub (very helpful), going south and around to the Avon Mill garden centre (posters prominently displayed, very helpful staff), and on to the old Loddiswell station, where I gave station owners a poster and put one at start of river footpath to Topsham bridge. Then postered north of Loddiswell (area of sighting), on entrance to playing field, visited and postered as appropriate all the farms along that road ? Ham Butts, Reads, Ham, Reveton, Fernhill and Aveton ? and postered the Loddiswell Butts signposts and the Fernhill layby. Ran out of light at the turning to Topsham bridge, so the houses at Topsham and the end of the river footpath to Loddiswell need to be done tomorrow, together with Woolston, Hazelwood and up to Gara bridge. Sue, the manager of the California Cross garage, needs to be asked if she?ll display a poster ? her staff aren?t allowed to put up posters. Christo: I can do this area if you like as it's close to me and I haven?t got so much time tomorrow, but I don?t want to duplicate you. Or I could do that area between Erme and Avon as we discussed. Or elsewhere, but would rather not have to go to Salcombe as quite time consuming. Please let me know, either here on by phone.

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2007-08-24 21:26 christo

Three family checked Loddiswell and four of us checked out West Alvington - no sign. Postered camp sites. Could anyone poster SALCOMBE? We're going to concentrate on Avon valley tomorrow: Loddiswell and up river, but he may have gone down the Kingsbridge estuary towards Salcombe. One false alarm: drove over to Bowcombe Creek on the oposite side of the estuary and found a local collie patrolling on his own patch. Local newspaper article has really spread the word, everyone we talk to is so aware and concerned. will scan article and send it to Jayne and team. Come on Bish, show yourself.

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2007-08-24 15:20 christo

Possible sighting at mid day Friday at Auton cross / Easton near West Alvington, Kingsbridge.

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2007-08-24 11:13 christo

I've been on to their website but can't find articles: www.kingsbridge-today.co.uk it was in the Kingsbridge and Salcombe Gazette on page 2 with no heading.

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2007-08-24 10:27 Unknown

What is the full name of the paper so we can see article on line?

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2007-08-24 10:09 muns

Great news-let's hope he is found very soon then M x

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2007-08-24 10:09 DogLostShelties Mum - Area Volunteer, Kent

Looking good with those sightings. Everything's crossed for a quick reunion xx

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2007-08-24 10:06 Unknown

Have updated poster and e mailed out to local helpers.

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2007-08-24 10:01 Unknown

Excellent coverage-lets hope it brings in more sightings!

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2007-08-24 09:54 christo

Friday morning - just had a call from someone in Loddiswell - she saw him yesterday morning looking lost and muddy near Fernhill Cross, Loddiswell. Excellent pic and article in Gazette Group of local papers except the doglost URL is wrong, but 19 column inches all the same.

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2007-08-24 09:40 Unknown

Probably best to poster to do Topsham bridge as well as I notice the river splits in 2 at Loddiswell.

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2007-08-24 09:26 Unknown

Could he be following the river? Best to poster up to Moreleigh as well.

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2007-08-24 09:21 christo

Friday morning - someone phoned to say they thought they saw him last Sunday afternoon near Loddiswell. Said that any other sort of dog and they would have thought them lost, but as he looks like a farm dog she only thought otherwise when she took her dog to the vet last night. Islander is going over to Loddiswell area today.

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2007-08-23 15:51 christo

Posters up in Ivybridge and Kingsbridge sorting offices as suggested by Islander - will phone tonight to discuss areas to cover.

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2007-08-23 13:32 Unknown

Great-that should generate a few more sightings.

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2007-08-23 13:00 christo

First of twelve ads in the missing pets section of the Evening Herald appeared today, the same will run in the Western Morning News starting tomorrow - thanks to Lawrence and Karen.

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2007-08-23 10:02 Unknown

Burgh island has been covered and the pub has a poster.

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2007-08-23 06:46 Sally Nicholson-Fisher

Could he be over on Burgh Island? He might have got marooned when the tide came in - there are lots of little caves and cliff paths on the island - worth having a look.

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2007-08-23 01:17 Islander

Postered this afternoon starting at the Oyster Shack end of the tidal road at Aveton Gifford. Put poster on Avon Valley circular walk footpath sign, gave one to owners of house with electric gates and huge smart garden overlooking the estuary, put one on entrance to Oyster Shack car park, gave one to very helpful farmer at Hingston Farm who farms 450 acres between the farmhouse and the river and who promised to alert his staff who come in from surrounding area. He also runs a clothing business so presumably has several staff. Saw Christo?s posters at Oyster Shack till and St Ann?s and Ringmore. Postered the National Trust car park for Ayrmer Cove so anyone going down to or returning from the sea would be aware. Also put two on coast path down at the cove and on the footpaths leading directly to Ringmore. Everywhere I met lots of walkers and talked to all of them and gave them posters. Many were already aware of Bishop. Would have done more but it got dark. The area between Ringmore and the Erme needs to be done thoroughly ? farms and houses visited and footpaths postered. Can?t do anything tomorrow, but on Friday should be able to do quite a lot. Christo: please post update here tomorrow night and tell me if you would like me to do this area on Friday, or what else you?d like me to do. There?ll be lots of people in the general area over the weekend (good weather forecast) so we need loads of posters all over the place before the weekend. Can you rope in more friends to help, and can any other DogLost helper in this area help? Two further ideas: my postman this morning, who?s from the Totnes sorting office, thinks that Bigbury is probably covered by the Kingsbridge sorting office and the Erme area by Ivybridge. Would be good to get posters on the noticeboards in both sorting offices, as they?ll be seen by all the postmen, and postmen are always out and about and see things. You need to either give poster to appropriate and amenable postman or deliver them in person t

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2007-08-22 20:45 christo

A friend did Bigbury today and we did it this evening. Still no sign. Will broaden our search area now. There are just so, so many lanes and footpaths... Thank you all for your support. We put some food in a rusty old barn on the right hand side of the road opposite Bigbury Court which went on Monday night. Put down more but still there on Wednesday eve. If anyone goes past could they check to see if its gone or still there. It's inside the barn on the right hand side by an arch, and there is an old dog blanket there too which we laid very smooth so we could see if it had been used.

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2007-08-22 20:26 Bluebells mum

Come home soon Bishop you are gorgeous xxx

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2007-08-22 12:49 Islander

Thanks Owl. Of course that?s what Christo means! Seems so obvious now. That?s what comes of posting in the wee small hours.

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2007-08-22 08:32 UNKNOWN

I think Christo means that if when trying to catch your dog you are persistently lurking around a place where people don't know you, it is a good idea to explain to the residents what you are doing. Otherwise they may think you have bad intentions towards them or their property.

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2007-08-22 02:31 Islander

Couldn't do anything today but will get out there tomorrow to do some postering. Christo: phone me anytime day or night if you want help on the ground re possible sightings. Not sure what you mean by your reference to 'stalker behaviour'?

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2007-08-21 22:20 christo

Another possible sighting in Bigbury: on the road between Bigbury and Bigbury on Sea, yesterday, phoned us this evening. Out there again this evening. Explained 'stalker' behaviour to residents who live by the church (second sighting) everyone very understanding. More posters up, more cards. South Hams Newspaper Group and WMNews given story and pic. Come on Bish.

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2007-08-21 20:44 Hannah

Come home soon Bishop. I have added his details to my forum find Missing Dogs (http://findmissingdogs.proboards67.com/index.cgi) & to TRPD Pet Craft Project. xxx

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2007-08-21 20:41 UNKNOWN

come home

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2007-08-21 13:49 christo

Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and useful information. We're getting more posters and cards out and we'll be out searching again this evening. Unconditional love.

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2007-08-21 11:05 Islander

In case the owners have difficulty posting here, this is what they said about Bishop's appearance. He's bigger than a collie and they think he may be crossed with something like a foxhound, as he has long legs and a broad foxhound-like head. He went missing from the Flete estate and they think he's likely to have made for the beaches around the estuary to look for fun and adventure. As the river in the estuary at low tide is about two inches deep he could very easily have crossed over to the other side of the river, so now could be on either side, or a bit further afield.

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2007-08-21 09:52 Unknown

New poster now on site.

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2007-08-21 08:44 Tracy2306

Stay safe Bishop sweetheart! x x x

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2007-08-21 08:07 Unknown

Just send new photo to admin@doglost.co.uk and we can change over for you.

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2007-08-21 00:45 Islander

Forgot to say, the owners say that the sighting at Bigbury was only a possible sighting - it's not confirmed. Message to owners: could you perhaps email or show your side-on picture of Bishop to the woman who supposedly saw him at Bigbury, to see if she can confirm?

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2007-08-21 00:40 Islander

Talked to the owners an hour or so ago. They are going to post here shortly with more details about Bishop ? where he went missing from and his appearance ? and may change the photograph of him. They are being very active and doing all the right things but they do need help with postering ? up and down the Erme on both sides from, say, Ivybridge to the sea, and then several miles both west and east of the river, including the coast. It?s a sparsely populated area so needs loads of posters, and it's probably a good idea to deliver posters in person to some of the more isolated houses. Bishop sounds a real character and loves beaches, balls, pubs and food ? it might be a good idea to go for walks with food in your pockets in case you see him. Owners are contacting the local Gazette newspaper tomorrow to try and get editorial on Friday, and also the Western Morning News to book a two-week Lost ad (much the best place for such an ad). Bishop has already been on South Hams radio.

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2007-08-20 22:00 lillyb

My goodness-he's GORGEOUS!!! Best of luck bringing him home again!! Lilly X (Blaze) X

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2007-08-20 17:13 doglover123

I do hope Bishop is soon found. Stay safe sweetie. xx

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2007-08-20 15:40 UNKNOWN

be safe sweetie pie x Show yourself bishop x

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2007-08-20 12:34 Unknown

Thanks DSTaylor!

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2007-08-20 12:26 dstaylorhawkins

Saw the owners fab posters everywhere yesterday in our area, so its well covered, have e-mailed him and made a few suggestions contact Farmers etc etc. Shall be doing my best to help in this area as its close to me, what a gorgeous dog. Yes as Millys mum says it is Modbury Devon - South Hams, def not Cornwall, vital info.

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2007-08-20 11:58 Yasa

Posters need to be displayed as soon as possible on notice boards, lamp posts, entrances to parks, dog bins and on cars. Take posters to vets, pet shops, postmen (for sorting offices), milkmen, dustmen, street cleaners, taxi drivers, schools, pubs, youth clubs, newsagents, post offices, takeaways, dog training clubs, supermarkets and car parks. Hand out reduced-down posters or cards to people - especially dog walkers - and deliver to houses and businesses. Police stations, Dog Wardens, the RSPCA and all rescue centres need checking frequently and preferably visited in person by owner or someone who knows Bishop well. Stay safe Bishop, and come home soon x

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2007-08-20 10:58 Millys Mum

Modbury, Bigbury & Kingsbridge are all in South Devon (known as the South Hams) and not Cornwall as stated (one of my favourite areas!). Hope that Bishop is back home very soon. Good to hear that he is both tagged and chipped, as this will give him the best possible chance of being reunited with his family. Show your lovely face boy but, in the meantime, stay safe!

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2007-08-20 10:51 Unknown

Poster has been e mailed out to local helpers.

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2007-08-20 10:45 Unknown

Owner can be contacted on 01752 830000 or evenings on 01752 830203. Awaiting photo.

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