Indeed. The shepherd searches until what he has lost is found.
Jesus taught us that we need to seek out the lost, the sinner, time and again, and bring him back to the fold.
Wouldn’t a shepherd, encountering a bear or a wolf in the dark fight it, even give his life for his sheep?
Why do so many content themselves being liked to cattle and sheep?
Does not the shepherd feed himself of the flock?
Do you honestly suppose that a shepherd when hard pressed would sacrifice his life in exchange for one of the flock?
Better to give a sheep away and live to fight another day :)