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Have you seen this dog? Friends seeking late owner's champion Rottweiler
The Southern Illinoisan ^ | BECKY MALKOVICH

Posted on 03/02/2005 11:11:41 AM PST by green pastures

PULLEYS MILL -- Friends will begin combing the Johnson County countryside again this morning, hoping to find a champion Rottweiler who ran away from the scene of an accident on Interstate 24 that killed her owner on Monday.

The dog's owner, Diane Martin of Chicago, died from injuries she received when her RV crashed into a rock wall near mile marker 2, just east of that interstate's split with Interstate 57.

(Excerpt) Read more at southernillinoisan.com ...


TOPICS: Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: agility; doggieping; found; happyending; rottweiler; smooth
The accident occured Monday, 2/21/05. Diane Martin was well known in Agility circles. Her trademark was running the agility course barefoot, no matter the course condition.

Diane had 4 dogs, all rescues, with her at the time of the accident. Smooth is still lost, but there have been almost daily sightings in the area near the accident. While the article mentions that Smooth "went into protective mode" when a trucker stopped to render aid, the trucker later clarified that was not what happened.

From a cross posting to several dog forums, "As for Smooth, his story is very different than what we've heard. He said that when he got to the RV, (he had to stop his rig, cross 4 lanes on foot). Smooth was outside and jumping up and down at the driver's door. He said he went around and worked his way in to get to Diane and Smooth jumped in with him but did not threaten him. He said that when he got Diane's face visible after moving debris that had been thrown forward, Smooth looked at her, let out a cry, and jumped out of the RV and dashed across the 4 lanes of traffic. He said he watched helplessly as she darted and stopped and made it through the traffic. "

There is now a blog spot set up at: http://smoothssearch.blogspot.com/


1 posted on 03/02/2005 11:11:41 AM PST by green pastures
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To: green pastures; HairOfTheDog

My first time starting a post. My apologies, as it seems the S. Illinoisan has once again moved this story into their archives. They did that last week, then put it up again. So perhaps it will re-appear later.


Prayers for Smooth's safe return to friends/family of Diane.


2 posted on 03/02/2005 11:45:52 AM PST by green pastures
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To: green pastures; Flyer; technochick99; sinkspur; annyokie; Scott from the Left Coast; 88keys; ...
Heads up!

Ping!


Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

3 posted on 03/02/2005 11:49:56 AM PST by HairOfTheDog (It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life!)
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To: green pastures
do not give up hope ~ I know of a small dog who disappeared under the similar circumstances ... an automobile accident - dogs crate was thrown from vehicle and opened on impact and the small dog ran from the scene in terror. To make it worse, the dog didn't belong to the driver....it was being transported by a handler to a show and was thousands of miles from anyone or anything familiar.

It took two years of diligent searching but the dog was finally found and returned to her owner. The dog had been micro-chipped which is what finally helped identify her and locate her owner.

My prayers are with those looking for this dog. Perhaps if they set out a live trap with Diane's clothing in it the dog may respond to her scent. It's a thought anyway.
4 posted on 03/02/2005 12:14:35 PM PST by Zacs Mom (Proud wife of a Marine! ... and purveyor of "rampant, unedited dialogue")
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To: green pastures
Prayers for this sweet pup's safe return.

Of course, being a rottiemaniac, this hits close to home. I hope this poor dog doesn't come across an idiot with a grudge against the breed or some yutz who thinks and older dog might be a good sparring partner for his fighting dog.

'

5 posted on 03/02/2005 12:32:39 PM PST by RepoGirl (Rottweilers are republican; all cats vote nader.)
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To: Zacs Mom

Hi Zacs Mom,

From what I've been reading at the various dog forums, they do have a couple of humane traps set up at different locations (where there've been repeated sightings. They did put Diane's coat in one.

There are so many people hoping for a happy outcome-- and almost all of us think "Today is going to be the day...". Then another day goes by. But hopefully, today is really going to be the day...

Thanks


6 posted on 03/02/2005 1:10:45 PM PST by green pastures
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To: RepoGirl

Hi RepoGirl,

Yes, those are some of our worst fears. But I understand the locals in the area have been really great about it, and really understanding. Many volunteers have been out going from door to door to get the word out that this is a very special dog.

I guess the only jerk about things (up to now) has been the local animal control officer, who hasn't wanted the volunteers' help. Nor their ideas...





7 posted on 03/02/2005 1:16:06 PM PST by green pastures
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To: All
Smooth and Diane:




8 posted on 03/02/2005 1:33:25 PM PST by green pastures
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To: green pastures
Oh, seeing these pics are even more heartbreaking.

Smooth looks like so petite and slim, with such a sweet little face. Size and physique-wise, she looks a lot like my Ursa (only Ursa is maybe a bit shorter, and has a "disqualifying" rough coat.)

I'm glad to hear that people are really helping out in finding her. Let's hope this works out.

9 posted on 03/02/2005 1:55:32 PM PST by RepoGirl (Rottweilers are republican; all cats vote nader.)
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To: RepoGirl
I know. The whole story is just heartbreaking. It was a double blow to the Agility community. They'd just lost another of their top competitors to breast cancer on the Friday before Diane's accident.

My sister, who competes in agility, knew both of these women.

And another of our worst fears is traveling with the dogs and having an accident. If they were conscious and in the vehicle, and we weren't, I know the one would probably come off as totally ferocious to anyone approaching to help.

The other scenarios are equally frightening.

Sigh.
10 posted on 03/02/2005 2:06:29 PM PST by green pastures
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To: green pastures

Dog lover bump


11 posted on 03/02/2005 5:04:12 PM PST by apackof2 (optional, printed after your name on post)
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To: RepoGirl; Zacs Mom; HairOfTheDog; apackof2; All
The search for Smooth continues. Here's an update from the blog:

"I did get a call this morning from a very kind lady who has seen Smooth several times. It was reassuring to learn that she lives just about 2 blocks from the new trap site. She said she wakes in the night and thinks about Smooth and the people looking for her. The kindness of the people in the area is almost overwhelming at times, and greatly appreciated.

There will be a new story in the newspaper tomorrow. They will probably get it online by 9 or 10, keep checking www.southernillinoisan.com

12 posted on 03/02/2005 11:04:35 PM PST by green pastures
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To: green pastures
This does seem a little more hopeful, hearing this. Eventually, Smooth will be found, hopefully safe. Since she's a shy dog, though, she might be very wary of strangers, especially ones who know her name.

My big old goofball would be jumping up and hugging everyone in sight, we often joke that if she had a celebrity equal, it would be Reese Witherspoon from Legally Blonde.

Prayers for Smooth.

13 posted on 03/03/2005 10:04:20 AM PST by RepoGirl (Rottweilers are republican; all cats vote nader.)
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To: All

For any of you checking back in-- still no news to report. Sigh.

But I'll keep touching base here as info becomes available.

Thanks everybody.


14 posted on 03/04/2005 8:44:46 AM PST by green pastures
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To: RepoGirl; Zacs Mom; HairOfTheDog; apackof2; kanawa; All

GOOD NEWS PING!!!

Smooth has been found!!! She is safe and on her way to her new home with Jim, a close friend of Diane's, and co-trainer/runner for Smooth.

Yay!!!!

Thanks everybody!!!


15 posted on 03/04/2005 11:07:36 PM PST by green pastures
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To: green pastures
That is the post I've been watching for!!!! What great news!! Thx!
16 posted on 03/05/2005 2:06:51 AM PST by Zacs Mom (Proud wife of a Marine! ... and purveyor of "rampant, unedited dialogue")
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To: green pastures
Wonderful news.
Spreading the word.
17 posted on 03/05/2005 4:42:45 AM PST by kanawa (Ontario dogs need your help...see home page)
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To: green pastures
This is excellent news! Smooth's momma was watching over her, I'm sure. A happy, happy ending to a sad story.
18 posted on 03/05/2005 5:51:52 AM PST by RepoGirl (Rottweilers are republican; all cats vote nader.)
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