A Broadened Search for Beloved Pooch

Sadie has been missing since March 12.







By Marissa Yaremich
The Longman's heartfelt search for their missing Doberman, Sadie, recently brimmed beyond Connecticut’s and New York’s borders and into the Keystone State.
Hoping local Pennsylvanian animal lovers might unlock the mystery of their beloved dog’s whereabouts, the determined owners mailed letters to local veterinarian clinics out of fear the friendly pooch was “taken some distance away.”
The Longmans believe Sadie’s friendly and non aggressive personality might have helped her possible captor or captors lure the 18 month-old pup from their 30-acre property on March 12.
“We have done everything we can think of to get her back,” wrote owners, Stuart and Gayla Longman, of Ridgefield, Conn. “Please post this (flier) where your staff and visitors can see it and call us …if you find her. We will immediately make arrangement to pick her up and pay the reward.”
Sadie’s safe return reaps a $10,000 reward that inspired many exclamatory remarks from pet owners who read the letter posted on the Lost & Found board at veterinarian hospital, Hamilton Animal Care, in Wescosville, Pa., located near the central New Jersey border.
“How sad,” said one longtime cat owner.
“I hope they find her,” said another woman as she browsed the board.
“Now that’s love,” said an amazed receptionist upon reading the letter.
The Longmans assured recipients in their letter that the reward will be paid to any veterinarian’s office, shelter or individual who locates Sadie, who has distinct physical features.
Unlike most Dobermans, the family never docked the brown and tan canine’s ears or tail, opting instead to leave her ears floppy and tail long. The Longmans also described Sadie as a thinly built, energetic dog who bears an identification microchip implanted between her shoulder blades.
As of this week, Stuart Longman said via a brief phone call that the family had no new developments to share with the public to facilitate the search.
“We’ve only had one sighting in Connecticut,” said the owner, sounding dejected.

He perked up, however, upon learning the family’s letter and hopeful plea received attention outside their home state.
“Thank you,” he said.
Anyone who has information on Sadie, is asked to please contact Stuart of Gayla Longman at (203) 438-9006 or (203) 238-1105.

A letter to Bo

Dear Bo:

We are so glad you have a new home. Of course, you are adorable and we think you will make Malia and Sasha very happy. You will be their companion, the furry ball of love that makes them laugh and the companion to whom we hope the girls can turn when life in the limelight gets a little tough.
That's a big job for such a young pup, but we are betting you are up to it. The Web site for the Portugese Water Dog Club of America says you are, "an animal of spirited disposition, self-willed, brave, and very resistant to fatigue. A dog of exceptional intelligence and a loyal companion, it obeys its master with facility and apparent pleasure. It is obedient with those who look after it or with those for whom it works."
Wow. Since you also will love to swim, maybe you will get a dip in the White House pool. We hope so and if we lived there, you most definitely would.
One thing we don't want you to worry about is any bad publicity you might get. Sure, you're not from a shelter, but that does not mean you should not hold your head up high. Purebred dogs need love too. It might make headlines if you have an accident in the house but, hey, accidents happen and you're still a pup.
The one thing we hope you will remember, amid all the fuss about being First Dog, however, is that your biggest job is to be a family dog, not a star.
That means padding in to check on the girls at bedtime and then heading down to the Oval Office to check on the dad if he is working late. He has a lot on his mind and your soft presence at his feet could be just the thing when the literal weight of the world is on his shoulders.
Malia and Sasha's mom also is pretty busy these days and we recommend you don't dig in her new garden.
We also recommend you be ready to greet the girls when they come home from school - nothing says 'we missed you' more than a cold nose and kiss just after you get off the bus.
But once you get the lay of the land, we think all these things will come naturally to you. You're a kid now, but you will grow up fast. You'll stay cute and smart, but we think you will know exactly what to do: Surround the Obamas with love.


Editor's note: For more on whether Bo might or might not know he is First Dog, check out the story: here