How NOT to end an otherwise great National Specialty ::::::::::

On Friday evening (May 2, 2008), at the host hotel for the CSCA National Specialty Hunt Test in Chester Springs, PA, our girl Mona got past us and out of our hotel room. She stopped at our truck to wait. Not realizing that she has a fear of tall men, a tall helpful man tried to catch her for us which caused her to bolt and run. She crossed a six lane busy highway and was out of sight before any of us could get to her.

Mona spent four days and four nights in strange and unknown territory before we were reunited with her. She was sighted infrequently - primarily in the mornings. She moved four miles from the hotel grounds, then worked her way back across the highway to a subdivision, across corn fields, and under the PA turnpike to another location four miles from the hotel in a different direction. Just one sighting per day was enough to keep us believing that she would be back in our arms and travel with us back home to Wisconsin alive and hopefully well. Davis Road in Chester Springs PA became familiar to us !! On one side was deep thicket and brambles bounded by the PA turnpike. A stream flowed through the thickets. On the other side was a wooded subdivision and vast farmlands, forests, and fields. In the fields we spotted fox, deer, and coyote.

On Monday morning we saw her on the road 150-200 feet ahead. She was headed away from us. We called to her, she turned and looked, and sped away again. She darted into the woods once we caught up to her. Another helpful PA resident sighted her soon after, but again she disappeared.

On Tuesday morning we were almost ready to give up for the morning, when suddenly we sighted her in the brambles between the road and the turnpike. By this time we knew enough to approach as quietly as possible and to call to her softly. She was on a ridge looking down at me as I talked to her - when suddenly her tail began the Clumber propeller movement and I knew that she recognized me ! I tried to climb the ridge, and she started off at a right angle. But she was trying to find a place to come down to me - and down she came. Those of you who know me, know that I don't cry when I am sad - only when I am happy ! What a tearful morning !!

We stopped at a local vet office before starting the trip home. Mona was still in good shape despite many ticks and a few less pounds.

I have so many thanks to give. To the wonderful people of PA who were unbelievably friendly and helpful. To the two police departments who helped and cooperated so much. To all the Clumber community who supported us with calls and offers of help. I can't possibly mention all the names, there are so many, but there are a few who need to be given some special credit.
Leslie Connell, who made phone calls to all the local vets and agencies and faxed the poster to them.
Tara Kulas, whose husband and sister were on patrol with us in the area.
John Woodlief, who gave his time and van to help us hunt for Mona.
Sally Day, who provided helpful ideas and financial support.
My Clumber girl Diva who tried to locate her half-sister by tracking her.
My husband Otto who held down the home front and put up with me.
Most of all, my good friend and 'sister' Diane Dailey who refused to leave me there in spite of commitments at home.

And thank you, Mona, for coming back to me !