Dear friends and concerned citizens of Lost Dog Sage:

Beloved and sorely missed dog Sage has now been missing since late May, and after many desperate and exhausting efforts to locate her and bring her home, we have been unsuccessful.  It leaves us with many unanswered questions and continued concern for her safety.

At this juncture I would like to take this opportunity to not only provide some comments but also to thank those that have been instrumental in the search efforts, thus far.

Thank-you first to the team of Sage Responders. You are an extraordinary group of people who have dedicated many months in helping this lost dog and her family in need of help. Many of you have full-time jobs and families, and it is truly inspirational to know of the time you all have invested in the search effort. Early morning watches, late night searches, vacation time spent combing the woods, paddling lakes and shorelines,  talking to neighbors and posting flyers is truly the essence of getting involved. You all understand the true meaning of teamwork and it has been humbling and inspirational to work alongside all of you. No concerns about the long days, hot humid weather, dangerous areas, and nay-sayers. Never did this stop you from checking and checking again, all with no regrets and only hoping to be of some small assistance. If you hit a wall, you all just climbed over it. It doesn’t get any more significant for me than that. I could go on listing the examples of selflessness, but that is not why you do what you do. Getting involved and sticking with it because it was the right thing to do and because we all share a common bond with man’s true best friend.

Thank-you to the many individuals out looking independently whom I would come across while walking the woods, paddling the ponds, and walking stretches of waterlines, roadways and trails. To come across someone out of the blue and to know immediately why they were there brought me to tears. More evidence of unabashed selflessness. I don’t know many of your names, but I’ll never forget you.

Thank-you to the well wishers as we traveled, searched, hung posters and discussed Sage. So many warm moments of concern and prayers. It seemed impossible to run into anyone who was not aware of this dog. Keep up the prayers and positive thinking.   

Thank-you to the landowners who allowed with permission our groups to meticulously go through their properties, fields, woods, ponds and out-buildings. I hope that it was clear how important it is to thoroughly check areas in the case that Sage was trapped or just hiding away from the heat. Thank-you for being courteous and understanding, your kind words of concern and continuing to keep an eye out for her are appreciated.  

Thank-you to the businesses, chambers and towns who allowed us to post signs and flyers anywhere that we could. We did not want to overlook any opportunities, for we believe it will only take one person seeing one of these many posters to recognize her as lost, and to help bring her home. As in the last reported sighting on Aug. 24 at the Union Fair grounds, it was an out-of-towner attending the fair who saw one of the posters on her way out. Had it not been for one of these posters, we never would have gotten the call. It is important to note, that when posting to telephone and utility poles to not cover up the pole's ID number so that in an emergency it can quickly be identified.  

Thank-you to the town offices and animal control officers helped determine whether the sightings were credible. Meaning that it was checked whether a dog fitting Sage’s description resided in that town of sighting. Every minute counts and having current information quickly is crucial to next steps.   

Thank-you to Mike and Lisa of  Lost Pet Tracking Service. It was an education and I feel very fortunate having been on one of the searches. If I hadn’t already known it, I learned very quickly how incredible, intelligent and capable dogs really are. The precision and confidence each of the team members possess is impressive.   

A humble thank-you to the many who continue to get involved and help with other missing dogs. There seems to be a rash lately, which is very disheartening because for so many families, losing a pet is devastating. If you come across a lost pet, take a minute and stop. Make sure that a wandering pet is close to home and headed that way, or make sure the owner is aware that they have wandered out a little too far. Make a quick call to your local police agency. They are always available to assist. Many towns now have leash laws, and with the exception of the occasional well-known neighborhood dog who isn’t happy unless making the morning rounds, this is typically unusual and not the norm. It is important to stop and check to make sure that everything is OK before moving on.  

Make sure that your pets have updated shots and medication to protect them if they get loose. Have identification tags, including their name, your name and phone number made, and on your pets at all times so that those who come across your pet will be able to make the phone call to let you know that they have gotten loose and are safe with you. If your pet goes missing there are steps that can quickly and effectively be undertaken. Check out the  many useful online resources that provide helpful tips that can be activated immediately, including missingpetpartnership.org, findtoto.com and downeastdognews.com, in addition to your local shelters and veterinarians.

Most importantly, thank-you to Fred and Gail Ribeck, Sage’s owners. In crisis they have stepped up in the most efficient and organized manner. I am amazed at their courage. While dealing with their own personal grief, they never faltered from providing search teams with details and information, as well as concern for our safety and schedules.    

We, as a group, have all taken Sage into our hearts as one of our own. Each day is a new hope that someone will call and say that they have her and that she is safe and/or at peace. Don’t give up hope and continue with your good wishes and prayers that we locate Sage and finally bring her home.  

Thank you.

Ginny Ryan
Friends of Sage