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Anyone with any information, please contact us at hq@bordercollierescue.org
An emergency 24 hr line has been set up for any report or sightings - 0845 6044941 - Normal BT rates apply.
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.
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This page contains an archive of the updates on progress during the Romany search, in chronological order.
Above - Romany - crop from family picture. This is the dog we are looking for. Bear in mind she is now older
 
We found out about this situation at around 10 am on Thursday 26th March when we received a phone call to say only one dog was coming into our care, instead of two..
 
Update - 26th March 12.10 pm
Local authority has phoned for more details and advise us they have informed local vets, SSPCA and rescue centres. They have asked Nevis radio to make regular appeals for the next couple of days. We have asked our few members and volunteers within reach of the area to help, but they are thin on the ground. Have tried spreading word through Twitter Re-Tweet facility, but this will depend on people being willing to use their accounts to spread the appeal.
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.
 
Update - 1.05 pm
The husband of the owner of the two dogs has just left and Niji is looking a bit insecure at the moment, but has such a good nature she is very trusting and biddable - but she does look sad. Have posted details to dogwatch.
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.
 
Update - 7.30 pm
Not much to say we are afraid. Word is spreading on Twitter thanks to the generosity of some who have re-tweeted the message to their followers. We have had emails from people in the area who are on the lookout and putting up posters. Scottish co-ordinator from www.doglost.co.uk has sent out posters and our members, close enough, have been helping search. The weather has not been good.
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.
Update - Midnight - 26th March 2009
The response from people has been wonderful and raises our hopes. Word is spreading through Twitter and being cross posted to various forums. We have been in contact with local people and posters are going up in the area. Unfortunately, no sightings so far. In the morning we will speak to the farmer who's stock grazes the area she went missing. www.doglost.co.uk, and www.dogstrust.org.uk have been most helpful. Also actor/comedian Alan Davies (Jonathan Creek) who was kind enough to re-tweet the appeal to quite a few thousand people we couldn't reach. That helped. There has been some very enthusiastic and helpful support from a lot of Twitterers who have been busy re-posting and spreading the word all day and offering us words of encouragement when they had a moment spare. Thank you all for helping.
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.

An emergency 24 hr line has been set up for any report or sightings - 0845 6044941 - Normal BT rates apply.
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Update - Midday - 27th March 2009
Thank you to all who have continued to spread the word through Twitter and other means overnight. Never has there been a night where we would have been more pleased to have been woken up by the telephone in the early hours with some news, but still no sightings reported. Today have spoken to a number of Lochaber residents and businesses. The kindness and generosity of them all has been outstanding. Word is out at the local volunteer centre. The farmer who grazes the area is on the lookout and Margaret from the Glenn Nevis campsite is telling all the contacts she knows - and that seems like a lot of people. Yesterday, weather was not good at all and we are told the rescue helicopter was out frequently, picking up the stranded. Our hopes are now becoming prayers.

Niji, having spent all her life with her sister, may have an internal messenger service telling her what's going on with Romany. It is difficult to tell if her sadness comes from all the changes in her life recently or some sort of understanding of her sisters plight. Call us crazy but we have experienced occasions where a dog in our care has reacted oddly and we have later found out that a sibling or close relative we had re-homed had suffered some sort of accident. Niji is reputed to be a bit distant and independent of humans, but at the moment she is pleased and happy to be cuddled and re-assured.

Sorry we have no more positive news to report at this time.

If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.
Update - 11.35 pm 27th March
We have spoken to a lot of people in Lochaber and Glenn Nevis today. Others we have not spoken to we have messaged and others have heard elsewhere and messaged us. There are plenty of people in the area now aware & looking out. However some people we have cold called (hate that  & wouldn't do it if a dogs life was not the issue) were unaware, so even if people all over the world are following and sharing in this situation through this page, Twitter and various other social networks or forums, there are still people in the immediate area who do not know. So in morning, we will continue to try and spread the word further.
It may interest some to know that a number of people in the Ben Nevis area have found out about the situation only because they use the internet and have picked it up from a forum, chat room or via someone they have been following on Twitter who has re-tweeted our original appeal. Sometimes the re-tweets have been third or fourth generation.
Various attempts to broaden publicity have been made by us and a number of people independently, with appeals to different medias to mention the situation. One person appealing on our behalf was called by a local paper covering the Ben Nevis area and passed on our details and then contacted us to tell us to expect a call. No one called so we contacted the paper ourselves, got an answer-phone and left a message. So far no call back. The question as to whether a local paper editorial will make more local people aware of the situation than the internet has done, therefore remains unanswered!
Well, life's like that - two steps forward, one back. Perhaps more success tomorrow.
Niji is showing a very soft and dependent side. Not a quality we were given to expect of her. She has had a lot of sympathy and attention from everyone passing through, so perhaps she is getting to like it. We should be very careful because we don't want her to come through this trauma dependent on us (or any other human for that matter). We want her to be self reliant, confident and strong
. She and our 16 yr old - Dot - are keeping constant company and have been since she arrived.
The worrying thing is that, when next to each other, 11 yr old Niji looks older than Dot. More worrying is the plight of Romany.
Thank you to everyone who has helped out. We carry on in the morning.
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.

An emergency 24 hr line has been set up for any report or sightings - 0845 6044941 - Normal BT rates apply.
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Update - 10.30 am - 28th March 2009
Again, no sighting or report of any evidence. Remarkable how easy it is to put a word document poster for download and printing on the page here. Never done it before (or thought about it for that matter). There have been plenty of messages of support, advice and offers of help, all of which are gratefully appreciated.
 Today is intended to be very pro-active and to send emails to all and any recipients in the Fort William / Ben Nevis area - with poster attached, asking them to download, print and display it. Of course, if you are reading these words and are in the area, please do so - links all over page! Display them anywhere legally permissible, with appropriate consent and please do not fly poster or put them where they may cause a nuisance - like over the top of someone else's poster!
If you try, but cannot download the poster - email us and we will send you a copy.
We are afraid that we are going to risk the ire of Twitterers by running another "Please Re-Tweet" appeal today, but it is in a good cause.
We noted that in the first 12 hours of the campaign with Twitter re-tweets as the main focus we had nearly 2000+ views on this page, whereas the subsequent 24 hrs (to midnight last night) there were less than 600.
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.
Update - 11.30 pm - 28th March
It seems to have been a day for sending emails. Over 100 sent out with posters attached to various businesses around the Glencoe, Lochaber and Ben Nevis area. A local paper has been in touch and asked for details with regard to a story in tomorrows edition and a number of our followers on Twitter have also been busy sending messages, so thanks goes to all who have helped. A kind lady calling herself "daisylittlestar" has been outstanding. Also, thanks to the enigmatic 'gillie' who has also been quietly working to help find Romany.
Doglost, particularly their Scottish co-ordinator and helpers, deserve a big vote of thanks for all their help and input.
Sadly, still no sighting or sign. We hope that if the weather is better tomorrow, a lot of climbers and walkers will set off up and down the mountain. Hopefully all having seen either a poster or an article in the papers and keeping their eyes skinned!
The weather forecast is still not that good with snow forecast in the morning and rain later.
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.

An emergency 24 hr line has been set up for any report or sightings - 0845 6044941 - Normal BT rates apply.
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Update - 5pm - 29th March
Will only place one update today, unless we hear any news. The centre has been busy all day with visitors and dogs coming and going and a fundraising stall this morning so we have had little spare time to do anything else.
Again a day has passed with no sightings of Romany and our concerns grow. Unless she has been taken in by someone, her chances of survival are decreasing. Today, more progress has been made on spreading the word. We have made calls and sent messages but the prime mover has been DaisyLittleStar who has been a Star, sending out emails and posting on forums and co-ordinating with us throughout.
 We have had a chat with a reporter from a Highlands regional paper who have told us they are printing an article tomorrow. That, coupled with the article in the local paper, should ensure good area coverage. For the next few days we will continue to send out messages to people we have not contacted already and hope for the best.
The weather has improved throughout the day and may continue to get better for a few days.
Thank you, again, to everyone who has put themselves behind this appeal.
 
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.

An emergency 24 hr line has been set up for any report or sightings - 0845 6044941 - Normal BT rates apply.
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Update - 4pm - 30th March
Again, we will only place one update today, unless we hear any news. If we do, you will too.
Unfortunately still no sightings but more progress on the ground and on the Ben. A local has come forward and offered to act as on site co-ordinator, should there be any sightings. Her name is Moira. Now we need to add to others willing to act on her alerts should we need a 'search party' to follow up a sighting, although we hope that Romany would go to anyone seeing her - if she sees them.
 A number of Mountain Rescue and SARDA (Search and Rescue Dog Association) members have offered to conduct independent searches over the next day or two. We can only hope they may come up with something.
Romany's DogLost page has also had offers of 'on the ground' help. Thanks again Doglost. We keep getting News Alerts which link to pages where an article or mention of Romany has been posted. The vast majority of these have been posted by Gillie - Thanks Gillie.
Still no sign of anything in the WebPages of the two papers that have contacted us and said they would run an article. We would have hoped that, once we had provided the info' and they had said they would run an article, it would have at least appeared on their websites. Waiting is frustrating and personally, I feel like a little child, full of impatience and wanting IT ALL TO HAPPEN NOW! I know these things take time, but time is what we are up against and we want Romany found alive.
In future, I will try and be more understanding of others peoples urgency! New year resolution no 82.
 
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.

 
Update - 11 am - March 31st
We have heard that the regional paper - the Press and Herald - ran an article yesterday in the local pages for the Lochaber and FW area. Tomorrow we hope the local paper - The Lochaber News - will also run an article.
Romany has now been missing for a week and, if still on the Ben and alive, has suffered through some pretty awful weather. This mornings routine call to the stray pound tells us she has not been handed in yet. Today we understand that a couple of Search and Rescue team members will be conducting independent searches of the Ben. One is a SARDA member with a dog in training.
One fact has been revealed that we were unaware of. In Scotland's many mountain rescue teams there are only 20 trained SARDA dogs for the whole country. The reasons for this are unclear, but as a dog rescue charity we want to look into this further as quite a few of the dogs we take in are suited to this sort of training and work. Scotland could have more SARDA dogs and if they want them - we want to help.
Moira and Dave, a local couple who have taken up the cause are doing their utmost to put out posters, make forays up the Ben on foot and on mountain bike and keep a watch through binoculars. We really appreciate their help.
There are signs that could be seen from a distance. Sheep make a good indicator of a lurking threat, like a dog or other danger they perceive by moving away from the location of the threat, flocking together and looking towards the object of their concern. Although this is by no means definitive, if sheep are scattered over an area and grazing peacefully it is unlikely that there is a dog near them. If they're bunched together, motionless, they're probably worried about something and if they are running away, look to see what may have spooked them
Although Romany is not a sheepdog or sheep chaser and can walk through a flock without turning her head, the sheep won't know this!
 
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.
 
Update - 7pm - 31st March
We have had this report from Moira and Dave in Lochaber.
I have had a busy day. Going around speaking to people,  putting out posters and walking in Glen Nevis. There is no movement of anything on the hill. I saw a man on the area, where Romany was lost and he had a pack of collies. So it was either the local shepherd or the SARDA person. Too far away for me to see. There are  posters about that others have put up. People tell me they heard it  on the radio, have had emails from all sorts of folk and seen the posters. Now, don't get too excited but I did get two reported sightings from neighbours on the main road into Fort William. Both said they saw a tri colour collie. One on Sat and one on Sunday. They  both said that they didn't notice a collar though. Perhaps the coat  hid it? The lady said she had planned to call the dog warden but the dog took off and she hasn't seen it again. I have spoken to all the  businesses and people in that small bit of town so they are alerted  to look out for Romany. If the paper does a feature tomorrow then that would just let folk know and remind others. I spoke to a young  walker in Glen Nevis. He had been out on the hill for over a week and in some remote areas and hadn't seen anything. He was getting the  train back today so said he would watch out. I think I will refine my  search to the built up areas in case she has holed up somewhere and comes out when things are quiet. The posties know and they are about  early. So, phew. Any other ideas that you think might help, please  pass them on to me. I am heartened by the genuine concern that everyone has had for the missing Romany and how everyone wants her found. I will plug on for a while yet.
 
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.

An emergency 24 hr line has been set up for any report or sightings - 0845 6044941 - Normal BT rates apply.

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Update - 10.30am - 1st April
Today we heard from the SSPCA officer who covers the area Romany went missing. She has given us a mobile contact number to call her 24/7 if there are any more sightings. We hope the local paper may run an article today. Many thanks to 'Jareds Mum', the area co-ordinator for Doglost who went up to the area with a party yesterday and searched. She reports that there is massive support and that many people in the area are aware of the situation and keeping a look out. Romany's sister, Niji, our little 'rainbow' merle, is sitting at my feet as I write this, urging me on with her one blue and one brown eye, She seems more hopeful today, although that may be because we all are and its contagious! People say, don't give up hope. We won't.
 
Update - 7pm - 1st April
There has been a sighting today - noon - up the mountain on the sheltered side below a hut known as the CIC hut. Click to view.
The hut is near a stream where the dog was seen today. The stream runs down to the part of town where the weekend sightings were. There is a cycle path near the stream which provides some access to the town and also an access road (locked off by a gate) that runs to within a short distance of the hut and is used by mountain rescue and hydro electric workers.
That side of the mountain is the opposite side to the point where she was lost but is linked to the point by a footpath that continues past the Loch where she was heading when she disappeared That side of the mountain is sheltered from the worst weather so everyone thinks it is logical that she would have gone in that direction.
The hut provides shelter on the mountainside and the path and road that goes down into town could allow her to move between without being exposed or easily seen.
The local SSPCA inspector is going up to the hut with a dog trap and some food in the hope Romany may be caught overnight.
A local mountain rescue member was up yesterday and although he had no sighting was able to question a lot of people. They all seemed aware so the posters and emails have worked.
There are posters all over town and people are passing information between each other. Local paper is out tonight and the Oban Times may also print a story, we spoke to a reporter today.
 
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.

An emergency 24 hr line has been set up for any report or sightings - 0845 6044941 - Normal BT rates apply.

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Update - 12 noon - 2nd April
Two matters went pear shaped yesterday. The local paper - The Lochaber News - has not run an article on Romany's plight. Why? Can't say, but they must have their reasons. Perhaps they feel their is no 'human interest' angle they can use as a hook or that it is not a local issue.
We are going to contact them and express our disappointment. If anyone else does so, please do not flame them or be abusive. It is their paper and their choice and we cannot demand it of them. They are conspicuous by their absence in supporting the appeal and this alone will damage their local reputation as the rest of the area seems to be behind the attempt to find and rescue Romany.
The SSPCA lady who was trying to set up a dog trap last night was beaten by dusk and the difficulty of access. We have now heard she has got up there with the trap and is setting it up. This is not an easy job as the road only goes so far, the rest of the distance is on foot and the trap is very heavy. We are very grateful for her efforts on Romany's behalf.
Local volunteers are helping search and Moira, who is co-ordinating on the ground is re-doubling her efforts to put out posters and make walkers and mountaineers aware. Sadly nothing more to add at this point.
 
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.
 
Update - 10.30pm - 2nd April
Well, we hear another paper that interviewed us and the SSPCA at length yesterday, professing great interest and support, have not given the situation a mention. It seems the only story about a dog lost on Ben Nevis would be when it is found. Lets hope we can oblige.
Sorry to sound a bit cynical - hell, no I'm not really sorry - I'm only sorry if I offend any of our supporters - as far as the media is concerned I have a perfect right to be a bit cynical as they are a reflection of all that is wrong in society today. Lack of interest in doing something charitable, particularly when it involves needy animals.  Romany is not the only neglected cause.
On the other hand, people, that's different. Many do care and are interested and supportive. The trap is now set near the CIC hut and is baited with a variety of strong smelling and nutritious foodstuffs thanks to the efforts of Dawna from the SSPCA.
Moira and Dave, checking up and around the Ben have spoken to many walkers, most of whom were aware due to the hotels and guest houses they are staying in having put up a poster. The coverage is not absolute, but close. Posters continue to be distributed.
For any interested, the link below is to a 90 second video showing Niji, Romany's sister. She is due to go to a new home, on a months monitored trial, tomorrow or Saturday. She had here vet check this evening and is fit to go. The video is an information video and very quickly done so don't expect anything great but it does show her at the centre and you can see what a lovely dog she is.
http://tiny.cc/tmwqi
 
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.

An emergency 24 hr line has been set up for any report or sightings - 0845 6044941 - Normal BT rates apply.

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Update - 10pm - 3rd April
Little to report other than the search continues. Moira met some people with a helicopter and they agreed to run a sweep over the Ben to see if they could spot Romany. Conditions were clear but she was not seen.
This evening we got a phone call from a lass who has spotted a stray dog in an area known as The Plantation, about a mile from the Ben She managed to get a photo on her mobile phone. It is definitely a collie, but probably not Romany, although we cannot be sure as we have never seen her and have no images. The image has been forwarded to the husband of the dogs owner to get his opinion.
The trap was undisturbed overnight and the food inside it untouched. Not even a Fox or Pine Martin seems to forage at such an altitude.

The search will continue tomorrow

 
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.

An emergency 24 hr line has been set up for any report or sightings - 0845 6044941 - Normal BT rates apply.

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Update - 11pm - 4th April
The best news is that today we got our first look at Romany, via a photo sent to us by someone who knew her and heard about the search and appeal on twitter. They searched, found us, read this page, realised we did not have a photo and sent it to us.
Other than that, no news of her from Ben Nevis. No sign. No sound. No whisper of a sighting. The photo of Romany discounts the sighting made yesterday and although many have been up and around the Ben today and many are aware and looking out - nothing.
We know a lot of folk are following this search. This page is getting around 2000 views a day. We wish we could give you all some good news, something positive, something joyful and worthy of celebration. But the way of these matters is not ideal. We, like you, can only hope for a good outcome and do justice to Romany by not giving up. We urge you all - don't give up.

The search will continue tomorrow

 
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.

An emergency 24 hr line has been set up for any report or sightings - 0845 6044941 - Normal BT rates apply.

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Update - 10pm - 6th April
Nothing new to report regarding sightings or information on Romany. We spoke to Moira earlier today and they are still putting posters out, although almost everyone they meet seems to know about the situation and are on the look out for Romany.
The poster is updated with Romany's picture and we spoke with a reporter from the Scottish Sun newspaper who is writing an article on the situation, although they can't promise it will make print. Our main hope is still that someone has found her and taken her in. perhaps they are now worried that they may have trouble if they 'own up', but we would not bring any action against anyone who has her.  This is the main reason why we would like to see an article in the press. Just to make contact with someone who may have found and kept her.
On the plus side, her sister, Niji, is settling into her new home and is a delight to her new owner and friends. She is quite a celebrity in the village where she now lives and has already been on the rounds to meet everyone. She is sticking to her owner like glue and has a special place to sleep at the side of her owners bed - not a practice we would normally condone, but in this case - appropriate.
Niji has been through a few weeks of change and loss. At this stage she needs to be made to feel 'at home' and to get some stability in her life. Apparently, when allowed into the bedroom, she settled immediately at the side of the bed, went to sleep and uttered contented grunts occasionally, not moving until morning. She deserves this reassurance. It will make her whole again.

Gillie has been sending out more emails. We have been making more phone calls. We aren't giving up yet.

The search will continue tomorrow

 
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.

An emergency 24 hr line has been set up for any report or sightings - 0845 6044941 - Normal BT rates apply.

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Update - 10pm - 7th April
And the search did continue today.  We got a call at around 7.20 am from a man who spotted a tri coloured collie. He made a full report as to time spotted (7am), Location - on the peat track below Cow Hill, and activity - scavenging from a rubbish bin. He said he had seen the dog hanging around a few times over the previous days and it was not a dog he was familiar with, then he read the article in the only paper that has, so far, printed - the Press and Journal (thanks guys - kept a promise). He was sure this dog was as described in the article.
We called Moira and Dawna (SSPCA) at around 7.30. Dawna dropped everything and went to look at the dog while Moira checked things out with the man and headed up to the town end of the area. Dawna did find a BC, but not Romany - this one was Black and White and lived near bye - just out for a stroll on his own. So - a disappointing and frustrating start to the day. Disappointing because it was not Romany that was found and frustrating because the man is sure he saw a tri colour and evidence suggest he knows the difference so the dog he saw had gone and it's therefore inconclusive. If only there were not so many loose Border Collies wandering around !!
As far as the rest of the day is concerned, people were looking but nothing else has been reported.
Another update from Romany's sister, Niji to say she has had a second nights contented sleep at the side of her new owners bed, behaved impeccably and has won the hearts of everyone she has met with her quiet, laid back affection, obliging behaviour and soulful eyes.

The search will continue tomorrow

 
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.

An emergency 24 hr line has been set up for any report or sightings - 0845 6044941 - Normal BT rates apply.

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Update - 7pm - 13th April
There has been another possible sighting of Romany. The sighting was reported to our SSPCA contact in Fort William earlier today. We are awaiting further details.

For the time being all we are aware of is that an elderly Border Collie, matching the description of Romany, was spotted by an Oban Times reader on the A816 (Soroba Road) in the suburbs south of Oban, heading south towards Lochgilphead.
At the moment we are not clear on whether the sighting was made on Saturday or Sunday.
We ask anyone in the area to keep an eye open for any stray tricolour Border Collie. If this is Romany, she is an excellent scavenger and is likely to be foraging bins for food.
Please contact us if you think you have seen her. Email us at hq@bordercollierescue.org or phone us on 0845 6044941 - this is not a premium line and charges normal BT national rates. We will take your number and call you back.
 
If you live in the area, please download, print and put up this poster. Word document format based on this page.

An emergency 24 hr line has been set up for any report or sightings - 0845 6044941 - Normal BT rates apply.

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For information on how you can help - click here
 
A prayer for Romany
 
Dear Lord Jesus,
 
We lift Romany the dog up to you. Lord we ask for comfort and peace knowing you are in control and are the Great Physician. We come to you humbly to ask you to please cover this dog named Romany with your angels for comfort and peace.
 
May beautiful Romany be lifted up in a wonderful way to show us your presence and witness to others at this time. Lord we thank you for Romany. Please comfort and give peace in this situation to her owners. Lord we ask you send Angels down to cover and protect this dog and that she be cared for, well fed and happy.
 
Lord show the caretakers where Romany is and please let it be your will that this dog be returned home safe and secure.
 
We ask this in your holy precious name of Jesus,
Amen
 
Psalm 91
 
Your Pet Prayer Partner
Helen Moore (PFP)
Charleston, South Carolina
Twitter: Ladysensei1

 

 
Anyone with any information, please contact us at hq@bordercollierescue.org
An emergency 24 hr line has been set up for any report or sightings - 0845 6044941 - Normal BT rates apply.
We are on Twitter at - http://twitter.com/BCRescueUK
 
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