Permission given to cross post..... Christmas at our farm was not merry this year. Our 4 year old Anatolian Shepherd went missing between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. EST yesterday (December 25.) She is a VERY LARGE (155 pounds and 31 inches) working female. Sophie is a fawn with a black mask. She has slight red and black tips to her coat--a few scars here and there. She was wearing a red collar when she disappeared. We are definitely of the opinion (as well as the local sheriff) that Sophie did not wander or stray off. We have searched the area to find any signs of her to no avail. Please understand that this girl does not leave her post except to rid the area of predators or carrion. The mixed breed (G. Shepherd/Rot) male that she works in tandem with is still on the premises--noticeably upset/distraught. He will not stay in his house, but was on our front porch in terrible wet, snowy weather preferring the safety of the front door to getting out of the inclement weather. This is definitely not normal behavior for Bear. He would not "face me" for several hours after her disappearance. If only he could talk. Sophie will advance on a threatening human and would alert and not allow a stranger to approach her, so she did not go willingly with anyone. I have found out that we have a problem in our area with dog "poachers" who seize "purebred/purebred looking" animals and "dispose" of them in various manners--none the least of which is dog auctions, labs, or fight rings. PLEASE CROSS POST THIS TO ANY AND ALL LISTS THAT MAY HELP ME GET HER RETURNED HOME. PLEASE CALL ME AT 812-486-5445 or email me at jolliffs@xxxxxxxxxx if you have ANY information about Sophie. While her size is her biggest identifying factor, she is very intelligent, and has had obedience training to supplement her guarding so she does lead and handle well. Lambing/kidding is in 6 weeks and I don't know what I'll do without her. Don't know what I'll do without her regardless--she's my baby girl! Thank you, Sara M. M. Jolliff www.spiderwebspecialties.com Arvind & Joyce deBraganca _www.passport-anatolians.com_ (http://www.passport-anatolians.com/) & _www.redwing-anatolians.com_ (http://www.redwing-anatolians.com/) "It is difficult for a religious man to stand and watch his church burn." - Joe Bihari ( \ / ) ( \()/ ) ( / \ ) TAKE THIS LITTLE ANGEL ( / \/ \ ) AND KEEP HER CLOSE TO YOU / \ SHE IS YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL ( ) SENT TO WATCH OVER YOU ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================