| Author |
Message |
    
emmie
Citizen
Username: Emmie
Post Number: 272
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 4:58 pm: | 
|
I have been following this story since day one and have been praying that Roz would be found. It still may happen, dogs have been know to turn up at their owners house weeks after being lost. I worried about Roz especially yesterday and if she is as friendly as you say, maybe she is cuddled up by someone's nice warm fireplace.
Honor sounds sweet too, and your sceenario sounds very reasonable. Since she has had a recent haircut, maybe you could check with the local groomers. They might know her. Good luck to you both and I am praying Rozzie will turn up. |
Joel and Melissa
Citizen
Username: Jdlf
Post Number: 23
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 5:20 pm: |
|
This is Honor.
 |
mck
Citizen
Username: Mck
Post Number: 641
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 5:59 pm: |
|
Awww. Give Honor a big hug for me!
I'm sure your scenario is correct: I knew someone in town whose very pretty cat disappeared - turned out she had been taken by someone who just wanted a cat for a while. A neighbor saw posters, and turned the culprit in. Keep those posters going. I admire your spirit. |
just me fromsouthorange
Citizen
Username: Jmfromsorange
Post Number: 215
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 8:08 pm: |
|
joel and melissa-
thank you for the update. i'm sorry rozzie hasn't turned up yet. i'm sure you're right and she's in someone's home, someone who doesn't realize who she belongs to. i'll keep looking when i'm in the hilton area. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 2097
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 9:56 am: |
|
J & M - I get the impression that you are new to the area. Have you checked your old neighborhood? Sometimes, they do make their way to their familiar home.
I'm hoping for the best for you. If it makes you feel better, I once found a small dog that had been out in bad weather for awhile. She was new to Maplewood & couldn't find her way home. She still had her old tags on & thru some miracle (lots of phone calls to folks who passed us on to the next person who got us closer to the family) we reconnected her with her family. |
Wendyn
Citizen
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 164
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:15 am: |
|
Another hopeful story...my cat refused to come in one evening right before a snowstorm. He was gone for 2 weeks when we thought all was lost. Then one day he was meowing at the back door...skinny, wet, and HUNGRY but fine. Honestly, he needed to lose that weight anyway.
I have been keeping my eye out for Rozzie and thinking about you both. Good luck! |
Joel and Melissa
Citizen
Username: Jdlf
Post Number: 24
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 2:43 pm: |
|
Good afternoon,
Today at around 1pm, Melissa got a call from a woman who found a dog that looked like Rozzie. We were to meet her at the Quik Check on the corner of Boyden and Springfield. When I arrived at 1:10pm, she had disappeared.
What gives the story credibility is that it turns out that this woman was driven to the Quik Check by a Maplewood family, who also lent her their cellphone to call us with. From them, we learned the following:
1. The woman was in her 40s, blonde hair, with a scar above her lip. She was wearing a pink jacket.
2. The family found her holding a small dog, harness but no leash, standing in front of one of our "Lost Dog" posters. The dog had been found wandering behind the South Boyden Elementary School -- just blocks from Rutgers and Burnett where all the other sightings had been reported. She asked the family if she could use their cellphone. She bemoaned the fact that her landlord would not let her keep a dog. The family offered to take the dog from her, but she refused. Using their cellphone, she called Melissa, and the family drove her to Quik Mart, also offering to pick up up afterwards.
3. When they returned a short while later, she was gone, and I was there waiting.
4. While the dog was wearing a harness or collar, the wife of the Maplewood family re-iterated that she was quite sure it was Rozzie from the poster picture.
5. They were exasperated but not surprised by the woman's disappearance. She was described as "wacky" by the wife and "crazy" by the husband. They said they have often seen her in the area and at the Maplewood Pool in the past.
6. The family offered several times to take the dog since she could not keep it at her home. They could then get in touch with us, and if it wasn't Rozzie, they would want to care for her. The woman refused.
After combing the area for 90 minutes, I had to conclude that she had intentionally left with the desire to keep the dog. A woman at the Quik Check had seen "the woman with the small dog and pink jacket" heading north on Boyden towards the Springfield intersection.
Help! Does anyone know this woman or anything about her?
Joel and Melis |
Lydia
Citizen
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 235
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 3:27 pm: |
|
Joel and Melissa - it sounds like she has your dog, a similar situation happened to a friend of mine (her dog was kidnapped outside a store) After months of searching they found out that the dog was living with a crazy woman in an SRO apartment building. Long story short - they hung around the area and asked residents if they'd seen a dog, most people didn't want to get involved, but they got some leads and figured out which floor the dog was on. After knocking on doors and asking neighbors they finally found their dog (upset and dirty but otherwise healthy).
They got the initial lead about the woman and the dog from an anonymous person wanting reward money. It might be time to put out some new posters and offer money for the return of Rozzie. You should report the phone call to the police too, you might need them if she's holding the dog on private property.
Good luck, I hope you find your dog soon. If there's a bright side to this new frustrating turn, at least you know Rozzie is alive and she's not outside or hungry. |
Joel and Melissa
Citizen
Username: Jdlf
Post Number: 25
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 4:56 pm: |
|
Thanks, Lydia.
I just got back from spending more time with the family who picked this woman up to begin with. They were hospitable and extremely helpful.
On their own, they went looking for the "Pink Lady" and found her walking on Boyden Ave. She told them that someone pulled up in a car, said it was their dog, that they had just put the harness on her that morning, and she gave it to them.
I was frustrated by that, because either:
A. The dog wasn't Rozzie.
B. The dog was Rozzie who had been co-opted by these people who had just bought a harness for her, and they had gotten her back again; or
C. The woman was lying.
More details emerged which make me suspect "C."
The family first saw the Pink Lady this afternoon at just before 1pm on Newark Way and Schaeffer. We have postered there extensively, and they recognized the dog as Rozzie. When they pulled over to tell the Pink Lady this, she said immediately, "Is this your dog?" When they said no, but she looked like the lost dog on the posters (she was standing right by one), the Pink Lady asked to use the man's cellphone. Here comes strange detail number one: *She had her own cellphone on her belt.* Now, perhaps I'm being paranoid, but to me, this sounds like she didn't want us having her number on our caller ID (thank goodness we got the family's though, because we were able to call them and get their help).
She told them she had found the dog behind the South Boyden Elementary School. From where they've seen her in the past, the family strongly believes that she lives somewhere south of Menzel and Boyden (she was seen by the Dunkin Donuts in that area by them this afternoon). If she lives there, what was she doing finding the dog on Boyden, walking with her to Schaeffer and Newark Way? It makes no sense.
The family owns a Pomeranian, and sitting on their porch this afternoon, I asked them again if they felt strongly that the dog was Rozzie. They both replied that they knew dogs, and they both strongly believed it was she. I asked what condition she was in, and they said she seemed healthy but sad. The wife added that she petted her and found her to be dirty.
Schaeffer and Newark Way is a block away from Rutgers -- where Rozzie was spotted repeatedly last week.
Regardless of whether or not she was given to people in a car, it sounds very likely that this was Rozzie and that the Pink Lady may have even more info -- if not Rozzie herself.
Also, they believe the Pink Lady has two children, both around nine years old, and that she is no longer married.
Any more info from anyone here would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks to Lydia for the advice -- by the way, what is an SRO apartment building?
Joel and Melissa |
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 2609
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 5:03 pm: |
|
SRO = single room occupancy. |
les
Citizen
Username: Les
Post Number: 47
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 11:52 pm: |
|
I was at the traffic light at the intersection of Boyden Ave. & Springfield Ave. just before 1:00 this afternoon. It's a rather long light and while I was waiting, I saw this same pink-coated woman just in front of the Quick Chek. She did indeed have a small dog in her arms. I wasn't close enough to see exactly what kind it was, but it was small with long-ish fur. Another woman, who wore a black or dark blue jacket, went up to the pink-coated woman, took the dog and gave her two hugs. They were still speaking when our light turned green and we drove along. I immediately thought this may have been the missing Rozzie being finally returned to her family. I happily recounted the story to my family who was in the car with me. I couldn't wait to get home and check the latest postings, hoping for some wonderful news. I'm sorry that it didn't turn out as such. I'll keep praying for her quick return to you. |
mck
Citizen
Username: Mck
Post Number: 642
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 8:48 am: |
|
One word: $$$$. I bet the bait of big bucks will get you Rozzie back. Unfortunately for you,Lydia is right, it is time for new posters, saying something like have you seen this dog, pic, big reward. What a development.
I can try to help, tho I work and today is a very busy day for me. |
Lydia
Citizen
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 237
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 3:53 pm: |
|
I told my daughter who is a student at Seth Boyden to keep an eye out for Rozzie, kids will spread the word and like to help out with stuff like this. I asked her not to say anything if she sees the dog but to tell me when she gets home.
Now, with the reward angle - I don't like the idea of having to offer money, but if it gets Rozzie back it's money well spent. If you need contributions I would be happy to give $20 for the cause. I'll bet a lot of animal lovers following this thread would also chip in. I think if you had a poster offering $500 for the actual return of Rozzie it might be the tipping point you need right now. If you can set up a Paypal account that might make it easier for people to help with money.
Good luck - I read this thread everyday and I know that one day it's going to be really good news. |
millie amoresano
Citizen
Username: Millieamoresano
Post Number: 52
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 6:20 pm: |
|
Lydia just a word of caution.There have been attempted child abductions in Millburn and i believe in Maplewood or South Orange in the last few weeks.Child abductors are notorious for asking children if they can help them find their lost dog.Tell your daughter and her friends to be careful who they talk to about rozzie. |
Lydia
Citizen
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 238
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 7:04 pm: |
|
I heard about the (attempted) child abductions - my daughter understandsan adult never needs help from a child - we've gone over it, but thanks for the reminder.
That's why I told her not to get involved directly but to tell me when she gets home. She has good sense, she knows to watch and not intervene w/ strangers. |
just me fromsouthorange
Citizen
Username: Jmfromsorange
Post Number: 221
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 12:37 am: |
|
joel-
i'm so sorry to hear you were so close to getting rozzie back and now this lady disappeared. i would call the police and tell them what happened. maybe a bunch of us can comb the area looking for the pink coat lady. maybe if we rang bells handing out your filiers someone would know something. i can't help monday, but if you need help tuesday, let me know. check for places in that area that has trucks and bridges. what about a little past springfield on boyden going towards irvington by the bend? is that auto repair shop still there? they might have trucks and the woman might be in one of the houses near there.
i'm curious. does anyone know how long this woman's hair is? as i read the first note i sucked my breath in because i know someone with blonde hair who acts wacky and crazy. and she lives right by the quick chek on boyden. she also wonders around quite a bit in a daze. she doesn't have any children though, and she lives with her parents. she tends to wear too much pinkish makeup. i am going to call her tomorrow to see if she knows anything about this. i'm sure i'm wrong, but you never know. IF she does have rozzie, i know she doesn't know what she is doing. i'll call you as soon as i can get in touch with her. but like i said, it's most likely not her. i haven't spoken to her in a few weeks, it's just too hard to even communicate with her at times; but we are friends. |
Joel and Melissa
Citizen
Username: Jdlf
Post Number: 26
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 8:06 am: |
|
Good morning everyone,
The internet is an amazing thing. I mean, what are the odds of me describing an incident that happened on the corner of Boyden and Springfield on Saturday and then having Les tell us that he *saw* that incident?
Many thanks again for all of your support and help.
I think mck and Lydia's thoughts on a reward are unfortunately correct. If Rozzie is in the home of others -- especially in an area that we have postered extensively -- then we must assume that either the knowledge that she belongs to someone else is not enough incentive to return her, or the posters are lacking the financial incentive seemingly required to be noticed and remembered. Lydia's very generous offer to contribute money towards this cause is so appreciated, but you have all contributed more than any amount of money already, so Melissa and I cannot accept. We do accept the thoughts behind it, however, and remain so grateful for it.
Early this week, we will re-poster -- probably from the Boyden area through to the Laurel/Revere area -- with REWARD posters, maybe with color pictures this time.
A few more thoughts on the Pink Lady.
First of all, and most importantly, please let me STRESS that Melissa and I have never seen her and have never seen the dog she had in her arms. Despite the inconsistencies of her *alleged* stories and the peculiarity of her *alleged* behavior, we are acting completely on the well-meaning accounts of others. It is our intention to pursue a conversation with her and hopefully get in contact with those who now have this dog, but I really do not want her to be associated directly with Rozzie's disappearance unless we know this to be a fact. Goodness knows life can be hard enough without people you have never met judging you without knowing the full story. We may come to depend on her for help as much as we depend upon you all.
That said, we heard again yesterday from our friends who gave her a ride to the Quik Check (or is it Quick Chek?), who have gone out of their way repeatedly to assist us. As dog owners themselves, they both insist that the dog they saw was the Rozzie in the posters, and they want to get her home. Searching for the Pink Lady in their neighborhood again yesterday, they found her. Two things emerged from the interaction:
1. She said that she gave the dog to "a friend," who had lost their dog. She insisted that "the dog had a harness on, and they said their dog didn't have one" was a valid reason to leave the parking lot of our meeting place prematurely knowing we were coming to meet her.
Why she would give a friend's dog to them on a random street corner, or why she would not know her friend was missing a dog in the first place (or what that dog looked like), is additionally questionable behavior. She had also said previously that the people she gave the dog to (who had not been referred to as "friends" the first time) had only put the harness on that morning.
2. The "friends" that have this dog in their possession are also Maplewood residents, presumably from this same area.
The Pink Lady then said she would take our number off a poster and explain to us what had happened. Predictably, we have not heard from her.
Apparently, the Pink Lady lives on Nelson (Place/Court?), four blocks south of the intersection where Boyden runs into Newark Way.
Now, this could all be one big red herring. If we go by one set of stories, this dog could have been lost by a family near the Elementary School and had her returned by an acquaintance from the neighborhood (either way, their relationship is confirmed by Les seeing them hug on the corner). Or it could be a long and complicated story that involves animals that are not Rozzie. But it's all just a bit too peculiar for my taste to not see if our dog is at the end of it all. Plus, it's too close to the area where she was spotted repeatedly.
That's where we stand at the beginning of another week.
Thanks for staying with us on it all. Your comments and suggestions, as always, are very welcomed.
All the best,
Joel and Melissa |
Soda
Citizen
Username: Soda
Post Number: 1214
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 10:42 am: |
|
Are local Animal Control folks alerted to be on the lookout for Rozzie? |
Joel and Melissa
Citizen
Username: Jdlf
Post Number: 28
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 3:03 pm: |
|
Hi Soda,
Yep, we're trying to cover all our bases as often as we can.
Animal control in this area -- Union and Maplewood and Irvington are aware of us (as is Millburn and South Orange).
Thanks.
Joel and Melis |
Joel and Melissa
Citizen
Username: Jdlf
Post Number: 29
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 3:04 pm: |
|
Hi JMFSO,
I PL'd you, so please check the appropriate email addy, when you get a chance! Thanks.
Joel and Melis |
Joel and Melissa
Citizen
Username: Jdlf
Post Number: 31
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 11:44 pm: |
|
Through the observations and information provided by many people, I was able to make contact with the "Pink Lady" this evening. I am still astounded that, because of the information provided by others, we were able to locate this person. She could not have been more helpful and put us in contact with the woman she was seen giving the lost dog to last Saturday.
From what I gather from our phone conversation, this dog is *not* Rozzie. This was "Chelsea," a 12 pound yorkshire terrier, who had gotten out on Saturday morning and was found one hour later.
The ups and downs of it all are exhausting.
In the meantime, we put up a few posters in that Boyden area proclaiming in big letters, "$500 Reward!" We are expecting a slew of creepy phone calls as a result, but if it can bring us Rozzie -- or a legitimate lead -- it will be worth it.
One other thing of note today:
A woman named Caroline called today from Maplewood Middle School (she is a teacher there, it sounded like) saying that kids came in this morning claiming to have seen a dog that could be Rozzie behind the Fleet Bank on Maplewood Ave. on their way to school. Neither Melis and I were able to get there this morning, but we placed calls to the police department and Animal Control (who are all getting to be quite familiar with us by now, I'm sure!) who didn't report seeing anything. I did put up some signs around there this evening.
If anyone sees or hears of anything in that area, we would love to hear. I would be surprised to hear that she had gotten that far north. I would think that if she could have crossed Springfield, she would be able to find her way back home. But how many times have I been right over the last three weeks?
Today marked three full weeks since Rozzie disappeared.
|
irl
Citizen
Username: Irl
Post Number: 75
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 7:31 pm: |
|
Any new news on Rozzie? |
Joel and Melissa
Citizen
Username: Jdlf
Post Number: 32
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 10:24 pm: |
|
Hi,
No real news on the Rozzie front, unfortunately.
Today we began to put more of the "$500 Reward" signs out, in the hope that this will provoke a "confession" of sorts. Other than two crank calls, we have heard nothing from the first batch -- posted only in the Boyden/Springfield area.
While putting up signs today, two people came out -- one from a bar, another pulled her car over -- and said, "Are you Rozzie's owner? Have you found her yet?" I found this very moving -- and also very discouraging. If there are so many people aware of us and our signs, then why aren't we hearing anything? There are still so many possibilities. Are we completely in the wrong area? Is she still out there? It's daunting.
My gut tells me that she's in someone's house close to the Laurel/Revere area, but we've not only postered there heavily in the past, I've also fliered a good portion of that neighborhood door-to-door. If someone has her there, they're not saying.
It had been mentioned before that enlisting kids at school would be a great way to add the most far-reaching eyes available to the search. This makes a lot of sense to me -- especially because Rozzie may be in a home that has a child or is next to one. Kids are open and honest and terrific searchers. What is the best way to make kids aware in a way that does not compromise their safety habits -- as had been mentioned in an earlier post? Any thoughts on this?
Hope everyone is very well.
Joel and Melissa |
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page