Dog experts in hunt for Maisie
Absence leaves family heartbroken
A heartbroken Stirling shire family have consulted dog behaviour experts in desperate bid find their missing pet.
The McArthur family’s two-yearold working cocker spaniel Maisie disappeared on her walk at the end of March, having last been seen in a field between Killearn Glen and Drumbeg Loan.
Since then the Killearn family, friends and locals have set up search parties and a widespread Facebook campaign.
Dog behaviour experts have even been called in to advise on Maisie’s possible whereabouts and an undisclosed reward has been offered.
The family have also been leaving their socks in places across the area as Maisie is in the habit of “stealing” them. And it’s hoped the pet will pick them up and return them.
Owner Heather McArthur says they now believe Maisie, who has an identity tag and is microchipped, may either have been taken or has perhaps been picked up by someone more recently thinking she was a stray.
“If she is out fending for herself, which is one of the possibilities, she won’t look like as she does in her pictures any more,” she added. “She will be thin, scruffy and dirty. We are worried someone may have taken her in thinking she had been mistreated, but I assure you nothing is further from the truth. With no sightings, it is a real possibility she has been taken. We are getting the word across Scotland and ask anyone who sees a friend or neighbour with a new dog like Maisie to get in touch with us. If someone has Maisie please give her back - no questions asked.”
The family is also contacting all vets in Scotland - and some in Northern England - to ask them to keep an eye out and scan any new dogs brought to them.
“Our older dog, Sam, is like a big brother to Maisie and she will hate being apart from him,” said Heather.
“The family doesn’t feel complete without both of our dogs in it and we really hope it will be back to normal soon. Even her most annoying habits like stealing our socks and shoes and hiding them are being missed. The house feels really empty without her .”
Dog behaviour experts from East Kilbride, who helped the family set up ‘bases’ in the area for Maisie, have said if she is still out and hiding somewhere she may have gone into “survival mode” and lost the ability to sense familiar surroundings or people.
She could also be foraging for food and, as she gets hungrier, will take risks in coming out of hiding so is more likely to be spotted.
“So many people have been so kind and helpful,” said Heather.
See Find Missing Maisie on Facebook or call 01360550137 or 07985082678.
Even her most annoying habits, like stealing our socks and shoes, are being missed