Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, December 19, 1994 TAG: 9412190100
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HENRY LENGTH: Medium
Collins knows a little bit about spirit - she's got plenty.
Mugsey, Collins' 17-pound mixed-breed with short hair and big ears, has been missing since late May. Collins has spent thousands of dollars on signs and newspaper advertisements in an exhaustive effort to find her friend.
She continues to search.
When Collins and her husband go on a trip, they check their answering machine every day.
People have called her from as far away as Blacksburg. Some call with tips about possible Mugsey sightings; others call to offer their support.
Collins chases tip after tip, but so far, none has turned up Mugsey.
"We thought we had him on Thanksgiving Day," she said. "Someone called and said they spotted a dog that looked like Mugsey that had been picked up in our area. But when we got there, we knew right away it wasn't him."
Mugsey walked out of the woods behind Collins' Franklin County home and into her heart nine years ago.
He showed up with a dirty coat and tattered collar with a piece of wire hanging from it. Collins cleaned him up and kept him even though she already had a dog.
Mugsey quickly became part of the family, making friends with the Collinses' other dog - another stray they took in and named Doodles.
Doodles died last year, and Mugsey disappeared seven months later.
It was hard to lose both dogs in such a short period of time, Collins said. "They were like our children."
So she continues to search for Mugsey, who disappeared the night of May 27 after he was let outside for a few minutes.
Is it too much to think Mugsey could make it back home?
Stranger things do happen.
When Collins was a Bassett high school student, she lost her Boston terrier, Pug. Six months later, her grandmother spotted the dog at a home in another part of town.
Roanoke County resident Susan Hudson found her cat, Tigger, more than three years after she disappeared.
"I just hope someone's in a generous mood since it's Christmas, and Mugsey comes home to us," Collins said.
Meanwhile, dog food is still on Collins' grocery list. Cricket, a mixed-breed Collins got at the local pound, has a new home.
"She's helped us get over Mugsey," Collins said, "but we're still not giving up hope that we can get him back."
Anyone with information about Mugsey can call (703) 483-2553.
by CNB