We are still in shock and so unbelieveably happy!! Our boy has been found!! He is safe, unhurt and in remarkeable condition considering what he's been through. Here's what happened:
The 'pet detective' and my brother started their search this morning by posting 22x28 flourescent posters of Cooper that stated there was a $500 reward. They then started searching for Coopie with the coonhounds. They kept picking up his scent and following... During this time we kept getting calls of support from people who were seeing the posters and the hounds. We got a call from a lady who said she saw Coop on Denlinger Road about a week ago (close to my mother's home) and when they turned around in the car to go to get him he had disappeared! The hounds had picked up his scent in the same area! Then a couple of hours later we got a call from this gentleman who said his friends saw the poster and called him to tell him that they thought he had our dog. He described the dachsie to us and said he found him where??? On Denlinger Road about a week ago! We were going crazy by this time. Everything he said about the dog he had was Coopie all the way, right down to a funny toenail he has! We called my brother and the pet detective and they arranged to meet the guy at a vet's office. Well they did, the vet was closed but my brother said he was sure the dog was Cooper. They sent us a picture and we were sure as well. They all decided to go to an Emergency Vet to get him scanned and we got the call 20 minutes later that it was 100% for sure Cooper. The vet said he looked great. Only a small spot on his nose was rubbed raw (probably from the cold). The guy had taken very good care of Cooper and he was sad to see him go but knew he had to do the right thing. He got the reward and my brother has Cooper in his care now. Cooper had been out in the winter weather for over two weeks before being rescued by this wonderful man. We are forever in his debt... The picture is Cooper at my brother's house. He's a little scared but otherwise okay. Dana will be leaving about 4am to meet my brother and get Cooper. Somewhere in Illinois I believe. This has been such a roller coaster ride and it's worked out - our baby boy is coming home!! I've been crying for the last three hours, this is such a miracle! Thank you all so much and I'll keep posting with updates. Thank you for everything!!!