11/02/02 (Sat) -  (This is the report called in by cell phone from Yogaville at 8 pm yesterday.)  No new sightings, but we're still encouraged.  We've now been "camping for Rumble" for two full weeks.  Yesterday we again saw huge paw-prints near the slurry line, and the tracks keep getting closer to our campsite!  (Explanation of "slurry" is at 10/29/02.)  The day before yesterday, the paw-prints got to within about 500 feet of our campsite.  Yesterday, they were within less than 300 feet.  Each day when we put out the slurry line, we begin it where the last paw-prints ended.  The paw-prints we saw were huge (like Rumble's).  Rumble's paw-prints are so large that in the past they've been mistaken for bear paw-prints!  (See example tracing from Rumble's brother Ranger in Rumble's Scrapbook.)  The only photos our camera got yesterday were of two cats.  But remember, Rumble's descended from Gypsy (aka "Houdini")!  (See photo of Gypsy in Rumble's Scrapbook.)  
 

11/03/02 (Sun) -  (This is the report called in by cell phone from Yogaville at 8 pm yesterday.)  No new sightings.  We've continued to find huge paw-prints along the slurry line.  (Explanation of "slurry" is at 10/29/02.)   We measured the paw-prints and then measured the paw-prints of Rumble's dad Raider (see photos of Raider in Rumble's Scrapbook)   They're the same size!  The slurry is really helping to draw the dog (hopefully Rumble!) toward our campsite.  We've also rigged up a "reward" bucket along the slurry line with real chunks of meat in it.  We have it hanging in such a way that only a big dog would be able to get at it.  The "reward" was gone too.  In addition, we've rubbed slurry high up on telephone poles and we're finding the same large paw-prints around the base of the telephone poles.  So far our camera has caught only cats and foxes, but obviously they don't own those huge canine paw-prints!  Whoever owns those paw-prints comes out only when there's no activity whatsoever.  We hope soon he'll be close enough to the campsite that we'll be able to see him ourselves!    
 

11/04/02 (Mon) -  (This is the report called in by cell phone from Yogaville at 8 pm yesterday.)  No new sightings.  No new paw-prints or any other signs.  However, the entire area was in a such a commotion due to the hunters running their hound dogs that it's not surprising to us that we saw no signs of Rumble.  It was very noisy and lights were going on and off all night.  In Virginia, it isn't legal to hunt on Sundays, so the hunting dogs must have been using Sunday to practice in the area.  The camera only got one photo, and it was of a very acrobatic cat!
 

11/05/02 (Tue) -  (This is the report called in by cell phone from Yogaville at 8 pm yesterday.)  We've had sightings!  We had two separate reports of sightings from two different people who believe they saw Rumble in Yogaville yesterday.  Both reported seeing Rumble at the same location and at the same time.  Both saw Rumble at around 8am yesterday morning near the dumpster that's by the community center.  One person knew of Rumble and, to her credit, immediately came to get us at the campsite.  Unfortunately Rumble was gone by the time we returned.  The other person hadn't been aware of Rumble, but when we showed Rumble's flyer, they said, "That's the dog we just saw."  There have been other sightings previously at this very same location, so that adds to the likelihood that this is Rumble.  Interestingly, this time Rumble was seen with a large Mastiff-type dog.  We're wondering if it's the dog our camera caught on film in October.  (See October 11th photo in Rumble's Scrapbook.)  When we arrived at the sighting location, the Mastiff was still there.  We followed him and he went to a home in the area, so he apparently is not a stray.  There was another report of a sighting from the Nelson County-side of the James River, where the Tye empties into the James River.  Although we can't be positive, we feel it's likely that the dog seen in Yogaville this morning was Rumble.  Maybe, just maybe, we're finally getting close to finding him! 
 

11/06/02 (Wed) -  (This is the report called in by cell phone from Yogaville at 8 pm yesterday.)  We had one sighting reported yesterday by someone on the other side of Yogaville.  We weren't able to get enough information to confirm if we should count it as a reportable sighting.  We spent much of the day trying to track down the owners of the Mastiff (report of 11/05/02).  We finally succeeded.  We learned they have three dogs, including a dark-colored, long-haired German Shepherd Dog (GSD).  Their GSD is more brown than black, but depending on the light, someone might think it was Rumble.  This suddenly calls into question the validity of the sightings reported yesterday.  Even if the dog seen with the Mastiff on Monday (report of 11/05/02) was not Rumble, it's hard for us to believe that everyone reporting sightings in Yogaville has confused a brown GSD for Rumble.  We are taking photos of Shepherds in Yogaville (including the brown GSD) and will show them to people who have reported sightings to see which dog they think they saw. 
On another note, yesterday Rumble turned 26 months old.  Seems like only yesterday he was a puppy.  (See puppy photo of Rumble in Rumble's Scrapbook.)
 

11/07/02 (Thu) -  We had one sighting reported yesterday by someone who believes they may possibly have seen Rumble between Glenmore (Rt 655) and Rt 20 (south of Scottsville).  This area is several miles northeast of Yogaville.  We weren't able to get enough information to confirm if we should count this as a reportable sighting, so maps will not be updated.  Rumble may have left Yogaville and could be anywhere, so please watch for him.  We want to extend special thanks to the young men of Buckingham County High School whom we understand will keep an eye out for Rumble when they go hunting.  (Thanks to their teacher who shared the Rumble information!) 
 

11/08/02 (Fri) -  No new sightings or other signs of Rumble.  Yesterday we were able to finally meet with the people mentioned in our possible sighting report of 11/06/02.  We showed them photos, and they determined that it was not Rumble they had seen.  Today marks three full weeks we've been camping, and we haven't seen Rumble once.  It's possible that the large tracks we saw on several occasions were Rumble's, but we haven't seen any tracks for days.  We think Rumble may have left the Yogaville area.  We will maintain our search for Rumble until we find him, but we believe it's not productive for us to continue to camp in the Yogaville area.  The rest of Rumble's family needs us too, so we'll resume our search from our home in Nelson County.  Please call us collect with any sightings - - any time day or night!  We will check out every sighting.  Thank you. 
 

11/09/02 (Sat) -  No new sightings.  Yesterday we camped in Yogaville again and spent the day looking for Rumble, but there were no signs of him.  Several factors have changed in the past few weeks that seem to have influenced stray and lost dogs in the area.  The hunters are out with their hounds, which may drive stray and lost dogs to other areas.  Leaves are falling from the trees which means former hiding spots may now be visible causing stray and lost dogs to seek new hiding places.  Also, food is becoming more scarce, so stray and lost dogs may need to seek out new sources of food.  We're confident that Rumble is somewhere in the general area - - we just need some good, fresh sightings to tell us where to re-direct our focus! 
 

11/10/02 (Sun) -  No new sightings.  Yesterday we turned in the camper.  Even though we never saw Rumble during the three weeks we camped in Yogaville, we're glad we did it.  Since we had gotten several sighting reports from Yogaville, we needed to satisfy ourselves that we'd made every effort to locate Rumble if he was indeed there.  We had originally contracted to rent the camper for one week; however, we extended our rental contract twice just so we could be positive we had left no stone unturned.  Once we arrived in Yogaville, there weren't as many sighting reports.  Some of the reports that we did receive turned out not to be Rumble.  We did find large tracks on several occasions that could easily have been Rumble's, but we recognize that they could also have been from the Mastiff (see Rumble Scrapbook entry of 10/11/02).   Rumble has shown himself to be a survivor.  Because of Sandy and Slady's positive confirmation, we know for a fact he was in Yogaville on July 16th (See sighting report of 7/20/02).  We believe strongly that Rumble's in Nelson County, Buckingham County, or one of the neighboring counties.  Please watch for Rumble and call us collect at 540-377-9865 any time day or night if you see him!  Thank you. 
 

11/11/02 (Mon) -  No new sightings.  The other day someone called us from near Charlottesville who believed they had caught Rumble.  We determined it wasn't Rumble, but we were so grateful to them for watching out for our boy and taking the initiative!  There's also a wonderful person who lives in the Richmond area who took part of her vacation to search for Rumble.  Thank you!  We are so appreciative of all the support, warm wishes, and prayers we've received.   We know by our counter how many of you care enough to visit Rumble's site regularly, even if we haven't heard from you personally.  We also know how many of you are helping us spread the word on our boy, which is ultimately what keeps awareness up.  We truly believe that you will be the key to our finding him.  You, or someone you've mentioned Rumble's site to, will eventually see Rumble and let us know, and we'll be able to bring him home.  We're so looking forward to that day! 
 

11/12/02 (Tue) -  No new sightings.  We are excited to share with you that Rumble's website has been the topic of a television interview!  We understand it has been airing several times a day on Channel 36 in Richmond, although we haven't seen it ourselves.  The interview is about how Rumble's website has been used at the Elizabeth D. Redd Elementary School in Richmond to help students learn.  (Click here to see special page on our visit to Redd Elementary.)  Rumble's website was used by Redd Elementary to demonstrate certain practical skills as well as personal values.  We understand that many of the students at Redd Elementary are still keeping up with the news of Rumble.  Thank you!  It always makes us so happy when Rumble's situation can help others too, since you're doing so much to help us.  (If we get more details on the show, including when exactly it's airing, we'll let you know.)  Rumble will be signing autographs (make that pawprints!) just as soon as he returns!
 

11/13/02 (Wed) -  No new sightings.  We will have to see where we get our next sighting to determine where Rumble is now.  He may still be in the Yogaville vicinity, or he may be trying to find his way west across the James River.  In the summer, there were a few places he could have walked across the James due the drought, but now that's not possible.  He'll have to use a bridge.  Rumble is so smart, that we believe it's fear that's made him avoid the Wingina Bridge up until now.  It doesn't really have a good walking place and he would feel very vulnerable out in the open and suspended in air.  He may try to follow the James River north or south, looking for a better crossing place.  If you live near the James River or near one of its bridges, please keep an especially close watch out for our boy.  Thank you. 
 

11/14/02 (Thu) -  No new sightings.  Someone contacted us and said they thought they might possibly have seen Rumble some days ago on Rt 29 just south of the Tye River Bridge.  It was dark, so they weren't at all sure if it was actually Rumble they saw, but felt it might have been.  Please call us collect at 540-377-9865 any time day or night if you see Rumble, or if you believe you've seen him in the past few weeks.  Old sightings are welcome since they help us chart his path.  On another note, yesterday we received a very nice banner created by friend of Rumble's (see below and in Rumble's Scrapbook).  We're also displaying this great banner on Rumble's "With Gratitude" page.  Thanks! 
 

11/15/02 (Fri) -  No new sightings.  A friend of Rumble's has contacted us about another "Just in case..." Shepherd.  He's beautiful and looks a lot like Rumble!  Max is in the San Diego Shelter.  Please visit Rumble's "Just in Case" page and see just how handsome "Max" is!  He sounds like he has a great personality too.  There is also a link to another page with even more photos of Max.  A wonderful "angel" is doing all she can to help find him a home and has created a web page just for him.  We'll try to help by sharing the information about Max on Rumble's "Just in Case" page too.  Maybe you know someone who would love to give this boy a home? 
 

11/16/02 (Sat) -  No new sightings.  We have been searching for months for a humane trap in case we get the opportunity to use one to try to catch Rumble.  Our problem has been finding one that's large enough and that we can move from place to place as Rumble moves.  We've been told that you probably will only have one chance to use a trap, so it had better be the right one!  If it's too small, the dog will probably back out before the trap has had a chance to work.  With the help of several friends of Rumble who have kindly emailed us with suggestions, we've finally found one that we believe will be just right for us.  If you'd like to see the trap we've selected, click here.  One friend of Rumble's who is active in rescue work said she's used it very successfully several different times to trap large, stray dogs that were subsequently placed in new, loving homes :-).  Thanks so much to those of you who have shared your knowledge and experience on humane traps!  All the information helped us sift through the choices to make what we believe is the best selection for our own circumstances.  Now, all we need is a good sighting so we'll have the chance to use it!
 

11/17/02 (Sun) -  No new sightings.  As you know, we camped for three full weeks in Yogaville (from 10/19/02 until 11/09/02).  What you don't know, and what we would like to share, is how wonderful the company is that rented us the camper!  Freedom RV Rentals in Ashland, VA was great about finding exactly the right camper that would meet our unique needs.  When we called in questions from the field about operating procedures, etc., they were totally responsive.  As their contribution toward helping Rumble, Freedom RV Rentals gave us a deeply discounted rate, which we truly appreciate.  We can't thank them enough!  So many of you have been so generous and wonderful in so many ways and we thank you all.  For example in just the past couple days we heard from a wonderful person who works for a cable company expressing his concern and saying he would watch for Rumble.  Someone emailed us that she was printing and posting Rumble's poster.  Another lady is putting a pretty green ribbon on her dog's collar.  And we received a very touching message from a lady who has offered to drive many miles to come help.  One wonderful lady even used part of her vacation to search for Rumble!  If you haven't had a chance to read the touching sentiments on Rumble's Warm Wishes page (which we update regularly), they are truly heartwarming.  We thank each of you for what you have given in your own way. We believe that every prayer and every good wish you send to Rumble helps.
 

11/18/02 (Mon) -  No new sightings.  Sometimes Life offers gentle surprises that touch our hearts.  A few weeks ago a friend of Rumble's sent us a photo of her beautiful puppy "Coffee" wearing a green ribbon in honor of Rumble.  We so appreciated the sentiment and posted Coffee's handsome picture on Rumble's Green Ribbons for Rumble Photo Page.  Yesterday we were doing yet another of our internet searches of lost and abandoned dogs in the hopes that we'd find Rumble's face among them, when we came across Coffee's picture!  Coffee's family never mentioned Coffee's story to us - - but now we know it and would like to share it with you: