Help Bring Roper Home

Apex, NC

This past Monday marked 1 year to the day since Roper went missing. I have not kept things updated on this site like I should have, but will be honest that sometimes the whole situation is very overwhelming and I do not know what direction to go in. Plus, the end of 2023 was busy with holidays, work and Roper's birthday came and went during that time as well.

I continue to watch lost and found posts, as well as checking the websites and shelters. Some new small sign posters have gone up. I still have a little over 100 almost ready to be posted, and have the supplies to redo the large posters as well. I have gone to look at deceased animals on the sides of the roads when notified about it possibly being a dog or having the right colored fur. Believe it or not, I am grateful for everyone who has contacted about such a situation. So far, it has been deer or a coyote, not Roper.

I want to thank everyone who has rallied behind the Help Bring Roper Home drive in so many ways. There are folks who passed out postcards with Roper's photo and information. Folks who continue to look for her whenever they are out and about. Folks who will text me just to see if we have located her. Folks who share her information through FaceBook and NextDoor. Folks who send out emails to vet offices, just as a reminder that she is still missing. Folks who have taken her flyer to businesses as well. Folks who have contributed financially to make some of this happen. Y'all .... you don't know how much this means to me.

I believe that she is still alive and is in someone's home at the current time. This is based on the July sighting where she was wearing a red collar, not the one she was wearing when she went missing. I just don't have any inkling as to her location. However, I continue to hope and pray that eventually she will show up at a vet's office and be identified through her microchip. Or that the person/family that currently has her will do the right thing and return her. Or, that a friend or family member will realize who Roper is and will reach out to me.

I am sure there are people out there who do not understand why I am so invested in trying to get my girl home. I have said it before & will say it again that with all of my dogs, I make a lifetime commitment to them. They are cared for and a part of my life until they die. A piece of my heart is invested with all the dogs that I have owned over my lifetime. It is no different for Roper. She is the first thing on my mind each morning and the last thing on my mind at night. It feels like a failure on my part to know that I cannot live up to that commitment, since she is missing.

So, where do I go from here? I plan on doing another FB ad. I am just not sure what area I should hit or what should be said. Suggestions are welcomed. I have also already spoken with my friend who has been so very diligent in contacting vet offices with information about Roper. As soon as I rewrite the letter, she will once again contact those offices. As stated above, I do have small posters that can still be put out, plus have the materials to make more larger posters. Where the large posters are concerned, if there is anyone out there whose property is next to a well traveled road, and they would be willing to "host" a Roper poster, please contact me. I have discovered that just placing them on the road or at intersections may not be the best use of the signs. Folks will pull up signs and toss them, especially at intersections. The mowing machines maintaining the shoulders of the road will cut them down in a heartbeat. I figure that if someone is "hosting" a sign, it will stand a better chance to be around for a few months.

Over the past few months I have made some posts, mainly on NextDoor in defense of owners who are currently looking for lost pets. Some people seem to believe that there is some major failure on the part of the owners, because they themselves have never lost a pet. I am here to tell you, that even to the best of us, it can happen in the blink of an eye. No amount of Apple Airtags or similar products will keep it from happening. These products, plus ID tags, rabies tags and even microchips can become absolutely useless "if" the person who finds your animal decides to keep him/her. All that I am asking through my posts is that folks in general have a little mercy in your hearts for those who are anxiously looking for their pets. Please give them the benefit of the doubt and help them, when you can.

I am going to wrap up this long missive now. Thank you so much for reading all the way through. Thank you for your continued prayers for Roper and for your continued help in searching for her. I am humbled by your caring and blessed in so many ways.

Rebecca

The handout cards have been ordered & should be here the first part (hopefully) of next week. I am looking for folks who would be interested in doing the following things:

1) Pass cards out with their Halloween candy to trick or treaters. If you can send me a message with where you live (housing/townhouse/apartment development or street) and about how many cards you think would be needed, then I can start mapping out what areas will be covered.

2) Pass out cards at local events. Again, send me a message on the number you need. I have a list of local places that I can send to you if you are willing to do this.

3) Just want to have some on hand to give to folks? Let me know.

4) Live farther away from me, another state perhaps, and want to pass them out where you live, let me know.

If I need to reprint, I can do that. Just wanted to thank everyone who has given to the financial cause to Help Bring Roper Home. It is because of your generosity that this first larger campaign can take place.

Thank you to everyone who is willing to help pass the cards out! Every card that goes out helps get the word out to folks who may not be on any sort of social media.

I have attached a screenshot of the card (front and back). Being a screenshot, the words look a little fuzzy to me, but in actuality, the words will be clear on the finished product. I figure they do this so you can't use it to print your own cards.

Another thank you goes to Jane Ferraro for creating the mask and deleting all the background stuff on the full body shot. This is so much of a group effort! You will never know just how much I appreciate it all.

Rebecca

Just began a 3rd FB ad campaign which should also hit Instagram. If it comes across your feed (local peeps), it will be most appreciated if you would share it. Thanks!