Getting Million back it's really a MIRACLE. It is like finding a needle in the ocean, can't imagine the agony that I went through during the 17 days when my Million went missing.
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We realized Million was missing on Saturday, 5/2/11 (Day 1) at about 4.30pm. It was kind of shock because Million has never went missing before. Without any delay, the 4 of us just automatically went on to different direction calling out her name as well as asking every person that we came across if they have seen a small furry golden silver dog. Unfortunately, no one seems to have seen her and she was no where in sight.
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Our next step, at about 5.15pm, was to print flyers. And because it was Chinese New Year, most of the printing shop was closed. We went round the town and finally found one opened and printed 100 dark and ugly flyers. By 6:30pm, we were already sticking them up all lamp post around our neighbourhood, enquiring from door to door at the same time, dropping the flyers into every mailbox we came across.
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We called it a day when the sky turned dark. Got home at about 8pm. There's nothing much that can be done except posting up 'Missing Dog' notices in PPy & FB. Oh yeah, we printed an additional 1000 flyers that evening too.
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On Day 2 (6/2/11, Sunday), down with a flu, at 7.30am I was out distributing flyers at the market, coffeeshops, hawker center, sundry shops, mini marts, sticking on lamp post and walls and leaving it on car's wind screen. By 10am, we were already on our way to Sin Chew Jit Poh (a local Chinese paper) to put up a "Missing Dog" advertisement for 7/2/11 and 10/2/11. Also, received an sms from the coordinator of a "search and rescue" team wanting to know more about my missing Million.
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By Day 3 (7/2/11, Monday), our 'Missing Dog' advertisement was out in the newspaper and the "search and rescue" had also put up many 'Missing Dog' notices in most of the major websites. I prayed very hard that someone will have some kind of information to my missing Million but still, nothing. Wherever I went I'll bring the flyers along, hand it to passerby or shop assistants, anyone that I know or don't know. Believe it or not, there was even a phone call came in that gave me false information and demanded for reward. The caller even sms-ed me his bank account number!!
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Day 4 (8/2/11, Tuesday), I was on my own because my daughter and son-in-law has gone back to KL the day before. In the morning, I drove around our neighbourhood with my car window down hopefully Million would recognise the sound of my car and bark. At the same time, I distributed more flyers into mailboxes and sticking them up on more lamp posts.
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The rest of the days was kind of routine. Once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once at night. I'll just drive around with the window down.
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Day 6 (10/2/11, Thursday), advertisement was out in Sin Chew Jit Poh again. This was my last hope on newspaper advertisements cause it is really expensive. I waited over the weekend, still nothing happen except of one phone call told me to go to a park to see if that's my dog. Off I went, but that dog belongs to someone else who is our for walkies.
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My mind was working very hard thinking what's best to do now. I went to enquire at the newspapers distribution center on how much it would cost to insert flyers into their newspaper before being distributed out for sale/delivery. I immediately confirmed the arrangement and embarked on getting the necessary ready (flyers & $$).
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On Day 8 (12/2/11, Saturday), found the cheapest printing company and printed 10,000 pieces of flyers. Arranged for 3000 pieces to be inserted in 'China Press' and 7000 pieces in 'Sin Chew Jit Poh'. The printer couldn't print it in time for me, so I took 3000 pieces first to 'China Press' hoping they would be able to distribute them out on Sunday. Unfortunately, they only able to do it for Monday's evening and Tuesday's morning. Since I already ran out of better idea, I just let it goes with the flow.
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On Day 12, (16/2/11, Wednesday), 7000 pieces of flyers inserted in "Sin Chew Jit Poh" was out all over town. This actually shakens up the little town I stayed in. Almost everybody now knew about my "Missing Dog". Honestly, this was my last resort as far as money is concern. The outcome was rather quiet too. Only one person called to show me a video of some doggies to see if it was Million and to my disappointment, it was not.
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From then onwards I was still doing pretty much the same thing. Distributing and inserting flyers further and further away from my house. Exploring area that I have not. By them encoragement was pouring in from far and wide, especially those friends that posted my missing Million in their blog.
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Day 15 (19/2/11, Saturday), someone told me he saw my dog straying at a housing estate further down my house. I was so excited and almost in tears thinking of my poor Million straying out there for 15 days. I went straightaway looking for her and calling out her name. No dogs in sight but lots of cats though because that area are occupied mostly by the Malays (Muslim). If therewere plenty of cats there surely be no dogs. Anyway I still went searching twice a day for 2 and a half days.
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By day 17 (21/2/11, Monday), honestly, I was very tired, disappointed and sad already. Plus the nasty flu still lingers on. I was actually at the verge of giving up hope. Went rounding in the morning and mid afternoon around the area that someone saw Million straying. While I was MSN-ing with Redbabe at about 2:45pm, my phone rang. I tell you, for the first time in the last 17 days, before I answer this call, I said a prayer, kept my fingers crossed, hoping this call will provide some leads to my missing Million. And true enough, a kind samaritan told me that Million was around where I lose her. I was tickled but at the same time, hope very much that this is not another prank call. Jotted down all the information provided, told Redbabe that I am going to check it out.
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Took a drive to the said house but couldn't see anything because the doors are all closed and there was no dogs n sight. Dare not call out cause I was worried that the kidnapper might relocate her. Got home and called out to Auntie Soh who is staying directly behind my house to ask if she knows that particular family. Unfortunately she was not at home.
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And so, I went to another neighbour of mine who is directly back to back to the kidnapper's house. There, we used a ladder to peep into the compound of the said house but didn't manage to see a thing as the wall were simply too high.
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Got home again, disappointed and yet excited, updated Redbabe on the outcome. She ask me to remain calm and wait for Auntie Soh and at that very moment, Auntie Soh appeared at the back her house. I was trembling when I told her about the latest information that I've got of Million and if she can help me by going into the house to confirm our suspicion (Auntie Soh knows the family). She immediately agreed.
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There I was, sitting there waiting anxiously for her return. The clock doesn't seems to be moving at all. When she finally return, I didn't dare to even breathe, my mind was like... "good news please, please"! True enough, it was good news! Auntie Soh confirmed it was Million in that particular house we suspected.
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After some brief exchanged with Auntie Soh, she told me that the old lady in that house said they would only return Million to me when her son (the kidnapper) return home in 3 days time. My mind was spinning like crazy. I couldn't think or decide anymore. To overwhelm by the good news. I was still on MSN with Redbabe . She told me to call a few friends and go get Million straight away before they relocate her. Suddenly I just couldn't think of anyone. My sister was not in town at that time and it felt as if I have got no friends all of a sudden. My sister suggested that I should call a friend of ours, Ching Fang, who is very good in talking and very free most of the time and I did just that.
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Ching Fang who stays almost 10km away arrived almost in a flash. Yeah, she was so fast. Together with her, plus another neighbour of mine (a man for just in case they are nasty), we headed over to the said house. When we were at the gate, we just called out for 'Million' and the occupants of the house. An old lady appeared after a good 3 minutes. We told her our purpose there and she said we have to wait for her son to come home first. We asked to see the dog but she refused. Again, we have to wait for her son to return first. Ching Fang lose her cool and told her off. That we just want to know if it is our dog. What's the point of waiting 3 days for the son to come home if it is not our dog? The old lady relented finally and let the dog out. I tell you arr, anyone who seen that very moment could have tell that the dog belongs to me. Million was crying and tried her best to get to me through the still closed gate that separated us.
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I kept telling her that I going to take my dog home and the old lady kept telling me that I have to wait for her son. I even told her that my dog is microchipped. Ching Fang told the old lady to call her son there and then and I just told him that by hook or crook, I am taking my Million home and if he have an issue with it, he can call me. The old lady have no choice but to open the gate after that.
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Million was so happy. She immediately jumped onto me and licked my tears away. She was finally home again by 3.45pm. It was an amazing 1 hour drama. By the way, I am still having that nasty flu, but it doesn't matter anymore because I found "My Million".
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The following day, the son call me asking me "what's the situation now?". I told there is no situation here and that this is my dog, she is home with me, and I'll pay him an angpow for housing her and whether he wants to collect it from me or should I pass to his mother. He hesitated for awhile and told me to hand it to his mother.
And finally, a happy ending for me & my Million.