Posted: Nov 15, 2011 4:39 PM CST
Reported By Stephanie Langston, Reporter
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - A Mid-State woman battling cancer is hopeful her dog, missing for more than three months, will be found safe and returned to her.
Jill Napier was in the hospital receiving treatment for ovarian and uterine cancer when her dog, Skippy Lou, wandered off from her pet sitter in August.
"Skippy Lou is like a child," Napier said, adding, "She is a part of the family."
Friends of Napier's, volunteers from the community and animal rescue squad members have been searching non-stop for Skippy Lou since her disappearance.
Leslie Morrison is charge of the search effort and told Nashville's News 2 the dog search team, Team Skippy Lou, has spent more than $1,000 and hours of volunteer time placing flyers throughout the Mid-State.
Recently, however, officials with Brentwood's codes department said the flyers violated policy and took them down.
Morrison told Nashville's News 2 she wishes there was a compromise.
"Without public awareness, without the sightings, there is no way to find her," she said.
In recent weeks, a bloodhound has joined the search for Skippy Lou.
"She has given positive indicators on three of the last sightings," said Michael Fay, among the dozens of volunteers who has spent time searching for Napier's pet.
"It's for a good cause. We have to get this animal back home because it has a mother that needs it and it's going to help her through recovery," He continued.
Napier said she continues to hope Skippy Lou will be come home safe and worries about the dog's safety as cooler weather moves into the area.
"The part I worry about the most is [bad weather]," she said. "She might die out there in the elements."
Skippy Lou is a light golden colored Lab mix with white around her nose. She has a pinkish-brown nose and is six years old.
Skippy Lou was last seen wearing a pink collar with dots on it and a heart shaped ID tag.
The bloodhound last picked up Skippy Lou's scent in the Southernwoods area of Brentwood.
Volunteers say their main goal is to get Skippy Lou food and then try to lure her into an enclosed area.
Anyone with information on Skippy Lou's whereabouts should call 615-772-7368.
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