Harvard Man Finds Dog, Calls Off Search

(Editor's note: Drew Dodge found Murk Thursday, dead, in a nearby pond. Dodge spent the day mourning and burying his loving pup. Below is the previous article, which urged for readers to keep an eye out.)

HARVARD, IL — A Harvard resident is asking for help finding their missing dog, who was last seen on the morning of Christmas Eve. Murk is a young Border Collie. He has white and black hair of medium length. He was last seen at McGuire Road and Lindwall Road.

Drew Dodge, Murk's owner, is offering a $2,000 reward for Murk's return and has officially reported him as stolen. Dodge has spent countless hours searching for Murk and reaching out to neighbors via his Find Murk Facebook page. "No questions asked," Dodge said in a post, to anybody who provides information leading to Murk's return.

Dodge is devastated. "I love that dog with all my heart. He's my buddy," he told Patch. Murk used to fall asleep on Dodge's chest every night.

The morning of Christmas Eve before the snow storm, Dodge was in his shop while his wife let out Murk and their other dogs. When Murk didn't come when they called, they knew something was wrong. "He comes when he's called the first time," Dodge said, adding that minutes after they let him out, he usually barks or whines at a door, wanting to come in.

Dodge said in a recent Find Murk post that Murk was supposed to start an agility training class Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Dodge describes Murk as "energetic to a fault" and the "sweetest dog there ever was."

Dodge is asking locals to inform him immediately if they think they see Murk. Also, if you have a barn or other structure which might provide some shelter, Dodge asks that you take a look.

The default text of a lost dog flyer says not to call his name, chase him or whistle, but Dodge said calling out Murk's name "might draw him out to you." A higher-pitched voice may work better, he added.

Though calling his name is okay, Dodge said, chasing him is not as it may cause him to run further away.

"He's so friendly," Dodge said of Murk. "He's impossible not to love. Such a goofball."

Murk is microchipped. Dodge has called all of the local animal shelters and vets. They've had no luck yet, but he said they're staying optimistic.

Article images provided by Drew Dodge