Bertie

Hello all. Fantastic news. Spent last two days searching day an night and managing social media and building up a little campaign to find him. Last night spent tramping through freezing drizzle leaving a scent trail for him to follow back to boat under the railway line as he had no idea where he was. Got up at dawn to knock on farm doors and amazingly later got a call from a posh farm on the hill (highest in Cheshire) that he’d managed to get past their security and probably snuggled up somewhere, maybe by their outdoor hot tub heater! This morning he made friends with their dogs and followed them home to have two breakfasts and a sleep. He’s very tired still, as am I. I had a celebratory beer and nap when we got back. He was very stiff and quiet and hasn't moved from his bed but was walking normally after a couple of minutes back to the boat, and wagging his tail by the end, very tearful. Tremendous relief for both of us.Thanks to everyone who assisted, it kept us going. Tim & Bertie Wooster, sea dogs.

PS. The map pin on the map above is the exact location where he was last seen, heading west. We thought he'd gone up the towpath but now think he went west into the remote areas.

Hi again, we have searched the towpaths all day and spoken to dozens of dog walkers, canal boaters, some fishermen. Posters up at key walking spots, pubs on the path and coffee shops. Half the people we spoke to had already heard of him, which is great, but without a single sighting in these quite busy areas, makes me think that he went straight over the canal bridge and into the open farmland, the wrong side of the railway line from me (the canal). So he could be hiding or roaming the large are of sparsely populated fields, which is safer from cars but also far less likely to be seen by anyone. If anyone can scan the area with thermal equipment, that would be great. We have done bits of it and I've been knocking on farmhouse doors, loads of people already know even out in the sticks, which is good, but makes me think he's stuck or hiding somewhere remote with a lower chance of being seen. Please help if you can, he's all I've got and had an awful start to life. Sorry for emotional blackmail, it's not calculated.

Hi, this is Tim, the owner. He's been gone 17 hours now, no new sightings since the only one yesterday on the main road to Macclesfield and then he turned towards the canal. If he'd gone south on the canal towards Bosley he would've met me as I am moored there. If he went straight on then he would've ended up in the farmland, I have phoned the farms and searched once. If he went right he would've ended up in Macc, I've phoned the gold club there. I am now very worried due to the lack of sightings and time passed. Any help appreciated. Also there was ground frost last night but sunny today.

Volunteer alert sent to 23 volunteer(s) within 30 miles. Roles: Pilots (Hobby), Pilots (A2 CofC), Pilots (GVC), Ground Searchers.

Please place your unwashed clothing with string scented food at the start of the walk and at home (if home is close by) Have unrestricted access and ask neighbours and residents to check gardens and sheds etc. Tell people not to search in groups and instead to report sightings.