Rob Forde is looking for his German Shepherd pooch that went missing Sunday night.
But unlike other missing dogs, this one was carved by Forde from a block of solid fir, and stood guard — absolutely motionless — over his garden.
"He was so real-looking that dogs barked at him when they walked by," said Forde, a doctor who also owns a carving gallery in Hope.
The purloined pooch was one of the talented doctor's favourite carvings. Forde said police have told him that the dognappers were "quite likely" grad students, who had stirred up other complaints in the Garrison Crossing neighbourhood.
"Regardless of who took it, our dog is missing," Forde said.
Friends have wondered whether the culprits might have strained their backs lifting the life-sized, 150-lb carving, and might end up seeking Forde's medical care at his doctor's office.
Forde said ideally the thieves would return the dog some night ... instead of using it for firewood or chucking it in the river.