A popular Victorian blogger has gone big to find her tiny dog.
Fifteen-year-old Pomeranian Jerry was taken from outside popular blogger Annie Nolan parents' home in central Ballarat in late December. Jerry has not been seen since.
Ms Nolan said while a billboard was not cheap, Jerry was a beloved family member and the family had pretty much exhausted any way to find him - a task made tougher now under COVID-19 restrictions.
So, Ms Nolan decided to try a giant public sign inspired by Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri in a quest for more information.
"I see our animals definitely as family - you do everything you can to love and protect them," Ms Nolan said.
"I just feel someone knows something. Part of me hopes, with the billboard, someone will realise how loved he is. We don't want any trouble, even if someone just drops him at the pound."
Part of me hopes, with the billboard, someone will realise how loved he is.
- Annie Nolan
Jerry went missing from the family's home on December 18, about 3pm, Jerry wandered past the tall fenceline and Ms Nolan's sister Pippa, who had been in the yard with him, quickly herded the family's other dogs into the backyard and went to look for him.
A woman driving past said she had gone to stop the escapee when a bearded man scooped up him up and said he knew the owners.
Ms Nolan said this detail offered hope Jerry was still alive but the world had changed so much since December - so the family had to think creatively in how to find him.
The billboard had helped. Ms Nolan said a lot more people had been contacting her every time they saw a Pomeranian on the loose - just none had been Jerry.
Jerry's best fur-friend Bob went into stress after Jerry's disappearance. His health severely declined in January as he pined for his missing companion.
Bob has since relocated to Melbourne, moving in with Ms Nolan, her husband - Western Bulldogs AFL premiership player Liam Picken - their children and furry family members, who are all in isolation. Bob's health has improved.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Ms Nolan via social @uncannyannieblog on Facebook and Instagram or email, uncannyannie@outlook.com.
