Family searching for missing service dog

A Whidbey family is asking the public for help in trying to find a missing service dog.

The black lab named Tank disappeared at a residence just north of South Whidbey State Park at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Anyone with information should call 206-790-2645.

Michael Wildeman has had Tank for 13 years. He suffers from diabetes and the dog alerts him when his blood sugar becomes too low, his mother, Gloria Wildeman, said.

“He’s saved Michael’s life many times,” she said.

Tank was in the yard with Michael when he disappeared. The dog is highly trained and very disciplined; it’s very unusual for him to go out of calling range, let alone wander off, Gloria said.

Tank has surgery on his larynx, so he can’t bark or wear a collar.

Family members, friends and even strangers have made tremendous efforts to find the dog, Gloria said. They searched into the night Tuesday, contacted residence and handed out fliers in a two-mile radius, actively posted information on social media, and reported the disappearance to WAIF, law enforcement, the parks department and businesses. They’ve searched widely, scouring beaches, bluffs and woods.

Gloria said the family is bringing in Lost Pet Trackers, a search team from Idaho with dogs trained to find other dogs.

She even spoke with a psychic, who said Tank is curled up at a location near a wooden structure that looks like a windmill.

Tank will come when called, will respond to “come,” “sit / stay” and “down” and is very friendly toward people and other animals. He is not motivated by human food since he’s never had it, the flier states.

A GoFundMe page was set up at http://bit.ly/2KmlBAH to help defray the costs of the search team.