A classified ad with Skipper's photo ran every day in The Pantagraph, while social media was buzzing with updates and people wondering if they'd found their dog.

The Zschaus also urged people to look for the pit bull they believed could be traveling with Skipper.

"I went to Animal Control every day for the first six weeks. I got 200 flyers printed at a time to post and hand out," said Dava Zschau, whose search also was part of a Pantagraph story in June about how to prevent pets from becoming lost.

About two weeks ago, an anonymous caller contacted the couple with another story: that Skipper was not missing, that he was killed by the pit bull that was later put down by its owner. Both dogs were buried near Downs, they were told.

"I just rested on the information. I could not believe something that incredible could be true," said Dava Zschau. On Sunday, a second person came forward with the same information.

When approached by Dava Zschau and her sister, Dixie Lee Lewis, Sunday night, Daryl Mathis admitted the false story, the Zchaus told The Pantagraph.

"Our last piece of hope was gone. We confronted him and I said, "Take me to my dog right now," said Dava Zschau.