Part of telling the stories featured in each episode of Taken involves recreations of elements of these women and girls’ lives. In telling the story of Emily Osmond, who at 78-years-old went missing from her home in Kawacatoose, Saskatchewan in September of 2007, it was clear that the episode needed to include Emily’s dogs. Emily was a generous woman who loved and respected every living creature, and would take in any unwanted dogs from her community. At the time of her disappearance, Emily had over thirty dogs in her care. Emily’s dogs were a clue that she did not leave of her own will. Leaving the dogs she loved would surely mean their demise. In fact, each of Emily’s beloved dogs was put down following her disappearance.

To tell this part of Emily’s story, the Taken team was very fortunate to work with Sharon Hobbs (www.thegoldlead.com), and Heidi Peters (www.heidipetersmusic.com), dog trainers and dog lovers who organized the dogs and their people to come together to help tell Emily’s story. In addition to the scenes focusing on Emily and her dogs, these ladies helped with the harrowing story of retired RCMP officer Lloyd Goodwill, whose own work with dogs has helped save lives. Lloyd continues to volunteer with dogs to search for missing persons, one of whom is Cody Wolfe, Emily’s relative who went missing from around Lestock, Saskatchewan in April, 2011.

Thank you to professional dog-trainer Sharon Hobbs of www.thegoldlead.com for her expertise and the use of her location. Thank you also to Heidi Peters for her help in telling Emily’s story. And thank you to all who have participated to share the stories of each individual in Taken.