(Maureen Nolan photo)
There's been an outpouring of support and cries for more information about Fidalgo island resident T. Mark Stover, sometimes known as the dog trainer to the stars, who has been missing for more than a week.
Much of the support has come on a blog started by Maureen Nolan, who has known Stover for at least 10 years. Nolan said that's how long she's had Stover training her dogs.
In fact, she says, he does more than just train dogs. He works with their owners, too, to help open understanding between owners and their dog. Because she and others are concerned, she created Web site where other people can write about their experiences with Stover.
Nolan says she and others are concerned that news is coming out of law enforcement has been slow about Stover's disappearance. They made an arrest early on, however, even without a body. The suspect, Michiel Glen Oakes of Kennewick, has been identified as the current boyfriend of Stover's ex-wife, Linda Opdycke.
Comments on Nolan's blog come from people all around Puget Sound. One commenter, who identified herself as from Texas, said "I will forever hold wonderful memories of Mark and his magic presence over dogs."
Another person suggested organizing an effort to help law enforcement. The Skagit County Sheriff's office conducted searches for Stover's body for a few days, including having divers look in Swinomish Channel, but have apparently not turned up anything.
Another comment from someone who identified herself as Jessi. "Mark was an amazing man who our family knew for 15+ years. He helped to train all of our family’s dogs (we’ve had well over fifteen dogs that all knew and loved Mark)."
Others tell the stories of their connections with Stover. "Thank you for those reponsible for setting up this website and for sharing your wonderful stories…it brings back such wonderful memories for us and we find ourselves both laughing and crying as we read them."
Stover's work took him all around the sound, making house calls, as well as training dogs at his secluded compound, at one time on Kiket Island, but now in a new location.
Another comment: "So seldom in life do we get the opputunity to meet an individual that is so incerdibly good at what they do, Mark was no doubt one of the most intelligent, witty, capable and intense individuals I may ever meet."
The Blog, at markstover.wordpress.com, has drawn several dozen comments.