For a few hours Thursday, Norb Anderson thought he would finally be reunited with his large fiberglass cow, “Blackie.”

Anderson received a call at his St. Paul home Thursday morning from a woman who claimed she’d spotted the 8-foot tall artificial animal, stolen near Anderson’s home in early August. According to the tip, Blackie was parked on a frontage road near the Dexter exit on Interstate 90.

Without a thought, Anderson hopped in his car and headed south in search of his beloved cow. But to his dismay, the cow had vanished by the time he arrived.

“I thought I was going to hitch it on my trailer and go home,” he said.

Anderson spent time speaking with residents and business owners around the area, but wasn’t able to narrow his hunt down any further.

“I asked everyone who was alive out there,” he said.

Though his search wasn’t successful, Anderson said he’s not going to give up.

Anderson said he believes the woman who tipped him off Thursday had spotted Blackie, as she was familiar with the cow’s appearances at the State Fair and other summer gatherings.

His confidence in the tip has led him to one solid conclusion: Blackie is heading south.

Considering Blackie is an 8-foot tall fiberglass cow, Anderson doesn’t seem to think it can get far without being spotted again — that’s why he’s hoping area residents will keep their eyes open and take note if it’s seen once again.

“I don’t want to cause anybody any trouble, I’d just like it back,” he said.

Anderson has been showing off his fiberglass animal collection for years, mainly in area parades and fairs, and said he’s never had a problem with theft.

“Oh cripe, I’ve been in that business since ‘72” he said. “I’ve had a circus ever since.”

Though many artificial cows have come and gone in his day, he said Blackie was named after a very special cow he was acquainted with as a small child.

“Blackie, it’s always been Blackie,” Anderson said.

Anderson is asking anyone with information on Blackie’s whereabouts to contact The Daily Herald at 507-434-2231.