Dog who stayed by dead owner’s side for 10 weeks lost half her body weight while waiting for help
Stewart Perrie
Featured Image Credit: Dustin English Archuleta County Sheriff's office. Colorado Missing Persons Organization
Rescuers have praised a loyal Jack Russell for staying by her owner's side for weeks after he died during a hike.
Richard Moore set off on August 19 to reach the summit of Blackhead Peak, just east of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, along with his beloved dog Finney.
However, no one heard from Moore and there were fears something had happened to him.
It wasn't until October 30 that his body was eventually found and people couldn't believe that Finney was still alive.
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The Jack Russell terrier was waiting next to her owner hoping help would eventually come.
CBS says the dog lost half its weight during the 10-week ordeal and she was taken to a vet for a checkup.
Delinda VanneBrightyn from Taos Search and Rescue said: "Jack Russells are pretty fierce, I have to say, they're tough little dogs."
She added: "If that dog could talk it would be an amazing story. We probably could not even believe the story the dog would tell."
"We are very glad...that Finney was returned to the family because they have lost their loved one, but they still have this wonderful, loyal dog."
Moore has been called an 'experienced hiker' and an autopsy of his body determined he died from hypothermia.
Search and rescue teams spent more than 2,000 hours searching for him and his dog, but they were only able to find his car.
Two months later and Moore was finally discovered in the Lower Blanco drainage basin the day before Halloween by a hunter.
Delinda said in a Facebook post: "We searched from just under the peak-top and directly West, searching down the mountain toward where his car was located.
"Winds were directly from the West/Soutwest. It was so steep, we were inserted in by a helicopter. He was found 2.5 miles East of the mountain-top beneath where we were inserted."
The post added: "Delinda and TSAR would like to send our condolences to the family, but are glad they were able to gain some closure as well as bring their dog back home."