A faithful dog stayed by her dead owner’s side for nearly three months on a hiking trail in the Colorado mountains.
Rich Moore’s black and white Jack Russell terrier named Finney survived on insects and chipmunks.
Mr Moore, 71, died of hypothermia while hiking after setting off to climb Blackhead Peak located in the San Juan Mountains on August 19.
An arduous search – the most comprehensive in the local Sherriff’s office’s history - between his abandoned vehicle and the peak did not lead to a single sighting.
After 2,100 hours, the mission involving five helicopters, nine dogs and 175 rescuers in the air and on the ground was called off on September 22.
Finney spent more than 10 weeks by her owner but weighed just 6lb (2.72kg) when a local hunter discovered them on October 10. The animal’s ribs were visible and a tag with her name drooped off of her neck.
Rescuers who recovered Mr Moore’s body were only able to coax loyal Finney away with a can of dog food.
Less than three weeks later, Mr Moore’s wife Dana Holby told reporters: “I’m just grateful that she was with him. Rich did not want to get old. He wanted to climb mountains until he couldn't, so here we are.
“Finney is doing well. She has gained almost all of her weight back and her strength is almost where it was. She is the miracle dog.”
Finney is back on the trails covering four to five miles a day, the hiker’s family based in Pagosa Springs said.
She does have an injury on her snout that might leave a scar.
Mrs Holby added: “She is now three, very clingy and will not let me out of her sight.
“Her ravenous appetite has calmed down, but at first she could not get enough to eat and wanted food at all times of the day and night.”
Finney’s survival story has made her famous on the hiking trails said Mrs Holby, adding: “People say, ‘Is that Finney?’” to which the widow responds with an enthusiastic, “Yes!”
“She is such a comfort to me and a great companion on hikes.
“I know that she was with Rich to the very end and somehow that should be a comfort. I don’t know how she did it, but she was there when he needed her.”
