I am convinced that the majority of individuals, when prompted to identify a characteristic that dogs embody, would respond with loyalty.
And, they would be accurate because dogs are, in fact, devoted animals. It’s a widely acknowledged truth, isn’t it?
We are all aware of it, yet regrettably overlook it quite frequently.
It is not until we come across a narrative like this one that we are genuinely moved and reminded of the extraordinary fidelity these furry companions display toward us on a daily basis.
A Jack Russell Terrier named Finney has been recognized as a miracle dog and a wonder dog for her act of fidelity in a tale of misfortune and endurance that has brought individuals all around the globe to tears.
A Terrible Misfortune
On August 19th, an enthusiastic hiker from Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Rich Moore, along with his cherished dog, Finney, embarked on a journey to conquer Blackhead Peak, a 12,500-foot mountain situated 35 miles east of the town.
Unfortunately, they never came back.
When Moore did not check in that night with his wife, Dana Holby, who was visiting her sister in Montana at the time, she promptly alerted her son and the authorities.
The disappearance of Rich and Finney initiated the most extensive search and rescue operation in the county’s history, with over 100 volunteers scouring the area for days.
There were missing person flyers plastered around the town, helicopters hovered overhead searching for any traces of them, and people along with their dogs combed the mountains, yet all efforts proved futile.
“I was beside myself thinking about Rich and Finney. It was a path that Rich was familiar with, and I thought ‘he’s just going to ascend and come back down’ just as he intended. He simply didn’t do that,” Dana Holby recounted to Outside Online.
After 72 days of Rich and Finney’s eerie absence, a hunter pursuing deer herds discovered a body and a dog on a forested ridge of Blackhead Peak, as reported by the Sheriff’s office.
When the Archuleta County Sheriff’s office received the notification, they assumed the dog was also deceased, but oh were they mistaken.
“On October 30th, the body of missing hiker, 71-year-old Rich Moore from Pagosa Springs, was recovered along with his dog, who was found alive and beside him,” Taos Search and Rescue shared in their Facebook post.
To everyone’s astonishment, Finney had remarkably survived in the wilderness for over two months, never leaving her owner’s lifeless body.
“It simply brings tears to our eyes, the dedication of that dog,” TSAR member Delinda Vanne-Brightyn told CNN.
Faithful to a Fault
Finney has always shared a unique connection with Rich, and they were inseparable, a bond that continued even after Rich’s passing.
When the rescuers finally reached the site, she was still attempting to defend him— with her teeth bared, barking, and poised to protect.
Throughout those two months, she had lost half of her body weight and sustained a minor injury, yet she remained devoted to her beloved owner.
Finney likely survived by hunting rodents and small critters, as well as drinking from neighboring streams… like the true Jack Russell Terrier she embodies.
The authorities speculate that Moore likely succumbed to hypothermia and exposure.
“I was in disbelief and, to be honest, still am that Rich is gone. Finney’s return was surreal,” Dana remarked.
Ensuring Finney’s well-being and health is the family’s priority now, especially following her remarkable act. “I’ll do anything for her. I’m just grateful to have her back. She’s a part of our family,” Dana expressed.
Though Dana is heartbroken over the loss of her spouse, she believes that Rich entrusted Finney to her for her protection.
Following Finney’s extraordinary exhibition of bravery and fidelity, she has rapidly emerged as a global sensation.
“People often tell me how remarkable the tale is. Then they pause and see me and say ‘Oh, I’m so sorry.”
Finney, small yet formidable, is undeniably a wonder dog.