Loyal Jack Russell Stays by Dead Hiker’s Side for Months
On August 19, 71-year-old hiker Richard Moore of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and his 12-pound dog Finney had set out to climb Blackhead Peak just east of town. He never returned, and a several-days-long search did not find the missing man.
Ten weeks later, a hunter happened upon the body in the treacherous San Juan Mountains. Incredibly, little Finney was still by the man’s side, though by now the Jack Russell terrier was down to about six pounds.
Moore, who was an experienced hiker, had died of hypothermia. Somehow Finney survived, likely by hunting small animals such as mice; he also managed to avoid local predators – mountain lions, coyotes, and bears.
Delinda VanneBrightyn, who was with the search-and-rescue team (including its own K9 rescue dog) that couldn’t find the missing man, declared Finney’s “magnificent story of survival” a testament to her dedication and loyalty. “Jack Russells are pretty fierce, I have to say, they’re tough little dogs,” she told the AP.
The incident was at least the third time in the past year a dog stayed by the side of a dead hiker. In May 2022, a Lab was found beside the body of a 74-year-old Arizona man. The month before, the body of a 29-year-old hiker was discovered in Los Angeles' Griffith Park with his dog by his side, a vigil the pooch had kept for two weeks.
As for Finney, he was taken to a vet for checkup and treatment, apparently no worse for wear, then reunited with Moore’s family. “If that dog could talk it would be an amazing story,” VanneBrightyn said. “We are very glad Finney was returned to the family because they have lost their loved one, but they still have this wonderful, loyal dog.”
Photo credit: Colorado Missing Person Organization
