'Loyal' Dog Reunited with Family After Surviving for 10 Weeks Next to Owner Who Died During Hike

A local hunter located the 71-year-old man’s remains in the Lower Blanco drainage basin on Oct. 30, according to authorities

<p>Getty Images</p> Stock image of a Jack Russell terrier

Getty Images

Stock image of a Jack Russell terrier

A dog who spent 10 weeks in the Colorado wilderness has been reunited with her family after her owner died while the pair were on a hike.

Rich Moore, of Pagosa Springs, and Finney, his Jack Russell terrier, were reported missing on Aug. 19 after going to summit nearby Blackhead Peak, the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release obtained by PEOPLE.

A local hunter located the 71-year-old man’s remains in the Lower Blanco drainage basin on Oct. 30. Finney “was found alive” alongside Moore’s body, according to Taos Search and Rescue.

Delinda VanneBrightyn, who works with TSAR, said Finney lost 6 lbs. while awaiting rescue in the wild, CBS News reported. "Jack Russells are pretty fierce, I have to say,” she said, adding, “they're tough little dogs."

<p>Facebook</p> Finney was found alive after surviving 10 weeks next to her owner

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Finney was found alive after surviving 10 weeks next to her owner

Related: Body of Missing Duck Hunter Found in Illinois Lake

Moore died of hypothermia, Archuleta County Coroner Brad Hunt said, according to CBS News.

The hiker's body was found more than two miles east of the peak he was attempting to summit, VanneBrightyn said, per TSAR.

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<p>Facebook</p> Rich Moore died while hiking in the southern Colorado mountains

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Rich Moore died while hiking in the southern Colorado mountains

Crews spent nearly 2,000 hours searching for Moore and Finney before the hunter’s discovery, more than two months after they were reported missing, according to the ACSO.

VanneBrightyn believes Finney likely survived by hunting small animals and avoiding large predators, according to CBS News.

"We are very glad ... that Finney was returned to the family,” VanneBrightyn said, “because they have lost their loved one, but they still have this wonderful, loyal dog.”

Related: Family Members Search for Missing Woman Who Disappeared in New Mexico Mountains

Finney was checked out by a veterinarian after she was rescued from the mountain, and has since been reunited with Moore’s family.

"If that dog could talk it would be an amazing story," VanneBrightyn said, per CBS News. "We probably could not even believe the story the dog would tell."

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