By now, as I understand it, this story has spread nationwide. And well it should. Who would have guessed that a little 12-pound dog could and did survive alone in the Colorado mountains for 72 days, standing watch over her deceased master.
Finney’s her name. Short for Finnegan. An Irish Jack Russell terrier. She and her owner, 71-year-old Richard Moore, went out one day in August to climb the unfortunately named Blackhead Peak near Pagosa Springs. Something unexpected happened that day — a wrong turn, a slip — we’ll never know for sure. But Finney stayed by her master’s side until the day they were found like that more than two months later.
By then she was down to just 7 pounds, but even so, searchers had to trick her into moving so that both she and Moore could finally go home together.
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The best, most detailed report of this story that I’ve seen, by Carol McKinley, appears in the November 14 issue of OutThere Colorado. It is accompanied by a half dozen photos of Moore, his wife, and Finney’s rescue. You’ll be missing a lot if you don’t check it out.
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Feature photo: Finney, an Irish Jack Russell terrier, in her prime at 12 pounds. (Photo: Dana Holby)
Damn you, Colorado – this made me weep ..
I beat you to it. I get choked up every time I read this story — both my version and the others.
I saw the original Outdoors story, and it made me cry. But what an inspiration that dog is. In a world where politicians are fighting each other (some physically), we can take heart from the actions of a dog that stood by its master through what had to be horrendous conditions.
What can I say? This little dog is no bigger than my cat, but look what she did! I’m in awe … and tears.