When Bear, a gentle St. Bernard mix from Colorado, escaped his sitter, his family was devastated. Brandy Ross, his owner, struggled with the temporary separation, but losing him altogether shattered her heart. They searched everywhere, but Bear was nowhere to be found. Months turned into years, and this beloved family pet became just a distant memory.
They Never Found Him After He Went Missing
Never did the Ross family expect that Bear would find his way back home. This hope diminished even further when they had to relocate to New York due to military obligations, a step that took them farther from any chance of reunion. As the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region stated on Facebook, “Bear got loose from a pet sitter in April. His family reported him missing and posted in Facebook groups, but they never found him. The saddest part is that they had to leave Colorado Springs without their beloved Bear as the military moved them to New York.”
In two years, the family received no calls about their missing dog… until one day, the phone rang! Animal control, working with the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, found a giant dog near a construction site, and thus began a remarkable chapter in Bear’s story!
Is That Bear?
Though they couldn’t be certain if the dog spotted was Bear, it was hard to dismiss the resemblance. He looked just like the missing dog, albeit a few pounds lighter. Capturing Bear, however, proved to be quite a challenge.
This adventurous dog roamed from place to place, making it difficult for rescuers to pin him down. Volunteers with HSPPR set up feeding stations and surveillance to track his movements. Then, one day, a miracle occurred: Bear wandered into a “messy trap,” triggering the door mechanism. Danielle Neiner, the volunteer who discovered him, soon confirmed his identity—Bear had been found!
The dedicated rescuers shared the wonderful news with the Ross family, and Bear was en route to a beloved reunion! Before heading home, Bear received a vet check-up, grooming, and some tender loving care from his rescuers.
Heartwarming Reunion
Tears of joy flowed when Ross and her family received the heartwarming news that Bear was finally on his way home after two long years of being outdoors. Remarkably, he was not only found, but he was also in great health! Other than some weight loss, he had no major health concerns.
“I was literally bawling my eyes out, and now I’m in shock that this is him. It’s so crazy that he survived in the Colorado weather for two years,” Ross told WKBT News.
Bear stepped into his new home in New York, all thanks to his rescuers! The reunion with his mother was truly heartwarming—a moment that left many in tears. “I’m home mom! I’m so excited,” the Instagram video expressed.
Although he appeared a bit confused at first, Bear quickly recognized his long-lost family and is now adjusting back to his old life. Thanks to Danielle and her team, Bear received a second chance, and stories like his truly restore our faith in humanity!
