Steven Maa was filled with concern for his cherished dog, Rocky, as he feared for his safety in the treacherous Rocky Mountains. On December 28, during a cross-country journey from New Jersey to California for a new job, Steven decided to take a break for some skiing in Montezuma, Colorado.
He entrusted Rocky to a local pet sitter, but the adventurous dog soon dashed into the wilderness just as a blizzard began to sweep through the area, where the elevation reaches nearly 10,000 feet (3,000m).
In a state of panic, Steven reached out to the town’s mayor, who recommended the Summit Lost Pet Rescue, a remarkable nonprofit known for its impressive track record of reuniting lost pets, boasting over 200 successful recoveries within the past year.
For Rocky’s daunting situation, the dedicated team from Summit set up trail cameras and a scent station, utilizing Steven’s clothing and a cozy dog bed to lure him out of hiding. They also launched a heartfelt social media campaign, sharing Rocky’s photos to widen the search.
Days passed without any sign of Rocky, and as temperatures plummeted below zero, Steven’s hopes began to fade. However, a glimmer of hope emerged when Rocky was spotted on one of the trail cameras, reigniting the belief that a reunion could be possible.
Despite the optimism, after several grueling 16-hour days of searching, Steven faced the heart-wrenching decision to leave Rocky behind as he moved on to his new job in California. “I was a little clogged with emotion,” shared Brandon Ciullo, the founder of Summit Lost Pet Rescue. “I just couldn’t believe we couldn’t find him, and I was disappointed.”
Weeks went by without any sightings, and despair began to settle in. How long could a domesticated dog survive in the harsh conditions of a Rocky Mountain winter? Days turned into weeks, and hope started to wane.
Then, on February 9th, a local resident spotted an unfamiliar dog on a household Ring camera. It was Rocky! Steven confirmed the sighting upon recognizing his collar. The Summit team quickly set up a trap, using Steven’s clothes to create scent trails leading to a safe cage.
Within just three hours, Rocky walked into the trap, securing his rescue after an astonishing 43 days in the wild. The reunion was soon to follow, as Steven flew back from California to embrace his beloved dog. (The joyous reunion is a moment to behold!)
Though Rocky had lost nearly half his body weight, dropping from 50 pounds to just 26, his spirit surged upon seeing Steven. Tears of joy filled the room as the two were finally together again.
“We were just so overjoyed,” Steven expressed. “And in disbelief that he could survive for that long; I’m just extremely proud of him.” Brandon, too, was moved by the incredible outcome: “He’s the only dog I’ve ever cried over. It was amazing. It’s what we put hundreds and hundreds of hours into. These reunions are why we do what we do.”
Rocky’s rescue stands as a testament to endurance and hope, marking the longest time a dog has been missing before being found by the dedicated team at Summit Lost Pet Rescue.
