Dog missing in Colorado wilderness for 43 days survives freezing temperatures before emotional reunion with its owner

You’ll want to know how a dog survived 43 days alone in freezing Colorado wilderness and made it back to the people who love him. Rocky endured subzero nights, avoided predators and vehicles, and was finally caught by volunteers using scent stations and remote cameras.

He bolted from a harness near Montezuma during a move and vanished into the high country, triggering a long volunteer search that used trail cameras, scent baits, and traps. Small glimpses on cameras and a Ring doorbell kept hope alive until the final capture.

The story that follows explains what happened during those 43 days, how rescuers tracked and trapped the dog, and what unfolded at the emotional reunion.

The Disappearance and 43-Day Ordeal

Rocky escaped a harness in Montezuma and then vanished into steep, snowy terrain. Volunteers, animal control and the owner kept searching despite cold, limited sightings and changing weather.

How Rocky Went Missing in Montezuma

Rocky, an 11-year-old Labrador–Boxer mix belonging to Steven Maa, slipped his harness on December 28 while Maa stopped in Summit County during a cross-country move. The dog sitter left Rocky unattended briefly; a sudden scare sent him running into the hillside above Montezuma where trails narrow and cellphone reception drops.

Maa and neighbors reported immediate sightings the same day, and Maa actually saw Rocky on December 31, but the dog bolted when approached. That early escape set the pattern: close encounters without capture, which complicated containment and tracking in the days that followed.

Surviving Freezing Temperatures and Harsh Conditions

Temperatures in the area plunged to subzero readings during the weeks Rocky was missing. Rocky faced deep snow, scarce food and the risk of exposure; he went from about 50 pounds to roughly 26 pounds by the time rescuers caught him.

Wildlife and the terrain posed additional hazards: steep slopes, hidden drop-offs and limited shelter spots. Rescuers later reported Rocky was cold and emaciated but alert when trapped, indicating he found some intermittent shelter and food to survive the 43-day ordeal.

Community and Volunteer Search Efforts

Summit Lost Pet Rescue coordinated local volunteers, with founder Brandon Ciullo playing a visible role in organizing scent stations and camera sweeps. The group worked closely with Summit County Animal Control and the Summit County Animal Shelter to pool leads and respond to sightings.

Volunteers posted on social media, installed scent stations using Maa’s clothing, and checked security cameras across Montezuma neighborhoods. A neighbor’s Ring camera ultimately provided the decisive sighting that led animal control to alert the rescue team and led to Rocky’s capture.

Unique Challenges in the Colorado Wilderness

Montezuma’s high-country environment limited standard search tactics. Cold weather reduced track lifespan, snow obscured footprints, and thin air and steep terrain made long searches physically taxing for volunteers and dogs alike.

Introduced wolf packs and local wildlife also complicated deployment choices, since bringing people into remote areas increased risk. Coordinating among private volunteers, Summit County Animal Control and the shelter required rapid information sharing and careful planning to avoid disturbing potential wildlife encounters while staying focused on locating Rocky.

Rescue, Recovery, and Emotional Reunion

The dog was located on a property camera and trapped that evening; rescuers then focused on medical care, warming, and a careful reunion with the owner. The next steps combined field skill, veterinary treatment, and coordinated emotional support.

Breakthrough with Security Camera Sightings

A neighbor’s Ring camera captured the dog on Day 43, which changed the search from tip-gathering to an immediate response. Summit Lost Pet Rescue volunteer Brandon Ciullo received the alert and notified Summit County Animal Control, who called the rescue team within minutes.

Rescuers moved quickly to the address shown on the footage, confirmed the dog’s presence, and monitored behavior from a distance. The camera evidence gave them a precise location in Montezuma and allowed them to approach with traps and scent items prepared.

That sighting ended weeks of uncertain reports and turned sporadic leads into an actionable plan. The timestamped video also helped coordinate volunteers and ensured the capture attempt happened before the dog moved out of the area again.

Setting Traps, Scent Trails, and the Role of Experts

Rescue teams used a combination of scent stations, baited box traps, and familiar items to reduce the dog’s fear and lure him safely. Volunteers placed an owner-scented blanket and clothing near the trap entrance, then baited the trap with food to entice entry without forcing contact.

Experienced handlers from Summit Lost Pet Rescue worked alongside animal control to watch wind direction, trap placement, and potential escape routes. They adjusted tactics for cold weather, choosing sheltered trap locations and protecting bait from snow and wildlife interference.

Local experts, including those with behavioral and trapping experience, guided a patient, low-pressure approach. That expertise minimized risk to the dog and people, increasing the chance of a humane capture and immediate transfer to care.

Rocky’s Health After Rescue

After capture, the dog—later identified as Rocky—arrived at a veterinary clinic for urgent evaluation and stabilization. Staff at a local clinic coordinated with Buffalo Mountain Animal Hospital to assess hypothermia, dehydration, and extreme weight loss.

Veterinarians found Rocky dangerously thin and cold; body weight had dropped markedly. They implemented controlled warming, IV fluids for rehydration, and blood work to check organ function and rule out infections or toxin exposure.

Recovery focused on gradual refeeding, pain management if needed, and monitoring for refeeding syndrome. The medical team scheduled follow-up visits and recommended a slow rehabilitation plan to restore weight and muscle safely.

The Joyful Reunion and Life After

When Rocky finally met his owner, the scene was emotional and restrained to avoid overwhelming the dog. Reunions took place at the shelter with staff and volunteers present to support both Rocky and his owner through the first moments of contact.

Summit Lost Pet Rescue and Brandon Ciullo helped orchestrate the reunion logistics, while animal control ensured paperwork and transfer procedures were handled. The owner received guidance on at-home care, feeding schedules, and veterinary follow-ups with Buffalo Mountain Animal Hospital.

In the weeks that followed, Rocky’s recovery continued under veterinary supervision and owner care. Ongoing support from the rescue group and community volunteers, including updates from Melissa Davis and other team members, helped monitor progress and ease the transition back home.

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