Colorado Volunteers Reunite Military Family With Their Lost Dog After Two Long Years

Losing something precious leaves a hole in your heart. It might be a cherished keepsake or a memory you can’t replace, but nothing hurts quite like the sudden absence of a beloved pet. 

That kind of loss lingers, a quiet ache that never fully goes away.

For Brandy Ross, that heartbreak came in the form of Bear, her beloved dog. Bear had been left with a pet sitter in Colorado Springs when, somehow, he slipped away and vanished without a trace. 

Brandy searched tirelessly, plastering posters, following up on every lead, and scouring the area. But days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and still Bear was nowhere to be found.

As if the loss weren’t painful enough, Brandy had to relocate to New York for work. Leaving Colorado without Bear felt like carrying a heavy, invisible weight everywhere she went. 

Every morning she woke wondering if her best friend was safe, and every night she fell asleep hoping for a miracle that seemed increasingly unlikely.

Then, a tiny spark of hope appeared. Colorado Springs Animal Law Enforcement reported a sighting of a dog that looked strikingly like Bear. 

Brandy’s heart raced. Could it really be him after two long years? She dared to hope.

Volunteers known for helping reunite lost pets quickly stepped in. They set up feeding stations and cameras, tirelessly monitoring the area to confirm the dog’s identity. 

They also reached out to Brandy, giving her cautious hope and preparing her for the possibility of seeing Bear again. The process was slow and painstaking, sometimes yielding little more than anxious anticipation.

Finally, the moment came. The volunteers managed to trap the dog safely. Hearts were pounding as they scanned him for a microchip. And then, a beep. 

Joy erupted. Bear was alive. After two years of uncertainty, sadness, and endless longing, Bear had been found.

When Brandy received the news, her emotions spilled over. As she shared in an interview:

“The whole night I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, is this my dog? It’s him.’ And I was like, ‘No way.’ And I was literally bawling my eyes out.” 

It was a moment she had dreamed about for years, a reunion she thought might never happen.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) and dedicated volunteers, Bear was finally safe. Soon after, he traveled to New York to reunite with Brandy and her family. 

The house overflowed with love and excitement as Bear’s tail wagged uncontrollably and Brandy showered him with hugs and kisses. The years apart melted away in that instant.

Bear’s journey is a testament to persistence, faith, and the power of community. Even in moments that feel hopeless, miracles can happen when compassion, teamwork, and a refusal to give up come together.

Brandy and Bear are proof that love never fades. No matter how long the separation, it can bring a pet back home, where they belong, and fill a family’s heart with joy once more.