Incredible Dog Reunited With Owner After Surviving 53 Days in Nev. Desert
- Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:06am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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RENO, Nev. (AP) — Barbara Bagley says she never gave up hope that her dog would be found alive in the Nevada desert after the animal bolted from the scene of a crash that critically injured her and killed her husband.
But the Salt Lake City woman endured plenty of frustration until her beloved 4-year-old Shetland sheepdog, Dooley, was tracked down Feb. 18 after surviving 53 days in the wild on roadkill and scattered ranch water sources.
Barbara Bagley is reunited with her dog, Dooley, after 53 days. (AP)
“I would think about Dooley constantly,” she said. “There were TV commercials with dogs that made me think about him and cry. He’s just the sweetest dog.”
The Dec. 27 single-vehicle accident on Interstate 80 near Battle Mountain, about 225 miles east of Reno, sent Bagley and her 55-year-old husband, Brad Vom Baur, to the hospital in critical condition. Their other sheltie, Delaney, was killed in the wreck. Dooley ran away and vanished.
Bagley, 48, suffered a concussion, broken ribs, a shattered wrist and two punctured lungs. As soon as she mustered up enough strength, she turned her attention to a search for her dog in the sprawling sage-covered plains and hills of northeastern Nevada.
Realizing what Dooley could mean for her recovery, dozens of Nevada volunteers responded to a Facebook plea for help in looking for him. But the search was canceled before it began after the Jan. 6 discovery of what appeared to be the dog’s remains along the interstate. The same day, her husband died.
“It was a horrible day for me,” Bagley recalled. “But something inside me told me Dooley was still alive out there. I wasn’t 100 percent sure, but I didn’t grieve for Dooley like I did for my husband and our other dog.”
Bagley With Dooley (R) and Delaney (L), who died in the car accident that also claimed her husband. (Facebook)
More than three weeks later, Bagley’s spirits were buoyed after a woman reported spotting “a Lassie-type” dog near the accident scene. A subsequent search joined by Bagley turned up nothing, but a railroad crew spotted a dog matching the same description in mid-February in the same area about 15 miles east of Battle Mountain.
Further searches netted a positive identification of Dooley but frustration as well because the skittish dog kept fleeing from Bagley and other searchers. Finally, Shannon Sustacha of Lamoille, who was on horseback, and a Bagley friend driving a Jeep cornered Dooley only five miles from the crash scene. The friend managed to nab the sheltie and put him in the Jeep.
An ecstatic, tearful Bagley arrived at the scene a short time later.
“Barbara got next to us and said three times, `You think he’ll remember me?’” Sustacha said. “When Barbara opened the door and looked at him, she said, `My beautiful boy, my beautiful boy, you’re home.’ Oh, boy, all of us cried. I knew his adventure in Nevada was over. I also knew he and Barbara could start healing together.”
A short time later, an exhausted Dooley sat on his owner’s lap in the Jeep and fell asleep. He later began following Bagley around.
“I was overjoyed that I was going to have him back in my life. I think he felt the same about me,” she said.
During his ordeal, Dooley’s weight dropped from 44 pounds to 20 pounds. He was once spotted devouring a dead coyote along the roadway. A long bird bone was pulled from his throat by a veterinarian.
Since then, the dog has gradually put on weight and resumed regular walks with his owner. While Bagley is still going through the grieving process over her husband’s death and recovering from her injuries, Dooley’s presence has picked up her spirits immensely.
“He’s the physical and mental affection that I need to recover,” she said. “I owe him so much for the hope I have now and the renewed faith I have in prayer. Dogs are so great because of their unconditional love.”
Bagley, a phlebotomy supervisor at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, also thinks her husband had something to do with Dooley’s safe return home.
“It’s a message from my husband who was looking out for him,” Bagley said. “It was a miracle that we got Dooley. He couldn’t have survived much longer out there.”
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Comments (33)
YellowDogDem
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 7:20pmThis brought a tear to my eye. I love my furbabies and my featherbabies. I can only imagine the pain and then relief she must have felt upon seeing her Dooley returned. Welcome home Dooley <3
Report Post »wolverine
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 7:06pmI have owned Shelties for thirty years and to paraphrase Will Rogers when I die I want togo where the Shelties are. The amazing party of this story is how the little dog survived the coyotes and numerous other critters in the desert, having lived there at one time I did not spend any nights outdoors without a firearm handy
Report Post »marineminer
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 6:33pmHow unfortunate it is that people can’t give to each other what our dogs can . They are such amazing and giving creatures ..
Report Post »Billdoor
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 5:58pmBrad and Barbara are family. They are good people.
They fell asleep driving. It is a long boring stretch of highway.
Thanks to all for being so kind.
Report Post »Larry E
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 5:24pmGlad that the lady and her Sheltie were reunited. I don‘t know what I’d do if something happened to my dog or he got lost somehow. The little guy is independent as a hog on ice, but follows me around and keeps track of me as best he can.
If more people were like most dogs the world would be a whole lot better place.
Report Post »bucklywheat
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 4:26pmA true love story with a happy ending. What a breath of fresh air.
Report Post »LittleMac
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:53pmThe greatest gift we can receive would be to see ourselves through the eyes of our dogs.
Report Post »mikec711
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 2:54pmYes, dogs are the best. Dooley cannot bring back all that was lost, but his love and affection will go a long way in the healing process. The faith in God and prayer certainly will be a plus as well.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 2:17pmbeautiful story……thank you Blaze
Report Post »leonardo44
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:43amA true miracle amongst tragedy. Amazing that he survived.
Report Post »Uplifting story, Thanks Blaze.
Disabledvet
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:27amI have 6 shelties, love those dogs, one of my females saved my life, Diabetic low blood sugars made me pass out in the back yard, she ran inside running from the dog door to the kitchen where my wife was barking like crazy unitl my wife came to see what she was barking at, my wife went to the kitchen to get me orange juice, my dog followed her in to the kitchen and bit her ankle then ran back out the door sat next to me and started to howl. She is now the most spoiled dog there can be, dogs are a gift from GOD in my eyes, after all Spell DOG backwards.
Report Post »schroeder123
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:17amMans best friend…………
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:37amten four
Report Post »Marcia
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:29amDittos! There is not much better than the unconditional love of a pet.
Report Post »thekuligs
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:12amAwww I have a Shetland Sheep dog (sheltie) and they are awesome. Poor thing must have been terrified, I don’t think my dog would have left. When things are real bad he sticks extra close. I did notice something odd though about his weight. They said he dropped from 44lbs to 20lbs but I think the breed standard for a male is something like 15-20lbs so the dog was twice the size it should have been?
Report Post »PPMStudios
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:53amWow! I’m happy that such a tragic story can have a somewhat happy ending!
Report Post »Conservative New Yorker
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:15amI echo many here- wonderful way to start my day and week. Thanks Blaze.
Now, excuse me while I go hug and love on my two dogs…
Report Post »GrayPanther
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:11amThanks for a sad but uplifting human – animal story. My dog and I are a unit that thrives on a common admiration for each other. My best to Dooley and his mommy.
Report Post »shagstar
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:11amgreat story! now i can go out and endure whatever the rest of the crappy world throws at me today!! lol
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:59amI really get it. My dogs were my solace when my husband died. They gave me love and comfort when my heart was so broken it hurt to take a breath. God bless them both. Good story to start the day.
Report Post »knightstar
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:50amA rose blooms amidst tragedy. I’m happy for her. Thanks, Blaze!
~M
Report Post »THXll38
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:49amGreat story to start my morning off.
Report Post »drago
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:37amThis story has three things we in the U.S. need right now,the resilience of the dog,and the love from its master and her unending hope.And another 1k rounds of ammo wont hurt either;p
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:27amVery nice ending to a terrible tragedy, but i must admit im a little curious about a single vehicle accident in the middle of the desert……there cant be much to run into , pretty much just sand , isnt it? …. Not saying im suspicious i just find it strange, and a fatality nonetheless….im glad she got her dog back, they truly are family members, i love my dogs !!!!
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:02am@Detroit Paper Boy
Much of the desert in Nevada and Utah are high desert which means no big sand dunes. The high desert can be hilly and covered with arroyos and rocks. I have driven the road several times. It has drain ditches on the sides. It is easy to fall asleep since this is a boring drive.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:03am@dismayed vet
Report Post »Thank you for explaining that, i didnt know it was so hilly, i guess i just think of sand…. In the desert , im glad she found her dog !!! They really are a gift from God….
shagstar
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 1:16pmit could be as simple as a sudden health problem or debri/animal on the road!
Report Post »patspeak
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:22amI needed that on a Monday morning! Thank you Blaze and team.
Report Post »kodibear2
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:28amThat was a great story! I just balled my eyes out.I know that love of our dogs.
Report Post »God bless you and I am so soory for your loses.
momsense
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:21amThis dog is special and is here for a special reason. I’m told that angels take many forms–maybe?
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:08amGreat story, thanks Blaze.
Report Post »