A military family's dog got lost in Colorado -- right before they had to pack up and move across the country.
But luckily he was left behind in a "compassionate and pet-loving community" of volunteers who worked tirelessly to reunite him with his family, the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region said on Facebook.
The hard work paid off. The St. Bernard mix named Bear was spotted in the same area where he'd gotten loose from a pet sitter two years prior, the organization said in the Tuesday, Aug. 27, post.
Bear's family had "reported him missing and posted in Facebook groups, but they never found him," the organization said.
"The saddest part is that they had to leave Colorado Springs without their beloved Bear as the military moved them to New York," the organization said. "This is where things get exciting!"
Flash forward to this year, when someone alerted Animal Law Enforcement after they spotted Bear in July. An officer reached out to a group of "volunteer pet lovers dedicated to helping lost dogs" who the humane society sometimes works with, the organization said.
"Without hesitation, this group of volunteers jumped on board," the organization said. The group set up feeding stations, placed game trail cameras and started monitoring Bear, the organization said. Volunteers also found the 2022 Facebook post the dog's owners had posted on Facebook and filled them in on the group's efforts to save their pet.
"After over two years on the run, on August 18, Bear was finally caught! Through a microchip check, it was confirmed that this stray pup was indeed the missing Bear," the organization said. "His owners were crying tears of happiness, and the only thing left was to get him back to his people!"
The volunteer group "took him to get a much-needed groom" and then to the vet for shots and a health certificate before sending him off to reunite with his family in New York, the organization said. The trip was paid for by "generous community members."
"This story touches our hearts in a way that you probably couldn't imagine. Someone told us. We told these volunteers, and out of the kindness of their hearts, they worked their butts off for Bear," the organization said. "It all paid off in the end because Bear is finally going to see his people again!"
Bear's family commented on the post and shared an Instagram account they made to share his incredible story, and so the dog's fans can keep up with him once he makes it back home.
"My heart is just in full blown happiness and (in) complete shock truly," they said. "We truly appreciate everyone involved and you guys will be forever (Bear's) family!"
A Sept. 1 post says Bear's transport was going well. The veteran-owned pet transport company said they had stopped for the night in Nebraska.
Several people commented with supportive messages saying the pup would see his family soon.
"Hang in there Bear!" they said. "You're on your way home to your family!"
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