After 53 days in the wild, Shetland sheepdog reunites with owner

Four-year-old Shetland sheepdog Dooley ran away from the scene of a fatal car accident on December 27th.

Fifty-three days later, he was reunited with the owner who refused to give up hope.

The December 27th Reno car accident was horrific.

Barbara Bagley and her husband, Brad Vom Baur, were left in critical condition.

Dooley, the couple's four-year-old Shetland sheepdog, ran away from the scene.

Their other sheltie, Delaney, died in the accident.

As Bagley began to heal from her injuries — she suffered a concussion, a shattered wrist, broken ribs and two punctured lungs — she sent out a plea on Facebook, begging for help to find her beloved dog.

"I would think about Dooley constantly. There were TV commercials with dogs that made me think about him and cry. He's just the sweetest dog," Bagley said.

On January 6th, remains believed to be Dooley's were found along the interstate. That same day, Bagley's husband, who had been suffering from stage four colorectal cancer, died of his injuries.

"It was a horrible day for me," Bagley said. "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."

About three weeks later, someone reported seeing a "Lassie-type" dog near the scene of the accident. Soon after that, a railroad crew reported a similar sighting.

Still, Bagley's searches were unsuccessful — until a friend, on horseback, spotted Dooley, 20 pounds lighter than when he was last seen, five miles from the accident scene and brought him home.

That was on February 18th, 53 days after the accident. Dooley had survived on roadkill and scattered ranch water.

"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," said Shannon Sustacha, the woman who found Dooley.

Bagley is crediting her returned dog with helping her recover from her injuries and the tragic loss of her husband:

"He's the physical and mental affection that I need to recover. 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."