Lost For 65 Days In The Freezing Cold, This Brave Senior Dog Survived Against The Odds

January 31, 2026

After 65 long days missing, an elderly dog named Buddy has finally been found safe — against all odds.

Buddy / via Gofundme

Buddy disappeared in Monticello, Georgia, while visiting with his family from Waco, Texas over Thanksgiving. Days turned into weeks, sightings slowly stopped, and temperatures dropped to record lows. For nearly a month, there were no signs of him at all.

But the people searching for Buddy never gave up.

On January 30 at 5:35 p.m., hope arrived in the form of a single trail camera photo. A woman who had seen Buddy’s flyers spotted him on her camera and immediately made the call. After more than two months of uncertainty, they finally knew where he was.

Within hours, resources were pulled together, a trap was set, and Rebekah Little and her husband prepared to stay up all night in their truck, waiting and hoping Buddy would return — especially with another round of dangerous cold weather approaching.

Just before 11:30 p.m., he did.

After surviving brutal temperatures, traveling more than eight miles, and going weeks without a single confirmed sighting, Buddy walked into the trap and was finally secured.

Sixty-five days missing — and he survived.

Today, Buddy is warm, safe, and decompressing thanks to Ami, a local groomer and longtime dog rescuer who stepped in without hesitation. She even volunteered to drive Buddy all the way back home to Texas so his elderly owners wouldn’t have to make another exhausting trip.

Buddy’s rescue happened because people paid attention. Because flyers were shared. Because someone made the call. And because one determined rescuer never stopped believing he could still be found.

After 65 days, Buddy is safe — and soon, he’ll be heading home where he belongs.