Car Crash Kills Mother, Dog Takes Off Running. Watch Moment Daughter Finds Him Weeks Later
A jeeping accident in Chaffee County, Colorado, on Aug. 7 turned tragic. Two women from Wichita, Kansas, were involved.
Forty-three-year-old Jennifer Orr was driving a 2014 Jeep Wrangler on Iron Chest Road when she hit a rock that caused the vehicle to go off course, Chaffee County Search and Rescue reported.
The jeep slid down a slope. Sadly, Jennifer died on the scene while her daughter, Sam Orr, was transported via helicopter to a place where she could receive medical attention.
A week following the accident, Sam paid tribute to her mother on social media. Her Facebook post on Aug. 15 said her mother Jennifer “was a force.”
“I am so proud to be her kid and to go forward from this with hope and peace and fire,” Sam wrote. “Thank you again to everyone for their love, support, and mostly, your prayer.”
Sam suffered some injuries, including “displaced ribs and a compressed vertebra.” She shared that doctors expect her to make a full recovery.
But some wounds aren’t as easily healed and cause more pain than bumps and bruises and breaks ever will.
It turns out Sam and her mom were not alone in the vehicle. Sam’s dog Bentley was there too. Not only was Sam grieving over the loss of her mother, but Bentley went missing after the accident as well.
A Facebook page was created in an effort to help “Bring Bentley Home.” According to a post on Aug. 21, the Golden Doodle “was last seen running downhill from Iron Chest Road” after the accident.
19 long days passed before the precious pup was found up the mountain near the trailhead where the accident occurred.
Sam wrote a post of gratitude on Bentley’s page, thanking a man named Joseph Stratmann who helped her search for the dog. “Had it not been for Joe, this puppy would not have returned home,” Sam said.
The most heartwarming moment of all was when Sam held Bentley safely in her arms for the first time. Luckily for us, she caught the whole thing on film.
Watch first as she lures the dog down toward her. Bentley looks hesitant, but it isn’t long before he comes closer.
What an amazing rescue. “It’s mommy…” Sam says. “You’re okay… You did so good. I’m so proud of you.”
You can definitely hear the joy in Sam’s voice as her sweet Golden Doodle begins to trust and recognize her.
My heart hurts for this poor woman and all she’s endured since the accident. It’s a hard thing to lose a parent.
But there is always light in the darkness. We are so glad Bentley has returned home. Our prayers and thoughts are with Sam and her family during this time.
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