Dog News

Kansas woman reunited with dog lost after the crash that killed her mom

by Amy Drew

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Twenty-one-year-old Samantha Orr has had a bright spot to illuminate her life after a devastating tragedy. After 19 days, her dog, Bentley, who had gone missing after being thrown from the car during a crash in Colorado, has been found alive and well.

Orr lost her mother, 43-year-old Jennifer Orr, in the accident, which occurred on Aug. 7, when their Jeep plummeted some 600 feet down a mountain side west of Pueblo, CO. Samantha was severely injured, as well; she was airlifted by rescuers to get emergency medical attention. Bentley, a 1-year-old goldendoodle who had flown out the window during the incident, was nowhere to be found after the crash.

“We were just driving along having a conversation and the next thing we knew we were going over the edge,” Samantha Orr told KOAA News.

Once released from the Colorado hospital, Samantha returned to the scene of the accident to search for Bentley, not knowing if he had even survived the wreck. She had hope, though, and the help of kind strangers who helped look for him.

Orr distributed missing dog flyers and a Facebook group – Bring Bentley Home – was spun up to help share information and offer helpful tips on how to track a dog who was likely quite traumatized.

Nineteen days after the terrible accident, Bentley was spotted in the mountain terrain near the crash site.

With some patient and understandably emotional coaxing – Bentley was naturally spooked and skittish, even toward his owner – the nervous dog eased himself into Samantha’s appreciative and relieved arms. They were at last reunited. Orr was beside herself with joy.

“And from then it was nothing but tears and celebration!” Samantha wrote on Facebook. “Bentley is okay, he’s a little malnourished and dehydrated. But otherwise no noticeable injuries. Thank you to everyone who played a role in bringing this sweet boy home. I know the past 19 days, God and my beautiful momma have been keeping an eye on him.”