A remarkable reunion occurred recently for a New Jersey man and his beloved dog who had spent over a month lost in the Colorado wilderness. Steven Maa and his ten-year-old canine companion, Rocky, had been navigating a cross-country move from New Jersey to California when the unthinkable happened. Rocky vanished during a brief stop in Colorado on December 28, 2025, prompting a desperate search that lasted 43 long days.
Maa had planned to enjoy skiing in the Rockies while relying on a pet sitter to look after Rocky. However, shortly after being handed over to the sitter, Rocky managed to slip out of his harness and took off into the rugged mountainous terrain at an altitude of around 10,000 feet. The initial response to the situation was frantic, with Maa and his partner scouring the wilderness until the early hours of the morning in a blizzard.
After a night of searching, the couple reached out to Summit Lost Pet Rescue, a local non-profit organisation dedicated to reuniting lost pets with their owners. Recognising the urgency, the team sprang into action, deploying trail cameras, scent stations, and community alerts to increase the likelihood of finding the lost pup.
A breakthrough came three days later when a home security camera captured footage of a dog that resembled Rocky. However, hope dwindled once more as the dog seemed to vanish again shortly thereafter, leaving the team perplexed and concerned that time was running out for the lost pet.
Brandon Ciullo, the founder of Summit Lost Pet Rescue, explained the typical dangers faced by lost animals in such harsh environments, including the risk of wildlife encounters, traffic, and the perils of exposure to extreme conditions. Given the lack of sightings in the ensuing weeks, it became increasingly likely that the search efforts would have to be scaled down.
Yet, a glimmer of hope emerged on February 9 when a resident captured footage of a small black dog that matched Rocky’s description on a Ring camera. Ciullo, convinced that the lost dog was in dire need of rescue, quickly mobilised a response team to the location. “I need to respond to Montezuma,” he recalled urgently telling another pet owner, fearing that Rocky was starving and potentially close to death.
The rescue team employed a clever strategy using Maa’s clothing to create a scent trail to coax Rocky into a humane trap. Initial attempts fell short, with Rocky entering the trap without triggering it. However, armed with determination and an extra incentive of peanut butter, the team reset the trap. Ciullo declared firmly, “I’m not leaving this godd— mountain until this dog is in the back of my truck.”
After hours of anxiety, the moment of triumph arrived when Rocky was finally secured. Though the dog had lost a significant amount of weight, dropping from nearly 50 pounds to just 26, he still showed remarkable resilience and energy. “We couldn’t believe that this dog, who has probably not eaten in 43 days, had this much energy and life in him,” Ciullo recalled with awe.
For Maa, the reunion was nothing short of miraculous. “We were just so overjoyed… and in disbelief that he could survive for that long,” he reflected on the emotional moment of seeing his long-lost friend again.
Now back in California, Rocky is settling into his new environment, and according to Maa, he is gradually returning to his playful self. The bond between them has certainly strengthened through this harrowing experience, serving as a reminder of the enduring connection between humans and their pets. This rescue story has resonated with many and highlights the commitment of dedicated individuals like those at Summit Lost Pet Rescue, who work tirelessly to reunite lost pets with their families.