For more than two months, hope was the only thing keeping Buddy’s story alive.
Buddy, a family dog from Waco, Texas, went missing in Monticello while visiting with his owners over Thanksgiving. What was meant to be a holiday trip quickly turned into every pet owner’s worst nightmare.
Days turned into weeks.
Weeks turned into silence.
Sightings stopped.
Temperatures dropped.
Winter tightened its grip.
Still, the people searching for Buddy refused to believe he was gone.
Then, on January 30 at 5:35 p.m., everything changed.
A trail camera captured a single image — Buddy, alive.
The woman who reviewed the footage recognized him immediately from the flyers posted around town and didn’t hesitate to make the call. Within hours, resources were mobilized, a humane trap was set, and rescuers prepared for what might be their final chance before another round of dangerous winter weather moved in.
That night, Rebekah Little and her husband waited, holding onto hope as the hours passed.
Just before midnight — Buddy came back.
After 65 days missing, surviving record cold temperatures, traveling more than eight miles, and going weeks without a single confirmed sighting, Buddy walked into the trap on his own.
He was finally safe.
Today, Buddy is warm, resting, and decompressing thanks to Ami, a local groomer and longtime dog rescuer who stepped in without hesitation. Ami has even volunteered to drive Buddy all the way back to Texas so his elderly owners won’t have to endure another exhausting journey.
This rescue didn’t happen by chance.
It happened because people paid attention.
Because flyers were shared.
Because phone calls were made.
And because Rebekah never stopped believing a lost dog could still be found.
After 65 long days alone, Buddy is safe — and soon, he’ll be heading home. 🐾❤️
