local
12-year-old dog dodges mountain lions, travels 50 miles over 33 days in Colorado mountains before reuniting with owner
By Allison Moore Follow
amoore@summitdaily.com at Summit Daily
· July 17, 2026
· 8 min read
Brinley, a small terrier mix, weighed 28 pounds when she left Dallas, Texas, with her owner for a summer road trip last month. Thirty-three days after stopping in Summit County, the 12-year-old dog weighed just 17.2 pounds.
She survived mostly alone in the wilderness after becoming loose near...
Key takeaway Thirty-three days after stopping in Summit County, the 12-year-old dog weighed just 17.
Why this matters in Aspen News
The reunion of Brinley with her owner Scott Welch is a testament to the dedication of local rescue groups and the harsh realities of the Colorado mountains. Brinley's 33-day ordeal, during which she lost over a third of her body weight, highlights the dangers that pets face in the wilderness, from predators like mountain lions to rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. The fact that she was able to evade rescuers for so long, only to be guided back to her owner by volunteers with Summit Lost Pet Rescue, speaks to the challenges of searching for lost pets in the vast and unforgiving mountain landscape. As a community that values outdoor recreation and pet ownership, Aspen and surrounding areas must remain vigilant about the risks that come with exploring the mountains with pets, and support organizations like Summit Lost Pet Rescue that work tirelessly to reunite lost animals with their owners.
About this story
Original reporting by Summit Daily . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Summit Daily . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: Summit Daily ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Brinley, a small terrier mix, weighed 28 pounds when she left Dallas, Texas, with her owner for a summer road trip last month. Thirty-three days after stopping in Summit County, the 12-year-old dog weighed just 17.2 pounds.
She survived mostly alone in the wilderness after becoming loose near...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by Summit Daily and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Allison Moore Follow
amoore@summitdaily.com at Summit Daily. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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