Dog Lost for 54 Days in the Backcountry Is Finally Found—And Runs Straight to Her Family

A dog lost for 54 days in the backcountry has been found and returned to a family who refused to give up hope.

Bami, a four-year-old Korean Jindo, went missing in November after she broke free from her leash and collar during a walk in the mountains of North Vancouver, British Columbia. What followed was nearly two months of worry for her family.

Bami proved difficult to find—and even harder to catch. Her family eventually reached out to Petsearchers Canada for help. Searchers noted that Bami never stayed in one area for more than a day, making it difficult to rely on cameras for timely alerts.

“What made Bami especially challenging was her constant movement. She would disappear for days, then reappear in completely different parts of North Vancouver,” Petsearchers Canada wrote on Facebook. “Even after being caught on camera at a feeding station, she moved again, turning up on the opposite side of the city.”

When Bami did appear on camera, what rescuers saw was concerning. She was getting thinner and thinner. Although she was being resourceful—digging up and eating clams at the beach—it wasn’t enough to sustain her. Meanwhile, the weather was growing colder and wetter.

Owner Yohan Kim said some people began telling him Bami likely wouldn’t survive, but he refused to give up hope. Then came a breakthrough.

Petsearchers received a call about a sighting of Bami at a schoolyard. They rushed to the area and used a drone to locate her curled up in a wooded section nearby. The team immediately coordinated a plan, covering exit points while positioning Bami’s mom strategically nearby.

When Bami spotted her family, she came running.

“As Bami emerged from hiding, her owner was right there—and the reunion happened,” Petsearchers wrote.

“Some people think (a) dog is just (a) pet,” owner Yohan Kim told CTV News. “But I don’t agree…Many people say (a) dog or pet is family. Yes, I totally agree.” He encourages any family experiencing a similar circumstance to never give up.

After a week back home, Bami is doing very well. She’s catching up on lost sleep and following a special diet to regain her strength.

“Overall, Bami is doing very well. She is eating well, sleeping well, and has started going on short walks again,” Petsearchers wrote. “She remembers all of the commands she was taught before she went missing! Walking is still something she is nervous about, but her family is taking it slowly and supporting her every step of the way.Seeing her safe, loved, and recovering at home is the best outcome we could have hoped for.”

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