Arizona dog stays with its owner who died in a remote desert area

Dog stays with deceased owner until being rescued

After an unidentified person sadly passed away in the remote desert of Cochise County, their dog stayed with them until a search and rescue team arrived.

COCHISE COUNTY, Ariz. - A loyal little pup was found with its owner who had passed away in a remote area in Cochise County.

What we know:

The sheriff's office search and rescue team was activated to a remote area several miles north of Muleshoe Ranch.

"The circumstances are unknown on how they got there and why they were there. However a small dog was located with the decedent stayed with the vehicle. Initially it ran off, but the team was determined to save it and were able to catch it," the search and rescue team said on its Facebook page.

It says this isn't the first time something like this has happened.

"This truly shows the devotion and love a pet has for their person," the Facebook post said.

What's next:

The dog was taken to the shelter to get the care he needed.

In an update shared by the sheriff's office days after his rescue, they said the dog's name is Charlie, and that he'll be going home with family members who claimed him.

Dog found next to his deceased owner goes home with family

In a bittersweet update from Cochise County, a dog that stayed by his owner's side even after their death is now going home with family members. The sheriff's office confirmed that Charlie, the loyal canine, will be reunited with the owner's family.

What we don't know:

We don't know the name of the dog's owner or their cause of death.

Map of the area where the dog was rescued