A dog trapped in a car for days with her deceased owner is back with her family

A Manatee County woman lost her husband, but thanks to the help of her community, her husband’s dog found her way home — from more than 500 miles away.

Dan Hart was driving home to Palmetto from Texas when he suffered a medical emergency, was forced to pull over, and died on the side of the road in Harrison County, Mississippi. His 10-year-old golden retriever, Sandy, was in the truck with him, according to WFLA News Channel 8.

Sandy spent eight days with her owner in the truck, which had a food and water supply for her inside, faithfully staying by his side even though he had he passed away, WFLA reported.

It was a tow-truck driver who noticed the vehicle, and that there was a man inside, and called for help, according to WLOX, a Biloxi, Mississippi television news station.

The Harrison County Coroner told WLOX that Hart died of natural causes along Interstate 10 in Harrison County.

Sandy ended up at the South Mississippi Humane Society on Monday, where director of shelter operations Dawn Boob said they cared for her for a couple of days. During that time, Sandy patiently sat at Boob’s feet and greeted people as they came into the office.

“She was a sweet dog,” Boob recalled. “Really just an absolutely beautiful soul, considering the circumstances. ... We were fortunate to be part of her journey.”

Michelle Londke, a friend of the Hart family, found Sandy’s picture on Facebook. Not long after, Boob had a message on her phone that Londke and Sherryl Jenkinson were coming to pick up the dog. She said they were there by Wednesday.

Jenkinson, of Sarasota, said she has been rescuing dogs for years, so there was hardly a second thought about driving for hours to reunite Sandy with her family in Palmetto. And Londke volunteered to go on the trip.

Sandy was visibly nervous and uncomfortable most of the trip, Jenkinson said. When they finally arrived at Sandy’s home, her owner started calling for her the second the car door opened.

“She became a totally different dog. I just burst into tears,” Jenkinson said. “She knew she was home.”

It was an action Dan’s widow, Carolyn, told WFLA she was grateful for.

“They are angels,” Carolyn said, tearing up. “I can’t thank them enough. I don’t know how I could ever repay everybody’s kindness.”

This story was originally published December 1, 2017 at 11:54 AM with the headline "A dog trapped in a car for days with her deceased owner is back with her family."