Two dogs comfort each other after their owner dies in a hiking accident

Two dogs have been left to console each other following a tragic hiking accident in Colorado.

The pair of pooches, called Tonka and Little P, have found solace after their owner Kris Busching tragically slipped and fell to his death in an incident that also left the two pups injured. 

In order to "support the rescue and rehabilitation" of the two dogs, a GoFundMe has been set up by the animal welfare organization Mr. Bones & Co. And despite being launched just four days ago, the campaign has already more than doubled its original goal of $8,000, as the public has been touched by the two dogs’ heartbreaking story. 

As of this writing, the GoFundMe has raised an incredible $20,150.

As per the description on the GoFundMe page, the incident occurred after the dogs, Busching, and Busching's friend had become lost on a hiking expedition.

Without food or water, the friends started to panic - until Busching spotted a freshwater creek in a canyon. It was as he and the dogs attempted to descend that the 33-year-old tattoo artist slipped and fell to his death. 

As the GoFundMe explains:

"From the top of the canyon, Mark, who could not get to them, lit signal fires and hollered for help. He was found the next day by search and rescue helicopters. When search and rescue got to Kris his dogs were next to him, having not left his body since the fall."

Kris is pictured below with his two loyal dogs:

As the dogs continue to recover in the Animal Medical Centre in Manhattan, the Mr. Bones & Co trust issued an update on the pair’s health. Posting on Saturday, the organization declared that older dog Tonka "still has plenty of hikes ahead of him now that his left foreleg has been repaired and plated and his right wrist stabilized for a hopefully nonsurgical recovery," before adding:

"He’s been able to hang out with the doctors and nurses behind the scenes and soak up a ton of TLC. He’s eating well and coping with his splints politely. His temperament is beautiful and soulful, a testimony to level of love his dad gave him for almost ten years before he passed. To honor Kris and his remarkable artistic talent, the in-house team of bandage artists made sure TONKA had some 'tattoos' of his own and it made our day, so we wanted to share these photos with all of you."

In a statement shared with the campaign, Busching’s brother Dave declared:

"We are all devastated, and really can’t describe the void and pain that we all feel. He was a talented human, with huge hopes and dreams. He lived an extreme lifestyle, and like most in my family, loved the outdoors. He was mine and my sister’s little brother, my parent’s youngest son, and we loved him unconditionally."

In an Instagram post, Mr. Bones & Co. revealed that they are now looking to rehome to two dogs:

"THEIR BOND IS EPIC. We are searching for a home for two boys who lost their world suddenly when their dad @theworld_is_yours_87 died protecting them on a hiking accident last week. [...]

"If you are an active home prepared to give these boys the world their dad intended for them, please complete the application at www.mrbonesandco.org/adopt."