BEIJING, Aug. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Loyal to her owner to the end of his life and beyond, a dog stayed by her master's body for up to six weeks after he died on America's remote northeastern Colorado high plains, according to local authorities as quoted by media Wednesday.

    The body of Jake Baysinger, 25, was discovered Sunday about 120 km (75 miles) northeast of Denver on the Pawnee National Grasslands. Found next to him, thin and dehydrated, was his German shepard, Cash. Authorities said the dog apparently survived by eating mice and rabbits.

    The cause of death has yet to be determined, pending an autopsy, but authorities found a gun nearby, the Weld County coroner's office said Tuesday.

    An extensive search failed to find Baysinger after he was reported missing June 28. But a rancher spotted Cash last weekend and discovered his body.

    "At least we know it's over now," said Baysinger's wife, Sara. "We'd been looking for my husband for six weeks, and this isn't how we wanted it to end. At least we can close this."

    Cash has been reunited with her and her 2-year-old son, Lane. She said her little boy is "very close to that dog" and happy to see her again.

    Investigators said the dog probably kept coyotes away from the body.

    (Agencies)