× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

MANDAN, N.D. -- Two months after he went missing, Bentley the German shepherd is back home again with his family in Mandan.

Bentley is somewhat worse for wear after his absence. He has lost body weight, his paws are raw, he has intestinal problems, pneumonia and a severe ear infection, but his owner, Cindi Leach, says the veterinarian who examined him on Monday morning is confident that in two weeks, with medication, he will bounce right back.

Bentley, a tan and black dog in his prime, was in Detroit Lakes, Minn., with a man who took care of him for about a month, after finding him loose near his home.

Bentley had been missing since Oct. 9. A family friend who was watching him for a few days let him outside her home in Dawson; her own dog returned, but not Bentley.

Leach had devoted part of every day since trying to locate him. She searched websites, police reports and set up a Facebook page. She followed up leads and sent out posters around the region, trying to remain optimistic while grieving at the same time.

“I didn’t think I’d see him again,” she said.