An elderly man who vanished nearly a month ago was found dead, with his beloved pet Maltese dog watching over him, 23 days after the two went for their final afternoon drive.

“I love that dog,” said the daughter of Jimmy Wilkerson, an 80 year-old resident of Georgia.

“We’re going to take care of BeBe, like he took care of my father, up to the last minute.”

The small dog had scratches and bite marks, probably from fending off an attack by a wild animal.

(WATCH the video below or READ the story from the Detroit Free Press)

Story tip from Lisa Bauman