GREELEY, Colo. -- A German Shepherd that was reported lost in June has actually been guarding her owner's body for six weeks after the man took his own life in the remote northeast Colorado plains.

Cash, the dog, was found alive on Sunday, next to the body of her master, Jake Baysinger, 25, a resident of La Salle, KMGH-TV in Denver reported.

Weld County Deputy Coroner Gracie Marquez said Tuesday that Baysinger's death was ruled a suicide. The cause of death hasn't been determined, but authorities found a gun nearby.

His 3-year-old dog was found thin and dehydrated, but veterinarians said she is otherwise doing well. Officials said there was evidence that Cash ate mice and rabbits to stay alive during her 40 days and nights alone on the Pawnee National Grassland in Weld County. Investigators said the dog probably protected her master's body by keeping coyotes away.

"She's been such a good dog. I knew that if she was there, she was doing her best to take care of Jake," said Baysinger's wife, Sara Baysinger.

The family credits Cash for helping authorities find the missing man and helping to bring closure to the family.

"It was a relief to know that there's an end and that we still have a part of Jake," Sara said.

Jake Baysinger was reported missing on June 28, and authorities said they believe he died that day. An extensive aerial search failed to locate him, but rancher Kip Konig spotted Cash last weekend. Konig went to investigate and discovered Baysinger's body and his pickup.

Konig said Cash kept running back to the pickup and jumping into the front seat.

"I got the sense she was trying to tell me where her master was," Konig said.

Cash was checked out at the Weld County Humane Society and then reunited with Sara and Jake's 2-year-old son, Lane, on Monday.

"We need to put some weight on her. She's a big dog and looks too skinny," Sara said.