The search continued Wednesday for the small Pomeranian dog that has been lost since a tragic crash on Interstate 35 near Latimer, Iowa, on Jan. 25 when one of its owners died.

Until Wednesday, the dog, named Bear, was believed to have been found after the crash by an Albert Lea man who was headed to Oklahoma for a few weeks, but this lead turned up incorrect, said Dick Anneke, a family friend of Craig and Kathy Johnson, who were in the pile-up.

Craig Johnson died the day of the crash after he got out of his car to help his wife, who was injured in the back seat with the couple’s two dogs.

Anneke said he was contacted by an Iowa trooper on Wednesday who was able to track down the man who had found a small dog at the crash scene and gone to Oklahoma. The dog was not Bear.

Anneke described Bear and the couple’s other dog, Boo, as Kathy Johnson’s “kids.”

“Their significance to her is even greater now with her loss of Craig,” Anneke said.

Boo was found several days after the crash, but the Johnson family and friends are asking for the public’s help in locating Bear.

The dog, a 12- to 15-pound light brown Pomeranian, has a collar and a tag. The tag is a rabies tag, that has the dog’s veterinary clinic included, along with a phone number to contact.

Anneke said there have been two more reported sightings of the animal down in the vicinity of the crash scene. Though family and friends are trying to remain optimistic, there is the possibility it could have just been a fox.

An active search will continue near the crash site.

If anyone has any information that could aid in the search, contact Anneke at (507) 288-6990 or the Johnson family at (507) 281-9408.

People can also report tips to the Tribune at 379-3435.