That is a great ending to this story.
This guy’s attachment to the dog ended when he failed to try to rescue her.
Life teaches some really hard lessons. This is one of them. Hopefully he will learn.
Also, I noted that in the initial photo of the dog, the dog was not equipped in such a way as to protect the soft padding of her feet on the mountain. Another shot of another owner and their dog who summited and descending safely clearly show the proper footgear for a dog on a rough mountain trail.
There are many things to be concerned about regarding the owner and proper treatment of the dog.
And yes, the biggest question is "Why weren't they back up that trail the next safe window for climing?"
In his mind, she was dead already.