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Toddler missing in Arizona wilderness found safe with help from ‘guardian’ dog: ‘Angels without wing
The 160-pound Anatolian-Pyrenees mix normally helps protect the cattle from coyotes on the Dunton Ranch in Arizona.
According to Dunton, Buford is a quiet working dog who sleeps by day and roams by night, and was in just the right place at just the right time
In a heartwarming twist of fate, a massive ranch dog is being hailed as a true guardian after helping rescue a missing toddler in the wilderness in Arizona of the US.
According to the New York Post, two-year-old Boden Allen disappeared on April 14 from his home near Seligman, prompting an intense search effort. For over 16 hours, more than 40 people from multiple agencies scoured the rugged terrain, which included areas known to be inhabited by mountain lions.
Hope was starting to fade, especially as overnight temperatures dipped into the 40s. But miles away, on a remote stretch of the 25,000-acre Dunton Ranch in Kingman, Buford — a 160-pound Anatolian-Pyrenees mix — was doing what he does every night: patrolling the land to protect cattle from coyotes.
That night, Buford found more than just open pasture.
His owner, Scotty Dunton, recounted the unbelievable moment to FOX Weather: “I see my dog walking down the fence with a little blonde, cute little 2-year-old kid.”
Dunton had been alerted to the missing child earlier that morning by his wife, Dawn, and immediately feared the worst. “As cold as it is at night and stuff… I really was thinking the worst.”
But there was Boden, teary-eyed, cold, but alive, following Buford home.
Watch the video:
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Dunton later retraced their steps and found tiny footprints beside Buford’s larger ones. “Buford has a way he comes home every day down the side, and across the wash; his little tracks were right with him the whole way,” he said.
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It was clear the dog had stuck by the boy the entire time. Boden told Dunton that he’d curled up under a tree with Buford for warmth. The dog’s thick coat likely shielded him from the biting cold of the high desert night.
The Washington Post shared the video on their Instagram handle and many took to the comments to share their views.
“Dogs are angels without wings,” someone commented. Another added, “Dogs, man… is there anything they can’t do?”
According to the New York Post, Buford, normally a quiet working dog who sleeps by day and roams by night, was in just the right place at just the right time. And for his loyalty and instincts, he got a well-earned reward: a two-pound ribeye steak.
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