Brave Dog Rescues Missing Toddler After Night In Arizona Wilderness
This is the story of a two-year-old boy named Bodin Allen and a courageous dog named Buford, whose lives intersected in a frightening moment.
It’s the kind of story that restores faith in the goodness of the world, even when things feel overwhelming.
One afternoon in the small town of Seligman, Arizona, a parent’s greatest fear became reality. Bodin, a curious and adventurous toddler, vanished from his family’s home.
His mother, Sarah, explained that Bodin had simply gone outside to play — as many toddlers do, their little legs carrying them on adventures that sometimes wander too far.
But this time, his fun turned into something terrifying. As soon as they realized Bodin was missing, panic set in, and a frantic search began.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office quickly assembled a 40-person search team, underscoring just how serious and urgent it was to locate a missing child in the wilderness.
Sixteen long hours went by, and each moment was filled with fear and the desperate hope that he would come back safely.
During this time, the authorities posted a missing person’s notice on Facebook, describing the little boy in his blue tank top and pajama pants.
After what seemed like an endless night, the news everyone had hoped for finally arrived. Bodin was found on a ranch owned by a man named Scotty Dunton, which was an amazing seven miles away from where he lived!
But that’s not all; the way Bodin was discovered is truly incredible. Rancher Scotty Dunton shared in a police interview that his dog, Buford, was the one who found the missing boy while keeping watch over the ranch.
And here’s the coolest part: Scotty thinks that Buford probably helped keep Bodin safe and even guided him to safety, leading him at least a mile through the tough land.
Can you imagine this brave dog, this furry hero, gently helping a lost little boy find his way through the wild? It sounds like something out of a storybook!
Scotty described the moment he found Bodin, who was understandably upset but thankfully doing well, as a huge relief. Of course it was!
The heartwarming reunion everyone had been waiting for finally happened a week after Bodin’s scary adventure.
The moment when Bodin and Buford saw each other again must have been super emotional. Bodin’s dad, Corey, summed it up in an interview:
“I just look at a miracle, and I’m never going to forget it.”
Since then, Buford has become a local hero after his brave actions, and now he’s getting lots of gifts from thankful people. Scotty, who is really happy about all the love Buford is getting, shared:
“Toys, chew toys, snacks, you name it, just a little bit of everything.”
Scotty, who always pays attention to details, even looked at the tracks after Bodin was found. He added:
“He [Bodin] definitely walked the whole way. It was crazy. I got Buford with him for a mile. Then I got in the rocks and lost his track, but he was with him for at least a mile from my house.”
It’s hard to imagine a two-year-old covering seven miles through rugged wilderness, but knowing that Buford accompanied him for part of the journey makes the story all the more remarkable.
When the rescue was complete and Bodin was safely reunited with his family, Buford received a well-deserved honor. The loyal pup was officially made an honorary member of the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team and was even presented with a bright blue vest to mark the occasion.
John Harris, the 4×4 Unit Manager for the team, captured the emotions of the group perfectly:
“It’s very rewarding to our members when a search is successful, and people aren’t really focused on who found him. They’re just glad that they were found, that’s the bottom line.”
In the end, it’s all about bringing everyone home safely, and in this story, Buford is the special hero with four paws.
Looking ahead, Bodin’s family is determined to turn this terrifying experience into something positive. Just a day after they were reunited, Corey shared in an interview about their plans to help raise awareness about missing kids.
They never want another family to experience the fear and pain they felt. To help keep Bodin safe, he now wears a whistle around his neck and knows exactly how to use it if he ever needs help.
But their vision stretches beyond their own household. Corey came up with a heartfelt idea — to build “lighthouses” in valleys and other visible places. These lighthouses would shine brightly at night as beacons of safety and hope for everyone in the community.
And in a touching tribute to the dog who helped keep Bodin safe, Corey shared that these lighthouses would also feature whistles. Special “miracle whistles” would be available, with proceeds going toward funding the projects.
It’s a beautiful way to honor Buford’s courage and transform a terrifying moment into something positive for the entire community. Honestly, after hearing this story, it’s impossible not to want to give Buford a big hug — right after he’s showered with all the treats and belly rubs he deserves.
