Brave Dog Saves Missing 2-Year-Old After Night Alone In Arizona Wilderness
This is a story about a little two-year-old boy named Bodin Allen and a brave dog named Buford, whose paths crossed during a scary moment.
It’s the type of story that makes you feel hopeful about the goodness in the world, even when everything seems a bit lost.
One day, in the small town of Seligman, Arizona, a parent’s biggest fear came true. Little Bodin Allen, a curious and adventurous two-year-old, went missing from his family’s home.
His mom, Sarah, said that Bodin had just gone outside to play, like many toddlers do, their tiny legs taking them on little adventures that sometimes go too far.
But this time, Bodin’s fun turned into a frightening situation. As soon as they found out Bodin was missing, a frantic search started.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office quickly sent out a 40-person search team, showing how serious and urgent it was to find a lost child.
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 amazing to think about a two-year-old walking seven miles in the wild, but having a furry friend like Buford with him for part of that journey makes it even more special.
On the day they were reunited, Buford was honored by being made an honorary member of the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team. He even got a cool blue vest!
John Harris, the 4×4 Unit Manager for the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team, perfectly summed up the feelings of the search party:
“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 want to make sure that no other family has to go through the pain they felt. To keep Bodin safe, they have given him a whistle to wear around his neck and taught him how to use it.
But they don’t just want to focus on their own family; they want to help others, too. Corey has a big and kind idea to create ‘lighthouses’ in valleys and other places where people can see them at night.
These lighthouses will be bright and serve as symbols of safety and hope for everyone. He imagines that these places will also have playgrounds and fun things that make noise, bringing the community together to keep kids safe and happy.
And of course, in a sweet way to remember the brave dog, Buford, Corey mentioned that they will have whistles at these lighthouses. The money made from special ‘miracle’ whistles will go towards building the lighthouses.
This is a wonderful way to celebrate Buford’s courage and turn a scary moment into something positive for the community. This whole story makes you want to give Buford a big hug, especially after he gets all his treats and belly rubs, right?!
