A little boy, just two years old, walked seven miles through the Arizona wilderness on his own—and was finally discovered and rescued by a dog. An incident that has caused great relief but also amazement in the US.

According to the US magazine People, the boy disappeared from his home in Seligman, a small rural town in northwestern Arizona, on Sunday evening, April 14. His parents immediately alerted the authorities, prompting the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office to launch a large-scale search operation involving around 40 officers and air support.

Rescue on four paws

But rescue came on four paws: the next morning, a dog named Buford, an Anatolian Pyrenean dog, discovered the child on the property of his owner, rancher Scottie Dunton. According to People.com, Buford had barked unusually intensely, prompting Dunton to investigate – and find the boy sitting under a tree. He was exhausted but awake and responsive.

Rescued and protected

Rancher Dunton reported that the child had apparently sought shelter under the tree during the night. He told People:

“He was excited, but he had no injuries. I firmly believe that Buford not only found him, but also protected him.”

Mountain lions nearby

Particularly dramatic: according to People, during the nighttime search, emergency services spotted two mountain lions in the area – a real danger for a small child wandering alone in the region. This made the relief at the happy outcome all the greater.

The boy’s exact route cannot be fully traced. However, initial calculations suggest that he walked almost seven miles (over 11 kilometers) through rough terrain and over three small mountain ranges. A remarkable feat for a toddler.

The authorities praised the combination of rapid alerting, coordinated search efforts, and Buford’s keen sense of smell. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office called it a “miracle” in a statement.