In a heartwarming story from Arizona, a 2-year-old boy named Boden Allen recently went missing from his home and embarked on a solo journey through rugged wilderness, walking over 10 kilometers in an area known for its dangerous wildlife, including mountain lions. Fortunately, a loyal ranch working dog found him and stayed by his side, ultimately leading to his miraculous survival.
According to reports from KPNX TV station, Boden left his home in Yavapai County on April 14th around 4 p.m. and walked approximately 7 miles (11.3 kilometers) in the wilderness. His journey was filled with challenging terrains, rocky paths, and dense vegetation, but he managed to avoid encounters with wild animals and remained unharmed.
At the time, Boden was only wearing a tank top, pajama pants, and casual shoes with no protective gear. His parents immediately contacted family members and authorities to report him missing, leading to a search operation involving over 40 individuals and even helicopters.
The Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team tirelessly searched for Boden through hiking, driving off-road vehicles, and utilizing helicopters, continuing the operation for 16 hours non-stop.
In the early hours of the following day, ranch owner Scotty Dunton discovered his ranch dog Buford accompanying a crying blond-haired toddler, Boden. Dunton comforted the boy and brought him inside before alerting the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office about the discovery.
Dunton revealed that Buford found Boden sleeping under a tree, stayed with him, and guided him back to the ranch. Based on the footprints, Buford had walked at least 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) with Boden.
The Sheriff’s Office mentioned during a news release that during the nighttime helicopter search, Boden was found in an area where mountain lions were spotted. Dunton emphasized that Buford found Boden while patrolling the ranch, providing protection and guiding him to safety. Boden told Dunton that he had been sleeping under a tree.
Boden was safely reunited with his parents soon after. His father expressed gratitude, considering Buford as a dog sent by God to rescue his son. The mother described the experience as surreal and unbelievable.
Buford, the hero who saved Boden, received gifts from people worldwide, including toys and dog food, as tokens of appreciation. Buford was also made an honorary member of the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team, receiving a special vest as recognition for his heroic actions.
John Harris, the team supervisor, stated that their members felt immense relief when the search concluded successfully, emphasizing that the important thing was finding the boy regardless of who found him.
Today, Boden has resumed his normal active and exploratory lifestyle, showing resilience and a love for adventure. His father stated that they would never forget the ranch dog who saved their son. “I witnessed a miracle. I will never forget.”
(Click here to watch related video footage.)