Missing Toddler Walks 7 Miles Into Wilderness, Then a Dog He'd Never Met Finds Him

September 14, 2026

A toddler wandered 7 miles into the Arizona wilderness and spent the night missing. Search and rescue teams searched for more than 16 hours, even using helicopters, but they couldn't find him.

Then Buford, a nearby ranch dog, followed his instincts and traveled about a mile from home. The Anatolian Pyrenees found the little boy sleeping under a tree, stayed by his side, and helped lead him back toward safety.