A 2-year-old toddler who walked out of her yard and into the Michigan woods was found safe and sound hours later with the family’s two loyal dogs by her side, according to news.
The Michigan State Police responded to a call around 8 p.m. that the girl was missing from her family home in Faithorn, an unincorporated town near the Wisconsin border. They enlisted drones and police search dogs while community members banded together to comb the woods.
Around midnight, a community member on an ATV heard one of the family’s dogs, a Rottweiler named Buddy, barking. The driver then noticed the girl lying on the ground and approached — only to be met with a growl from Hatley, the family’s English Springer spaniel, who was doing more than just protecting the toddler.
“She laid down and used one of the dogs as a pillow,” Michigan State Police Lt. Mark Giannunzio told the news. “The other dog laid right next to her and kept her safe.”
The toddler’s mother told news that the toddler and the dogs were very close, noting, “She has these dogs wrapped around her finger.”
A medical team checked the girl and said she was fine, according to news.
This story is a reminder of the incredible intelligence and loyalty of dogs to the people they love! There are many amazing dogs — and cats! — in shelters who are waiting for the chance to become part of a family and all of whom have their own amazing stories.
To read more uplifting news about how rescue animals have changed their guardians’ lives, check out this story about shelter escape artist Scout or the lifesaving Piper, or this very special cat Willow.
