A 17-year-old blue heeler by the name of Max has been hailed as a hero after he spent the night protecting a missing three-year old girl who was lost in the bush, then led rescuers to her the following morning.
Young Aurora went missing on April 20th after she wandered off from her home at 3:00 on Friday afternoon in Southern Downs, Queensland, Australia. Rescuers braved wet weather to search for the missing toddler that night, but were unable to track her.
“The area around the house is quite mountainous and is very inhospitable terrain to go walking in, so she’d traveled quite a distance with her dog that was quite loyal to her,” said SES area controller Ian Phipps. “The search was actually quite hard where the volunteers and the police were.”
On Saturday morning, State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers, police and public volunteers were able to locate the toddler and her four legged bodyguard at around 8:00am, over 15 hours since she had disappeared from her home.
It was Aurora’s grandmother, Leisa Bennett, who first spotted the missing duo around 2 kilometres from their home. Mrs Bennett said she was searching and calling for her granddaughter when she heard her yell in response.
“I shot up the mountain… and when I got to the top, the dog came to me and led me straight to her,” she said. “It could have gone any of 100 ways, but she’s here, she’s alive, she’s well and it’s a great outcome for our family.”
Max is a 17-year-old cattle dog who is deaf and partially blind, but this loyal friend kept Aurora warm and safe through the rainy night. The toddler only suffered a few minor grazes from her overnight ordeal.
On the 1st of May, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) presented Max with a QPS collar and special medal, making this brave pup Queensland’s first ever honorary police dog.
Is that some type of bolt I see below his chin… god I hope he’s not normally chained up. If so maybe this is the owners cue to stop this practise. Good boy Max… you are an amazing senior… goes to show you that everything gets better with age!!!
Max, you’re the greatest! More PROOF that animals are emotional beings, not just “things”, not “property” not to be abused, tortured and murdered. What might have happened to little Aurora without Max?
Great story…………….still smiling. Thank you Max u are my hero. I hope that the OWNERS gave Max a big fat steak for saving AURORA. BEST WISHES TO YOU BOTH AND YOUR FAMILY.
This will be a beautiful story ONLY if this dog gets taken care of for rest of its natural life. Would love to hear a follow up on this great dog.
What a wonderful dog , Max is. So glad this dog saved the child, and glad he has a good home
Dogs are awesome! God bless all dogs/cats that they have a healthy/happy life since they give so much love/help. They help us more than we help them.
Bravo!! Max!!
BEAUTIFUL STORY. ANIMALS ARE AWESOME.
This is amazing!! Continue posting these great stories 🙂
GREAT JOB! A HERO! ?❤
GREAT JOB! A HERO!
Such a special story!
WONDERFUL. DISPLAYS THE LOVING BOND DOGS AND HUMANS HAVE. MAX IS A TRUE HERO.
AWESOME DOG!!!
How precious.
It warms my heart to see stories like this one…
COMMENT
This story tells me exactly why animals should be treated with loving care they are selfless beings.. this loving dogs only thought was to protect this little girl from harm which is what he did what a brave soul.
Thank goodness for this great little dog. I think it really should make people understand just how much a animal can do the love they feel for their family. They are worth so much more than they get credit for like the people who abuse animals and what the courts hand out to them should be taken much more seriously than it is. Animals are family to us we love them and they love us. I’m so glad this little girl is safe and her dog made sure of it.
Animals are so full of love and so loyal. What a wonderful story,what a wonderful dog. How refreshing to see a story like this.
That’s a great dog!
LET FIND THE ANGEL THAN !!!
More proof dogs are great and we need better laws to protect them!
Dogs are very loyal pets and this one was truly a hero. Being partially blind and deaf did not stop this dog from knowing that this toddler was in need of help and kept her warm and as safe as he could throughout the night. This is truly a wonderful heroic story.
What a hero bless him
THAT’S ONE HERO DOG
what a wonderful story and shows how loyal animals are i am sure the family love this lovely pet. we as humans need to look after them all too and appreciate them as they give us so much trust. Great news that they were both safe
What a wonderfull story!!!MAX DESERVE TO BE HONORED!!!!?????
THIS IS PROOF HOW WONDERFUL DOGS ARE ….
Dogs are awesome animals and very loyal as Max proved. Great job Max. You’re my hero. I’m so glad Aurora is safe and at home again and especially glad Max was with her. God bless you Max – you’re an angel in disguise.
Animals have so much natural love.
If we needed any more proof of dogs’ intelligence and loyalty, here is Max. He doesn’t know he’s a hero. He just did what any dog would do, and what every person OUGHT to do. God bless him.
What a great story!!! God bless them both.
Max is a hero! How wonderful! 🙂 🙂
Thank God for Max, blue healers are intuitive and smart. I fostered one she learned after one introduction of my requests. She also learned meaning of words. Many hugs for Aurora & Max ??. Another heartfelt account of how intelligent mammals are. Hence more the reason the judicial system & the U.S.A., government MUST HOLD ABUSERS ACCOUNTABLE & THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS TRANSPIRE, LAWS NEED TO BE INACTED AND SENTENCING, NO MORE TURNING YOUR HEADS .
SERIOUSLY CONCERNED CITIZEN
Deb Galarneau & family
This proves that animals are sentient beings that minds, souls, feelings and thoughts. What an amazing story. Thanku Max. ????
There are no words that can express how touching this story to me. I am so proud of Max. It just shows how loyal some animals can be.
Good for you, Max!
Oh my days, I’m just filling up here. What a
Wonderful 17 year young pup. dogs do have souls, this one definitely has a whopper!! ????
This story could have had a much different ending. Max you are a true hero and Im so glad you were honoured for staying with your little person. Dogs are angels in disguise. Hope you get lots of extra tlc.
What a wonderful story. Thank God and Max for watching over little Aurora that night.
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE & LOYAKTY!!! TRUE BEST FRIEND, PROTECTOR & HERO!!! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL DOG!
Yet again this really shows how a dog is a person’s best friend what a great story & outcome.
This dog is a hero–thank God the little girl is safe!
That is so cool, it shows how loyal a dog is.im glad to hear everything went good and the child is home same and sound. Very cool that the police did what they did honoring the dog that way. Very heart warming story thanks for sharing.
LOVE THIS STORY!!! DOGS ARE FAITHFUL COMPANIONS AND WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PROTECT THEM.