Latest news with #AnatolianPyrenees
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Buford the dog honored after rescue of missing toddler in northern Arizona
A heartwarming reunion took place on April 21 as 2-year-old Bodin Allen was reconnected with Buford, the ranch dog who played a crucial role in finding the toddler after he went missing in northern Arizona. On April 14, Bodin wandered away from his home in Seligman, sparking an intensive search by dozens of law enforcement officers and search-and-rescue teams. But it was Buford, an Anatolian Pyrenees, who found Bodin 7 miles from his home, guiding him to safety after the boy had spent the night alone under a tree. Buford's owner, Scottie Dunton, helped with the boy's safe return to his family after he saw Bodin and Buford wandering his property. In a special ceremony, Buford was honored for his heroics, receiving an honorary search-and-rescue certificate and a rescue vest. Yavapai County deputies gave Bodin a challenge coin in recognition of his bravery during the ordeal. The toddler had traveled through rugged, rural terrain in Yavapai County, remaining uninjured and avoiding wildlife spotted by authorities during the search. Buford found the boy while patrolling his land and likely shepherded him to safety. "Buford's vigilance and protective instincts, combined with Scottie Dunton's swift response, ensured Bodin's safe return to his family," Buford's certificate read. "Your actions exemplify the highest standards of community service and canine heroism." This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Buford the dog honored after rescue of missing toddler in northern Arizona
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Boy, 2, Who Spent Night in Wilderness Reunites with Dog Who Rescued Him 7 Miles from Home
Bodin Allen, 2, went missing from his home in Seligman, Ariz., on April 14 About 16 hours later, the child was discovered on the property of rancher Scotty Dunton seven miles away, where he had been led "at least a mile" to safety by Dunton's dog, Buford The toddler's dad tells PEOPLE one day after their reunion that the family plans to raise awareness about missing children There has been a touching reunion between a 2-year-old boy who spent the night alone in the remote Arizona wilderness and the dog who found him and led him to safety. The toddler, Bodin Allen, originally disappeared from his family's home in Seligman on April 14, said the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office. At the time, the boy's mother, Sarah, said her son went outside to play, NBC affiliate KPNX reported. A 40-person search team was dispatched when Bodin wandered off. Related: Young Boy Found Alive After Spending 5 Days Surrounded by Lions and Elephants in Game Park After 16 hours of searching for the child — who was wearing a blue tank top and pajama pants when he disappeared, according to a police missing person's poster shared via Facebook — he was discovered on the property of a rancher approximately seven miles from home. 'Upon arrival at the ranch, deputies confirmed that this indeed was the missing boy,' police said in their statement. Scotty Dunton, who was identified as the rancher, according to KPNX, said that his dog Buford, an Anatolian Pyrenees, had discovered the child while guarding his property. Dunton said Buford 'likely protected and directed the missing boy to safety,' in an on-camera police interview. The rancher told authorities that finding the child, who he said was 'upset' but 'in good shape,' was 'a relief.' On Monday, April 21, Bodin and Buford reunited for the first time since last week's incident, KPNX reported. Related: 4-Year-Old Girl Trapped Alone in Apartment with Mom and Brother's Bodies for at Least 2 Weeks, Survived on Chocolate 'I just look at a miracle, and I'm never going to forget it," Bodin's dad, Corey, told the outlet. Since the rescue, Buford has been showered with gifts from strangers for his heroism. 'Toys, chew toys, snacks, you name it, just a little bit of everything," said Dunton, per KPNX. Dunton also said he checked out the tracks shortly after the rescue. 'He [Bodin] definitely walked the whole way. It was crazy. I got Buford with him for a mile. Then I got in the rocks and lost his track, but he was with him for at least a mile from my house," Dunton recalled. On the day of their reunion, Buford was made an honorary member of the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team and received a special blue vest. 'It's very rewarding to our members when a search is successful, and people aren't really focused on who found him," Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team 4x4 Unit Manager John Harris told KPNX. "They're just glad that they were found, that's the bottom line.' Related: Days After Mom Speaks Out, Missing Daughter Last Seen on Doorbell Camera 1 Year Ago Is Found 'Safe' In a message to PEOPLE one day after their reunion, Corey says his family now plans to raise awareness about missing children. 'We have a whistle that stays on [Bodin's] necklace and he knows how to use it,' the dad says. 'We will build lighthouses, especially in valleys and very visible areas when lit up at night,' he continues.'There will be playgrounds and lots of fun noise-making things. This will be a community effort for the children.' Corey adds that whistles will be provided at the lighthouses, saying, 'We're working on making ones in honor of this miracle, and the proceeds will go towards the lighthouse initiative.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Anatolian Pyrenees' Sweet Reunion with Toddler He Rescued Is Giving People the Feels
A two-year-old boy named Boden Allen made it home safely after being lost in the harsh Arizona desert, all because of an Anatolian Pyrenees rescue dog named Buford. The toddler walked seven miles through harsh terrain, somehow avoiding wild animals or any kind of injuries. NBC News shared a video on TikTok showing the dog and boy's reunion. Buford, a local rancher's farm dog, was recognized by the community and was made an honorary member of the Yavapai County Search and Rescue team after finding the little boy and walking him to safety. Viewers left more than 600 comments on NBC News' video and the new friends. @okay and shared a similar story that occurred when she was young, "I got lost in the wooded area behind my house when I was a kid, and my neighbor's hound found me. She was genuinely mad when she saw me! She pushed me forward with her nose & huffed the whole way." @Juniper Jupiter was spot on when they said, "Buford looks like a he could talk he'd say, "It's just what ya do." LOL!" @ST pointed out, "Buford is tired of people and wants to be left alone." and @Wrinkles the Clown added, "Buford seems annoyed by the fuss."CBS News reported that the boy was reported missing just before 5 p.m. on Monday, April 21st, after he wandered off from his home in Seligman, Arizona, a small town with a population of less than 1,000 people. He was wearing only a tank top and pajama pants. Temperatures overnight were in the low 50s in the harsh desert; I can't imagine how cold and scared the little boy must have been! Searchers looked for him all night but found no trace of the toddler. Then on Tuesday morning, Buford's dad, Scotty Dunton, found an unexpected guest waiting for him with the dog, "I'd heard about the missing child before I was going to town, and when I was driving out the driveway, I noticed my dog was sitting down by the entrance. I looked up, and there's a little kid standing there with my dog." Dunton's house is about seven miles from the Boden's home, and he says it's separated by rough terrain including "three big mountain ranges" and "big valleys." It's a miracle the boy was found. Buford really is a hero!
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Buford, dog who rescued 2-year-old boy lost in Arizona wilderness, showered with gifts
The dog that led a 2-year-old boy to safety after he spent a night alone in the Arizona wilderness last week is being praised for his heroism with an influx of gifts from strangers. Scotty Dunton, who owns the 6-year-old Anatolian Pyrenees named Buford, said gifts have been arriving at his doorstep since Boden Allen's rescue. "Toys, chew toys, snacks, you name it, just a little bit of everything," Dunton told NBC affiliate KPNX of Mesa. Dunton added that he has heard from people all over the world since his dog's rescue mission and that Buford is now an honorary member of the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team. The team even gave Buford a vest. Boden wandered off from his family's Seligman home on April 14. His father, Cory Allen, said he was working on the roof while his wife, Sarah Allen, tended to their 1-year-old child, KPNX previously reported. The couple called family members for help searching for the toddler and eventually contacted the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office. More than 40 rescuers and a Department of Public Safety helicopter were brought in to assist in the search effort. "I didn't even know how to process," Sarah told the news station. "I looked at his empty bed in the middle of the night, and I'm like this isn't real, he's not — how is he not here? How is he out by himself somewhere in the dark?" Dunton, a local rancher, said that about 16 hours after Boden disappeared, he found the toddler on his property. According to KPNX, Buford, the dog, found the child sleeping under a tree and led him back to Dunton's ranch, which is about 7 miles from the Allens' home. The rancher previously told the news station that he had traced the child's steps and found that Buford had escorted him for at least a mile. Cory told the news station that he feels like "God sent that dog to rescue my son." "It's unreal and it's unbelievable," Sarah added. On Monday, Boden was reunited with Buford, KPNX reported. Cory said life is back to normal for his family, and Boden is "active" and "exploring all the time." This article was originally published on
NBC News
22-04-2025
- General
- NBC News
Buford, dog who rescued 2-year-old boy lost in Arizona wilderness, showered with gifts
The dog that led a 2-year-old boy to safety after he spent a night alone in the Arizona wilderness last week is being praised for his heroism with an influx of gifts from strangers. Scotty Dunton, who owns the 6-year-old Anatolian Pyrenees named Buford, said gifts have been arriving at his doorstep since Boden Allen's rescue. "Toys, chew toys, snacks, you name it, just a little bit of everything," Dunton told NBC affiliate KPNX of Mesa. Dunton added that he has heard from people all over the world since his dog's rescue mission and that Buford is now an honorary member of the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team. The team even gave Buford a vest. Boden wandered off from his family's Seligman home on April 14. His father, Cory Allen, said he was working on the roof while his wife, Sarah Allen, tended to their 1-year-old child, KPNX previously reported. The couple called family members for help searching for the toddler and eventually contacted the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office. More than 40 rescuers and a Department of Public Safety helicopter were brought in to assist in the search effort. "I didn't even know how to process," Sarah told the news station. "I looked at his empty bed in the middle of the night, and I'm like this isn't real, he's not — how is he not here? How is he out by himself somewhere in the dark?" Dunton, a local rancher, said that about 16 hours after Boden disappeared, he found the toddler on his property. According to KPNX, Buford, the dog, found the child sleeping under a tree and led him back to Dunton's ranch, which is about 7 miles from the Allens' home. The rancher previously told the news station that he had traced the child's steps and found that Buford had escorted him for at least a mile. "It's unreal and it's unbelievable," Sarah added. KPNX reported. Cory said life is back to normal for his family, and Boden is "active" and "exploring all the time."
