Arizona Toddler Survives 7-Mile Trek Through the Wild — Found by Hero Dog Named Buford
This one’s got all the ingredients of a modern-day legend: a lost child, a rugged wilderness, and one good dog.
Earlier this week, a two-year-old boy went missing in Seligman, Arizona, about 100 miles south of the Grand Canyon. He disappeared sometime Monday night, and for a terrifying 16 hours, no one knew where he was.
The search effort was massive — over 40 trained rescue personnel combed the area, which is known for rough terrain, remote stretches, and yes, mountain lions and coyotes. But the twist? None of them found the boy.
That job went to a dog named Buford.
The next morning, a rancher named Scottie Dunton was about to run errands when he spotted Buford trotting up — and walking side-by-side with the missing boy.
The boy had somehow managed to walk seven miles overnight, surviving the desert wilderness on foot. According to reports, he told rescuers he’d been sleeping under a tree when Buford appeared and led him back to safety.
It’s not clear how Buford found him — divine doggy instinct or pure loyalty, perhaps — but the rancher said it was like something out of a movie.
Despite the ordeal, the boy is reportedly okay, which is nothing short of a miracle considering the conditions.
This story isn’t just about survival — it’s about instinct, loyalty, and a dog doing what dozens of trained professionals couldn’t. Buford’s being hailed as a hero in boots-and-spurs country, and honestly, give that pup a medal — and a steak.
