A toddler in northwest Arizona is safe after a harrowing overnight adventure in mountain lion territory. The 2-year-old boy, Boden Allen, was reported missing on Monday afternoon from his home near Seligman, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. He was last seen wearing a tank top, pajama pants, and Vans sneakers.
The hero of this story is Buford, a 160-pound half-Pyrenees and half-Anatolian working ranch dog. After a 16-hour search involving multiple agencies and over 40 people, rancher Scotty Dunton found the toddler early Tuesday morning, accompanied by Buford. Dunton, who owns and operates the 25,000-cattle Dunton Ranch in Kingman with his wife, Dawn, was alerted about the missing boy by his wife.
Dunton was deeply concerned about the boy’s safety, given the cold nighttime temperatures. His fears were allayed when he spotted his dog walking alongside the little boy. Dunton Ranch was approximately 7 miles from where Boden was last seen. The toddler was understandably upset when found, but Dunton comforted him and immediately contacted the sheriff’s office.
After hydrating and eating some snacks, Boden seemed to be in better spirits. Dunton, a father and grandfather himself, was amazed by the resilience of the young boy. He was able to trace some of the path the toddler had taken by following his tiny shoe prints alongside Buford’s paw prints.
The weather conditions were challenging, with overnight temperatures in the 20s near Kingman, although they had warmed into the 40s when Boden spent his night outdoors. According to Dunton, Boden said he had curled up under a tree with Buford, whose fur likely provided warmth during the cold night.
In addition to the long walk and the cold, Boden also managed to avoid wildlife predators. Dunton mentioned the presence of lions, coyotes, and even bears in the area. The Arizona Department of Public Safety rangers, who were searching for the toddler in a helicopter, spotted two mountain lions along the terrain the boy had traversed.
Buford, who helps protect the cattle on Dunton Ranch from coyotes, was in the right place at the right time to find the missing boy. Dunton believes that Buford would have done anything to protect the toddler from harm. Boden was eventually reunited with his parents, who were understandably relieved and overjoyed to see him safe. As for Buford, he was rewarded with a well-deserved rib-eye steak for dinner.