The goodest of good boys.
Family and emergency services were alarmed after three-year-old Aurora wandered off my herself in Queensland's Southern Downs.
But, luckily, she had man's best friend to keep her company.
Dog Max, who is 17-years-old, partially blind and deaf, stayed with the little girl throughout the night and eventually led search parities to her.
Now for his good work, Max the blue heeler has been named an honorary police dog. And has been given plenty of belly rubs.
SUCH A GOOD BOY, MAX! He stayed with his 3-year-old human who was lost near Warwick last night while we frantically searched for her. For keeping her safe, you're now an honorary police dog. https://t.co/QiszGFP4gg via @ABCNews pic.twitter.com/xxRc6ndeaK
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) 21 April 2018
Aurora as reported missing after wandering off by herself at about 3pm on Friday and wasn't found until the following morning at 8am.
Max stayed by her the entire time, even sleeping together-saving Aurora from hypothermia.
Speaking to ABC, Kelly Benston, the partner of Aurora's grandmother, said that the grandmother heard the girl calling from a distance on Saturday morning.
"She found the dog first. Max led her to Aurora," Benston said.
We don’t deserve dogs. https://t.co/f7NX7GXJcX
— blahblah (@danananah87) 21 April 2018
The pair were found about 2 kms from the family's house, in an inhospitable area.
"The area around the house is quite mountainous and is very inhospitable terrain to go walking in, so she'd travelled quite a distance with her dog that was quite loyal to her," authorities said, "The search was actually quite hard where the volunteers and the police were, amongst the very steep slopes full of lantana and other vegetation."
The little girl could have easily slipped and fallen, but her loyal guard dog stayed with her, keeping her safe the whole time.
Bennett said she managed to track down Aurora after the girl responded to her shouting.
The goodest of doggos https://t.co/dOLrRrFS7B
— Patrick Williams (@PatrickWilliams) 21 April 2018
"When I heard her yell 'Grammy' I knew it was her," she said. "I shot up the mountain ... and when I got to the top, the dog came to me and led me straight to her."
Apart from some light cuts and bruises, the girl was completely fine, much to the relief of her grandmother.
"I think [Aurora] was a bit overwhelmed by the tears and the howling, but I explained to her how happy those tears were," Bennet continued.
"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 the honorary police dog deserves all the treats for his heroism. He truly is a very good boy.
