The two-year-old, lost overnight in the Arizona desert, is safe after the rancher dog leads him to civilization.

The toddler was reported missing just before the Yabapai County Sheriff’s Office Monday before 5pm I said it on social media. a Missing Person Poster The sheriff’s office shared it, identifying the toddler as Borden Allen and saying he last saw it in a tank top and pajama pants.

According to the sheriff’s office, Borden was wandering in a remote town with a population of less than 1,000 in Seligman, Arizona.

A search was soon launched, including 40 members of the search and rescue team, several deputies from the Yavapay and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, and members of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The search lasted overnight. Crews of the Public Safety Bureau Ranger Rescue Helicopter said they found two mountain lions in the area, according to the sheriff’s office. County temperatures ranged overnight in the 40s to 50s low, weather history site timeanddate.com said.

No searchers were found overnight, but on Tuesday morning, an area rancher found something amazing at the end of the driveway.

“I’ve heard about a missing child before I went to town. I was driving down the driveway and noticed my dog ​​was sitting by the entrance,” the rancher said in an interview with the sheriff’s office. CBS Affiliate KPHO He was identified as Scotty Dunton. “I look up and there’s a little kid standing there with my dog.”

Danton said his home is about seven miles away from the toddler’s home and is separated by rough terrain, including “three big mountain ranges” and “Big Valley.” He speculated that Borden walked a clear path under the power line, but he still “can’t believe a child made that much.” The sheriff’s office checked the distance between Borden and Dunton’s home.

Danton says he brought Borden inside and gives him something to eat and drink. He asked the toddler if he had been walking all night. The boy said he was sleeping under a tree. Danton believes the trees are on horse pastures. Danton then said he asked if his dog, Buford, had an Anatolia Pyrenean, found him. The boy said yes, Danton said.

Buford is a “guard dog” who patrols within 50 miles of the house at night, keeping coyotes away from their property, Danton said. He told the sheriff’s office he believes Buford came to the toddler and protected him while taking him to safety.

“That’s what he does. He loves children so when he finds him, you can imagine him not leaving him,” Danton said. “It was a relief that he was alive. He was fine and I was excited that my dog ​​found him.”

Danton calls the police and lets them know that the child is on his property. Deputies confirmed it was a missing juvenile. The sheriff’s office did not say whether the juvenile was taken for medical care after he was found.

Danton told the Az Family that Buford will continue his guardianship obligations but not without his reward.

“Yeah, he’s having steak dinner tonight, my wife has already said,” Danton said. “He did a great job.”