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Family Dog Faithfully Protects Toddler After He 'Runs Off Alone'

Family Dog Faithfully Protects Toddler After He 'Runs Off Alone'

Definitely a good boy...

James Dawson

James Dawson

A missing child has been found in Missouri, with his faithful canine companion keeping watch.

As you can see in the video below, a search party had been organised to track down two-year-old William Odom, only for him to be found in a truck near his family home.

Credit: WLOX News

Excuse me a second, while I take you back to primary school assemblies. There you were no doubt at one point or another told about the legend of Gelert the dog - the faithful hound of Welsh Prince, Llywelyn the Great, back in the day.

In the legend, Llywelyn returned from hunting to find his baby missing, the cradle overturned, and with the hound's mouth smeared with blood. Without a second thought the prince killed the dog, only to then hear the cries of the baby, unharmed under the cradle, along with a dead wolf killed by Gelert.

It's a sad tale for sure - a legend that ends with Llywelyn being so devoed that he 'never smiled again ' - but it also goes to show it's not always wise to doubt man's best friend.

The spirit of Gelert was certainly invoked here, in after toddler William went missing in Saucier, Missouri.

The child's parents, neighbours and the police all set out in search of the child, worried for his safety. Several hours later they discovered the boy sleeping in a truck a quarter of a mile from his home - but they also discovered he had never been alone.

Credit: WLOX News

"Every time we found his footprint, we found the [family] dog footprint right beside him. So the dog traveled with him all day," Harrison County Sheriff Troy Peterson told People. "When the little boy was found the dog was still circling the truck and scratching on the truck."

After reuniting the toddler with his family they discovered that the child must have simply wandered off, however, the dog stayed with him in order to ensure his safety.

Credit: WLOX News

"It's an amazing story. We're very thankful that he is in good health. And we brought him home to his family," Peterson added.

On this occasion , let's hope that the family dog didn't get the Gelert treatment, aye.

Featured Image Credit: WLOX News

Topics: Dog

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