A child's best friend: Loyal dog 'Dasher' guarded two-year-old who went missing in the Australian bush for fourteen hours

By SAM ADAMS

Loyal: Dasher was found to have stood loyally by the toddler's side as they wandered through the bush

A missing toddler has been found safe and well in the Australian bush after being guarded from harm by his family's faithful pet dog for 14 hours.
Dasher the German Shepherd was found by two-year-old Dante Berry's side when rescuers tracked them down in woodland more than four kilometers from his mother's home in Mildura, New South Wales.
Dante's mother Bianca Chapman raised the alarm after the pair disappeared from her front garden on Tuesday evening.

Safe: Dante Berry is cradled by his relieved mother Bianca Chapman after being found in woodland by rescuers

More than 100 police, firefighters and volunteers searched the bush for the missing pair, following their foot and paw prints as they wandered through the sandy scrub land, according to the Herald Sun.
A discarded nappy found next to a dirt track around two kilometers from the family's home was the breakthrough rescuers needed to find the pair.
They were eventually discovered when two police officers heard a loud cry in knee-high scrub several metres from the track, according to the Herald.
The youngster is thought to have cried out after treading on some prickles. He was described as being 'stunned' and dehydrated when they found him.

Journey: The pair were discovered by rescuers in woodland around four kilometers away from Dante's parents' home in Mildura, New South Wales.

The youngster, who had prickles in his bare feet after walking through the undergrowth, was finally reunited with his mother at 10am on Wednesday - 14 hours after he was reported missing.
Senior Constable Carol Rigby, who was one of two officers who found the pair, said they had first seen Dasher appearing in the bushes.
'(Dante) was very grubby. He had very grubby feet and legs and hands. He was more stunned and amazed than anything,' she told the Herald.

Sen Con Rigby said the child was in 'pretty good nick' following his ordeal - which had included being out in a thunderstorm.

Trail: Dante and Dasher left a trail of paw and footprints side by side in the sandy ground which was followed by rescuers

The toddler was taken home by his family before going to hospital where he was treated for dehydration and mild hypothermia.
Rescue team member Will Hanna told 7 News, 'you can just imagine what was going through his little mind [during the ordeal].
'Lucky he had his dog with him.'

Reward: The German Shepherd received a well-earned thank you from his family after guarding Dante until help arrived

His grandfather Percy Chapman said he was 'over the moon' about Dante's rescue, and thanked the many people who took part in the extensive search.
Dante's aunt Mariah Chapman told 7 News that she did not know whether to 'smile or cry' when the toddler was found. 'I'm just relieved,' she said.
Police have reportedly said they will investigate what led to his disappearance.



source: dailymail