Lost Michigan toddler found with family dogs

[TheOldTrout]

Story in the Guardian, a toddler had wandered off away from the family home. She was found unharmed in nearby woods, sleeping with one of the family pet dogs as her pillow and the other dog sleeping by her in a protective position.
What amazing dogs!

 

[Lady Jane]

What good dogs and what iresponsible parents .They had lost both child & dogs

 

[Birker2020]

I can never understand how this can happen. I was watched like a hawk whenni was a child.

This morning leaving Aberystwyth after our holiday has finished heading home. Just down by the Spar Shop on the main road if anyone knows it, was an old black dog and a little pug. They were roaming down the pavement, a number of us stopped our vehicles to try and catch them but they were scared.

But how did they get loose? Can't understand!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Dogs can get loose for a variety of reasons, tradesmen or delivery people leaving gates or doors open, gates or fences blowing down, holes in hedges, etc etc. I try not to be too judgemental, it can happen to anyone and as a kid, I was always doing a runner.

 

[ArklePig]

My dog got loose once because we didn't realise the seal on our pvc door had come loose so when Mr AP had closed the door it crept open again. I was raging at him til I realised what happened. It happens and we felt awful about it but all we can do is ensure it doesn't happen again.

Last week I followed a dog into traffic who had escaped from her elderly owner. He had lost his grip on her lead and was distraught by the time I found him. He told me he can't manage her anymore and he's thinking of rehoming her to someone who can. Broke my heart but he's probably not wrong. You'd be hard pressed to find two more loved dogs than the above examples.

I imagine kids are like dogs, opportunists with no concept of what can go wrong! I'm glad the story above had a happy ending.

 

[Books'n'dogs]

What good dogs and what iresponsible parents .They had lost both child & dogs

I wouldn't be that quick to judge. I've known two toddlers to wander off unbeknownst to their parents, one was accompanied by the family GSD and the other child was by itself (both children were quickly found, unharmed), neither set of parents was irresponsible and both took precautions so that it wouldn't happen again.

 

[Goldenstar]

All it takes is a moments inattention child and dogs wonder off every minute you look in the wrong place they are further away
American houses in rural areas often have no fences as well
Clever dogs

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’m certain the dog we had when my daughter was a baby would have done that.
I used to have a coffee break and pop the Tweenies on at a certain time each morning. He was first in position when he heard the theme music stretched out in front of the TV where my daughter and the little boy I looked after would go and lie with their heads on his tummy to drink their milk and watch.
He was a complete star.

 

[scats]

I can never understand how this can happen. I was watched like a hawk whenni was a child.

This morning leaving Aberystwyth after our holiday has finished heading home. Just down by the Spar Shop on the main road if anyone knows it, was an old black dog and a little pug. They were roaming down the pavement, a number of us stopped our vehicles to try and catch them but they were scared.

But how did they get loose? Can't understand!

My best mate managed to wander out of their back garden when she was 3, grab a can of her grandads beer that he kept at the side of the house and totter up the road, can in hand
She was found by a neighbour, who escorted her back, can aswell!

 

[Thistle]

Must be a Michigan thing! My husband (now 60) grew up in Michigan, in a large house on the lake shore. They had a boxer dog. Toddler husband and dog went missing. Search divers called in etc etc. Eventually found inside the kitchen larder where they had both pigged out on dog biscuits and fallen fast asleep. OH still eats the odd dog biscuit!

 

[Aperchristmas]

I was recently in a park with two friends who are parents. Because we were having a good natter, after about an hour or so their 4 year old very quietly sneaked away to join some older kids in a different part of the park (he had been told he wasn't allowed so he knew he needed to sneak). We didn't realise for a few minutes.

It made me realise how easy it is to lose a child in a group situation. I'd far rather be the sole person in charge of the kids at a park than in a group of friends where your mind wanders. Luckily this had no negative consequences - he was perfectly safe - but we all know it could have been different. Constant vigilance sadly!

 

[SereneSerenade]

Dogs indeed showed themselves to be amazing, protective companions. It's remarkable how they seemed to understand the toddler was alone and vulnerable, and instinctively stayed by her side to keep her safe. Dogs have such a strong bond with their human family members, especially the very young and elderly. I'm glad this toddler was watched over by her furry guardians until she could be safely returned home. It really shows the value pets can bring by providing unconditional love and care.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

My friend’s mum used to tie a rope around her older sister to prevent her climbing over the front gate when she was in the garden. She was very determined.

 

[misst]

I was full of righteous indignation until I remembered a nice man bringing my 2yo daughter home (naked! - the child not the man!). She had left her clothes in a pile inside the front door which I did not realise she could open. She had "gone for a walk". I don't know why she took her clothes off. I was in the kitchen and didn't know until a man called through our open front door "excuse me I think this might be your child". He had found her at the top of our road which was small in a quiet village. If I had had a dog at the time it would also have escaped! It was 34 years ago and I'd completely forgotten. I was a good parent most of the time!

 

[rabatsa]

My sister once wandered off, pushing her dolls pram. She went into town and was lost so she called in at a big house to see if they knew where she lived. The big house was the police station a good mile and a half from home and all my sister could tell them was her first name. Bobby's on the beat were looking for frantic parents, meanwhile my mother was oblivious as she thought my sister was playing next door.

Not sure of sisters age but certainly pre school.