Due to Kaydon’s age, many thought the worse; he was after all only 6 years old and lost in the cold and dark.
The boy had gone missing near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which offered difficult terrain for those trying to find him, especially at night.
Finally, after being gone for almost a day, Kaydon was found less than half a mile from his home. He was purple and cold but otherwise in good shape.
Growled at rescuers
Officers credited his dog, a black and white terrier called Chula, for keeping him safe and helping him find his way back home.
When Kaydon walked out of the woods with his beloved pet, Chula had growled at rescuers, showing just what a good guard dog he was.
The boy and his dog were wrapped in warm blankets and Kaydon was taken to the nearest hospital to be checked over.
This is the dog that was guarding 6-year-old Kaydon Leach when a search crew found them this afternoon. The boy & his dog were missing overnight in the rain for 22 hours. @wbir https://t.co/FJBpJfjNCp pic.twitter.com/gsKeMTR1mt
— Melissa Crowe (@melissacrowee) April 24, 2018
Kaydon’s family said in a statement:
“We’re so thankful to everyone, from local law enforcement agencies to volunteers, who helped us find Kaydon. The amount of support we have received has been tremendous, even from people we don’t even know. We appreciate all our friends and neighbors, and ask for privacy at this time.”
What luck that Kaydon had Chula with him. Besides being able to keep him warm, he also helped to guide him and keep him company, potentially scaring anything that came near them away.
Share to pay tribute to hero dog Chula who kept this little boy safe all night.