A Dog, a Toddler, and a Long, Cold Night

"Family dog kept watch over missing 2-year-old overnight"
WIS News 10 (April 1, 2011, updated April 2, 2011)

"A missing 2-year-old boy in Elgin was found Saturday morning after Kershaw County deputies say the family dog kept him warm and safe all night.

"Sheriff Jim Matthews said 22-month-old Tyler Jacobson was reunited with his family after he was found across the street behind a neighbor's home when someone reported hearing crying in the area.

"Tyler was reported missing around 8:00pm Friday from a residence on Ashley Creek Drive. Matthews said the boy's mother, 25-year-old Jacklyn Marie Jacobson, and her boyfriend Jose Gloria told investigators Tyler went to get some juice and didn't come back.

"Kershaw County deputies used a bloodhound tracking team and a SLED helicopter with infrared capabilities, but called the search off around 12:30am Saturday. The search resumed around 7:45am, and the boy was found shortly thereafter. 'Just thinking that a dog would watch a baby over the night, it's kind of like a movie instead of real life,' said Emily DuBose, who lives in the house outside which the baby was found...."

Overnight temperatures were in the 40s, Fahrenheit: so besides a measure of security, the unnamed dog (unnamed in the article, that is) provided young Tyler with warmth.

As for the situation being "kind of like a movie instead of real life," the Lemming agrees that it's a bit like a premise for the old Lassie show.

On the other hand, dogs are proverbially loyal critters - some more than others, of course.

The Lemming's just glad Tyler had a guardian that night.

Sort-of-related posts:

• "Japan: Sort-of-Good News, the Emperor, and a Dog Story"
  (April 2, 2011)
• "Chaser and 1,022 Toys: The Dog Knows What Each One's Called"
  (December 25, 2010)
• "A Good Dog: Not Bright, But a Good Dog"
  (December 3, 2010)
• "One Cat, One Puppy, 30 Seconds of Cute"
  (June 22, 2010)
• "A Puppy, a Transmission, and a Happy Ending"
  (June 4, 2010)