Missing boy was protected through thunderstorm by his pet dog

A lost boy was found safe and sound in North Dakota this week under the protection of his beloved dog, Cooper.

After 3-year-old Carson Urness went missing from his yard around 7:30 p.m. Monday, a search party of about 200 people was organized to find the child, Valley News Live reports. About seven hours later, one of the volunteers spotted the golden retriever-german shepherd mix near a knoll; Carson was huddled underneath the pup. It appears the dog protected the missing boy from a thunderstorm by using his body to shield him.

"You think of the worst, but then I knew Cooper was gone. If anyone was going to find him, they'd just have to find Cooper," Carson's mother, Courtney Urness, told WDAZ-TV.

The boy and his dog were discovered about a mile away from the family's Cooperstown farm. Though those on foot were called off from the search around 2 a.m. Tuesday due to heavy rain, ATV riders continued until one four-wheeler spotted the dog.

As Carson rode back to the family home on the ATV, Cooper reportedly followed closely behind. The 3-year-old was taken to a local hospital for evaluation but appears to be in good shape after the ordeal, thanks to his loyal dog.

harrymuffin wrote:Dogs are guardian angels in fur form.

What a lovely story.