So loyal. Max is deaf and blind, but stayed with Aurora until they were rescued. Photo / Facebook
So loyal. Max is deaf and blind, but stayed with Aurora until they were rescued. Photo / Facebook
A deaf and partially blind old blue heeler named Max is being praised by Queensland police for helping to keep a three-year-old girl safe while she spent the night lost in Queensland bushland.
Aurora was reported missing after she wandered away from her family property at Cherry Gully, south ofWarwick at about 3pm on Friday.
Max, 17, followed Aurora and stayed by her side as she slept overnight in bushland while temperatures dropped to 15C, reports News.com.au.
About 100 police, State Emergency Services workers and members of the public resumed their search at first light on Saturday.
The girl's grandmother, Leisa Marie Bennett, heard Aurora faintly from the top of a mountain on the family property, about 2km from home.
The three-year-old was in good spirits when rescue workers found her with Max. Photo / Facebook
She first found Max, who led her to Aurora, who had only minor cuts and scratches.
Ms Bennett's partner Kelly Benston expressed their relief on social media, saying the little adventurer had been brave during her ordeal.
"She was found off of Old Stanthorpe Rd. Went down a small valley and went up the face of a small mountain and camped there for the night. The dog camped with her. Found around 7:30am by Leisa Marie Bennett and Jaime Tatterton," he posted on Facebook.
"She's OK. Few scratches from brush but wasn't even scared. Leisa heard her from down in the valley on the mountainside." SES area controller Ian Phipps said it was a wonderful outcome. "With the weather last night it's quite lucky she is well because it was ... cold and raining," he told ABC radio.
"She's a very hardy young lass to survive that without any ill effects and everyone, all the volunteers, are extremely happy."
Queensland Police were so impressed with Max's bravery they have made him an honorary police dog.
