DESTIN, Fla. – A loyal dog named Eeyore became a real-life hero after leading deputies to his owner’s missing 86-year-old mother, who had collapsed during a late-night walk, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Missing Senior Reported in Destin
On the night of September 25, deputies responded to a missing person report in Destin, Florida, after an elderly woman failed to return from a walk with her family’s dog. Her worried husband told officers that she had been gone for over an hour — far longer than her usual 10 to 15-minute stroll.
“She just takes that dog, but she never takes more than 10 or 15 minutes. It’s almost an hour now. It’s over an hour now,” the husband told deputies, according to bodycam footage.
Dog Refuses to Leave, Leads Officers to Help
Deputy Devon Miller, who previously made headlines for rescuing a cat from a drainage ditch, soon spotted Eeyore, the family’s dog, wandering alone down the street. When Miller tried to coax him home, Eeyore refused to follow — instead, he turned and began leading her into the dark neighborhood.
Following the determined pup, Deputy Miller soon found the 86-year-old woman lying on the sidewalk, injured but alert and conscious.
Emotional Reunion and Praise for the Pup
Body camera footage captured Miller recounting the heroic rescue:
“Eeyore wouldn’t leave. He kept coming back to me. He ran up to my car and I said, ‘Bring me to mommy,’ and he ran back here.”
The woman, relieved to see her furry companion, lovingly called Eeyore a “very good boy” and showered him with pets and kisses.
Sheriff’s Office Commends the Dog’s Heroism
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office praised Eeyore’s quick thinking and loyalty, saying his actions likely saved his owner’s mother’s life.
This heartwarming incident is another reminder of the unbreakable bond between humans and their pets, and how animals often act instinctively to protect and help their families in times of crisis.
Share Your Thoughts
Do you think dogs can sense when their owners are in danger? Have you ever experienced a similar moment with your pet? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below — we’d love to hear how your furry friends have come to the rescue!
