A MISSING two-year-old girl has been found along with her dog, who kept her safe overnight for seven hours, reveal Guardia Civil officers in the province of Ávila.
The toddler was walking with her dad in the mountains near the town of Gil García when the father noticed she was missing at around 19.20.
Their dog, a podenco – a Spanish breed similar to a greyhound, originally bred for hunting but becoming more popular as family pets due to their gentle nature – had also vanished.
Police, mountain rescuers and the Guardia Civil's environmental wing, SEPRONA, combed the area hunting for the child and the dog all night long, and her desperate parents – who were actively involved in the search - were starting to fear the worst.
Four kilometres away from where she disappeared, the little girl was found at around 07.00 in the morning, asleep and with her dog wrapped around her.
Police heard the dog growling, protecting his little owner, which led them to her.
The podenco had not left the tot's side for a second, and the little girl explained he had been curled up around her all night.
After the emotional reunion with her parents – and promises of extra treats for the dog – the toddler was taken to hospital for a check-up, although she did not appear distressed, thanks to her pet's care, and was in perfect health.
The dog does not appear in the photograph (taken by the Guardia Civil and showing the little girl and her parents at the front), but he is also said to be in perfect health.
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