ONALASKA, Wash. -- A 2-year-old boy who wandered away from his home in Onalaska may have stayed alive with the help of his puppy, reported KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

Ashley Teafatiller said her son, Nathaniel, and his black Labrador puppy, Stanley, got out of the house and vanished at about 8 p.m. Sunday after boy's father fell asleep.

"I was absolutely hysterical, " said Teafatiller.

About 150 searchers spread out look for Nathaniel, who had managed to walk more than a mile away from his home, Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield said.

By 11 p.m., a Toldeo firefighter with a portable infrared scanner spotted a heat signal that turned out to be the boy.

"They think Stanley is what kept him going because it was obviously really cold last night," said Teafatiller.

Nathaniel was found lying on the cold ground with Stanley snuggled next to him.

During his adventure, the boy stripped off his pants and diaper and was found in only a t-shirt and socks.

Though cold, the toddler was not hurt.

On Monday, Teafatiller installed a new lock high up on the door through which Nathaniel escaped.