Home News 

Story

Pup May Have Saved Wandering Toddler's Life, Mom Says

Posted: 7:55 am PDT April 13, 2009Updated: 3:01 pm PDT April 14, 2009

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.

More Headlines

Fun Slideshows

Heidi Klum and her post-baby body led the parade at the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show, which returned to New York with some fresh faces after four years on the road. View Images ››


Images In The News

A man breaks into an excavator in the middle of the night and goes on a destructive rampage. View Images ››


SeattleInsider

From ex-lovers taking revenge, to disastrous photoshop mistakes, click to be impressed, amazed and maybe even horrified all at the same time. Full Story ››