A 4-year-old boy disappeared in the dense woods of Buena Vista Township, New Jersey, on March 28, 2023, sparking an immediate search by state police.

The boy had wandered off with his black Labrador, and after a tense hour, they were found when the boy, crying, emerged from the forest with the dog by his side. The boy rushed to his mother and a trooper, and both were relieved to find him unharmed.

The loyal Labrador stayed with the boy the entire time, earning praise from many online. “Give this dog an award!” one commenter wrote.