Buford is an Anatolian Pyrenees mixed-breed dog. These dogs are big dogs of 100 to 150 pounds, known as good guard dogs with loyal temperaments and for being gentle with children. They are often used as livestock guardian dogs because of their natural guarding instincts.
Buford lives on a large cattle ranch in central Arizona in the wilderness. His job is to protect the cattle from predators like coyotes, and at night he often patrols a big circle around the ranch house to make sure no predators are near.
But one night, for some reason, Buford walked a longer way from home than normal. He walked over foothills, threading his way through big boulders, shrubs, and cacti by the light of the moon.
A mile away from home he came across a small boy wandering alone in the desert. Boden is only two years old. He had on pajama bottoms and a tank top — not enough clothing to keep him warm on a cold desert night. He had a few scratches on his arm and face.
Buford instinctively knew the boy needed protection ... and Boden had gotten a much-needed friend. Miles from nowhere in the desert, they lay down under a tree and fell asleep, Boden curled up next to Buford to keep warm.
Boden had been reported missing the day before. Over 40 search-and-rescue personnel were looking for him as Boden and Buford slept. With strong flashlights, they were checking behind every rock, shrub and cactus. With wild animals prowling around, they knew the lost little boy was in serious danger.
A helicopter with an infrared sensor flew overhead, men constantly monitoring their screen for an image of what might be a small boy on the ground below. With this equipment they spotted two mountain lions prowling about, but they found no sign of Boden. He had walked farther than they thought possible for such a little boy ... seven miles from home!
The day before, Boden’s dad had been nailing shingles on the roof of the house while his mom was inside with Boden. When his one-year-old brother woke up from a nap and started to cry, the mom went to get him and heard Boden go outside. When she went out to find him, she discovered that Boden was nowhere to be seen. They called his name and frantically searched for him. When they couldn’t find him, they got on the phone and called for help. Knowing the dangers of the desert, the authorities didn’t waste any time forming search parties.
As the sun came up over the eastern rim of the horizon, it woke up Boden and Buford. They started walking, but this time Boden followed the dog.
And Buford knew where to go. Walking slowly so the boy could keep up with him, Buford led the boy a mile through the rugged Arizona landscape. They knew this because Buford’s owner later followed their tracks back to where the two had met.
Buford led the boy until they reached a seldom-used gravel road, and then they continued down to a long, private road leading to the ranch where Buford lives.
At about 10:00 in the morning, the rancher was driving into town to buy supplies when he spotted the strange sight of his dog Buford with a small blond boy he had never seen before. The rancher had heard the story about a boy who had wandered from home and was reported missing.
He stopped his truck and picked up Boden, drove back to his house and called the police. In no time at all, Boden was reunited with his relieved parents. When they learned about how Buford had probably spent the night with Boden and then led him home, they could hardly believe it. But they acknowledged that it was God who had sent Buford to rescue their son.
People heard how Buford had rescued the boy, and it caused quite a sensation. People from all over the world were deeply touched by the story, and some sent Buford presents like toys and expensive dog treats.
Do you know that all of us, through our sins, have wandered away from God, who loves us? “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)). Boden’s being lost was very serious, but our wanderings have put us in even more serious danger, the danger of being lost forever. But there is Someone — the Lord Jesus — who loves us so much that He is looking for His lost sheep. Luke 15:4-74What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:4‑7) tells us the story of how a man who had a lost sheep left his other sheep to go after one that was lost, and he kept looking until he found it. Boden’s parents loved him far too much to just ignore the fact that their son was lost. They did everything they could, and so did a lot of other people, to find him. And the Lord Jesus is longing to find you and take you safely to heaven with Him when He comes. He is the Good Shepherd who gave His own life for His sheep. Buford rescued Boden, but he probably didn’t know why he went farther from home that night than he usually did. But the Lord Jesus knew all about how much it would cost Him when He came to earth all the way from His happy home in heaven so He could rescue His lost sheep. It cost Him being made sin for us, so we could be saved from our sins. “The Lord [God] [has] laid on Him [the Lord Jesus] the iniquity [sinfulness] of us all” (Isaiah 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)). Won’t you let this loving Shepherd find you today?
Messages of God’s Love 8/24/2025