A golden retriever named Zoie is being hailed as a hero after helping locate a missing toddler in Lebanon, Tennessee. The alert came not from a person—but from Zoie, who startled her owner, Brad Schofro, by barking nonstop while staring out the front window of their home. It was uncharacteristic behavior for the quiet pup.
Schofro told The Washington Post he initially thought he was being robbed. But soon he spotted a toddler, no older than three, wandering alone up a neighbor's driveway.
Realizing something was off, he quickly approached a neighbor, who confirmed he didn't know the child. Another neighbor said the same. The small group tried talking to the boy and then walked him up and down the street, asking nearby residents if they recognized him. While they did that, Schofro called 911.
The dispatcher asked for Schofro’s location and a description of the child’s clothing. Then, he heard the dispatcher shout across the room, “They found him!” Just moments later, officers arrived.
Golden RetrieverRepresentative photo by Caleb Fisher | Unsplash
The Lebanon Police Department confirmed that the toddler’s parents had reported him missing just five minutes earlier. The child had somehow slipped out of the house and traveled roughly 175 yards before being spotted by Zoie.
After a medical evaluation, the child was safely reunited with his family. Meanwhile, Zoie’s heroic instincts earned her well-deserved praise from both her owner and the internet.
Schofro shared the story on Reddit, where it quickly went viral, earning more than 91,000 upvotes. “She is the absolute sweetest dog, and not only can I depend on her for love, but also keeping those around her safe from harm,” he told Newsweek.
"It has made me so beyond happy to know that this amazing dog is living with us and watching out for us and others," he added.
Commenters across the internet have chimed in with love for Zoie:
“Goldens are the best! So loving and forgiving❤️” — Debi H.
“Dogs are under valued and taken for granted when, in reality, they're smart, loving and very caring... Lucky humans!!” — True
“Good Dog! My golden girl, Luna, is my third and would have no other breed.” — SuzyQ
“Way to go Zoie! You're a hero and you don't even know it! All the treats to this sweet girl!” — Melissa
Zoie’s story is winning hearts—and reminding us just how extraordinary our furry friends can be.
Reddit
Ted getting to say hi to Aria, the jail-bird dog.