http://www.kpho.com/news/22609878/detail.html
A faithful dog kept a 3-year-old girl warm in freezing temperatures when she was lost overnight, authorities said.
Victoria Bensch wandered away from her home at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday; on Friday morning, a medic in a Department of Public Safety Ranger helicopter spotted her and her Queensland healer, Blue, about three-quarters of a mile away from the house.
"As soon as (the helicopter) got here they spotted her," said Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Jeff Newnum. "They saw movement -- she (was) with the dog as we had hoped. She (was) huddled up with the dog and was keeping warm."
Victoria was OK -- authorities said they were only concerned about frostbite. She and her mother were airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital for an examination.About 70 rescue personnel from various agencies searched her neighborhood and checked cars leaving the town for any sign of Victoria on Thursday night, deputies said.
She was dressed only in a T-shirt, pants and tennis shoes for her 14-hour ordeal, authorities said.
"That dog stayed with her," Newnum said. "She was able to stay warm with the dog. It's probably what saved her life -- it was extremely cold out here.
God watched over her last night, obviously."
Victoria's father, Ernest Bensch, said he was grateful for the searchers.
"I'd really like to thank them all in person," he said. "(Invite them) over and have a barbecue or something -- that'd be great."
A faithful dog kept a 3-year-old girl warm in freezing temperatures when she was lost overnight, authorities said.
Victoria Bensch wandered away from her home at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday; on Friday morning, a medic in a Department of Public Safety Ranger helicopter spotted her and her Queensland healer, Blue, about three-quarters of a mile away from the house.
"As soon as (the helicopter) got here they spotted her," said Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Jeff Newnum. "They saw movement -- she (was) with the dog as we had hoped. She (was) huddled up with the dog and was keeping warm."
Victoria was OK -- authorities said they were only concerned about frostbite. She and her mother were airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital for an examination.About 70 rescue personnel from various agencies searched her neighborhood and checked cars leaving the town for any sign of Victoria on Thursday night, deputies said.
She was dressed only in a T-shirt, pants and tennis shoes for her 14-hour ordeal, authorities said.
"That dog stayed with her," Newnum said. "She was able to stay warm with the dog. It's probably what saved her life -- it was extremely cold out here.
God watched over her last night, obviously."
Victoria's father, Ernest Bensch, said he was grateful for the searchers.
"I'd really like to thank them all in person," he said. "(Invite them) over and have a barbecue or something -- that'd be great."
