A devoted black Lab in New Jersey is being hailed as a hero and it’s easy to see why.

This week, he went above and above on behalf of a tiny boy when his devoted love and protection were required the most.

According to New Jersey State Police, the 4-year-old boy went missing on Wednesday evening after walking from his house in Buena Vista Township. The terrain is highly forested, ripe with hazards for an unattended preschooler, but, happily, the youngster was not alone.

When the boy went off and got further disoriented, he was joined by his family’s dog, who’d clearly opted to keep close by.

Luckily, state troopers, along with the boy’s mother, were able to find them down about an hour later. And as body camera footage of the dramatic rescue reveals, the devoted pooch never left his side:

“We are glad to report that owing to the rapid reaction of the troopers and his mother, the scared boy was safely discovered and in good health,” New Jersey State Police tweeted.

As footage from the rescue was published online, people were eager to applaud the dog for his involvement in that safe conclusion.

“This wonderful dog protected him and stayed by his side,” one user remarked.
“Give this dog a prize!” another commented.

“Wonderful dog!” a third wrote.

Really, a work well done.