Sometimes the sweetest lessons come wrapped in fur and stuffing.
When 8-year-old William Kay lost his beloved plush dog, simply named Dog, on a windy Wyoming afternoon, it seemed like the end of an eight-year friendship. “He helps me fall asleep at night,” William later explained. “I was sad when he was lost and almost cried when I got him back.”
It all started when the Kay family stopped for lunch on their drive home from a ski holiday. A fierce wind whipped through the car, scattering belongings in every direction. Among the items caught in the chaos was Dog, who sailed unnoticed into the weeds. The family only realized what had happened when they reached a Kansas motel that night.
“It was a heart-wrenching homecoming in St. Louis,” William’s dad Bill recalled, as they watched their son grapple with his first real loss. But Bill wasn’t ready to give up hope. Using GPS coordinates, he tracked down the rest stop location and emailed Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken for help.
The response was immediate and heartfelt. “I commend you for taking your child’s emotional well-being so seriously,” Sheriff Bakken wrote. “Nothing would make me happier than seeing if we can help ensure Dog’s safe return to St. Louis. Our Patrol Division has been notified… Please tell your son that we are on the case.”
Bakken then reached out to Deputy Tyler Christen, who admitted he found the request unusual, but also deeply relatable. “When my kids lose their stuffie, panic mode sets in until we find it,” Christen said. “I wanted to see if we could bring that dog back to its owner. He’s had it for a long time and can still enjoy it.”
Sure enough, after a bit of searching, Christen spotted something spud-brown in the weeds…it was Dog.
Days later, a package arrived at the Kay home in St. Louis: inside was Dog, safe and sound, tucked alongside Carbon County Sheriff’s souvenirs like patches, a badge, and a water bottle. William’s tears turned into relief and joy as he reunited with his best friend.
But for Bill, the return of Dog carried more than comfort. It carried a lesson. “He learned that there are great people in this world that will do things to help you, even when they don’t know you,” Bill said. “I think that was a wonderful lesson for William.”
- After nearly 1,000 days in the hospital, a little girl from Utah finally came home with a brand new heart—and a welcome fit for a hero. - October 7, 2025
- Chunk, the 1,200-pound bear with a broken jaw, finally wins Alaska’s beloved Fat Bear Week - October 7, 2025
- Dog of the Year: Brave Doberman Saves His Owner from a Bear Attack - October 7, 2025
