A FAMILY PET FIERCELY PROTECTS A SMALL CHILD THAT WANDERED OFF AND FOUGHT SOMETHING UNKNOWN, NEARLY LOSING HIS OWN LIFE. (PHOTOS).

 Incredible family pet fiercely protects a small child that wandered off and fought something unknown, nearly losing his own life. 

The Hopkins family live in rural Hopkins County, Kentucky so when their 4-year-old son went missing after feeding the dogs with his sister the entire community swung into action. 

When Brittany Hopkins first noticed Tommy (who is on the spectrum) was missing, she checked her mother's home next door. After spending a short time searching and with panic setting in, police were notified. An extensive search was begun for Tommy and the family's pet dogs that had accompanied him wherever he had gone.

They searched through the night and when there was no sign of Tommy by the next morning search parties were organized. Thankfully a group of young women located Tommy and his dogs on Tuesday morning, September 17th. Three of the dogs were in good condition but one dog clearly sustained injuries fighting something off of Tommy. 

The first thing the rescuers noticed was that the dogs had stayed by Tommy's side throughout the ordeal. One dog, Rowdy, was badly injured and showed signs of having been in a fight with an unknown animal.

 While trying to retrieve Rowdy and bring the heroic dog home, he sadly stopped breathing. 

It was decided to leave Rowdy there and focus on getting Tommy back home. Rescuers planned on returning and recovering Rowdy's body later for burial.

Rowdy had other plans, before anyone could go retrieve him, the family noticed a battered and injured dog walking up the driveway. It was Rowdy returning home, presumably to make sure Tommy had made it home.

This unbelievably heroic dog had sacrificed himself for Tommy and now was limping back to his home. The shocked family rushed Rowdy to Pennyrile Animal Clinic where he has received loving care and is expected to make a full recovery. 

Rowdy's heroic deeds are not going unrecognized as the Hopkins County Humane Society is paying for all of this amazing dog's veterinary fees.

I do wonder what Rowdy had to face and what he had to fight overnight?

This is such an incredible story with such a great ending.

More photos below.