Family Dog Keeps Missing Boy With Down Syndrome Safe After He Wandered From Home

Jul 18, 2022

The bond between a dog and its owner is unbreakable. They say a dog is a man’s best friend, and for Jose Munoz and his German Shepard, Alejandro, that couldn’t ring more true. One day, after Munoz’s mom laid down for a nap, she woke up to her young son, Jose, gone. 

After calling the Houston Police Department to report a missing child, witnesses also called in, saying they noticed a young boy and his dog walking along the train tracks in north Houston. The dog and boy were found just about half a mile from their home. Jose’s mom, Jasmine, was overwhelmed with joy when she was reunited with her son. Jasmine wasn’t just reunited with her lost son but also their dog. Alejandro stuck by Jose’s side the whole time he had wandered away from home. Luckily, neither the dog nor Jose was hurt. Jose had a few scratches but nothing serious. Jose’s mom said that a lot of his safety that day was due to Alejandro, their dog. 

The family purchased the dog shortly after Jose was born, and they have had an inseparable bond since. Jasmine said that Alejandro has always been protective of Jose. Jose isn’t just an ordinary boy; he is extraordinary. Having Down syndrome, Jose would not usually wander outside of their home alone. The family dog was well aware of this usual routine. That’s why Alejandro joined the boy on his trek, to keep him out of harm’s way until the two could be reunited with their family. The family said that without Alejandro, anything could have happened to Jose that day. 

In an interview with a local Houston news station, Click 2 Houston, officers involved said, “I looked on the map and said, ‘This is a far way for the child to walk all the way over here,’” HPD Sgt. Ricardo Salas said. 

He also acknowledged that the dog left with Jose to keep him safe. “The dog knew he had to go with him because he was doing something he was not supposed to do,” Salas said. When the boy and dog were found, Alejandro still wouldn’t leave Jose’s side. “I sat the child in my patrol unit so he could get some AC, and I looked back and the dog jumped in the patrol car,” Salas said. 

Jose’s sister, Samantha Munoz, said Alejandro has been protective over Jose for a very long time. “Alejandro has always been a very overprotective dog since we got him, we got him when he was a baby,” she shared. “I was not surprised when they said he was walking with him the whole entire time,” Samantha said. 

Salas said that usually, a story like this could end in many ways. However, he and the community are happy that Jose and Alejandro made it back safely to their home. “Thank God this story ended very positive, we’re very thankful for that,” he said. 

In a video posted to KPRC 2’s Youtube, users shared that the dog deserved an award. “That dog deserves lots of treats and affection,” one wrote. Another Youtube user wrote, “German shepherd instincts are to protect, Dog Knew child had medical, physical born issues. Dogs are angels in fur instead of feathers.”

We are so happy that Jose and Alejandro made it home safely! The dog’s bond to his owner is so touching! If you love this story— send it to others who will love it too!