Rescued Boy Scout Recounts His Life Among The Lost

Michael Auberry owes his life to his determined parents, some dedicated searchers, a fleet of helicopters and most especially a dog named Gandalf.

The 12-year-old’s survival is being hailed as a miracle by some, after the Boy Scout wandered away from a camping trip in the North Carolina mountains last Saturday and remained missing for four freezing days.

Auberry had no food, water or shelter during his ordeal, but his mom and dad never gave up hope he’d be found alive. On Tuesday, their faith was rewarded when rescue crews finally located him about two kilometres from his home base.

But it wasn’t a human who put this miracle in motion. It was Gandalf, a two-year-old Shiloh shepherd, who picked up the boy’s scent and led teams right to him. He was found walking along a stream.

The boy’s sleepless parents rushed to the scene and had a tear filled reunion with the son they always believed they’d see again.

Michael survived wearing two jackets in temperatures that varied from the plus 4 to the -6C range. He was badly dehydrated and hungry, but otherwise relatively unharmed.

His father claims his son left to find his family.

“He was homesick,” explains Kent Auberry. “He started walking and at one point when he was walking he thought maybe he’d walk as far as the road and hitchhike home.

“We’re going to have our lectures about hitchhiking again.”

This time they’re more likely to take.

The boy was checked out in hospital as a precaution and given fluids, then wolfed down some chicken fingers, cookies, granola bars and water, his first real meal in four days.

Rescue workers gave the boy some peanut butter crackers, which wound up in Gandalf’s mouth, as the youngster thanked his four legged saviour.

What was his life in the wilderness like for those lonely four days? Auberry told his family he slept in tree branches, curled up under rocks and drank river water to survive.

He might have been found sooner, because he realized there were people hunting for him. “He saw the helicopters and heard people calling him, but he yelled back and they didn’t hear him,” Kent Auberry relates.

As for what’s next after his big adventure? A return to school, where Michael is already concerned about all the Grade 6 homework he missed. 

“He’s worried about make-up work in Miss Self’s class,” his relieved dad laughs. “So if Miss Self could cut him a break, he would be very, very grateful.”