Child reported missing, found when he waves down cop asking to pet K-9

A little boy's love of a dog was all that was needed to bring the search for the missing child to an end.

A 2-year-old boy was reported  missing from his home in Allegan County, Michigan, Friday night. 

>> Read more trending stories  

Hours later, after an intense search by local and state police, K9 teams and a helicopter crew, the little boy was found only a quarter mile from his home, WXMI reported. 

He was covered in mud, but despite being on his own from 9:30 p.m. until 4:00 a.m., he was not hurt, and waved down a deputy searching for him, wanting to pet the police officer's K9.

WXMI posted a photo from the rescue on its Twitter site.