Family pet is hailed as a ‘hero’ after protecting two young missing girls in the Louisiana woods

A Louisiana dog has gone from a common pet to a celebrated local boy after spending hours protecting two missing girls after they got lost in the woods near their home.

The Bourg family’s golden retriever, Artemis, happened to be accompanying 7-year-old Abigail and her four-year-old sister Cecilia when they were reported missing in Folsom on Monday.

“I just start running around the whole two-acre property and then I called [my husband] and said, “They’re gone,” the girls’ mother, Mary, told CBS News, recalling the moment she realized her two daughters were gone.

Local authorities and residents searched for the girls for four hours and were finally able to find them after hearing Artemis bark.

Artemis, a golden retriever owned by the Bourg family of Folsom, Louisiana, was hailed as a hero for rescuing four-year-old Cecilia and 7-year-old Abigail when they got lost in the woods near their home on Monday

The girls had run more than a mile while trying to keep up with the family dog, who had run away from its owners

The mother-of-two added that the family dog ​​was so protective of the young girls that he wouldn’t let them [police] by the girls or other members of the search team.

“He circled them and growled at people to protect them,” Bourg said.

Before realizing they had gone too far into the woods alone, Abigail and Cecilia ran more than a mile away.

Artemis had lain on top of them to protect them once they got tired.

The police were able to find the two minors after a four-hour search. They were able to find the girls after hearing Artemis bark

Artemis was so protective that he wouldn’t let the police or other members of the search team near the girls after they were found

Abigail and Cecilia are safe with their parents Mary and Justin and Artemis

After reuniting with their parents, the two girls said they got lost after trying to keep up with Artemis, CBS News reported.

“He always ran ahead of us. We tried to follow him but we couldn’t keep up,” said Abigail Bourg.

The young girl’s father, Justin, said the golden retriever was let off the hook after keeping the family together.

“He’s got a free pass for a while,” he added. “I will not tease him for chewing blankets and shoes.”

After reuniting with their parents, Abigal and Cecilia said they got lost in the woods after trying to keep up with Artemis

The St. Tammany Township Sheriff’s Office thanked the Louisiana State Police, the Jefferson Township Sheriff’s Office and local residents for their help in finding the two girls, describing the result as “a very happy ending.”

Meanwhile, according to Puppy In Training, Golden Retrievers have been classified as “very instinctive and adaptable” in any situation.

“This means they can read the emotions of people in a room, understand what routines mean, associate specific objects with actions, and learn their training very quickly!”