Jan 2, 2026 – An 82-year-old woman from Elmira, Oregon, went missing in the woods—but she wasn’t alone. Her loyal dog, Cami, stayed by her side the entire time, helping her survive a terrifying ordeal.

Karen Joyce Davis had gone for a walk with her blue heeler, something she often did. But when she didn’t return, her family became worried and called for help. Cami, trained to stay close if Karen ever fell, never left her side.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office, along with local volunteers and the Lane Fire Authority, quickly launched a search. Time was critical—Karen had vanished in a rugged forest area, and the cold night was closing in fast.

Around 6:30 p.m., the sheriff’s office posted a call for help on Facebook. Just 90 minutes later, the amazing news came: Karen had been found alive. She was deep in the woods, past the end of a rough forest road.

Lane County Sheriff’s Office’s Post

What helped keep Karen alive that night? Her dog, Cami.

Deputies say Cami not only kept Karen warm in the freezing conditions but also helped lead searchers to her location. Without Cami’s loyalty and instinct, things might have ended very differently.

“Her dog, Cami, kept her warm and signaled to Lane County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers as they searched the area,” the sheriff’s office said.

Safe at Last

Once found, Karen was treated for hypothermia right there in the woods. Search and rescue teams then carried her through the rough terrain to a waiting ambulance. She was taken to the hospital for further care, but she’s expected to recover.

Thanks to a quick response—and a heroic dog who never gave up—Karen is safe and alive. Cami, without a doubt, is a four-legged hero.

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