Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Devon Miller. Courtesy, WKRG-TV
By now we all know that dogs are man’s best friend, but it turns out they’re good pals with grandma, too. Last month in Destin, Florida, family dog Eeyore was out on a walk with his 86-year-old grandma owner late at night and the pair didn’t return for more than an hour. When her worried husband dialed 9-1-1, Deputy Devon Miller from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call and spoke to the concerned grandpa – immediately searching the neighborhood and canvassing for anything amiss.
After driving the streets for some time, Miller spotted a distressed Eeyore in the road dragging his leash behind him – but no grandma. In the bodycam footage Miller can be heard calling out to Eeyore, who approaches the squad car with purpose. “When he initially came up to my car … he was panting and the second I grabbed the leash he … practically dragged me [out],” said Miller in a sit-down interview with WKRG-TV.
Eeyore approaching Deputy Miller’s patrol car. Courtesy, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
Once Eeyore had Miller in tow, he crossed through yards and brought the deputy out back to the neighborhood golf course. Scanning the ground with her flashlight, she noticed a figure laying down in the distance along the edge of the green and rushed to help. Luckily for everyone, grandma was unharmed and conscious, only slightly confused. She asked Eeyore where he went, and Deputy Miller informed her the golden retriever had gone and retrieved help from her, several houses away. “The dog brought you over?” asked the grandma, in a truly incredible moment. Eeyore got lots of head pats and “good boys” right away, a great trade for saving a life.
Since the rescue, Eeyore and Miller have become somewhat of an internet sensation and local celebrities to boot, but Miller gives all the credit to grandma’s four-legged friend. “Eeyore is the main hero here, he deserves lots of belly rubs, he deserves a steak dinner,” she said. But she’s a hero in her own right, helping reunite grandma and grandpa, and responding to Eeyore’s bids for help. “It felt good that I was able to help, hearing the stress in her husband’s voice .. being able to tell them I found her made me feel really good.”
Okaloosa County Commissioner Drew Palmer acknowledged the pair’s outstanding contribution, presenting Eeyore, who was a shelter dog just a few years ago, with a Sheriff’s Office “Community Service Award.” Such a heartwarming story feels like something right out of the movies − a dog who went from homeless to hero, and a Deputy who followed him right to the problem.
See you on the trail,
Lisa
LMA Newsletter of 11-3-25
