Loyal dog barks until rescuers find hiker who did not survive his last climb

EATONVILLE, Wash. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - This is why dogs are called man's best friend.

Deputies with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office in Eatonville, Washington were actively searching for a 64-year-old man whose wife reported him and their dog, Daisy, missing.

"The missing man reportedly often went hiking with his dog, but did not leave a note where he was going and had failed to return home after dark," the sheriff's office wrote on Facebook. "The man's wife reported finding recent internet searches by her husband for geocaching in the Evans Creek area."

Search and rescue teams went out to the area to find him but had no luck. They finally found his vehicle and began searching it. That's when they heard the sound of a dog barking.

"The deputy continued hiking toward the sound of the dog's barking, and spotted a dog matching the description of Daisy up a very steep embankment above the Marshall River."

A deputy hiked through the woods to where Daisy was and discovered the body of the missing man. He had reportedly died from injuries he sustained during a fall.

Search and rescue carried the man's body down the hill and animal control came to bring Daisy home.

"This was a very sad end to a tough search, but we are incredibly proud of our deputies and the volunteers efforts to find the missing man and return him to his family. Without the barking of his loyal companion Daisy, we never would have located the missing man. It was amazing."