Elderly woman found alive with her loyal dog after three days in wilderness—‘this is a miracle’
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In a remarkable tale of resilience and the unwavering bond between a pet and its owner, an elderly woman has defied the odds, surviving three days in the wilderness with her devoted dog by her side.
The 82-year-old was found in a water-filled ditch, bringing relief to her family and the community.
Her survival story has captivated many, highlighting both the dangers faced by vulnerable individuals and the dedication of search and rescue teams.
Patricia Dickson, who had been missing since Friday, December 6, was found alive in a creek in the southern suburbs of Perth, a testament to her strength and the loyalty of her furry companion.
The discovery of Patricia ‘lying down, partly in the creek’, dehydrated and somewhat disoriented, was made possible by the incessant barking of her ‘very loyal’ Maltese shih tzu, Jess.
The sound alerted police and State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers, who were conducting a search operation in the area of Thornlie on Monday, December 9.
Patricia's ordeal began when she was last seen on CCTV footage walking near Avon Ct and Spelhurst Tce on Friday.
Her absence raised immediate concerns as it was out of character for her not to make contact with her family.
As the days passed without a sign of her, the community's worry grew, especially considering the scorching summer temperatures that soared above 30 C over the weekend.
The search for Patricia was extensive, with significant resources deployed by the SES—including two search teams, support crews, and a mission commander—and police, who utilised mounted units, road policing, local officers, and detectives.
The Thornlie community also rallied together, with locals searching their properties and backyards in hopes of finding any trace of the missing woman.
Miraculously, Patricia was found just a few hundred metres from her home.
‘I've got no words. This is a miracle,’ said Kylie Linto, a relieved neighbour.
‘We were just keeping hope—but we started getting scared [of] what we would find.’
‘I can’t believe it,’ she remarked.
The rescue was a complex effort, with police, volunteers, friends, and family all working together to carry Patricia to safety.
Upon her rescue, Patricia was assessed by St John WA paramedics and taken to Armadale Hospital, where she is reported to be ‘doing fine’. Her loyal dog, Jess, was also taken to a local vet for a check-up.
‘The dog Jess is very loyal and was found right next to her, arguably protecting her because Jess was very noisy when the police were there with her,’ Armadale District Office Inspector Erica Silwood stated.
‘It’s an absolute miracle because it has been really hot, and Patricia is quite elderly, and, so we were super happy with the result.’
The result also brought immense relief to Dickson's family, who were ‘elated’ to learn she had been found alive and well.
‘They were obviously very worried about her and really appreciative of the effort of the police and SES as well,’ Inspector Silwood added.
The miraculous discovery of Patricia after being missing for three days has sparked conversations about the vulnerabilities of senior citizens.
This incident brings to mind another recent and perplexing case involving a grandmother whose body was mysteriously found 800 kilometres away from where she was last seen.
Both cases highlight the pressing need for improved safety measures and support systems for our elderly population.
Members of the Seniors Discount Club, this story is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience that can be found within us all, no matter our age. It also underscores the importance of community vigilance and support in times of need.
Have you or someone you know experienced a similar ordeal? Share your stories in the comments below. Let's celebrate the happy ending to Patricia's harrowing adventure and the unwavering loyalty of her four-legged hero, Jess.
The 82-year-old was found in a water-filled ditch, bringing relief to her family and the community.
Her survival story has captivated many, highlighting both the dangers faced by vulnerable individuals and the dedication of search and rescue teams.
Patricia Dickson, who had been missing since Friday, December 6, was found alive in a creek in the southern suburbs of Perth, a testament to her strength and the loyalty of her furry companion.
The discovery of Patricia ‘lying down, partly in the creek’, dehydrated and somewhat disoriented, was made possible by the incessant barking of her ‘very loyal’ Maltese shih tzu, Jess.
The sound alerted police and State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers, who were conducting a search operation in the area of Thornlie on Monday, December 9.
Patricia Dickson, 82, was found alive with her loyal dog after being missing for three days in Perth's southern suburbs. Credit: Facebook / 7NEWS Perth
Patricia's ordeal began when she was last seen on CCTV footage walking near Avon Ct and Spelhurst Tce on Friday.
Her absence raised immediate concerns as it was out of character for her not to make contact with her family.
As the days passed without a sign of her, the community's worry grew, especially considering the scorching summer temperatures that soared above 30 C over the weekend.
The search for Patricia was extensive, with significant resources deployed by the SES—including two search teams, support crews, and a mission commander—and police, who utilised mounted units, road policing, local officers, and detectives.
The Thornlie community also rallied together, with locals searching their properties and backyards in hopes of finding any trace of the missing woman.
Miraculously, Patricia was found just a few hundred metres from her home.
‘I've got no words. This is a miracle,’ said Kylie Linto, a relieved neighbour.
‘We were just keeping hope—but we started getting scared [of] what we would find.’
‘I can’t believe it,’ she remarked.
The rescue was a complex effort, with police, volunteers, friends, and family all working together to carry Patricia to safety.
Upon her rescue, Patricia was assessed by St John WA paramedics and taken to Armadale Hospital, where she is reported to be ‘doing fine’. Her loyal dog, Jess, was also taken to a local vet for a check-up.
‘The dog Jess is very loyal and was found right next to her, arguably protecting her because Jess was very noisy when the police were there with her,’ Armadale District Office Inspector Erica Silwood stated.
‘It’s an absolute miracle because it has been really hot, and Patricia is quite elderly, and, so we were super happy with the result.’
The result also brought immense relief to Dickson's family, who were ‘elated’ to learn she had been found alive and well.
‘They were obviously very worried about her and really appreciative of the effort of the police and SES as well,’ Inspector Silwood added.
The miraculous discovery of Patricia after being missing for three days has sparked conversations about the vulnerabilities of senior citizens.
This incident brings to mind another recent and perplexing case involving a grandmother whose body was mysteriously found 800 kilometres away from where she was last seen.
Both cases highlight the pressing need for improved safety measures and support systems for our elderly population.
Have you or someone you know experienced a similar ordeal? Share your stories in the comments below. Let's celebrate the happy ending to Patricia's harrowing adventure and the unwavering loyalty of her four-legged hero, Jess.
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