There was a happy ending to what could have been a tragic tale (Picture: Jam Press)

They say dogs are a man’s best friend – and one canine has gone above and beyond to prove this is the case.

A major manhunt was launched after Gregorio Romero, 84, left his house in Mexico on November 27 and never returned.

His niece Ramona raised the alarm with authorities.

Teams tried hard to track down the pensioner and – after days of searching – were unable to find any trace of him.

But Gregorio’s trusted dog, El Palomo, wasn’t going to give up.

The two-year-old led rescuers across hills, paths and ravines before the group found the 84-year-old two miles from home.

Once rescued, the elderly man was taken to a nearby hospital where he was diagnosed with dehydration and malnutrition and received two days of treatment.

Naturally, El Palomo waited patiently by his bedside until the 84-year-old got better.

Clever El Palomo managed to find his owner in the desert (Picture: Jam Press)

Gregorio Romero had been missing for days (Picture: Jam Press)

The Prosecutor’s Office said: ‘El Palomo’ remained by the hospital door day and night waiting for the recovery of his beloved Don Goyo [Gregorio].

‘On Tuesday December 6, Don Goyo went out to sunbathe as part of his recovery and, of course, his faithful friend sat nearby to protect him.

‘The unconditional love of his pet allowed Don Goyo to be reunited with his family, because it was ‘El Palomo’ who led the authorities to where he was.’

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There was a happy ending to what could have been a tragic tale.