EAST AURORA, N.Y. » Authorities say an 82-year-old woman who got lost in the western New York woods while walking her dog was eventually found safe after she sent the pooch home to let her family know she needed help.

Police in East Aurora, outside Buffalo, say the woman took her mixed-breed dog for a walk late Thursday afternoon on trails in the woods near her home. Officials say she walked farther than she normally does and became lost when it turned dark.

Police say she took shelter under a tree and sent the dog home to alert her family.

After the dog showed up alone at around 7:15 p.m., the family reported the woman missing and a search was launched.

Searchers found the woman wet and cold but safe at around 9:30 p.m.