Loyal Dog Survives California Wildfire and Waits In Ruins for His Huma

Lori Ennis
by Lori Ennis
The catastrophic wildfire destruction in Northern California has had the world watching with sorrow as the ashes remain. One brave and loyal dog who survived protected the ruins of his former home for nearly a month, waiting for his human to be allowed back.


The wildfires in Northern California have devastated the lives of many. The world has watched as the flames have enveloped the homes and lives of everyone–with no discrimination between celebrity or regular citizen. As the houses were engulfed and people fled with literally the clothes on their backs, they weren’t allowed back until just recently when it was safe.


Andrea Gaylord fled her home on November 8, grateful to just get out alive. She desperately searched to take her dogs Madison and Miguel, both Anatolian shepherds, but the flames forced her hand and she had to leave without them. She pled to an animal rescuer to check on her dogs while she was evacuated.


Rescue worker Shayla Sullivan said she would help the evacuees the best she could, and not give up on their animals until they could return to their homes. She was able to find Madison a few days later near the home’s ruins.

At first, Sullivan said that Madison was very apprehensive and didn’t go near her. She left water and food for him regularly for nearly a month until just last week when Gaylord was allowed to go back to the remains of her home.


Madison’s parents were unable to get home to him when the Camp Fire spread. They hoped and prayed he would be OK. When…


Posted by K9 Paw Print Rescue on Wednesday, December 5, 2018


And there, after nearly a month, Gaylord found her loyal boy, waiting and protecting, until his human made it back to him. His brother Miguel, had been taken to a shelter about 90 miles away and Sullivan helped Gaylord reconnect with Miguel also.


When she returned with Miguel, she came bearing Madison’s favorite treat–Wheat Thin crackers–and he was obviously happy to see his human and furbrother again. Gaylord said she couldn’t have a better, more loyal animal, saying that it was tremendous that he endured the worst circumstances and still waited through it all for her to come back to him.


Gaylord says that the instinct to guard and protect their flock–which includes their humans–is a comfort, and especially since he proved his loyalty in the most extreme way. She says he is the best.


We agree. He really is.

Lori Ennis
Lori Ennis

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