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This Dog Who Survived A California Wildfire And Guarded His Home For A Month Gets Heartwarming Reunion
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This Dog Who Survived A California Wildfire And Guarded His Home For A Month Gets Heartwarming Reunion

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A dog that survived wildfires in Paradise, California, which killed 85 residents, was found protecting the ruins of his former home for almost a month until his owner returned. The “Camp Fire,” which practically destroyed the whole town, was the most deadly in state history. The wildfire destroyed nearly 19,000 buildings, including 13,954 homes. As the wildfires spread, the majority of residents had to abandon their homes and belongings and in some extreme cases, even their pets.

Andrea Gaylord, a resident of Paradise, fled the town on the 8th of November when the fire broke out

Image credits: Andrea Gaylord

When Andrea was away and could not access her property, she requested that animal welfare officials check on her dog Madison. An animal rescuer, Shayla Sullivan who responded to her request, first spotted the dog several days later. Madison was reluctant to interact with the rescuers, but they regularly left him food and water. Sullivan also helped to find Madison’s brother Miguel, who was taken to a shelter 85 miles away, during the confusion of the wildfire.

Sullivan said that “If (the evacuees) can’t be there I’m going to be and I’m not going to give up on their animal until they can get back in.”

Image credits: Andrea Gaylord

The dogs and their owner Andrea reunited this Friday when she came back to her property with Miguel and found Madison waiting for her. Andrea later said she couldn’t ask for a better animal. “Imagine the loyalty of hanging in in the worst of circumstances and being here waiting. Their instinctual job is to watch the flocks and we’re part of them,” Andrea said about her dogs. “It’s a comforting feeling.”

K9 Paw Print Rescue, an animal welfare organization, posted the heartwarming news about the reunion on their Facebook

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Shayla Sullivan was very happy to announce the good news

Image credits: Shayla Sullivan

Sullivan, the animal rescuer, later in the comment section wrote: “I’m so HAPPY to report that Andrea was allowed to return to her property today and THERE MADISON WAS!!!! He had stayed to protect what was left of his home, and NEVER gave up on his people! I’m so happy I’m crying as I write this! He didn’t give up through the storms or the fire! A LOOOOONG month it must have been for him!”

“Here’s to many more reunions ahead!” Sullivan added, “Keep the HOPE alive!”

People on Facebook were more than glad to witness the sweet reunion

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Neringa Utaraitė

Neringa Utaraitė

Author, Community member

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Neringa is a proud writer at Bored Panda who used to study English and French linguistics. Although she has many different interests, she's particularly drawn to covering stories about pop culture as well as history. While not at the office, this Panda enjoys creepy movies, poetry, photography and learning how to play the piano.

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Neringa Utaraitė

Neringa Utaraitė

Author, Community member

Neringa is a proud writer at Bored Panda who used to study English and French linguistics. Although she has many different interests, she's particularly drawn to covering stories about pop culture as well as history. While not at the office, this Panda enjoys creepy movies, poetry, photography and learning how to play the piano.

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Wil Vanderheijden
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's always nict to read the marvellous stories about cats and dogs being loyal. It makes me often think that these animals have higher moral standards than a lot of human beings have.

Alusair Alustriel
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just as long as the owners show exact same loyalty to them it's all good. Sad to see many don't appreciate their animals as they ought to.

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Missy Marcus
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fire was stupid fast- like less than an hour warning to grab your s**t and get out! And if you were out of the town when the warning went up, such as at work, you couldn't get back home before they were letting no one through. The Fire a some point consumed an the area of a football field every second (https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/camp-fire-grew-so-fast-it-burned-the-equivalent-of-a-football-field-every-second/ar-BBPwBe4). Then there was super confusion on getting in an out; three roads in/out of the town, the fire had destroyed two of them when the evacuation order came about. See this graphic of a better idea (https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/national/amp-stories/how-the-camp-fire-overwhelmed-paradise/).

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Wil Vanderheijden
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's always nict to read the marvellous stories about cats and dogs being loyal. It makes me often think that these animals have higher moral standards than a lot of human beings have.

Alusair Alustriel
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just as long as the owners show exact same loyalty to them it's all good. Sad to see many don't appreciate their animals as they ought to.

Load More Replies...
Missy Marcus
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fire was stupid fast- like less than an hour warning to grab your s**t and get out! And if you were out of the town when the warning went up, such as at work, you couldn't get back home before they were letting no one through. The Fire a some point consumed an the area of a football field every second (https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/camp-fire-grew-so-fast-it-burned-the-equivalent-of-a-football-field-every-second/ar-BBPwBe4). Then there was super confusion on getting in an out; three roads in/out of the town, the fire had destroyed two of them when the evacuation order came about. See this graphic of a better idea (https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/national/amp-stories/how-the-camp-fire-overwhelmed-paradise/).

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