Dog guards home for a month in wake of wild fire
A dog that survived the catastrophic wildfire in Northern California apparently protected the ruins of his home for almost a month until his owner returned.
Madison was there waiting when Andrea Gaylord was allowed back to check on her burned property in Paradise this week.
Ms Gaylord fled when the November 8 fire broke out and destroyed the town of 27,000.
An animal rescuer who responded to Ms Gaylord’s request to check on Madison first spotted the male Anatolian shepherd mix several days later.
Shayla Sullivan said the outdoor guard dog was apprehensive and kept his distance.
Ms Sullivan left food and water for him regularly until Ms Gaylord got back on Wednesday.
She also helped locate Madison’s brother Miguel, another Anatolian shepherd mix that was taken to a shelter 85 miles away in the confusion of the wildfire aftermath.
“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,” Ms Sullivan said.
The dogs reunited on Friday when Ms Gaylord returned to the property with Miguel and brought Madison his favourite treat: Wheat Thin crackers.
Ms Gaylord said about her dogs: “Their instinctual job is to watch the flocks and we’re part of them. It’s a comforting feeling.”