Loyal dog guarded home for almost a month after deadly wildfire

A dog guarded the ruins of his home for almost a month until his owner returned after fleeing California’s wildfires. Madison was there waiting when Andrea Gaylord was allowed back to check on her burned property in Paradise this week. Andrea had asked an animal rescuer to check on him and leave food and water, but she has only just been able to get there herself.

Shayla Sullivan said the outdoor guard dog was apprehensive and kept his distance, but she kept on checking on him. A moving video shows Andrea reuniting with the male Anatolian shepherd mix. She had to flee when the November 8 fire broke out and decimated the town of 27,000. But Madison kept faith that she would come back, looking after the remains of the property. Rescuer Shayla also helped locate Madison’s brother Miguel, another Anatolian shepherd mix that was taken to a shelter 85 miles away in the confusing aftermath of the wildfire



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 came back to the property with Miguel and brought Madison his favourite treat: a box of Wheat Thin crackers. Ms Gaylord told news station ABC10 she could not ask for a better animal. ‘Imagine the loyalty of hanging in in the worst of circumstances and being here waiting,’ she said. ‘Their instinctual job is to watch the flocks and we’re part of them,’ Ms Gaylord said about her dogs. ‘It’s a comforting feeling.’

Metro