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Published 16:43 IST, June 19th 2019

Dog that survived California wildfire guarded home for weeks

A dog who survived the deadly wildfire in Northern California seemingly was shielding the ruins of his home for almost a month, until his owner returned. The dog, Madison was seen waiting outside the house when the pet-parent Andrea Gaylord was allowed to go back and check on her blazed home in Paradise this week.

Reported by: Aishwaria Sonavane
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Dog that survived California wildfire guarded home for weeks
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Talking of good boys. 

A dog who survived the deadly wildfire in Northern California seemingly was shielding the ruins of his home for almost a month, until his owner returned. The dog, Madison was seen waiting outside the house when the pet-parent Andrea Gaylord was allowed to go back and check on her blazed home in Paradise this week.

Gaylord fled when the November 8 fire broke out and decimated the town of 27,000. An animal rescuer who responded to Gaylord's request to check on Madison first spotted the male Anatolian shepherd mix several days later.

The animal rescuer notified that the outdoor guard dog was quite apprehensive and maintained a distance. Food and water was left for him until the owner went back to her property on Wednesday. 

READ| Haunting Pictures Of Pets And Wild Animals Affected By The California Wildfires

She also helped locate Madison's brother Miguel, another Anatolian shepherd mix that was taken to shelter 85 miles (135 kilometers) 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," the animal rescuer told the media.

The dogs reunited Friday when Gaylord came back to the property with Miguel and brought Madison his favourite treat: a box of Wheat Thin crackers. The owner told the media, "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 a part of them. It's a comforting feeling." Gaylord said about her dogs. 

The Camp Fire blaze destroyed 150,000 acres, ruining almost 14,000 and taking the lives of 85. 

Apart from this happy ending story that left social media with aww-s and affection for the loyal canine, the wildfire has significantly affected many animals along with people. People took to social media to spread photos of their pets or aid animal rescuing.
 

(with inputs from AP)

11:14 IST, December 9th 2018