Dog Survived California Wildfire and Guarded Home for Almost a Month

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As the wildfires of California are calming down, many North Californians are returning to their homes. Many residents don’t have a home to return to, but this is not the case for  a woman from Paradise.

When Andrea Gaylord was finally allowed to return back and check her home in Paradise, she found her loyal dog, Madison. Apparently, the dog survived the wildfire but even went as far as protecting the ruins of the home for nearly a month.

When the fire broke out on November 8, Gaylord left the decimated town of 27,000 behind. She didn’t have time though to bring her dog with her at the time and asked animal rescuers to check on him.

It didn’t take long for rescuers to find Madison, an Anatolian shepherd mix, and offered to help. When first spotted, the outdoor guard dog was apprehensive and kept distance between him and the rescuers. Still, the rescuer, Shayla Sullivan, was dedicated to giving Madison water and food on the regular.

Sullivan’s reasoning for this act was simple. She didn’t want to give up on any of the evacuee’s animals and wanted the evacuees who had animals to at least come home and see their furry friends.

Sullivan even helped to locate Madison’s brother, Miguel, another Anatolian shepherd mix. She found Miguel in a shelter 85 miles away. Miguel was taken there during the aftermath of the wildfire.

It won’t be until a few days after the reunion of Madison and Gaylord when Miguel will be brought back to them. However, in the meantime the reunion between Madison and Gaylord was heartwarming. Gaylord even brought Madison’s favorite treat: Wheat Thin crackers.

Gaylord told ABC 10 news that she couldn’t ask for better animals.

“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. It’s a comforting feeling.”