Dog guards home destroyed by California wildfires until owners return a month later

Madison, an Anatolian Shepherd mix, survived inferno in Paradise

A dog guarded the ruins of his wildfire-ravaged home in northern California for almost a month until his owner returned.

Madison, an Anatolian shepherd mix, was first spotted near the property in the town of Paradise a few days after the blaze broke out on 8 November.

Rescuers left food and water for him regularly but the dog was apprehensive and kept his distance.

He was reunited with owner Andrea Gaylord earlier this week when she was finally allowed back to the area to check on her home.

Two days later his brother, Miguel, who had been taken to a shelter 85 miles away, also returned to the property and the dogs were treated to their favourite food – a box of wheat crackers.

Ms Gaylord told the ABC10 news channel that she could not ask for a better guard dog.

“Imagine the loyalty of hanging around in the worst of circumstances and being here waiting,” she said. “It’s a comforting feeling. Their instinctual job is to watch the flocks and we’re part of them.”

Rescuer Shayla Sullivan, who kept an eye on Madison during her visits to the area, said she was determined not to give up on reuniting the dog with his owner.

“I had sighted Madison a few times deep in the canyon but knew he took his job seriously and wasn’t going to be an easy catch,” she wrote on Facebook. “After meeting Andrea in person, I had the idea of placing an article of clothing that would smell like her to keep Madison’s hope alive until his people could return.

“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.”

The story follows reports that a cat rescued by a firefighter in Paradise is now refusing to leave his side.

Additional reporting by Associated Press