Madison and Miguel: Loyal Dogs of the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California

Dog that waited weeks in ruins of California wildfire is reunited with owner

A Heroic Tale of Survival and Devotion During California’s Deadliest Wildfire

Madison and Miguel

In the midst of devastation and loss, one story from the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California, stands out. It is a testament to loyalty, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between humans and their pets.

Andrea Gaylord’s home was completely destroyed by the wildfire, which claimed 85 lives and over 18,000 structures. For Andrea, the most heart-wrenching part of the ordeal was her fear. She worried about losing her two beloved dogs, Madison and Miguel.

“It was the worst feeling in the world,” Gaylord recalled. “It’s like you have to choose. The whole time I thought, ‘What was going to happen to those dogs?’ It was horrible.”

As the fire tore through Paradise, Gaylord was forced to evacuate without her dogs, who were nowhere to be found. Weeks went by with no sign of Madison, and Gaylord’s hope began to wane. Yet, a glimmer of hope arrived when Miguel was found by animal rescue workers in a nearby town. Shayla Sullivan helped reunite Gaylord with Miguel. She is a volunteer with K9 Paw Print Rescue. Shayla had been keeping an eye out for Madison as well.

Madison proved to be elusive, but Sullivan never gave up. She left food and water out for him. She also placed an article of clothing that smelled like Gaylord near the property. This was done to “keep Madison’s hope alive until his people could return.”

Family Returns Home a Month After Fire and Finds Their Dog Waiting for Them

On December 6, Gaylord was finally allowed to return to her property. To her astonishment and relief, Madison was there, patiently waiting among the rubble. “It was like there is a higher power,” Gaylord said. “It was like a sigh of relief. It was affirmation that these dogs are survivors.”

Madison, an Anatolian shepherd mix, had stayed behind to protect his home. He demonstrated the incredible loyalty and instinct for which his breed is known. “He had stayed to protect what was left of his home, and NEVER gave up on his people!” Sullivan wrote on Facebook. “I’m so happy I’m crying as I write this! He didn’t give up through the storms or the fire!”

The reunion was emotional and heartwarming. “They were wagging their tails, and I was so happy to see them together,” Gaylord said. “Things are right again.”

This story is not just about survival but about the unwavering spirit of love and loyalty. Madison’s determination to stay and protect his home is remarkable. Even in the face of unimaginable adversity, it serves as a reminder of the extraordinary bond between humans and animals. Gaylord and her dogs are rebuilding their lives. Their story continues to inspire hope and resilience after the tragedy.

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