Never undervalue a dog’s loyalty! This event occurred during the past month, beginning with the November 8 earthquake that sparked the destructive Camp Fire, which consumed communities in northern California. Andrea Gaylard, a resident of Paradise, was forced to leave her two Anatolian she-herd mix brothers Miguel and Madisen after officials announced the evacuation orders. Days after the fire brigade was put out, she contacted 9 Paws Rescue, an animal rescue group that was on the scene, and asked if anyone could try to find her dogs.

Shayla Sullian, a volunteer, was present. She quickly located Miguel, who was safely housed in a shelter in Citrus Heights, about two hours away, and ordered the round-trip driver to return him to Paradise. It wasn’t difficult to find Madisen either; his white coat must have stood out against the blackened hills around the specific home he wouldn’t leave unattended. She wrote in a Facebook post that she “knew he took his job seriously and wasn’t going to be an easy catch.”

She started setting out food and drink for him in an attempt to entice him out of the basement. She finally met Andrea, and they shared a passionate embrace. Shayla (shown, left, back) left the blouse at the home site “t’ ee Madisin’s he ali’” until the evacuation orders were removed and Andrea could come back because the shirt now had the aroma of its belated owner.

The day arrived last Wednesday when inhabitants of Paradise were given permission to return. Madisin had refused to give up on him, and his bravery was rewarded when he ordered his people to rush to the spot where their former home stood.

Stories about Madisen’s unwavering devotion in the face of such horrible circumstances are now coming out, and they have won him followers and hearts all around the world! Watch the video below to learn more about this amazing tale, and comment if you believe that a dog’s loyalty and love are unmatched.