During the California Wildfires, last November thousands of families were forced to leave their homes.

The intense fires killed 85 people and left hundreds more injured. Almost 15 thousand homes were destroyed in the blaze.

Andrea Gaylord and her family were one of the thousands forced to evacuate. During the evacuation process, they had to leave their dog Madison behind.

The family was heartbroken and they had no clue what to do in order to get Madison to safety. The wildfires were getting worse and Madison was still in the danger zone.

The wildfires spread and the Gaylords feared for their dog’s life. They had no way of returning to their property or knowing if Madison had survived the deadly flames.

The Gaylord’s house was destroyed in the fire but Madison waited there anyway.

Andrea and the rest of her family worried that Madison hadn’t hade it or that he would be missing when they were finally allowed to return. Thankfully, Madison is a loyal dog and waited by the property for a month for his family to return.

Shayla Sullivan, the rescue worker in charge of the area tried to find Madison several times but didn’t have much success. She and her colleagues cared for many pets who had lost their homes and families. They would put out fresh food and water which was consumed when they weren’t on site.

“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,” Shayla mentioned on her Facebook page.

When Andrea and her family returned home, they could hardly believe that Madison was still waiting for them.

“Madison’s parents were unable to get home to him when the Camp Fire spread. They hoped and prayed he would be OK. When they finally got clearance to go back to the lot where their house once stood… Madison was waiting there for them as if he were protecting his former home. Never give up!” The K9 Paw Print Rescue organization 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! A LOOOOONG month it must have been for him!” Shayla added.

Madison’s family was gone for an entire month, but the dog never gave up hope.

Madison and his family had a heartwarming reunion. It was a moment the entire family had been hoping for…and not just the humans. Madison’s dog brother Miguel took part in the tear-jerking reunions as well. He missed his brother after so long by himself.

Andrea’s home is completely destroyed, but she plans to rebuild the house and is maintaining high spirits.

The most important thing to her is that she was reunited with her dog.

“Imagine the loyalty of hanging in in the worst of circumstances and being here waiting,” she said in an interview with ABC 10. “It was so emotional.”

“Reuniting Miguel and Madison was amazing. They said their hellos and then went back to work. Miguel took Guard over the lower part of the property and Madison took the top. It must be such a relief for Madison to have his partner back. I’m sure it makes his job that much easier…. we looked around and still are amazed that both dogs survived.”

Rescue worker Shayla has shared that she was able to find some clothes that had belonged to Andrea and left it near the property in order to keep Madison’s hopes high during the long month she was separated from her family.

Her Facebook post has been seen by thousands of people. Some of them have even made attempts to help raise funds to help the Gaylord family rebuild their house. The family is currently living in an RV park while trying to find a more permanent living situation.

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Source: Shaya Sullivan, iHeart, NTD, K9 Paw Print Rescue