A dog in northern California has exhibited a perfect show of faithful devotion to his family. According to K9 Paw Print Rescue, the dog, named Madison, waited for his family’s return after their home burned to the ground in the devastating Camp Fire blaze which destroyed so much in Butte County.

On December 5, the rescue agency wrote:

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!!

One of the rescue group’s volunteers, Shayla Sullivan, came up with the idea to place some of his family’s clothing out in order to keep Madison’s hope alive that his people would be returning, reports WTHR News. The family’s other dog, Miguel also survived the deadly blaze – in a Facebook post, Sullivan wrote about the dogs’ reunion:

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. It’s a true testament to the instincts these dogs have.

Adding:

Madison is PROOF that there are many animals waiting for their people. Keep feeding, just in case , and keep the hope alive! 

The Camp Fire is on record as California’s deadliest, most destructive fire – 85 people lost their lives and over 18,000 structures were destroyed.

Find K9 Paw Print Rescue on Facebook here.

(images via Facebook/K9 Paw Print Rescue/Andrea Gaylord)