In the aftermath of the devastating California wildfires, Lauren Wong and her girlfriend returned to Altadena to see what remained of their former home. Among the ashes and debris, they found a heartbreaking scene, but there was also a sign of hope amidst their loss. As they mourned the destruction, they stumbled upon someone in desperate need of help. “My girlfriend, she was walking up what was her driveway, she’s in hysterics, and she’s the one who actually found Canelo,” Wong explained in a video for The Dodo.
“She pulled it together and was like, ‘We need to save him.’” The dog, later identified as Canelo, was lying motionless in the yard that had once been their home, his posture defeated and his spirit visibly broken. Concerned he might be seriously injured, the women knew they had to act quickly.
Lauren sought help nearby and found a truck filled with workers. “I went down the driveway, I found a truck full of guys and I was like, ‘There’s this dog that needs help,’ and without hesitation, they jumped out that vehicle and came right away,” she said. Together, the group offered Canelo food, water, and a blanket to keep him warm while they assessed how to help him further.
“We were all afraid to pick him up,” Lauren admitted. “We didn’t know the severity of his injuries. We knew his paws were burned and a bit of the front of his mouth.” Despite his condition, Canelo remained calm, seemingly placing his trust in the strangers who had come to his rescue. A news crew from CNN arrived on the scene, documenting the unfolding rescue while Canelo waited patiently, as though he knew he was in good hands.
“This baby knew that we were there to save him,” Lauren said. Once Canelo was carefully loaded into a truck, the men transported him to the Pasadena Humane Society, where he could receive the care he desperately needed. Not long after, his owner arrived at the shelter, overjoyed to be reunited with his beloved companion.
The owner had initially evacuated with Canelo but they were separated on their ride away from the fire. “He had him in the back of his pickup truck, but with all those embers flying, Canelo got scared, jumped out and ran,” Lauren explained. “With all the smoke, it was impossible for him to find Canelo.” Now recovering from his burns and injuries, Canelo will soon return to the family who had been desperately searching for him.
Though Lauren and her girlfriend were facing their own tragedy, they didn’t hesitate to help a soul in need. Thanks to their compassion, Canelo’s story is one of hope and resilience, proving that even in the darkest moments, kindness can shine through.
To help Pasadena Humane Society rescue and treat animals affected by the fires, please click here to learn more.
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