Dog Thought Lost In California Wildfire Reunites With Family 101 Days Later

Feb 27, 2019 by apost team

The Ballejos family was certain they would never see their family dog again after the family was forced to flee the wildfires that devastated California last year. However, the dog and the family were reunited after a 101-day separation.

The Ballejos were living in Paradise, California when the Campfire wildfires occurred. The town of Paradise was completely destroyed and 15,000 residents were left with nowhere to live.

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The Ballejos 12-year-old dog Kingston, jumped from the back of the pickup truck as the family drove away from the fires. The truck had traveled several miles before the Ballejos became aware Kingston was not onboard.

They knew the situation was not favorable for their dog but refused to lose hope they would see him again.

Gabriel Ballejos says he was moved to tears when he found out the family dog was alive and unharmed.

He said the dog's survival is an example of the American spirit.

The family posted flyers everywhere they thought would help and reached out to every shelter in the area. Maleah, Gabriel's daughter told her dad each night they need to search harder for the dog the next day.

The weeks began to pass the Ballejos family by with no sign of their dog. And then, 101 days later, the family received a phone call that brought joy to them all. Kingston had become ensnared in a trap set by dog trapper Ben Lepe. Lepe turned the dog over to Friends of Campfire Cats.

"When I found out, it just about brought me to tears," Gabriel told ABC10.

The rescue group says they have reunited more than 200 pets with the families they lost during the wildfires.

Hannah Braden, a member of Friends of Campfire Cats, says reuniting pets to their families gives hope to people who lost everything else in the fires.

The Ballejos family believe Kingston survived the ordeal by hunting skunks. The dog was a skunk hunter in the past and smelled just like the animals when he was returned to them.

Gabriel said it took several baths before the stench of skunk was gone from the dog.

In any event, the entire Ballejos family is thrilled to have their beloved Kingston home again.

Watch the heartwarming reunion yourself:

Were you excited by the reunion between Kingston and the Ballejos family? Did it surprise you they believed their dog would escape the wildfires safely? Show this article to friends and family. It is just the thing to brighten an otherwise dreary day.