Scott McDougle and his canine, Rigby, have a pleasant second collectively Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Chico, California. Rigby disappeared after the Camp Fire and was reunited along with his canine dad a bit of over every week in the past. (Jennie Blevins/Enterprise-Record)
PARADISE — When Scott McDougle tells folks the story of what he calls his “miracle dog,” Rigby, they normally begin to cry.
Rigby and his mother — Penny Lane — bolted from McDougle’s Paradise home simply because the Camp Fire was approaching on Nov. 8, 2018 after McDougle’s buddy opened the door. McDougle was in Chico on the time and police wouldn’t let him again up the ridge.
“We thought he had burned in the fire,” McDougle mentioned. “I was crying about him the week before I found him. Years later it still resonated. It was like the grace of God, finding him.”
McDougle has had Rigby since he was a puppy and got here from a canine household of 5. All 5 dogs lived with McDougle and his household.
They had been reunited thanks largely to a 530 Cody Alert on Facebook, the place folks had been posting photos and video of Rigby within the Marysville space. McDougle noticed the alert April 25.
“I said ‘Oh my God, that’s my dog,” McDougle recalled. He drove to the world in search of Rigby and wasn’t capable of finding him, however did grasp up flyers everywhere in the Marysville, Olivehurst and Linda space.
Fortunately, McDougle later bought a name from a pair within the space. He drove to their residence and there was Rigby, hanging out close to the household barbecue.
Rigby wasn’t microchipped — he will likely be now, McDougle mentioned — however was simply recognizable in some ways. McDougle mentioned he acknowledged his copper coloration and thick fur, the tip of his tail, his lengthy physique, his propensity for drooling and the way in which he stretches and digs.
Mainly, although, the useless giveaway had been two simply distinguished spots on Rigby’s tongue.
“He’s mine, 100%,” McDougle mentioned. “It’s such a blessing. I wish Rigby could talk, the stories he would tell.”
Rigby, whose mother was a lab mastiff and father a husky hybrid, was a bit over the age of three when he ran away so he’s 8 or 9 now — not less than in folks years.
“He has a bit of white on his face now,” McDougle mentioned.
Rigby can’t be left alone due to some separation anxiousness, so he’s with McDougle all the time and sleeps with him at evening. McDougle mentioned the separation anxiousness appears to be the one factor affecting Rigby and he doesn’t seem to have any bodily accidents. He’ll be taking Rigby to the vet for an examination quickly.
Rigby is a little bit of a senior citizen now, so doesn’t play as a lot, however McDougle has been taking him round for hikes for the reason that reunion. He took him to the park on Bille Road in Paradise and the Magalia golf course and the Poa Trailhead in Magalia.
Rigby ended up about an hour away from the place he took off. “Maybe he was roaming through the hills all of this time. I’m so blessed and happy. This couldn’t have come at a better time,” McDougle mentioned.
A brand new home awaits
With the assistance of Catholic providers and the Tiny Pines basis, McDougle’s home is being rebuilt in Concow after his Paradise home burned within the hearth. McDougle has been staying along with his girlfriend in Magalia for the reason that hearth.
“My girlfriend told me I should be a pet detective,” McDougle mentioned with amusing.
Rigby is probably going the one canine left of the unique 5. McDougle thinks Penny Lane might be useless by now.
“Finding him gives me hope, maybe someone took her in,” McDougle mentioned. “It was the luck of the Irish to find him. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack. This is a love story.”
McDougle mentioned his girlfriend has dogs as properly, whippets and a Yorkie. McDougle mentioned Rigby loves hamburgers, rooster and bacon and loves chewing on bones.
“He’s probably tired of me loving on him,” McDougle mentioned.
“I drove myself nuts looking for this dog. God smiled on me.”
