Casey Colvin, a resident of Pacific Palisades, experienced an emotional rollercoaster when he was reunited with his beloved rescue dog, Oreo, five days after a devastating wildfire tore through his home. The wildfire, which claimed multiple lives and caused widespread damage, forced Colvin to evacuate, leaving behind his two dogs, Oreo and Tika Tika Tika.
Colvin was not home when the evacuation order was issued, leaving the two dogs trapped inside. His heartache was compounded when he was unable to return in time. Fortunately, a firefighter risked his safety to rescue one of the dogs, Tika Tika Tika, but Oreo had managed to escape before the flames reached the house. Later that day, Colvin’s home was engulfed in flames.
Determined not to give up, Colvin tirelessly searched for Oreo. He even used an AirTag to track the dog’s movements and enlisted the help of a professional dog trapper. His persistence paid off when, on January 12, he received a tip that Oreo had been spotted hiding in a nearby neighbor’s yard.
NBC News correspondent Liz Kreutz captured the emotional moment on video. The video, which has gone viral, shows Oreo running toward Colvin, who immediately scoops him up, tears of joy and relief streaming down his face. “OREO HAS BEEN FOUND!!!” Kreutz captioned the video, sharing the heartwarming reunion with the world.
“I met Casey Colvin the very first day of the fire,” Kreutz shared. “He was in distress, trying to get back to his home to rescue his dogs.” At the time, Colvin’s plea for help had caught the attention of a firefighter, who bravely went to his house and saved Tika Tika Tika. Without this intervention, both dogs might have perished in the flames.
As of Sunday, the LA wildfire had tragically claimed the lives of 16 people, and rescue operations were still underway. However, for Colvin, the reunion with Oreo brought a bright moment of hope amid the tragedy.
The emotional reunion has won viewers’ hearts across the internet, reminding everyone of the deep bond between humans and their pets. Despite the chaos, Colvin’s determination and love for Oreo were a beacon of hope in a time of devastation.