LOS ANGELES, CA. (THECOUNT) — In a heartwarming turn of events amidst the devastation of the Los Angeles fires, Casey Colvin reunited with his cherished dog, Oreo, on Sunday, January 12, 2025. The reunion came five nights after they were separated during the mandatory evacuation from the Pacific Palisades area due to the raging wildfires.
NBC News reported that Colvin, whose home was destroyed in the fire, employed a dog tracker to locate Oreo, who was found sleeping among the debris of a neighbor’s property. The emotional moment was captured on video by NBC reporter Liz Kreutz and shared on X, showing Colvin coaxing Oreo towards him with a toy while holding his other dog.
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The video depicts an overjoyed Colvin as Oreo dashed towards him, leading to an emotional embrace. “You’re alive, you’re alive,” Colvin exclaimed, his voice breaking with relief as he ran across the street in celebration, thanking God for the miracle. He later hugged Kreutz, who had helped in the search efforts.
The BEST news! Fire victim Casey Colvin, whose home burned down in the Palisades Fire, just found and reunited with his dog, Oreo, who spent 5 nights surviving amidst the rubble ❤️ @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/rAuJJk3pfa
— Liz Kreutz (@LizKreutzNews) January 12, 2025
The search for Oreo began on Tuesday, January 7, after the dog escaped during the chaotic evacuations. Colvin, who was at work when the alert was issued, spent five hours navigating through traffic to reach his home, only to find it engulfed in flames. “I literally rescued them off the street,” he told Kreutz, lamenting his inability to save his pets immediately.
A compassionate firefighter managed to rescue Colvin’s other dog, Tika, but Oreo had already fled. Posters were distributed to alert the community about Oreo’s disappearance, culminating in his discovery on Sunday.
Kreutz shared the joyful news on Instagram, “OREO HAS BEEN FOUND!!! Casey called me right after my last post and told me there were eyes on Oreo. We rushed to his street where Oreo was hiding in his neighbor’s home. The moment he saw Casey he came running. An incredible moment and bright spot in such a devastating time.”
The fires, including the devastating Palisades Fire, have wreaked havoc across Los Angeles County. Overnight on Wednesday, January 8, dozens of beachfront homes in Malibu were destroyed. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported that the death toll from these fires has risen to 24, with Sheriff Robert Luna noting at least 16 people still missing.
As the community grapples with this tragedy, stories like Colvin and Oreo’s reunion shine as beacons of hope and resilience in the face of overwhelming loss.
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