By Rebbeca Marroquin

Owners reunite with their pets in Pelican Narrows

Sep 15, 2017 | 8:00 AM

Many of the 2,700 evacuees are reuniting with their pets they had to leave behind because of the Pelican Narrows wildfires.

The evacuation was ordered Aug. 29, and lifted Sept. 13. 

For Laura Linklater, being away from her dog for two weeks was the longest they’ve ever been apart.

She said she was in a rush when she fled her home. She thought she would only be away for a couple of days, so she wasn’t worried about leaving her best friend of 12 years, Sparkey.

“I wasn’t thinking straight when I left the community… I felt really lonesome for my puppy,” she said.

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However, her son stayed back to work security so he was able to check on the family pet regularly.

Linklater said she was so happy to see Sparky after their long separation but was worried when she noticed he wasn’t barking.

“Usually when he sees me for the first time after being absent for a while he barks, a happy bark, but nothing came out of him… nothing at all,” Linklater said it’s possible he lost his voice due to smoke. She also noticed a discoloration of his fur at first, but his bark and normal color are coming back.

“I think he’s okay now. He’s his usual self now.”

According to the Ministry of Government Relations, Pelican Narrows RCMP and locals who stayed behind went into homes daily to feed pets during the two week evacuation.

This week alone, 400 pounds of dog food was delivered.

In an email, Joanne Dickson with the Northern Animal Rescue said with the help of the community, they donated over 50 bags of dog and cat food. She said they were told roughly 120 pets and stray animals were left in Pelican. 

It’s safe to say all the barking and meowing in the community in the coming days will be for the right reasons. 

rebbeca.marroquin@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @becamarroquin