Through the catastrophic wildfire ablaze in Fort McMurray, Tony Middleton and his family found human kindness and the “true Canadian spirit” emerging out of the rubble.

Living in Toronto, Middleton’s heart remained fixed in the disastrous conditions as both his parents, Anna and Tony, became a part of the 80,000 residents forced to leave their home and family, and their 14-year old family member, their dog Abby.

Residing and employed in Fort McMurray for the last six years, Middleton’s parents were working as bus drivers when the mandatory evacuation orders were given.

It was then they believed that they would have to make a “devastating decision,” Middleton said. “They were asked to help move people from town to a camp approximately 30 kilometres north of Fort McMurray but in doing so, they had to leave our family dog behind — it was sad to see them blame themselves.”

During the three days Abby was left alone at the home, without water or food, was the hardest time the Middleton’s faced believing that they would never see their companion again. Deciding to fly out of Edmonton and to Toronto last Friday, they figured that their memories from the home were destroyed.

And then, something that Middleton calls the “Canadian spirit and integrity” shone down on the ruins.

While waiting for his parents to arrive in Toronto, Middleton learned of the “Fort Mcmurray Evac Relocation Help Group,” a Facebook support group of volunteers who help anyone seeking assistance to deal with the Fort McMurray fires.

Making his last shot to find and hopefully save Abby, Middleton posted her picture to the site: “Our dog’s name is Abby. She’s old and deaf but still kicking. The door is unlocked and her leash should be by the entrance. My parents are absolutely beside themselves as she’s been alone for two days,” the Facebook caption read.

An hour later, and after receiving hundreds of responses, Middleton saw a photo he never expected to receive — a photo of Abby, alive and well-fed.

“Complete strangers responded to my post about Abby . . . offering their support and assistance.” Middleton said. “It shows just how incredible Canadians are, coming together under dire circumstances to help not only one another, but our pets as well.”

Middleton said these strangers, Tahnee Hovind and Eric Jalbert, put “faith back in humanity” for his parents who were reunited with Abby moments before boarding their flight to Toronto.

“They ‘hand-delivered’ Abby to my parents at the Edmonton Airport — they went on their own accord” he said. “They are overwhelmed by love, by kindness and selflessness — that’s what it means to be Canadian.”

Hovind and Jalbert, are part of a small but dedicated group of animal lovers determined to keep rescuing pets from a potential “mass grave” in the abandoned homes of Fort McMurray, despite having been kicked out by police last week.

By Sunday afternoon, members of the group said they had received thousands of emails from evacuees of thewildfire whose pets were left behind.

Sam Sansalone, who’s from southern Alberta and is a member of the Facebook group Fort Mac Fire — Pet Rescue, where many of the efforts are being co-ordinated, said group members rescued about 230 pets on Wednesday and Thursday.

But police kicked them out on Thursday and again on Friday, he said.

Sansalone said authorities told them the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo was taking over pet rescue duties, and there was a risk that people working independently might loot houses under the guise of attempting to rescue pets.

He said he understands that concern, but said that official resources are spread too thin, and civilians should be allowed to help.

“This is a mass grave, in basements, in crates,” he said.

He said that now, his group will try to work with local authorities. He said they’re hoping to speak with RCMP at the scene and get approval to join the official rescue efforts.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley told a news conference that it was unsafe for people other than first responders to enter Fort McMurray, but emergency personnel were already helping rescue animals.

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She said first responders were giving food and water to the pets left behind by evacuees, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was attempting to rescue what pets they could.

She said the SPCA was asking pet owners to register their pets online to give permission for the official rescue team to enter their homes.

With files from The Canadian Press

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