A refuge for mistreated and abandoned German Shepherd dogs suffered a severe loss following a fire on April 25. The modular home of the rescue’s owner, Grace Konosky, 67, was completely destroyed, and her four personal dogs were injured. One dog, 12-year-old Bailey, died from her injuries in late May.

The other 18 dogs of German Shepherd Rescue, a no-kill shelter in Cummings, California, are safe and sound, relocated until Konosky can complete repairs.  “Material things I can always replace. But my animals, that’s something else,” she says. Her shelter is especially for dogs that are aged or otherwise unadoptable.

Konosky has been working between the shelter and another rescue kennel in Burbank, but she has been planning on selling the Burbank operation to be able to spend more time at the rescue near her home.

The dogs injured in the fire suffered from nose and paw burns, burned fur and smoke inhalation.

Bailey did not receive injury until after she ran back into the house, scared and seeking sanctuary.  “It was a shock. She was doing okay, and then she just took a turn for the worse. She went into shock and her organs just shut down,” says Konosky sadly.

Surprisingly, 150-plus pound Pawja, Konosky’s favorite, who suffered graver harm than Bailey, made it thought okay—though he refuses to let his mistress re-bandage his injured paws.

Bear Valley Police Officer Laura Hutchinson is credited with saving the dogs’ lives. She just happened to be driving by the home when she saw the smoke. When she got closer she realized that a good portion of the building was in flames. She radioed for help, and then bravely went into the burning building.

When the burning flames and smoke forced Hutchinson to leave the house, she opened the fence, allowing the dogs a chance to get away. She also helped take the dogs to the local animal hospital.

When owners of Sobel Development and Tehachapi’s Orchard Shopping Center, Lloyd and Brad Sobel, received news of the catastrophe, they immediately jumped in to help, clearing away debris and helping with donations. One of the Sobels had adopted a German Shepherd Konosky’s Burbank rescue shelter and knew about how important her work was to these dogs and the community.  

Though many donations have been made to help pay for the recovery, Konosky’s dogs' medical bills still exceed $10,000.

To find out how to help the rescue center, visit their website for more information, or call (818) 558-7560.