A classic story: Boy meets dog, dog runs away, man and dog are reunited five and a half years later

PARADISE — When Scott McDougle tells people the story of what he calls his “miracle dog,” Rigby, they usually start to cry.

Rigby and his mom — Penny Lane — bolted from McDougle’s Paradise home just as the Camp Fire was approaching on Nov. 8, 2018 after McDougle’s friend opened the door. McDougle was in Chico at the time and police wouldn’t let him back up the ridge.

“We thought he had burned in the fire,” McDougle said. “I was crying about him the week before I found him. Years later it still resonated. It was like the grace of God, finding him.”

McDougle has had Rigby since he was a puppy and came from a dog family of five. All five dogs lived with McDougle and his family.

They were reunited thanks largely to a 530 Cody Alert on Facebook, where people were posting pictures and video of Rigby in the Marysville area. McDougle saw the alert April 25.

“I said ‘Oh my God, that’s my dog,” McDougle recalled. He drove to the area looking for Rigby and wasn’t able to find him, but did hang up flyers all over the Marysville, Olivehurst and Linda area.

Fortunately, McDougle later got a call from a couple in the area. He drove to their residence and there was Rigby, hanging out near the family barbecue.

Rigby wasn’t microchipped — he will be now, McDougle said — but was easily recognizable in many ways. McDougle said he recognized his copper color and thick fur, the tip of his tail, his long body, his propensity for drooling and the way he stretches and digs.

Mainly, though, the dead giveaway were two easily distinguished spots on Rigby’s tongue.

“He’s mine, 100%,” McDougle said. “It’s such a blessing. I wish Rigby could talk, the stories he would tell.”

Rigby, whose mom was a lab mastiff and father a husky hybrid, was a bit over the age of 3 when he ran away so he’s 8 or 9 now — at least in people years.

“He has a bit of white on his face now,” McDougle said.

Rigby can’t be left alone because of some separation anxiety, so he is with McDougle all of the time and sleeps with him at night. McDougle said the separation anxiety seems to be the only thing affecting Rigby and he doesn’t appear to have any physical injuries. He’ll be taking Rigby to the vet for an examination soon.

Rigby is a bit of a senior citizen now, so doesn’t play as much, but McDougle has been taking him around for hikes since the reunion. He took him to the park on Bille Road in Paradise and the Magalia golf course and the Poa Trailhead in Magalia.

Rigby ended up about an hour away from where he took off. “Maybe he was roaming through the hills all of this time. I’m so blessed and happy. This couldn’t have come at a better time,” McDougle said.

A new home awaits

With the help of Catholic services and the Tiny Pines foundation, McDougle’s house is being rebuilt in Concow after his Paradise home burned in the fire. McDougle has been staying with his girlfriend in Magalia since the fire.

“My girlfriend told me I should be a pet detective,” McDougle said with a laugh.

Rigby is likely the only dog left of the original five. McDougle thinks Penny Lane is probably dead by now.

“Finding him gives me hope, maybe someone took her in,” McDougle said. “It was the luck of the Irish to find him. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack. This is a love story.”

McDougle said his girlfriend has dogs as well, whippets and a Yorkie. McDougle said Rigby loves hamburgers, chicken and bacon and loves chewing on bones.

“He’s probably tired of me loving on him,” McDougle said.

“I drove myself nuts looking for this dog. God smiled on me.”