Altadena Man and His Dog Return Home After Fire
After enduring the Eaton fire, an Altadena resident and his cherished golden retriever are heading back to their newly rebuilt home, marking a significant milestone after the devastating event.
The one-story house, spanning 2,160 square feet, was completed in just over four months. Homeowner Ted Koerner was particularly motivated to get his 13-year-old dog, Daisy Mae, back home.
Daisy is a fifth-generation European National Grand Champion Golden Retriever, initially bred in Russia as part of a cancer research project by the Morris Animal Foundation. Koerner shares that she enjoys a special diet, stating, “This dog eats Atlantic salmon every day and drinks mountain spring water, which costs $3.50 a bottle.” It’s clear that Daisy holds a special place in his heart. “She means so much to me and has saved me so many times. I consider her a living angel,” he expressed.
During the fire evacuation, Koerner took care to save precious memories, including a couple of framed photographs of Daisy from her younger days. He reminisces about the pictures taken during a snow-covered Thanksgiving when she was just two years old.
Regrettably, some cherished items were lost, including an oil painting of Daisy by a Disney illustrator and a bronze sculpture. When construction resumed, all that was left were wreckage and chimneys.
On Wednesday, Koerner received his certificate of occupancy from Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Berger. She praised his resilience in a press conference, saying, “You’re a true champion. You’re a survivor. But more importantly, you’re back home, where you were determined to be by the holidays.” This was certainly a moment of joy.
The newly constructed home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an attached garage, and a patio, a significant upgrade from the cramped hotel room where Koerner and Daisy stayed post-evacuation.
Reflecting on the process, Koerner mentioned, “Once you make a decision, you move on to the next one. I chose a single color for a quick paint job, and they spray-painted the house four times.” He humorously added, “I could live in a tent if necessary; I’m 67 years old, what’s the difference? I wasn’t aiming for a mansion. They built me a palace with love.”
Encouragingly, more homes in the area are expected to be completed soon, offering hope to others affected by the fire.
