When Melanie Dry and her family battened down the hatches in anticipation of the approaching bomb cyclone on Nov. 19, the Saanich residents were most concerned about the risk of falling trees. Little did they know a danger of a different kind was on the horizon.

Woken in the early hours of Nov. 20 by the smell of smoke, Dry discovered a nearby building under construction on Quadra Street was ablaze.

Fanned by strong winds, embers from the fire drifted down Lodge Avenue, falling onto the homes of unsuspecting residents, including Dry.

香蕉视频直播淚t was raining fire,香蕉视频直播� said Dry. 香蕉视频直播淚t was like something out of a movie, it was just insane.香蕉视频直播�

As well as making sure she got her family to safety, Dry also had four bulldogs to consider 香蕉视频直播� her home is also the headquarters for the volunteer-run Victoria Bulldog Society.

香蕉视频直播淭he embers were hitting the roof 香蕉视频直播� we have two kids (ages six and two) in the house and four dogs,香蕉视频直播� said Dry. 香蕉视频直播淓verybody was in shock, the kids were upset, we were upset, the dogs didn't know what was going on.香蕉视频直播�

With everyone safe, Dry and her partner went on the offensive, using garden hoses to put out small fires breaking out on their property.

"My pyjamas caught fire three times while I was outside, it was quite something," she says. "Very scary, it's a lot when you're concerned about the safety of your family and having a roof over your head at the end of this."

Thankfully for Dry and her family, their home survived the fire, but for the small dog rescue charity, the disaster will have long-term and far-reaching consequences.

As Saanich crews work to remove debris at the Quadra Street site, Dry and Victoria Bulldog Society volunteer Katy Mukai have begun the cleanup at the group香蕉视频直播檚 headquarters.

Covered in soot and ash, littered with fire-damaged dog equipment and supplies, Dry香蕉视频直播檚 backyard is a sight for sore eyes.

香蕉视频直播淗onestly everything outside at this stage is looking like it needs to be replaced,香蕉视频直播� said Dry. 香蕉视频直播淭here's ash everywhere, it smells like smoke. It香蕉视频直播檚 not safe at this stage for the dogs to be here.香蕉视频直播�

The cleanup has forced the Victoria Bulldog Society to postpone all upcoming fundraising events, but the needs of the seven dogs currently in the group's care continue.

The society has officially been in action since 2020, but Dry has been volunteering her time to help bulldogs in need for nearly two decades.

Susceptible to a number of medical conditions because of poor breeding, Dry says many people are unaware of the financial implications of owning a bulldog.

香蕉视频直播淲e take in most of our dogs for financial reasons,香蕉视频直播� she said.

According to Dry, because of vet bills, a bulldog surrendered to the Victoria Bulldog Society can cost up to $10,000 to care for. 

The group recently spent $20,000 on one dog alone.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e been crying for donations,香蕉视频直播� she says. 香蕉视频直播淎nd now we've been hit with a natural disaster.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淚t's a lot for a little society to take on at this stage and recover from,香蕉视频直播� continues Dry. 香蕉视频直播淏ut we're happy everybody's safe.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a complete redirection of energy for the society that has been planning all sorts of fundraising activities and events to try and deal with this mountain of vet bills,香蕉视频直播� adds volunteer Mukai. 香蕉视频直播淚t's about just getting back to a status quo, but the bills are still coming in for all the dogs.香蕉视频直播�

To help the society's recovery efforts, Dry and her team of volunteers are appealing for financial donations, which can be made via the group's website or by e-transfer. Dry says 100 per cent of the donations will go towards their work to rescue and care for unwanted bulldogs.

香蕉视频直播淲e can come back from this, but it's going to be a lot of work,香蕉视频直播� says Dry.

To find out more about the Victoria Bulldog Society and donate, visit the group's Facebook page: .