Victims of house fire looking for their dog

By John Grant Emeigh - 11/20/2008

The couple that lost their new home in a fire is hoping to find their old dog that they suspect ran away the evening of the blaze.

Patty and Casey Austin think Meeko escaped the house during the fire and may have gotten lost in the mountains southwest of Butte. The Austins' home on Ski Lane, near the old Beef Trail Ski Area, burned down in a blaze that was first reported about 11 p.m. Monday. The house was under construction.

Patty Austin said both her dogs were in a small room attached to the garage at the time of the fire, and she suspects they escaped through a pet door.

One dog returned the day after the fire, but Meeko remained missing as of Wednesday afternoon.

Meeko is described as a half Australian shepherd and border collie mix, with long, scruffy black and white fur. It's about 30 pounds, 13 years old and timid.

Anyone seeing a dog matching this description is asked to call the Austins at 498-1896.

Patty Austin said she and her husband plan to rebuild their home in that same location. The couple has been renting a home in Butte since construction started, and Patty Austin said they will stay there until the home is completed.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it may have started from an auxiliary heating system that was on to dry paint and mud.

— John Grant Emeigh, The Montana Standard