As an inferno roared towards Dingo Sanctuary Bargo in December, survival instincts kicked in for a left-behind pack.
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Twelve dingoes sheltered inside and under their kennels, as the Green Wattle Creek fire moved in and destroyed their sanctuary.
Dingo Sanctuary Bargo president Lucille Ellem said although her team had "no choice" but to leave the dingoes behind, she knew they would survive.
"We retrieved 18 dingoes with volunteers and there were 12 that had to stay," she said.
"They were amazing because they went under their kennels and inside their kennels so they were safe. They're very smart animals."
Ms Ellem was one of the sanctuary's founding members 52 years ago.
"I know them, I breathe them, I know how they behave," she said.
"Their characteristics are freedom and survival. Unfortunately all of our pet dogs, mine included, don't have the amazing initiative dingoes do.
"Yet we bad-mouth dingoes. We should be so proud of our Australian breeds."
Sanctuary volunteers have been "running on adrenaline" after the bushfire.
"We're planning what we need to do, waiting for assessors to come and seeing how we can rebuild," Ms Ellem said.
"At the moment we're putting one foot in front of the other."
Volunteers worked hard on Thursday to commence the rebuilding efforts.
"We've got everything to rebuild because we've lost everything," she said.
"All of our gardens are gone, our sheds where we had 52 years of our history are gone, our photos and computers are gone.
"My volunteers are totally loyal, they'd walk for miles to help."
Despite the enormous loss, Ms Ellem said the sanctuary had "wonderful support".
"I'd like to publicly thank Brad Wilson from the Australian Wildlife Foundation. He's been enormously helpful," she said.
"[Property owners] the National Trust have worked with us and they've been a great.
"Gordon from Bargo Quality Meats was the first person to put his hand up if we needed meat or bones so the dingoes had something to chew on and feel good about."
Dingo Sanctuary Bargo is asking for donations to help them rebuild the sanctuary.
Visit https://dingosanctuarybargo.com.au for more information or to make a donation.
For help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Visit the Beyond Blue website for more mental health resources.
