""We're starting to practice being home," Koerner said in his front yard, with Daisy at his feet and a work crew applying finishing touches in the living room."
""That dog has saved my life more times than I can count," said Koerner, 66, who is single, suffers from bouts of depression, and bonded with Daisy the day he rescued her as a puppy. "She is my service dog.""
""They framed the whole house, and the garage, in three days. Thirty journeymen framers. Because of her," said Koerner, his voice breaking as he recalled the house-raising that began in mid-July. "They all understood, if she dies before I get home, don't finish building it, because I'll be dead the same day.""
Ted Koerner's Altadena house was incinerated in the Eaton fire in January along with thousands of others. Doors, windows, appliances, and stacked hardwood floors are now ready as the rebuilt house nears completion. Koerner and his 13-year-old golden retriever, Daisy, have spent most of the year in temporary quarters and plan to return in weeks. Daisy is well beyond average lifespan, receives salmon and bottled water, and serves as Koerner's service dog. Koerner, 66, single and battling depression, pushed for rapid reconstruction; framers completed the house and garage framing in three days because of Daisy. He expects to be among the first to move back.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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