A Canterbury farm worker is devastated after a house fire destroyed her belongings, and killed her beloved dog Sam.
A Givealittle fundraising campaign has been launched for her and her two flatmates after the blaze near Rakaia.
Anna Haywood was alerted to the fire while working on the farm just after 2 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon.
"We raced back, but by the time we got back the whole place was pretty much gone, apart from the garage," she said.
"So as soon as I returned I knew that Sam was gone, there was no way that he could have survived it," said Haywood.
She said her boss' wife made the call.
"I rang her straight back to tell her that the dog was inside but she couldn't get near the fire."
Haywood said when she arrived home, the fire brigade were working to put out the fire.
"There was nothing we could do so I rang my flatmates and they came rushing home - and we just sat there and waited for the fire to be put out."
She said was heartbroken about the loss of seven-year-old border collie, Sam.
"He was a mainstay when I was shepherding and when I went dairy farming, I sold all my dogs because I had about five of them, but I couldn't sell Sam, I had to keep him."
She said while Sam helped a bit on the farm, he had been mostly a pet.
"He was my favourite, he's been a pet for last five years - he helped a bit on the farm, but he sleeps inside so is a pet."
While Haywood was insured, her two flatmates were not and a Givealittle fundraising campaign has been launched for the women.
Haywood said they were grateful for the support from the community.
"There's been so many messages of support, even from complete strangers, we are really grateful."
She is now planning a memorial for Sam.
"We are going to put a plaque at his grave and plant some trees. I also have a locket with his photo inside so I can have him with me all the time."
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Newshub.
