Leanne Shirtliffe

Saving Thunder the Great: The True Story of a Gerbil's Rescue from the Fort McMurray Wildfire Leanne Shirtliffe

If you have to evacuate while Im at work, just take Thunder the Great." Those were Mums instructions the day before flames roared into Fort McMurray. On 3 May 2016, Mamma and Thunder the Great -- a gerbil belonging to her son Jackson -- were forced to flee their home. In a frightening rescue attempt, Mamma faces wildfire, traffic gridlock, an empty gas tank, and other challenges all to get Thunder and herself to safety for the sake of her son.