A home in Stone Mountain suffers damage after a lightning strike in Saturday night's storms. But it could have been much worse if not for the family pet.

The home on Hardwood Court was struck late in the night, but after several hours, the homeowner figured everything was fine.

She went to sleep, only to be awakened later in the morning by her rescue dog Rusty.

DeKalb Fire Captain Kevin Cavanaugh tells Channel 2 Action News Rusty's instincts were correct.

"There was smoldering and there was a small amount of flames in the attic and in the wall on the second flood," says Cavanaugh.

Twenty-five percent of the house burned, but it can be salvaged. Neighbors say it is partly because of Rusty's actions.

"This is testament that they are truly creatures beyond our imagination," says Roy Charles.