She took a walkabout!
If Valerie could speak the stories she would tell, but her eyes tell a tale of adventure and a learned wisdom that most dogs only dream about…..
The miniature dachshund had [el.ud.ed] searchers on Kangaroo Island since November 2023, only rarely appearing in fuzzy glimpses caught by night-time cameras that showed her pink collar.
The wildlife group that spent months tracking the wily canine on the southern Australian island said late Friday:
Valerie has been safely rescued and is alive and well…
We are absolutely thrilled and deeply relieved that Valerie is finally safe and able to begin her transition back to her loving parents.
Valerie made her [es.ca.pe] during a camping trip with owners Georgia Gardner and her partner Josh Fishlock, dashing out of a pen and into the bush.
Her owners gave up after days of searching on the island, which spans more than 4,400 square kilometres (1,700 square miles) of farms, nature reserves and craggy cliffs.
The [mi.ss.ing] mutt was not seen for more than a year, with many holding out little hope for her survival.
Then, video surveillance and locals began spotting her, and volunteers launched a patient hunt for the hound, which seemed to [fl.ee] from people and cars.
Valerie seems impossible to [tr.ap]
Investing more than 1,000 hours, volunteer searchers drove more than 3,100 miles and deployed cameras, [tr.aps] and lures:
Kangala Wildlife Rescue share: This rescue was a true testament to the dedication and perseverance of team, the unwavering support of the community, and the power of collaboration. There were many challenging moments over the past month, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who played a part in bringing Valerie home.
Regular online updates gave hope they were gradually closing in.
Snatches of black-and-white video showed Valerie regularly visiting a [tr.ap] site, set up with a dog crate, blankets and toys — though the facilities also attracted possums.
Finally, she was [lu.r.ed] into the crate by the scent from torn-up strips of a shirt worn by her owner Georgia, Kangala directors Jared and Lisa Karran said in a video update.
Jared Karran: She was rummaging around, finding little food stashes all over the place. Then she went right to the back corner, which is where we wanted her.
I pressed the button and, thankfully, it all worked perfectly.
On her return to civilization, Valerie was treated to dog food and her favorite, roast chicken.
Sizing up the adventurer, Jared said she was surprisingly small:
I think that she looks quite big on the camera. When I saw her in real life, she is tiny. She’s got, like, an inch clearance under her belly, tiny little legs.
Despite their modest dimensions, dachshunds are “game for anything,” according to the American Kennel Club.
Valerie’s owner Gardner said in a social media post that she was “incredibly grateful” to the volunteers who helped find her dog.
For anyone who’s ever [lo.st] a pet, your feelings are valid and never give up hope.
What an adventure! A furry Robinson Crusoe- who might have not needed saving! 🐶😍
Pretty sure this is the plot to some Roald Dahl novel.😍
