Kangaroo Island, โSA – After 529 days lost in the Australian bush, aโข dachshund named Valerie has been miraculously reunited withโ her owners on Kangaroo Island. The remarkable rescue, detailed inโค tonightSโ Australian Story episode, captivated locals and ultimately required a dedicated team effort to bring the beloved pet home.
georgia and Joshua,Valerie’s owners,were devastated when their dog disappeared in may 2022. They feared the worst, but a steadfast group of Kangaroo Island residents refused โto give up hope.Valerie survived for over โa year and a half foraging for food and reportedly befriending possums, before being spotted โขand eventually trapped. “Its a miracle,” the couple said, acknowledging the unwavering commitment of the local community was crucial to Valerie’s return.
Valerie has settled back into domestic life “surprisingly well,” according to her owners, happily reconnecting with her canine companion, Mason, a red heeler, and feline โคfriend, Lucy. The couple even adopted a dachshund puppy, Dorothy, after Valerie went โฃmissing – notโค asโค a replacement, but “a โpositive way for us to keep the memories alive of Valerie.”
The rescue involved numerous sightings, carefully laid traps, and the dedication of volunteers who spentโฃ countless hours โsearchingโ for the missing dog. Locals reported Valerie appeared surprisingly healthy despite her ordeal.
Dog Gone: The Hunt for Valerie airs tonight at 8:00pm (AEDT) on ABCTVโ and ABC iview. The โprogram features footage of Valerie’s reunion andโ interviews with those involved in the extraordinary search.