A dachshund named Valerie has been joyously reunited with her owners, Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, after an astonishing 540 days apart. The heartwarming reunion took place on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, following a dramatic 18-month-long search that captured the attention of animal lovers worldwide.
Valerie, a nearly three-year-old dachshund, went missing in November 2023 while her owners were vacationing at a campsite on the island. Despite an extensive island-wide search and multiple reported sightings, it wasn’t until last month that the dog was finally found by Kangala Wildlife Rescue. The rescue team had been tirelessly working with sophisticated tracking technology to locate her, and they discovered Valerie in surprisingly good health.
Gardner and Fishlock, who reside in Albury, New South Wales, made the emotional trip to Kangaroo Island yesterday, where they were reunited with their beloved pet. In a touching moment, Gardner recalled sitting on the ground when Valerie rushed toward her, wagging her tail and making joyful sounds. “I just burst into tears,” Gardner shared. “She was so happy, and it felt like a miracle.”
Fishlock echoed Gardner’s sentiments, expressing disbelief and overwhelming joy. “It was euphoric— we never thought we’d hold her again, and then suddenly, there she was,” he said.
The couple had brought Valerie’s old harness with them, only to find that she had grown stronger and healthier, even outgrowing it. “She’s stockier now, healthier than we are,” Gardner laughed.
Kangala Wildlife Rescue’s directors, Jared and Lisa Karran, who had formed a strong bond with Valerie throughout the search, reflected on the immense effort involved in her rescue. “We felt like we got to know her through the camera, but when we met her in person, she was so much smaller than we imagined,” said Jared Karran. He added that Valerie’s survival was a miracle given the harsh conditions she faced.
Although thrilled for the reunion, the rescue team also expressed mixed emotions. “It’s going to be hard to say goodbye,” Karran admitted, acknowledging the emotional investment involved in bringing Valerie back to safety. However, he reassured the family that Valerie would be well cared for in her new home. “If she ever feels like a Kangaroo Island getaway, she’s welcome here anytime.”
Gardner expressed deep gratitude toward Kangala Wildlife Rescue, emphasizing that without their dedication, Valerie would not have returned. “Words cannot describe how extremely grateful we are for their work,” she said.
Now preparing for her journey back to Albury, Valerie will travel over 1,000 kilometers by boat and car. She will also be reunited with her “fur-siblings” at home—a cat named Lucy, a red heeler named Mason, and the family’s new dachshund, Dorothy. To help Valerie readjust, Gardner and Fishlock are working with a dog behaviorist to ease her transition, particularly addressing her separation anxiety.
Valerie’s story serves as a reminder of hope for pet owners, and Gardner shared a final message for those who have lost pets or are struggling. “Never give up, and keep hope alive,” she encouraged.
As Valerie embarks on the next chapter of her life, her story remains one of resilience and love, illustrating the unbreakable bond between pet and owner.