In a heartwarming turn of events, Valerie, the adventurous miniature sausage dog who spent almost two years on the run, has been joyfully reunited with her owners.
Valerie went missing in November 2023 during a camping trip at Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Despite being spotted multiple times on CCTV, the spunky dachshund remained elusive until she was rescued just 11 days ago, after 529 days of living on the run.
Following her rescue, Valerie was cared for by local volunteers until her owners, Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock from Albury, NSW, were able to return to the island to bring her home. The emotional reunion left the couple in tears as Valerie ran straight to Gardner, tail wagging and emitting excited sounds. “I just burst into tears,” Gardner recalled, overwhelmed with emotion as she cradled her long-lost pet.
Fishlock shared the euphoric experience, stating, “It was incredible. We never thought we’d hold her again, and then, suddenly, there she was. It still doesn’t feel real.”
During her time on the island, Valerie had gained 1.8kg of muscle, and her affectionate nature was evident when she showered her owners with kisses. “The reaction was priceless,” Fishlock said, reflecting on the joy of reuniting with their beloved dog.
Valerie, now three years old, had been living at Kangala Wildlife Rescue since her rescue, where she received crucial care and attention. Now, after nearly two years apart, Valerie is heading back to her home in Albury, where she will be reunited with her canine and feline siblings, including her best friend Lucy the rescue cat, Mason the red heeler, and Dorothy, the family’s newest dachshund.
Fishlock expressed their commitment to helping Valerie adjust to her home life. “We’ll be giving her all the love and care she possibly needs,” he said, adding that they are working with a dog behaviorist to ease her transition, especially given her separation anxiety, which was a key factor in her disappearance.
Gardner shared that they plan to crate train Valerie to provide a safe space for her and maintain her on a raw food diet to support her recovery. “Valerie’s story brings hope and inspiration to anyone who’s ever lost a pet or is going through a difficult time,” she said, encouraging others with the message that if Valerie could survive 529 days in the wild, so can they.