Valerie is a dachshund and is the beloved pet of Josh Fishlock and Georgia Gardner. The family has had a joyful reunion after 529 days apart. Valerie escaped while the couple was camping in Stokes Bay on November 13, 2023. The dog spent the next 17 months lost on Kangaroo Island.
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Surprisingly, Valerie was healthy after her adventure and gained four pounds. Staff from Kangala Wildlife Rescue located and captured her. They showered her with attention and love while getting an all-clear from the vet. After clearance from the vet, she was returned to her family in mainland Australia.
The wildlife center had been receiving reports of “Valerie sightings” the entire time, but the little animal was elusive. No one knows how the dog survived alone on Kangaroo Island for so long. Reports of the dog came in from about 15 kilometers from Stokes Bay, where she went missing. That is over nine miles and quite a distance on such short little legs.
The rescue operation was a long process involving many volunteers combing the island week after week for almost the entire time Valerie was missing. Kangala Wildlife Rescue coordinated the efforts, but it was a combined effort from many dedicated people. The effort involved over 1,000 volunteer hours logged and over 5,000 kilometers in their private vehicles. Trail cameras were mounted and monitored at various locations, and humane traps were placed.
For Georgia and Josh, none of that matters. Georgia initially responded, “I bawled my eyes out and just seeing her come up and wag her tail and bark, I’m speechless.” Someone suggested they fill in the gaps for a series of children’s books to benefit the wildlife rescue.
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