Amid all the gloomy news from Afghanistan (and the fingers-on-chalkboard strategy debate), here's a cheerful headline: An Australian Special Forces explosives-sniffing dog has been found alive in Afghanistan -- more than a year after she went MIA in firefight.
According to a news release from the Australian military, Sabi, a Black Labrador, was found by a U.S. soldier at an isolated outpost in Oruzgan Province. Sabi had gone missing after a 2008 firefight in which nine Australian soldiers were wounded, including the dog's handler. Trooper Mark Donaldson, a member of the Australian Special Air Service regiment, won a Victoria Cross for his actions during the battle.
It's not clear from the news release who was taking care of Sabi, but it's a fair guess that there are some dog-lovers in Oruzgan Province.
The U.S. soldier, identified only as John, happened upon Sabi in the company of a local man. He knew that the Australians were missing an explosives-sniffing dog. “I took the dog and gave it some commands it understood,” John said.
Sabi was returned to the Australian base at Tirin Kowt. The lucky bitch even got to meet Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during his surprise Remembrance Day visit to Afghanistan.
The pooch will now be quarantined while the veterinarians assess whether or not she can return home. Fingers crossed for a clean bill of health, Sabi.
[PHOTO: Australian MoD]
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