Sabi, MIA Dog, Found In Afghanistan (PHOTOS); Was Gone For 14 Months

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(AP) SYDNEY — A bomb-sniffing dog that disappeared during a fierce battle in Afghanistan between Australian troops and militant fighters has been found and returned to its unit after more than a year.

And Sabi the black Labrador is getting a celebrity welcome home.

Sabi was with a joint Australian-Afghan army patrol ambushed in restive Uruzgan province in September 2008, triggering a gunfight that wounded nine troops and earned one Australian soldier the country's highest bravery medal.

But there was no sign of Sabi after the battle, and months of searching failed to find any sign of the retriever – until now.

Defense officials said Thursday that a U.S. soldier recovered Sabi at an isolated patrol base elsewhere in Uruzgan. Further details about the base were not given.

The dog was returned to the Australians' base in the province just in time for a visit by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who was photographed Wednesday along with the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, petting Sabi.

"Sabi is back home in one piece and is a genuinely nice pooch as well," Rudd told reporters.

Exactly where Sabi has been or what happened to her during the past 14 months will probably never be known, though her being in good condition when she was found indicated somebody had been looking after her, military spokesman Brig. Brian Dawson told reporters in Canberra.

The dog was being tested for diseases before a decision was made on whether she can return to Australia.

More than 1,500 Australian troops are in Afghanistan and most are involved in training Afghan security forces. Among them are units that use dogs to sniff out roadside bombs and other explosive booby traps.

Comments

[Ranta]

Finally, a feel good story on Huffpo and no mention of Sarah P.

[jetphixer]

Bring the dog home an bring the troops home.. Bill Retired US Navy Aviator

[jasev01]

No one ate him

[thepoliticalcat]

What an ignorant comment.

[mamacat]

I love animals, but I was raised to value human life over an animal's life.
The hard reality is that we put bomb-sniffing dogs at risk in order to save humans. If this beautiful animal can survive being deployed to Afghanistan, she deserves to retire back home in Australia.

[thepoliticalcat]

Yes, but you clearly have learned better now. She's earned her retirement, poor little beastie.

[Amock]

That is really a touching story. Now send her home with the rest of the troops so they ALL can live to see another day.

[maggiee]

She's a goo'girl. She should be allowed to go home.

[LisaMarieC]

Sabi's a beauty! Look at those brown eyes.

[violimo]

If only dogs could speak. What a tale Sabi could tell. In a related story, the soldier that was awarded a bravery medal in the same battle where Sabi disappeared was Trooper Donaldson .It is the highest military medal the Victoria Cross and he had an audience with Queen Elizabeth only yesterday. Sabi will get a heroes welcome when he returns that's for sure.

[Kate52]

Bring this dog home.
Smart dog - knew how to survive in a hostile enviroment.
Hero in my eyes.
She can lead the march on ANZAC day in April next year.

[Lavafalls]

The dog was in good condition. It doesn't appear to be a "hostile environment" for dogs.

[thepoliticalcat]

I beg to differ. Afghanistan is a Muslim nation and dogs are considered "haram," or unclean ("treyf," in Hebrew). Sabi is a very lucky pup indeed, to have made it.

[thepoliticalcat]

Hear! Hear! I'd like to see her lead the ANZAC day parade, actually.

[Just4theHalibut]

So, what is the mortality rate among bomb-sniffing dogs?
Maybe Sabi was happier with whatever family was taking care of her all this time...

[KinkyGirl]

I can see what you mean.

[thepoliticalcat]

That's possible, but life in a war zone is also hard on dogs. Afghanis are not wealthy by any means, and feeding and caring for a dog that has no real monetary value nor a claim to the affection of whoever cared for her, is an unimaginable luxury and a danger in a war zone. Her happiness under the circumstances is less important than her ultimate chances of survival, and I deem those are greater in an honorable retirement in NZ.

[Freesia2]

G'Day mate :-) And it is a good one. Welcome back to your friends Sabi. I hope they gave you a welcome home feast.

[thepoliticalcat]

I reckon they did, Freesia2. And some unknown Afghani family shared their few and precious resources with her as well, the lucky little pooch.

[firewmn]

Bow Wow Wow Yipee Yo Yippe Yea...





Colbert- 11/11/09---- P-Funk

[dswagz]

'Probably got sweet-talked by one of those American dogs looking for some tail ..........

[NativeSonII]

I needed a little good news. Thanks for the story.

[gdcormany]

good dog! Sabi come home!

[allegorphian]

There's something about Australian dogs. . .I once heard an Aussie cowboy tell how he lost his dog on a long cattle drive. When he received a call from someone who found the dog far from home, the cowboy replied, "Put him up to the phone." Then he whistled into the receiver and said, "Here boy! Come on home." The dog trotted home a few days later, reportedly "dog tired."