In a feat that reduces the "incredible journey" taken by the animals of Homeward Bound to a mere shuffle around the block, an Australian dog has been found after spending a year in the Afghan desert.
Sabi, a black labrador, has returned to an Australian base at Tarin Kwot, having gone missing 12 months ago.
The four-year-old, a sniffer dog trained to locate explosive devices, went missing during a battle which injured nine soldiers and led to Australian Trooper Mark Donaldson being awarded a Victoria Cross for holding off Taliban insurgents.
The party became separated from the dog during the clash, and with Sabi missing in action, her troop feared the worst.
But the hound had been detained by Taliban fighters, who appear to have hung on to her in the desert for the past year.
The Sydney Morning Herald said Sabi was "rescued" by an American serviceman, identified only as John, who recognised her as a highly trained bomb sniffer. The dog was reunited with Australian troops yesterday, where she reportedly "appeared composed and relaxed" as she posed for cameras and met the Australian prime minister, Kevin Rudd.
Speaking from London, Donaldson welcomed her return. "She's the last piece of the puzzle,'' he told the Herald.
"Having Sabi back gives some closure for the handler and the rest of us that served with her in 2008. It's a fantastic morale booster for the guys.''
