Nov 13th 2009
Andrew Mearse, AP
Sabi, a bomb-sniffing black Lab who disappeared during a battle in Afghanistan 14 months ago, has been returned to her unit.
Sabi was with an Australian-Afghan army patrol when they were ambushed in the Uruzgan province in September 2008. The ensuing gunfight wounded nine soldiers, including Sabi's handler, and Sabi went missing. Soldiers searched for the dog for months, but she was gone without a trace and declared Missing in Action.
Officials from Australia's Department of Defence said Thursday that a U.S. soldier at an isolated patrol base elsewhere in the province recently found Sabi. According to newspaper The Australian, officials would identify the man who discovered Sabi only as a soldier named John who was aware that the Aussie special forces were missing one of their detection dogs.
Military spokesman Brig. Brian Dawson said that because of Sabi's good condition, it appeared that someone had been looking after her for more than a year.
Sabi returned back to base with a hero's welcome. According to The Australian, Sabi's Special Forces trainer claimed that after only a few hours back she was already adhering to orders and chasing tennis balls.
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Great story!
