Experts ‘amazed’ at survival of Valerie the miniature dachshund – on the run on South Australian island for more than a year

[TootsieFootsie]

50 second video of Valerie back home.

We see the two dachshunds running together

 

[TootsieFootsie]

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Valerie receiving crate training, for if and when she needs time alone.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I think Valerie is top sausage dog and big sister back in her new home

 

[Quiet Time]

She looks pretty darn good for runnin' amok all those 562 days. She's one tough little doggie.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I think Valerie is top sausage dog and big sister back in her new home

I should have said back in her old home.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

One week at home!! Valerie has settled back into home life smoothly. Her first week has ... - Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/valerie_dachshund/p/DJwHUHppB0G/

 

[slowpoke]

Thank you, @TootsieFootsie for bringing the story of Amazing Valerie. What an adventure it has been for us to follow her saga. I am so blown away by this resilient dog. What a special pup she is.

 

[Sillybilly]

So wonderful to see little Valerie back home after such a tremendous journey. What a little trooper !!

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Heartwarming reunion: former Maitland man reunited with Valerie after 529 days in the wild

'We never thought we'd hold her again': Valerie reunites with owners.

www.maitlandmercury.com.au

Maybe behind a paywall. Posting it here for those who subscribe.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Video update on Valerie

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7504844728995695890

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I'm so happy that the hard life for Valerie is over and now she gets to enjoy being loved and looked after

 

[TootsieFootsie]

https://www.npr.org/2025/05/30/nx-s1-5403639/valerie-mini-dachshund-australia-found

May 30, 2025

After 529 days alone in the Australian bush, Valerie the mini dachshund is home​

Bundled in a little blanket on a plush couch, Valerie doesn't quite look like a dog who recently survived more than 17 months in the Australian wilderness. She's nestled between her two owners, 24-year-old Georgia Gardner and 25-year-old Josh Fishlock, licking the couple's faces every so often as they talk over Zoom.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

https://www.npr.org/2025/05/30/nx-s1-5403639/valerie-mini-dachshund-australia-found

About a month has passed since her big adventure came to an end, and Valerie has been back home with Gardner and Fishlock for about two weeks. They say she's settled right back in: playing with her toys, cuddling in bed and going on walks just like before she went missing.

"She's come back a bit more independent," Gardner says. "She's still quite attached to us, but she's stronger and more on her own."

 

[TootsieFootsie]

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/valerie-the-dachshund-lost-on-kangaroo-island-makes-social-media-debut/news-story/aba4719f2e3a8b738729c4ad1afa5af8?amp

Valerie the dachshund lost on Kangaroo Island makes social media debut​

Behind a paywall, I think. Posting it here for those who subscribe.

 

[LittleSeaTree]

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/valerie-the-dachshund-lost-on-kangaroo-island-makes-social-media-debut/news-story/aba4719f2e3a8b738729c4ad1afa5af8?amp

Valerie the dachshund lost on Kangaroo Island makes social media debut​

Behind a paywall, I think. Posting it here for those who subscribe.

Thank you for these posts, Tootsie, so heartwarming

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Do dogs need people to survive? The truth might hurt.

A miniature dachshund survived in the wild for 529 days. Could your dog? Experts say it depends on these traits.

www.nationalgeographic.com

Natiional Geographic

Do dogs need people to survive? The truth might hurt.​

Quite a bit is about Valerie and how she survived and thrived.


Maybe behind a paywall. Posting it here for those who subscribe.

 

[LittleSeaTree]

Do dogs need people to survive? The truth might hurt.

A miniature dachshund survived in the wild for 529 days. Could your dog? Experts say it depends on these traits.

www.nationalgeographic.com

Natiional Geographic

Do dogs need people to survive? The truth might hurt.​

Quite a bit is about Valerie and how she survived and thrived.


Maybe behind a paywall. Posting it here for those who subscribe.

Thanks, Tootsie!

 

[TootsieFootsie]

In the above article, one of the dog experts thinks it helped that Valerie "believed in herself"

For some reason I can't let go of my interest in Valerie and her adventures

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Happy Birthday Valerie.

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[Quiet Time]

Does her body look unusually LONG>>>>>or what?
FRom her neck to her front paws and then the length of her body to her back legs.

Don't get me wrong...she's still adorable.