Val’s a ‘houndini’ no more after Kangaroo Island survival ordeal
The miniature dachshund who made international headlines for her 500-day survival alone on Kangaroo Island has transformed from escape artist to homebody, her relieved owners reveal.
Her flight of fancy led to 529 days on the run, but Valerie the miniature dachshund’s days as a ruff and tumble runaway are over, her pawrents say.
Pint-sized pooch Valerie made international headlines when she was rescued from Kangaroo Island in April, 17 months after she ran from a campsite and into the wilderness.
Six months later, the pooch has slotted right back into life with owners Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock.
“It’s probably not as entertaining for her as being free range on the island but she’s been enjoying her retirement and being loved at home,” Ms Gardner said.
“She loves going to bed more than you’d think, burrowing under the covers and sleeping there, she just looks up at you like ‘I don’t want to get up’ sometimes.”
“She loves her walks, playing fetch, and just cuddling on the couch with us … she’s one happy dog.”
So far, Valerie’s biggest challenge since coming home has been adjusting to life as a big sister to the couple’s other mini dachshund, Dorothy.
“Because we got Dorothy while she was gone, they did get a bit jealous of each other at first, especially when one was cuddling on our laps and the other wasn’t,” Ms Gardner said.
“But now they’re best friends, they run around together, snuggle up together, play together, she’s adjusted really well to being back.”
And then there’s also Valerie’s new status as a bona fide celebrity, boasting over 13,000 Instagram followers and several brand deals.
But fame or her free-range island life haven’t changed her, Ms Gardner claimed.
“It’s so lovely when we take her out to events or the dog park, on the street, people can’t get over she’s so small but also how calm and friendly she is,” she said.
“Val’s always pretty much been that way, she’s got the exact same personality as before.”
Yet the dachshund’s rise to fame seemingly inspired her other doggy sibling, red heeler Mason, to give life on the road a try too.
“Mason does get scared with fireworks, we did have an incident after (Valerie) came home where he escaped because there were fireworks going,” Ms Gardner said.
“Luckily we got him back really quickly, he didn’t go far.”
While Valerie seems content with home’s creature comforts, the couple aren’t taking any chances, fitting all three dogs and their cat with Life360 tracking collars ahead of a planned camping trip later this year — Valerie’s first since her rescue.
“It’s just good for added peace of mind, we can let her run around again and this time we’ll know where she is,” Ms Gardner said.
“(Kangaroo Island) was a bit of a freak accident, she’s so attached to us and we want her to be able to enjoy being off-leash again.”
Ms Gardner said she also hoped to reunite Valerie with members of Kangala Wildlfe Rescue, the group who helped slowly coax the pup out of the bush and back into her arms.
“We still talk from time to time, and one day we’ll bring her back (to South Australia) for a little reunion with them,” she said.
Originally published as Val’s a ‘houndini’ no more after Kangaroo Island survival ordeal
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