« on: November 12, 2009, 05:41:33 AM »
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2009/11/12/93321_hpphoto.htmlSabi the Australian Army wonderdog survives Afghan desert
SHE survived almost 14 months in the unforgiving Afghan desert after being declared missing in action during a bloody battle with the Taliban.
Sabi, an Australian Army bomb detection dog, was reported MIA after she fled from the same battle in which SAS Trooper Mark Donaldson won his Victoria Cross for risking his life to save an Afghan interpreter in September last year.
Nine soldiers, including Sabi's handler were wounded in the ferocious fire-fight that ensured after the Australian, US and Afghan army convoy was ambushed by the enemy.
The black labrador fled from the chaos and was feared dead - until a US soldier found her roaming with an Afghan man in Oruzgan Province last week.
Speaking from Buckingham Palace after meeting the Queen, Trooper Donaldson said Sabi's miraculous survival story closed a chapter of their shared history.
''She's the last piece of the puzzle,'' Tpr Donaldson said.
''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.''
The Australian Special Operations Task Group had made repeated attempts to discover the dog's fate and put the call out to their Coalition buddies.
The US soldier who recovered Sabi at the patrol base in north-east Oruzgan said it was immediately obvious that the labrador was no ordinary mutt.
''I took the dog and gave it some commands it understood,'' John said.
After thanking the man, who may hold the secret behind Sabi's amazing survival, plans were put in place to fly the miracle mutt back to the Aussies.
One of Sabi's original trainers met her at Tarin Kowt and a simple game of catch instantly confirmed it was his dog.
''I nudged a tennis ball to her with my foot and she took it straight away,'' the trainer said.
''It's a game we used to play over and over during her training.
''It's amazing, just incredible, to have her back.''
Australian School of Military Engineering Chief Trainer Sergeant Damian Dunne said the soldiers had never given up on Sabi.
''You can never say you have given up hope until you know what actually happened,'' Sgt Dunne said.
''She's a tough little bugger, absolutely as tough as nails.
''For a dog to be missing for so long to be found ... everyone is stoked.''
Sgt Dunne said Sabi's original handler had been devastated at her loss.
''A lot of the guys did feel it, especially her handler. We class them as our best mates, it was devastating.''
Sabi, like her fellow explosive ordinance detection dogs, was sourced from the pound.
''Normally we get medium-sized dogs with a longish snout, labradors, kelpies, collies, basically any working line.
''We've got a couple of bitzers and cross-breeds as well.
''We look at anything that will chase a tennis ball fanatically - they have to love a tennis ball, it is part of their training.
''They have to be fit, bold and not aggressive. They have to be social with other dogs, because they do interact with each other.''
The dogs are trained to sniff out improvised explosive devices - and Sgt Dunne said there was no doubt that they saved lives.
The dogs undergo six months basic training before being appointed to a senior handler for another six months of intensive work.
They are then assigned to a soldier, who will be teamed with the dog either until it retires or the Digger moves on.
Sabi has spent more time in Afghanistan than many Australian soldiers.
She was first deployed to the country in 2007 and was nearing the end of her second deployment when she went missing last year.
The well-travelled mutt was also deployed to Melbourne to provide security at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Sabi appeared to be in good health when she was found, however she was flown to Kandahar to undergo a full vet check.
With rabies prevalent in the country, Sabi has undergone a range of disease tests.
She is currently in quarantine, awaiting her test results, before a decision can be made about her anticipated return to Australia.
Logged
Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them, disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them. The only thing you can’t do is ignore them
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