When Josh and Georgia headed out for a peaceful beach camping trip on Kangaroo Island off the southern coast of Australia, they brought along their beloved miniature Dachshund, Valerie. Weighing less than nine pounds and wearing a tiny pink collar, Valerie wasn’t just a dog—she was family.

But during their stay near the remote area of Stokes Bay in November 2023, Valerie got scared by unfamiliar people and bolted into the dense bushland. Despite days of searching with help from local volunteers, she was gone. Devastated, Josh and Georgia had no choice but to leave the island without her.

Weeks turned into months. Then a full year passed. The odds of a tiny dog surviving alone in the wild were almost zero. But in early 2025, the impossible happened: someone spotted a little dog with a pink collar nearly 10 miles from where Valerie disappeared. A trail camera confirmed it—Valerie was alive.

Kangala Wildlife Rescue jumped in to help. Working alongside Josh and Georgia, they set up food stations, scent trails, and humane traps. But Valerie remained cautious and elusive. Finally, after 540 days missing, she walked into one of the traps.

Skinny but alive, Valerie was finally reunited with her owners. The moment was pure emotion—tears, disbelief, and overwhelming relief.

Back home and surrounded by love, Valerie is slowly recovering. Her story isn’t just about survival—it’s a testament to resilience, the power of never giving up, and the deep bond between people and their pets.