In November 2023, on a camping excursion to Kangaroo Island, a miniature dachshund called Valerie disappeared into the thick bushland. She weighed less than 4 kilograms and was wearing a pink collar.
A pampered pet, she had never been in the wild before. Her owners, Josh Fishlock and Georgia Gardner, searched desperately for five days but were forced to leave without her. Months went by without a trace, and hope faded. Then, in early 2025, sightings and videos confirmed Valerie was alive.
Incredibly, she’d survived by herself in the wild for more than a year. Her tale captivated the globe, prompting questions about resilience and the instincts of household pets.
The Great Escape
Valerie’s ordeal started when she broke out of her enclosure at Stokes Bay, trying to follow her owners to the beach. Panicked, she ran into the bushland, and a search that would continue for more than a year began.
Her owners and volunteers from the community combed the bush, but Valerie was nowhere to be seen. She vanished, leaving her family devastated, imagining the worst-case scenarios. But the island’s rolling landscape and thick undergrowth made searching nearly impossible, and Valerie stayed hidden.
A Year of Silence
There were no definite sightings of Valerie for almost a year. Her owners, grief-stricken at the loss, clung to hope but were devastated she may not have survived. The island habitat presented many dangers at this time, from snakes to predators.
Yet Valerie’s survival instincts seemed to have kicked in, and she learned to adapt, overcoming the challenges of the bush. Her fate was unknown, and the thick bushland of the island hid her location.
The First Signs of Life
There were a few unconfirmed, sporadic sightings of a small dog resembling Valerie on Kangaroo Island early in 2025. This provided hope for her family and islanders once again, despite the island’s harsh terrain and wildlife.
The fact that it was possible Valerie had survived and was still traveling on the island provided a ray of hope. Her survival sparked both fascination and admiration.
Confirming Her Survival
The breakthrough came on April 3, 2025, when Kangala Wildlife Rescue took video footage of a small dog that looked like Valerie walking in a field about 14 kilometers from where she was lost.
The video attested that Valerie was alive and making her way through the tough terrain of the island. The video indicated she was moving with direction, a sign she’d adapted to life in the wild. This was a breakthrough in the rescue effort, as it gave physical proof she was still out there.
The Rescue Effort Begins
Now that there was proof of Valerie’s survival, Kangala Wildlife Rescue embarked on a concerted effort to get her home. Spearheaded by director Jared Karran, the team set up clever traps baited with Valerie’s favorite foods—roast chicken, her preferred dog food brand, and sardines.
These traps were set with night vision cameras to record any movement. Navigating the dense bushland was tough, as it also housed native animals such as kangaroos, possums, and wallabies, which would sometimes set off the traps. However, the team did not give up hope of returning Valerie to her family.
Valerie’s Elusive Nature
In spite of attempts at catching her, Valerie was a slippery subject. She had learned to have an impressive distrust of human beings, bolting easily when cornered. This indicated that she’d gone feral during her time alone, reverting to an instinctual level to live in the wild.
The fact that she was so elusive spoke volumes about how adaptable she was and just how strong her survival instinct really was. Every sighting gave hope but also served to illustrate the issue in getting her home.
The Worldwide Impact
Valerie’s story captivated people around the world. Media outlets worldwide, including The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Independent, carried stories of her amazing survival.
Responses from people across the globe sparked messages of shock and admiration for the resilience of the dachshund. A Texas reader wrote, “We are following this story in Texas—we keep looking to see if Valerie is home yet—remarkable what a survivor she is!” Her story extended beyond borders, a beacon of hope and strength.
Experts Weigh In
Animal behaviourists were amazed at how Valerie was able to fend for herself in the bush. The University of Sydney’s Professor Paul McGreevy explained that her survival demonstrated the flexibility of domestic animals.
Experts say Valerie likely survived on roadkill, dam water, and whatever else she could find, said Councillor Sam Mumford. The remarks brought out the complexity of animal behaviour and the unexpected hardiness of pets when trying to survive.
Waiting to be Reunited
It’s April 2025, and Valerie is still unreachable—but not forgotten. Her owners, Josh and Georgia, continue to hold on to hope, waiting for the day they’ll be reunited with their beloved dog.
Community and rescue groups are still determined to get Valerie home, using every tactic to have her returned safely. Her story is a heartwarming reminder of the deep bond between humans and animals and the ability of domesticated animals to survive in the wild.
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