Dog Lost Overboard in Pacific Ocean in November is Reunited With Family
-
Jan Griffith's pet dog, Sophie Tucker (presumably named for the late entertainer), fell overboard from the family's boat in rough seas off the coast of Queensland, Australia in November. The dog was presumed drowned.
Now the dog has been found alive on uninhabited St. Bees Island by rangers. The dog evidently swam five miles from the position of the Griffith's boat to the island after going overboard in November. It has (apparently) been living off of feral goats on the island. The dog had been spotted on the island earlier, and was observed to be in poor shape. After rangers began discovering baby goat carcasses on the island, they noted the dog's condition had improved.
Family members have been surprised by Sophie's resourcefulness. A "house dog," Sophie had never been taught to hunt, and had never had to fend for herself.
"She surprised us all. She was a house dog and look what she's done, she's swum over five nautical miles, she's managed to live off the land all on her own," Griffiths said.
Rangers finally succeeded in capturing the dog, and reunited it with her family. The Griffiths met the rangers' boat when it arrived at the Australian mainland from the island. Sophie was in a cage on deck.
"We called the dog and she started whimpering and banging the cage and they let her out and she just about flattened us," Griffith told the national AAP news agency.
"She wriggled around like a mad thing."
"We wish she could talk, we truly do."
Absent of speech, one can only speculate on Sophie Tucker's adventures. Did she do the backstroke, or dogpaddle the five miles to St. Bees Island? From what inspiration does her dogged determination spring? Does she plan to use her new-found hunting skills on the mainland, or will she live a dog's life in the Griffiths household?
hxxp://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090406/od_afp/australiaanimaldogoffbeat
-
From what inspiration does her dogged determination spring?
that's just how dogs are, unconditional love and loyalty ! that's why i love them ;D
"We called the dog and she started whimpering and banging the cage and they let her out and she just about flattened us," Griffith told the national AAP news agency.
"She wriggled around like a mad thing."
lol…so cute !
-
A very inspiring story. Next time (hopefully not of course) you are in a dire situation remember this and summon up the resources to go on and live. What a great survival story….
