Sabi come home - dog's year in the desert

ADF

FOUND: Sabi, a black Australian Labrador, aged about four, is back home now on the Australian base at Tarin Kowt.

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A brave young Aussie warrior who went missing in action during the heat of battle has been found safe and well after spending a year in the Afghan desert.

Sabi, a black Australian Labrador, aged about four, is back home now on the Australian base at Tarin Kowt.

Sabi was rescued by an American serviceman who suspected she was not an enemy combatant, but a highly-trained hairy bomb sniffing digger.

It's Lassie Come Home, Afghan-style.

Sabi's job in Afghanistan has been to work with Australian Special Forces in detecting improvised explosive devices.

The plucky canine had been missing in action for more than a year and all hope appeared lost, given that she had disappeared into the desert landscape of Afghanistan's south.

She went missing during a battle that led to Australian SAS soldier Trooper Mark Donaldson securing a Victoria Cross for holding out Taliban insurgents.

Nine soldiers were wounded during the encounter, and the party got separated from the dog during the fight.

Sabi was picked up and incarcerated by enemy combatants before her rescue by the US soldier, identified as John.

Back on the base yesterday, Sabi appeared composed and relaxed, posing for cameras and meeting Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and US General Stanley McChrystal.

She showed no signs of stress, and welcomed strangers with a sniff and a lick.

Speaking from London, Trooper Donaldson welcomed the returned of Sabi.

''She's the last piece of the puzzle,'' the soldier 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.''

Woof to that.

- © Fairfax NZ News