Lost Dogs: Family Dog Found on Deserted Island

Turbulent waters off the coast of Australia tossed a family's pet overboard nearly six miles from land.

Some dogs, like some people, are survivors. They have courage, and resourcefulness. Take Sophie Tucker, for example, who doesn't look a thing like her namesake. The Australian Cattle Dog was on board a boat with her family off the coast of Queensland when the water got choppy. When the Griffiths turned around to look, their dog was gone. They backtracked and searched in their boat, but they didn't have much hope for Sophie, who must have fallen into the huge wake behind the boat. The family was devastated.

But never underestimate a Sophie Tucker. This Sophie not only knew how to dog paddle, she had amazing stamina. No one knows how long it took her, but she made it to shore, swimming for more than five miles. The only problem is that the "shore" was St. Bees Island, mostly deserted and unpopulated, except for wild animals, including some feral goats. How would Sophie, a coddled house dog, survive?

Amazingly, four months later the rangers spotted her, thinking she was a wild dog, and they picked her up. Sophie had survived by learning to hunt and eat wild goats, judging by the animal carcasses they found. When the Griffiths heard a cattle dog had been found, they inquired. The rangers brought Sophie back to the mainland where the family met them. As soon as they called her, she began banging the cage and whimpering. The rangers let her out and there was a joyful, if slobbery, reunion, in which Sophie was all over the Griffiths.

But she had changed. Formerly docile, she was now wild and vicious if approached by strangers. At first, she would not take food from anyone. After being reunited with her owners, she eventually adapted to her old life of air conditioning, indoor sleeping, and prepared dog food. The Griffiths say she is now happily re-domesticated. They only wish Sophie could give them a few details about her ordeal.

Just imagine what would happen if your own beloved pet were tossed into dangerous waters nearly six miles from land, then stranded on a deserted island for four months . . . and couldn't stand goats.

Sources:
http://www.zootoo.com/petnews/castawaydogsurvives4monthsonde-1290
The Associated Foreign Press
The Telegraph
The Daily Mail
The Australian