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MIA Dog A-OK After Year in Afghanistan

Bomb-sniffer Sabi gone for a year after 2008 firefight

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 12, 2009 11:46 AM CST

(Newser) – An Australian military bomb-sniffing dog that went missing during a firefight in Afghanistan in September 2008 has been reunited with one of her trainers. An American soldier found Sabi wandering near a remote base last week and realized the black Lab wasn’t a stray when she responded to commands. “She’s the last piece of the puzzle,” says an Australian trooper wounded in the skirmish. “It’s a fantastic morale booster.”

“I nudged a tennis ball to her with my foot and she took it straight away,” one of Sabi’s trainers tells CNN of their recent reunion. “It's a game we used to play over and over again during her training. It’s amazing, just incredible, to have her back.”

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and US Gen. Stanley McChrystal pat explosive detection dog Sabi at Forward Operating Base Ripley in Tarin Kowt, Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan. (AP Photo)

Australian explosive detection dog Sabi is photographed at Forward Operating Base Ripley in Tarin Kowt, Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, on Wednesday. (AP Photo)

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MIA Dog A-OK After Year in Afghanistan

Bomb-sniffer Sabi gone for a year after 2008 firefight

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Australia • US military • MIA • Labrador Retriever • bomb-sniffing dogs • Afghanistan war • Special Forces • missing in action

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US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Elite US Forces Take Bigger Role in Afghanistan

Navy Seals, Army's Delta Force make gains against top militants

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Hatred Fueling Afghan Army Attacks on Allied Troops

Mutual contempt behind most attacks on NATO troops from within: report

Marines in Urination Video ID'd

Hillary Clinton calls incident possible war crime

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MIA Dog A-OK After Year in Afghanistan

Bomb-sniffer Sabi gone for a year after 2008 firefight

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Australia • US military • MIA • Labrador Retriever • bomb-sniffing dogs • Afghanistan war • Special Forces • missing in action

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Elite US Forces Take Bigger Role in Afghanistan

Navy Seals, Army's Delta Force make gains against top militants

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Hatred Fueling Afghan Army Attacks on Allied Troops

Mutual contempt behind most attacks on NATO troops from within: report

Marines in Urination Video ID'd

Hillary Clinton calls incident possible war crime

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?