Australian Special Forces Explosive Detection dog Sabi has been found alive and well almost fourteen months after going missing in action in Afghanistan.

Sabi was declared MIA in September 2008 during a battle with the Taliban in which nine Australian soldiers, including Sabiís handler, were wounded.

The US soldier who recovered her and who can be identified only by his first name, John, was aware his Australian Special Forces mates were missing one of their explosive detection dogs. He said it was immediately obvious that Sabi was no ordinary canine. “I took the dog and gave it some commands it understood,” he says.

John thanked the man who was with Sabi and shook his hand. The 4-year-old black Lab spent more than a year in the desolate south of Afghanistan. Repeated attempts were made to discover Sabi’s fate. He was ultimately flown to Tarin Kowt to be reunited with one of her Australian Special Forces trainers.