Posted on 04/06/2009 6:28:39 PM PDT by DogByte6RER
The castaway dog who swam SIX miles through shark-infested waters, then survived FOUR months on a desert island
By Richard Shears
Last updated at 5:27 PM on 06th April 2009
When Jan Griffith's beloved dog, Sophie Tucker fell overboard from her family's yacht she feared her pet had drowned.
But Sophie Tucker, a grey and black cattle dog, wasn't going to give up that easily.
The determined pet swam six miles through ferocious shark-infested seas to an island, where she survived for more than four months by hunting wild goats for food.
The extraordinary story of the castaway hound emerged today when Miss Griffith was reunited with her beloved pet.
'I thought I'd never see her again, but she's proved to be a dog who can really look after herself,' said Miss Griffith.
Sophie Tucker, named after the American vaudeville comedian, fell overboard from the family's yacht when they ran into bad weather off the Queensland coastal town of Mackay.
Miss Griffith and her friends searched the area, putting their own lives at risk in the rough seas, but there was no sign of Sophie Tucker.
Unknown to them, the dog swam towards remote St Bees Island, a quiet volcanic strip of land fringed with reefs.
On land there are rainforests and dense grasslands where koalas and wild goats live.
A handful of people living on the island reported seeing a dog running around, but assumed it was a feral animal.
When the bodies of several young goats were found, locals contacted wildlife rangers and word of a dog on the island reached the ears of Miss Griffith and her family.
'We wondered whether it could be Sophie Tucker but thought 'No way'.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Good story.
Now that’s a dog.
We have a cattle dog. Amazing breed.
Heart rending cute
fix ping.
Disney movie in the future...
What a dog...
a greyhound on steroids?
I’ve had four, including a puppy that will turn six months next week. I love the breed like no other.
Unfortunately, he was pulled from the water by the owner of a Chinese restaurant.
ping
They can get into mischief that your average dog would never think of. At Baddogs.com, click on "Australian Cattle Dog" in the search feature. There are some amusing stories at the site.
Ours is 1/4 border collie. Smartest dog I’ve ever met. He’s 10 1/2. Now officially older than we are. :-(
Woof!
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