20 March 2020

Lost husky found 220km away after two years and Australia's worst bushfires

| Dominic Giannini
Join the conversation
5
Indie the husky

Indie the husky has been returned to her family after two-and-a-half years. Photo: BVSC.

Indie, a beloved husky from Nowra, went on a 220-km walk two-and-a-half years ago and has finally been reunited with her family after being found in Bermagui.

The paw-fect reunion came to be after a council ranger found Indie and her two new pups and took the dogs to safety before realising she was missing after checking her microchip.

Owner Graham Lee said he had almost forgotten about her.

“When I first got the call I was like, ‘What?’” Mr Lee said.

“It’s great she is back home. I think if you get one dog you should have another so at least they have each other to talk to and play with.”

Mr Lee had four dogs, three of which got out through a broken gate after a big storm, and while the other two returned, Indie remained missing.

“Initially I thought she would turn up, like the other’s did. I kept going to the pound, but after a few weeks of no word, I thought she must have been hit by a car,” he said.

Since she went missing, two of Mr Lee’s four dogs have passed away, so welcoming Indie back into the family has been a blessing.

Although it isn’t quite business as usual.

“She’s happy but not quite herself. She roams to the fence, has a bit of a sulk, then is happy enough running around,” he added.

It is not known how Indie made it all the way to Bermagui and managed to survive the worst bushfires the South Coast has ever seen, which saw Bermagui cut off from the rest of the state for a period of time.

But what is known is that the return of the pro-dog-al son has been warmly welcomed by her family and the community.

Indie’s two pups, currently in the Council’s pound, are happy and healthy and will soon be rehomed through the Animal Welfare League.

The Bega Valley Shire Council has said the unlikely reunion was only made possible because of micro-chipping and has urged all pet owners to consider the benefits.

To find out more about microchipping and registering pets, visit www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au

Join the conversation

5
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

What a wonderful story. Poor Indy, maybe she is not herself and looking through the fence and feeling sad because she is wondering where her pups are. It’s sad she can’t understand their disapperance.

Captain David Bowley8:26 pm 24 Mar 20

For a change what a happy and inspiring story. So great to see Indie reunited with her family.
Were her pups cross breed?

Daily Digest

Do you like to know what’s happening around your region? Every day the About Regional team packages up our most popular stories and sends them straight to your inbox for free. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.