Valerie, the mischievous miniature sausage dog who went on the run for nearly two years, has finally been reunited with her owners.

Valerie was lost for 529 days after going missing while on a camping trip at Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, in November 2023.

Although she was spotted numerous times on CCTV during that period, the precocious pooch was only rescued 11 days ago.

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She was then cared for by local rescuers until her owners could return to the island to pick her up.

Owners Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, from Albury in NSW, said it was an emotional reunion.

“I was sitting on the ground when (carers) Lisa and Jared brought Valerie in, and she ran straight up to me — I just burst into tears,” Gardner said.

“She was wagging her tail, making her little happy sounds, and wiggling around with joy. I held her and cried and cried.”

Fishlock added: “It was incredible — euphoric. We never thought we’d hold her again and then, suddenly, there she was. It still doesn’t feel real.”

The puppy proved to be equally affectionate to her owners, giving them plenty of kisses.

“We were very nervous coming in today but the reaction was just priceless, it could not have been scripted,” Fishlock later told The Advertiser.

Valerie gained 1.8kg of muscle during her time on the lam.

Since her rescue, the three-year-old dachshund had been staying at Kangala Wildlife Rescue.

Gardner and Fishlock said they were “grateful” for the care Valerie received.

On Wednesday, Sunrise reporter Hayden Nelson said the famous puppy is now heading home to Albury.

“Valerie is a household name now, world famous,” Nelson said.

“These pictures will no doubt go around the world of Valerie going back into the arms of her mum and dad, being cradled by mum, after almost two years away from them — 529 days (11 days) after she was found on Kangaroo Island.

“(She) was found by the volunteers at Kangala Wildlife Rescue, who have been looking after her ... and have been, I suppose, nursing her back to health to be able to see her parents.

“She now has to readjust to life back at home. I’m sure that won’t be very hard.

“She was clearly glad to see them.”

Valerie’s next chapter

Fishlock said Valerie will also now be reunited with her four-legged siblings — her best friend, Lucy, the rescue cat, and Mason, the red heeler.

She will also shake paws for the first time with Dorothy, the family’s newest dachshund addition.

“Once Valerie’s home, we’ll be giving her all the love and care we possibly can, and let her heal and enjoy the wonderful life,” Fishlock said.

“We are working with Kangala and dog behaviourist Lara Shannon to support Valerie’s transition back into home life,” Gardner added.

“Valerie’s separation anxiety played a big role in why she went missing, so we’ll be crate training her to provide a safe place to decompress.

“We’re also keeping her on a raw food diet, considering her incredible condition when she was found.

“I hope Valerie’s story brings hope, joy and inspiration to anyone who’s ever lost a pet or is going through a difficult time.

“If the smallest sausage dog can survive 529 days in the bush you, too, can survive whatever life throws at you.”