DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 425/09
Tuesday, 9 December 2009
SABI THE SPECIAL FORCES DOG LAPS IT UP
Sabi, the Explosive Detection Dog missing in action for almost 14 months in
Afghanistan, is lapping up the attention and affection of Australia’s Special
Operations Task Group (SOTG) in Oruzgan province as she bides her time for her
hopeful return home.
It’s a case of hurry up and wait for Sabi until a veterinary assessment on her exposure
to disease is completed. In the meantime she is continuing in her loyal service of the
SOTG, this time as an unofficial mascot and four-legged mobile morale booster.
Every day she does the rounds in the SOTG compound at Tarin Kowt to say “G’day”.
It takes Sabi and one of her handlers quite a while to complete their usual lap of the
compound with all the pats and well-wishes she receives, and if a tennis ball should
appear, it takes even longer.
Sabi is even watched over by SOTG supporting staff such as medical officers and
psychologists. She enjoys being allowed to sit on the couch in the psychologist’s
office.
The Chaplain of the SOTG in Tarin Kowt said that her presence around the camp
lifted the spirits of the soldiers every day.
“I think the rediscovery of Sabi has been a great shot in the arm for morale, and
everyone was pleased to see her back,” the Chaplain said.
“I guess Sabi is now playing the waiting game like a lot of soldiers do towards the end
of their deployments, looking forward to going home, and Sabi’s in a position where
she has to go through a process before she can get back to Australia.”
In addition to the support she receives from the Australian soldiers in Afghanistan,
Sabi’s fame is not waning back at home, with a number of Christmas cards for
Australia’s most famous military dog already understood to be in the post.
Media Note:
Imagery is of Sabi is available at:
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
