“I heard you calling my name, so I knew you were ok.”

"can we play in the woods some more?"

Just don't

What was the book with the vampire dachshund?

I'd be dead long before then. Especially in Australia.

I think the cops just assume people are dead if they're missing for this long. I mean, they might still search a bit but probably just with cadaver dogs.

It's a hunting dog. Most likely rats and similar.

On an island with ample food sources it really isn’t all that crazy, compared to the many things I have heard of dogs surviving.

There was a dog that got lost on Saint Lawrence Island in the winter, which apparently crossed the sea ice all the way to Wales, AK over 160 miles away. I think they believe the dog managed to catch and eat birds along the way, as there was quite literally nothing else he could have eaten.

That is quite insane. I cant imagine how I would survive on foot trying to make it 160 miles away, let alone if that entire 160 miles was just barren ice

The kibble tree

Rare birds.

That running away from humans is a survival mechanism is what many rescuers say. One of them even coined the term Lost Dog Syndrome.

TL;DR: The dog is in survival / ferel mode and it is suspicious of anything other than itself. Providing a safe space and slowly introducing back to humans actually change it's behaviour into a calm and friendly one.

I'm sure the dog was having the time of her life! I do wander if part of the reason for the effort might have been worry about the ecological effects of the dog.

It's in the linked post.

The photo looks like an adoration stare. I've known multiple dogs that do it. It's either the equivalent of a loving hug between humans, or an attempt to con someone out of some food.

Dogs are a lot more "in the moment" than humans. They remember traumatic events, but are far less reactive to them, unless something explicitly sets off the memories.

Basically, the dog is either very happy to be spending time with its pack leader again, or just wants the treat they are holding behind the camera.

Those eyes say "I'm sorry. I'll never run off when you say no ever again...."

Those eyes also tell a story of sadness and a tramatic experience.

What that puppy may not realize at the time of this photo, is that his story is to be filled with the most overprotective, spoiling, snuggling humans ever. Whoever cares for this little guy may not ever let him out of their sight, but it's only because they will be as scared as the dog is, for the rest of the dogs life. Hopefully a nonverbal communication will translate to the dog that it's for his own good.