A patriot canine returns home after being MIA for over a year.

Sabi, a female black Labrador, is getting a hero’s welcome home.

This beautiful, bomb-sniffing, labrador disappeared during a fierce battle in Afghanistan between Australian troops and militant fighters.

Back in Sept 08, Sabi was on a joint Australian-Afghan army patrol. Durring this patrol they were ambushed in an Uruzgan province. The ambush left nine soldiers wounded and after the dust from the battle settled… there was no sign of Sabi. A search for Sabi continued for months but sadly she was not found and all hope was lost.

Sabi never lost hope…

Military officials said Thursday that a U.S. soldier recovered Sabi at an isolated patrol base in Uruzgan.

Sabi was returned to the Australians' base in the province just in time for a visit by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. The Prime Minister and Sabi were photographed Wednesday along with the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal.

Where was Sabi for those 18 long months? What did she encounter while all alone? Did someone take good care of her while she was missing? These answers will never be found… thank goodness Sabi was!

WELCOME HOME!!

Many military units in Afghanistan use dogs to sniff out roadside bombs and other explosives… Sabi served well!