A one-year-old Australian Shepherd named Nanuq recently took a treacherous journey across 150 miles of frozen Bering Sea ice, where he was bitten by an unknown animal before he was safely reunited with his owner in Alaska. Mandy Iworrigan, Nanuq’s owner, and her family were visiting Savoogna when Nanuq disappeared with their other dog, Starlight. Although Starlight was found weeks later, Nanuq was nowhere to be seen.
About a month after he went missing, people in Wales, which is 150 miles northeast of Savoonga, started posting photos online of what they described as a lost dog. Iworrigan’s dad texted her, and she reactivated her Facebook account to check if the dog in the pictures was Nanuq.
“I was like, ‘No freakin’ way! That’s our dog! What is he doing in Wales?'” Iworrigan said.
It is uncertain how Nanuq ended up in Wales. Iworrigan believes the ice shifted while he was hunting, and he may have eaten the leftovers of a seal or caught one. However, Nanuq managed to survive and eat his usual food, which includes birds and Native foods, according to Iworrigan.
Using airline points, Iworrigan brought Nanuq back to Gambell on a regional air carrier last week. Although he had large bite marks on his swollen leg from an unidentified animal, Nanuq was in good health overall. On Tuesday, Iworrigan posted a photo of Nanuq on Facebook, thanking a local animal shelter for providing medicine for her furry friend.
Nanuq’s story is nothing short of incredible. It is a testament to the resilience of animals and their ability to survive in harsh conditions. The story has captivated the public, with many people marveling at Nanuq’s journey and expressing joy at his safe return. Nanuq’s story also highlights the importance of microchipping pets, which can increase the likelihood of their safe return if they go missing.
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