Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/alaska-dog-travels-over-sea-ice-to-wales/

A dog in Alaska was identified over a month after going missing more than 166 miles from home.

The dog’s owner, Mandy Iworrigan, became worried when her pup, Nanuq, didn’t return home to Gambell on St. Lawrence Island from hunting one day.

Days turned to weeks and Mandy had no idea what had happened to her beloved dog until she saw a Facebook post featuring Nanuq from the neighboring town of Wales, which is 166 miles from Gambell over plates of sea ice!

Hilary Ahkinga snapped photos of the dog in Gambell and posted them in the Nome Chatter Facebook group to see if anyone recognized him.

It wasn’t long before Mandy was notified of her dog’s whereabouts and she couldn’t believe it!

According to Anchorage Daily News, she said: “I was like, ‘No freakin’ way! Thats’ our dog! What is he doing in Wales?’”

While she’s unsure exactly how he traveled to Wales, Mandy suspects he wandered off while hunting and couldn’t get back. She said, “I have no idea why he ended up in Wales. Maybe the ice shifted while he was hunting. I’m pretty sure he ate leftovers of seal or caught a seal. Probably birds, too. He eats our Native foods. He’s smart.”

Eventually, she was able to get Nanuq home to Gambell where he belongs. She took to Facebook in early April and said, “My daughters dog is finally home. He travel with his sister and Ghost. But got lost somehow.”

Mandy shared a video on Facebook of her daughter greeting Nanuq after his flight home. Check it out below:

Despite his month-long adventure at the tail-end of winter, Nanuq was in fine health after returning home, despite two large bite marks on his leg.

Mandy shared in a Facebook post that she’d been cleaning the wounds but really needed extra help to get him proper treatment.

Thankfully, community members rallied around and Nanuq was able to get treatment for his bite wounds.

According to Anchorage Daily News, Mandy is thankful for the people who found Nanuq and shared about him online so she could bring him home. She said, “Alaska has caring people, and I’m happy for that. I’m blessed and fortunate. There’s people that actually care out there.”

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog