On February 10th, about two miles off the coast of San Clemente Naval Auxiliary Landing Field, Luna and her owner Nick Hayworth were bringing in the nets on “The Elizabeth H” when Luna went missing.
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“One moment Luna was there and the next she was gone”, DeMunnik said.
The 18-month-old dog, named Luna, had been missing for almost five weeks.
But then on Tuesday, the dog was discovered wagging her tail by Navy personnel who found her near a base on the island.
She somehow managed to swim to San Clemente Island, which is owned and operated by the U.S. Navy.
DeMunnik added the dog’s survival was “incredibly remarkable”, as the island was pummeled by El Nino storms while she was stranded there.
KNSD reported that the dog was flown to Naval Air Station North Island. “They literally opened up the auto door, whistled, and she jumped right in”, Booker said.
Booker said that crew members driving along the island’s main road found her sitting by the side of the roadway. “He stayed in the area for two more days to look for her, and after a week, we considered her lost at sea and presumed dead”.
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A biologist who examined Luna said she was a bit malnourished but otherwise healthy. It appeared she’d eaten small rodents to survive, Booker said. Domestic animals aren’t allowed on the island for environmental reasons. In the meantime, she was reunited with Conner Lamb, a family friend. The tag reads: “Keep the Faith”.
