Netty the wonder dog who somehow survived the stormy seas off Seaton, when her owners were convinced she had drowned, is this week busy making friends with Saffy, a nine-week-old labrador pup they bought to replace her. John and Christine Bailye, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, were taking a brief break in South East Cornwall and walking two-year-old Netty along Seaton's sea wall on February 11 when a huge wave claimed her. They spent the rest of their holidays in a desperate search for their beloved pet, but returned home with heavy hearts when they failed to find her. Then on Monday of this week, six weeks after she went missing, Netty, dishevelled and thin, was spotted in her garden by Downderry pensioner Joan Orcutt. She could not catch the nervous dog, but went to local postmistress Kim James for help. It was a happy choice because Mrs James, herself the owner of four labradors, knew exactly what to do. She tempted Netty with a tasty dog biscuit then quickly found the dog's details on the tag around her neck. Next the phone call to Mr and Mrs Bailye who at first were stunned by the good news. Then, elated, they drove straight to Cornwall to pick up the domesticated dog who had picked up the secrets of survival in the wild. 'It is the most amazing comeback since Lazarus and my wife and I are so happy to have her home. 'We thought we had lost her forever,' said Mr Bailye who with his wife had just bought Saffy as a replacement. And how did Netty manage to stay alive for so long after somehow scrambling from the sea? It's most probable she drank rainwater and managed to catch some small mammals. No one will ever know for sure, but Mr and Mrs Bailye are overjoyed to have her back as one of the family.

Roy Lipscombe