The Times Exclusive: Australian sailor reunites with his dog

Tim Shaddock and his dog Bella greet each other like old friends under a warm sun on Mexico’s Manzanillo beach. As he takes her by the lead, she bounds forward with such excitement, they both end up in the sand.

Reunited a week after their dramatic rescue following two months adrift in the Pacific Ocean, the stoic façade of Shaddock, 54, lifts when he explains how thrilled he is to have spent even a small bit of time with Bella, who he has not seen since they were mercifully saved by a crew of tuna fishermen.

“I’m so happy to have seen my dog again,” Shaddock tells The Times in an exclusive interview. “She’s still as lively as ever,” he adds, his voice trembling.

For those who don’t know, the story of their miraculous rescue made headlines around the world after Shaddock was spotted by a helicopter on July 12 and plucked from the ocean by the fishermen. The world was further transfixed when it was revealed that this man and dog, whose extraordinary bond had enabled them to survive life on the high seas together, were to be parted for good.