As Valerie reunited with its owner, the mystery still exists how to be brave enough for more than 500 days in the solid wilderness of Kangaroo Island, which is healthier, happier and bigger than before.

Valerie was found 529 days after her disappearance on South Australian Island, and people around the world have attracted worldwide attention after the story of her arrest.

However, the first 4 kg dog has reached 1.8 kg since its disappearance, raising questions about her time.

Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock of Albury, NSW took Valerie to South Australia Island for vacation in November 2023, but the puppy escaped the pen in Stokes Bay and disappeared.

They reunited with her on Tuesday.

Valerie “made a little bit of joy and swung happily” and that she barely fits her old seat belt, Gardner said in a statement.

"She is now more stable, stronger and healthy … Honestly, healthier than us," she said.

The local organization Kangala Wildlife Rescue discovered Valerie in March and trapped her a few weeks later, and he posted on social media Tuesday night that the vet found her in "perfect health".

Kangala Director Jared Karran said in a statement Wednesday that given Valerie's tiny figure, it was "incredible that she was able to survive and thrive there".

The island's mayor said locals believed that someone must be feeding puppies, while fellow Kangara Lisa Karran said they were "of course "the prosthetic or cat, where she was combing her."

Kangaroo Island has declared a war on the island of wild cats, which kills native wildlife, including endangered species.

In the camera set up in Kangala, after several seductive glimpses of the tempting sausage dog in the camera, they captured her on April 25 using a cage with a remote trigger.

Videos posted since showing a happy puppy and hugging with Kangala's staff - far from the avid canines, some fear she might be.

But many island locals and social media users commented on her outstanding appearance in the wild after time in the wild, in a place with aggressive wild cats, snakes and other predators.

Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly said the story was "wonderful publicity" for the island, but people suspected that someone had been caring for Valerie while she was free range on the land.

"Ninety percent of the people I talk to say someone must be feeding and watering her to survive," he said.

"From the color of the coat, its sheen and dog condition, it's certainly not known how many days it can reach without being fed and watered."

Some say Valerie might have been fed on road killers or other animals' feces and drank them from the dam.

Kangala and the owners have been reluctant to interact with most media and do not answer Australia's Guardian questions. They said last week that broadcast media took Valerie's photos without permission to violate their privacy.

Gardner and Fishlock told the Adelaide newspaper Advertiser that they were glad to see their "princess" for so long.

They said she had become “more open to people” and gave them kisses and hugs.

Locals and experts have previously expressed concern that a dog itself will become wild for a long time. They also worry about her impact on the island’s local wildlife.

Pengali said Valerie's behavior pattern made him suspect that she had a person looking for her, and multiple locals on the island told Australia in Australia, and they believed it, too.

"It can go back to where they set the trap every four, five, six days, which to me, it's fed and taken care of the home, then smelled something, and then came back here."

On social media, some people think it is a “money-making exercise” with a global focus on small charities composed only of volunteers.

One person said, “We all love this story, but I just think they are squeezing a little now.”

In response, Kangala said: “When the dust settles and the truth comes up, I think you might be surprised.

“It may be hard to see in this cruel world, but most people still want to do the right thing.”

Gardner credits Kangala with hours of work, “sacrificing their time, sleep, work and privacy with real care and love for Valerie and us.”

Kangala has not answered questions about how many questions they have raised in their ongoing donation efforts.

Traditionally, overseas donors were the generosity of Kangaroo Island, Peng Gali said.

"With the fire, they were very generous, and we got $100,000 of $6 million, a lot of that came from overseas," he said. "They all fell for Valerie."

Others wonder why it took so long for the owner to reunite with her.

Kangala said owners need to organize breaks and Valerie needs time to readjust and “decompress”.

"Hold her in the car and traveled a lot of hours when she was rescued for the first time, and we don't believe she would be in her best interest. She needs time to decompress and adjust," the organization said on Facebook.

Now, they say: "Valerie is in good health and is ready for her parents and the next chapter of her life."

Valerie will return to Albury, her "best friend" Lucy, rescue cat, red heeler Mason and family's new dachshund Dorothy. Gardner said Valerie would be trained in crates and take her on a raw diet, "incredible considering her condition when she was discovered."