Michael Dadd, the man remarkably rescued after enduring four days on flooded Pig Island in the Shoalhaven River, is out of hospital and has been reunited with two of his beloved dogs.
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Mr Dadd, 69, was found sheltering in a car on the island on August 11, after concerns had been raised about his well-being as flood waters engulfed the island, where a makeshift camp has been "home".
He was found barefooted and had somehow managed to wade his way through the rising floodwaters to higher ground, moving from tree to tree to try and stay out of the weather.
He now has a roof over his head, staying in a cabin at the Shoalhaven Caravan Village at Terara.
By his side are two of his faithful companions over the last decade, his beloved Kelpies, brothers Odon and Ned.
Unfortunately, Roper, a 16-month-old "pup" remains "on the loose" on the island, however attempts have been made to capture the "escapee" and regular food drops have been made.
I'm worried about Roper. He's been spotted over on the island, I'm hoping to get over there and find him.
- Michael Dadd
Mr Dadd spent four days in Shoalhaven District Hospital and is still recovering from his ordeal.
"I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis," he said.
"I've got no energy and am still a bit crippled up."
His swollen feet have returned to a "somewhat normal size".
"They still ache a lot," he said.
"I'm just pottering around.
"Rheumatoid arthritis is an insidious thing - I never thought arthritis would be like this. I thought maybe a sore back, stiff neck - no, it affects a lot of things - it drains your energy, all you want to do is lay down.
"Something I never thought I'd get because I've always been active.
"I feel worn out."
He was diagnosed two years ago and has been seeing a specialist who prescribed medication and slowed up its progress.
"It's like you've got no control and you can't do anything about it." he said.
"I've always been fairly fit, into walking, played basketball, soccer, all sports - it's tough."
Rheumatoid arthritis is an insidious thing - I never thought arthritis would be like this. I thought maybe a sore back, stiff neck - no, it affects a lot of things - it drains your energy, all you want to do is lay down. I feel worn out.
- Michael Dadd
Once released from hospital he went straight to the local animal shelter and got "the boys".
"They get on well and always have - they were a bit excited and also a bit jealous when they saw me," he said.
"They actually got into a bit of a set too together but we settled them down and they are back to normal now.
"But it wasn't the friendly reunion I was hoping for. But they were glad to see me and that's where the jealousy came out."
He says they certainly like their "new digs" especially the "warmth".
"Mind you so do I!"
"They've been happy to be here as I have - it's bloody paradise.
"But I'm worried about Roper. He's been spotted over on the island, I'm hoping to get over there and find him.
Cold never really bothered me, I've been outdoors for a long time but this one did. I've never experienced cold like this before.
- Michael Dadd
"Roper is a real toey dog, not nervous or scared, a little bit timid but strong at the same time.
"It's been over a week but Justin (Justin Smith - the man who rescued him) has been over there a couple of times and tried to lure him out
"But he doesn't really know him - he only knows me and his father and uncle (Oden and Ned).
"I've been worried about him. I'm worried if he's getting any food. Justin left some out and it's been eaten but there is also a lot of birds on the island and they love dog food.
"All the birds on the island's flat sand would dig up the small mussel shells. He got into the habit of that as well and he'd eat them so hopefully he's getting some of them."
He says he hasn't been back over to the island as it holds "too many bad memories."
"I appreciate all the help I've received," he said.
The dogs love their new digs especially the warmth. Mind you so do I - it's bloody paradise.
- Michael Dadd
"Before the flood it didn't worry me too much. But things happened I wasn't expecting, especially the coldness.
"I'll always remember that cold. Cold never really bothered me, I've been outdoors for a long time but this one did. I've never experienced cold like this before.
"This was bad - I never dried out for four days.
"Talking to Justin, at first he said when he came up to the car and found me, I looked a different person.
"Even though having trouble with arthritis, I kept walking round in circles like I was looking for something but wasn't sure what I was looking for."
And then there were his hallucinations.
"Justin went over and salvaged what he could from my camp which wasn't much," he said.
"My boat's still underwater - weighed down by debris. I haven't had the energy to recover it.
"I feel fortunate - it's warm here - I never really noticed the cold too much before - this time is totally different.
"I've never experienced cold like that but then again I've never walked around in wet clothing and barefoot in a flood for four days.
"The staff at the hospital were great and the folks at the caravan park have been fantastic.
"I'm just trying to build myself back up again. At 69 I feel 79 but there are a lot of people like that.
"Lots of people were worried about me and I appreciate that."
He has dug into what savings he had and purchased a motorhome.
"I just don't want to be in that experience again," he said.
"The helicopter ride was exciting but I can think of better ways then getting a ride in one.
"When we were taking off Oden and Ned didn't know what was going on and that made me feel worse because I realised then they weren't in my control.
"I was really worried about that."
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Robert Crawford
Robert Crawford is a senior journalist at the South Coast Register, for Australian Community Media . Everyone's got a story, what's yours? Email robert.crawford@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Robert Crawford is a senior journalist at the South Coast Register, for Australian Community Media . Everyone's got a story, what's yours? Email robert.crawford@austcommunitymedia.com.au
