Dogs never fail to astonish me. These tiny creatures are not only exceedingly devoted and caring, but they are also capable of extraordinary feats. And this teeny-tiny pooch proved she can travel the globe only to return to her family.
Pip, an adorable little dachshund, was left alone in the world earlier this year after her owner was forced to flee due to the epidemic. With his owners Zoe and Guy Eilbeck and their boys Max and Cam, the small wiener was sailing across the world. When the adventurous family learned of the news, they anchored their boat on Hilton Head Island. They had less than 48 hours to pack everything and fly to Australia, where they were born and raised.
Unfortunately, they were obliged to leave poor little Pip behind due to Australia’s incredibly rigorous animal import regulations. The Eilbecks, like many of us, assumed it would be a one-time thing, so they asked a friend in South Carolina to foster Pip until they could return. “Pip moved from a yacht to a bison farm,” Zoe explained to CNN. “That’s something that tickles me a lot.”
However, things did not proceed as planned. For a long time, the borders were closed, and since Pip’s foster parents already had two dogs, a solution had to be found. A compassionate woman offered to house the tiny pooch after they published a post on social media. Ellen Steinberg of Hillsborough, North Carolina, was deeply heartbroken when she heard Pip’s story without knowing all the circumstances.
“I heard a family on a boat abandoned their dog and flew back to Australia,” the woman explained. “However, the moment I spoke with them, I realized they couldn’t be more caring.” I just got the wrong idea since I didn’t have all the facts.”
Meanwhile, Pip’s owners were working hard to reunite with their cherished canine companion. And since none of them could travel to the United States, Pip would have to travel alone. Thankfully, Ellen’s generosity really aided them.
After the paperwork was completed, the difficult part began: Pip’s 10,000-mile journey back to his owners. The teeny-tiny puppy flew from North Carolina to Los Angeles, then on to Auckland. Pip was scheduled to fly to Melbourne on July 24. She spent ten days in quarantine there before flying to Sydney.
On August 11, the little Pip arrived at her final destination. She was set to be reunited with her loved ones after a five-month separation. It was such a moving experience. “She came barreling into our arms when she heard our voices,” Zoe recalled. “It was incredible to see her again after such a long time.”
Here is the video:
