Meet Little Pip: Left behind because of COVID-19, this tiny dog travelled more than 16,000 km to rejoin her owners
Little Pip was stranded in South Carolina at the height of the pandemic after her owners were forced to abandon their round-the-world sailing trip and fly home to Australia.
When the time came, they planned to fly her from the South Pacific island of Vanuatu, a relatively short hop to Sydney. Unfortunately, Williams already had two dogs on the farm and was not able to take in another for very long, so she advertised for someone to replace her as Pip's guardian. "I heard that a family who were living on a boat abandoned their dog and flew back to Australia and immediately formed impressions about who these people were," adds Steinberg.
It soon became clear it wouldn't be possible for the Eilbecks to return to the United States because of COVID-19 travel restrictions. Pip would have to make the long journey to Australia alone.The red tape was made more complicated due to the pandemic-related disruption. Once they finally received an import permit for Australia, Qantas, the flag carrier of Australia, announced it was no longer flying dogs to the country.
But they still had to get Pip from North Carolina to Los Angeles. And while flights were operating, they were constantly being canceled. After making sure Pip felt comfortable with her, Young flew from Greensboro to Charlotte, North Carolina, and then from Charlotte to Los Angeles with the dachshund under her seat.
Zoe's brother Rob, who lives in Melbourne, agreed to take Pip in for a few days, and the dog was booked on no less than four flights to Sydney, but all were canceled., Virgin Australia stepped in and agreed to fly Pip home.When Pip finally arrived at Sydney Airport on August 11, five months after they'd last seen her, the Eilbecks were there to greet her, along with a film crew and several local reporters."My kids were so worried that they got a hotdog and rubbed it on their hands.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Manitoba government reimposes travel restriction in province’s north as COVID-19 cases risePeople are being told to avoid non-essential travel to the region starting Thursday, although there are exceptions for work, health care and other matters
Read more »
Trudeau conducts virtual regional outreach as pandemic shuts down travelPrime Minister Justin Trudeau isn't letting the COVID-19 pandemic stop his usual practice of travelling to various regions of the country during the summer -- he's just doing it virtually this year.
Read more »
Health Canada Will Now Review At-Home Tests For COVID-19An official for the department 'misspoke' when they said the tests wouldn't be considered for Canadians.
Read more »