Runner Dion Leonard could talk for hours about the bond which is created between a man and a dog and also about how an unknown Asian crossbreed dog becomes one of the most famous dogs on planet Earth. He bumped into a dog companion at the ultra-trial race through Gobi Desert (China) during his second day in the race. The little bitch was later named after the desert. Gobi accompanied Dion approximately half of the whole journey which is 250 kilometres. Given the fact that she was not trained for this and also that her body is very little, it is an unbelievable performance.
Runner Dion Leonard could talk for hours about the bond which is created between a man and a dog and also about how an unknown Asian crossbreed dog becomes one of the most famous dogs on planet Earth. He bumped into a dog companion at the ultra-trial race through Gobi Desert (China) during his second day in the race. The little bitch was later named after the desert. Gobi accompanied Dion approximately half of the whole journey which is 250 kilometres. Given the fact that she was not trained for this and also that her body is very little, it is an unbelievable performance.
Despite her size, she is a resilient dog with a strong mind according to Leonard. Although she was rather freaked out at the beginning, racing helped her grow healthy self-confidence which is necessary for a satisfying life of every furry friend. Running turned her into a completely different dog, as her owner says to the media very often. On the other hand, her genes are clear. She is probably a crossbreed of a border terrier, a hunting dog breed which is well-known for its lion-hearted nature, good spirits and activity and besides intelligence also for its great loyalty and obedience.
This loyal love revealed several times, during the race itself as well as shortly after its end. Gobi chose Dion. Right after the first day they spent together, she naturally went to his tent at night and laid by his feet. They have been inseparable since then. A reversal came at the moment when Gobi got lost after Dion flew back to Scotland to obtain necessary adoption documents and everything in relation to the transportation of the dog from China to Great Britain. The rules for animal travelling in European countries are quite strict in this regard.
As soon as he came back to Chinese city Urumqui where he left her in temporary care, he organized search for her and Gobi was found. We can say that in this case, it is probably really a fateful meeting of a man and a dog. Because Urumqui has more than three million inhabitants and the chance of finding her was minimal. Besides saving Gobi, Dion organized a charity collection and donated the obtained resources to abandoned animals and dogs in need which again stroke the hearts of the whole world.
Noone knows what happened in Gobi’s life before June 2016 when the race took place. Nowadays, she is a part of the Leonards family where she fit in just perfectly, as he claims. She lives in the runner’s household in Scottish Edinburgh together with a cat Leonard got before his fateful meeting with Gobi. Today, Gobi accompanies Dion at all races and she is probably the most famous dog ultamarathoner.
There are two lessons for me in this story and that’s why I chose it for you. Never underestimate small dogs in their physical performance. They are not only great cuddlers but also very good athletes. And also – the fact they are small does not mean their heart or love they give us is small as well. They are our small big loves.
A dog’s coat is one of its greatest characteristics that requires great care. It does not matter whether your canine companion is a short-haired or long-haired dog. Attention is required by all of them. How to take care of dog fur and what to do...
In the previous article, we wrote about what rescuing people entails and which dog breeds are suitable for searching for people in collapsed buildings. This topic is so interesting that we decided to focus even more on dog training itself, i.e. on the...
Guinea pig shows are an attractive opportunity for breeders. In addition to the animal displaying itself, guinea pig lovers get to meet and share valuable knowledge and experience. If you have a guinea pig at home, you may have considered taking part...
Let’s be clear, cats are carnivores by nature. They love meat. It is completely natural for them. Meat must be the basis of their daily nutrition. A cat cannot live without meat! Cats instinctively prefer foods high in meat. Feeds with meat aroma and...
There are questions that run through a person’s mind upon seeing dogs searching for people lost in the woods, stuck under the rubble of a collapsed building or drowning in a reservoir. How difficult is it for a dog to find such people? Can I train my...
It is an unenviable situation no four-legged companion´s owner would like to get into. When your dog runs astray during a walk, for example because it discovers a hole in the fence or senses another animal that catches its attention, many of us panic...
Probably most of us know dog exhibitions including the organization thereof. However, even guinea pig owners can participate at an exhibition. How do such events work and what is their main principle? How do I prepare my guinea pig for an exhibition...
Not only the Thai cats appearance but also their nature is exceptional. They are communicative, social and together with the owner, they can establish a strong relationship full of boundless trust. However, at the same time, this breed is facing...
We, humans, do take care of our bodies and our health. If our knee hurts, we go to the orthopaedist, if our back hurts for a long time, we probably start considering physiotherapy. The need to go to inspections regularly increases with the level of...
At dog shows, many dog lovers meet to show off with their beloved pets of pure breed. However, such events are not only beauty pageants as they could seem. They are also important for breeding and for pure-bred dog to mate. What happens on such shows...
One of the most important parts of Christmas is Christmas Eve’s dinner. For example in the Czech Republic, it usually includes fish soup, fried carp or schnitzel and potato salad. However, the most important thing is that all loved ones should be at...
At Christmas, we want to make our loved ones, those who are our loyal companions throughout the whole year, happy. It also applies to our furry friends. If you have a cat at home and you are thinking about what to give it at Christmas, we have a...
