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From rags to riches: Indian stray dog turns world traveller

Chapati is enjoying the sweet life by exploring one country at a time. Read about the canine before her grand adventures.

In February, a Ukrainian couple visiting India found a puppy dehydrated and starving at Fort Kochi. It was at that moment they decided to nurse her back to health.

Kristina Masalova and Eugene Petrus took the dog to the vet to get rid of her fleas and ticks.

So, today I had an appointment at Crown Vet ðŸ¤' 🐾 What's good: ðŸ"¹I've got a microchip (it is essential for traveling; it is also very important that it should be of a proper type) ðŸ"¹I've got the first shot of vaccines required by most countries (Leptospirosis, Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus) ðŸ"¹I've received a new passport with a fake Birthday 🤐👮🏽 (cause actually I'm too young for traveling, but my parent's visas will expire before the right age will come; so they had no other way and had to cheat my doctor a bit) ðŸ"¹The staff of the hospital are really good and competent doctors. The hospital itself is very fancy and modern. Everything and everybody is nice there. 🐾 Unfortunately, in our specific case, this hospital also had some cons: 🚫The hospital is quite costy for India (they use only expensive imported stuff) 🚫The vaccine I've got was the one produced in the USA (and very soon my parents understood that we would have a huge problem in searching for the same one in a few weeks, when I will need a second shot; cause it is very expensive and though not popular throughout Asia) 🚫The staff wasn't very competent in traveling questions (they even couldn't help us with rules for dog export from India, not speaking of import to Thailand or Nepal) 🚫Our doctor was so meticulous about the rules, that she didn't agree to backdate the first vaccine and to make me the rabies vaccine (of course many doctors would find that she was absolutely right... but, guys, we really don't have time... the visas expire soon...and the export rules require vaccines to be administered in advance...this means that my parents can't take me with them 😱😰... or they should stay in India illegally 😨👮🏽 ?!) 🐾 In some time my panic reduced. The parents assured me that they will find the way to solve the vaccination problem. They promise to leave India only all together, whatever it will cost 😍 🐾 P.S. We are still glad that visited this hospital, cause they could help with the first and major steps, the proper microchip and the first obligatory vaccine. The staff have done everything possible and were really nice to us, so we don't feel aggrieved 👌🏼 🐾 Day 27 🐾

A post shared by Chapati (@travelingchapati) on

AT THE VETERINARY HOSPITAL IN KOCHI Pt. 2 We were really happy to find the Cochin Pet Hospital. The results of our visit are: ðŸ"¹No fleas anymore! ðŸ"¹My age is defined (1,5-2 month 🐣) ðŸ"¹I started to put on weight 🍩🍩🍩 (because Pyrantel expelled three huge worms from my body) ðŸ"¹My bones became stronger and my legs were straightened in the short run after inclusion of new food and the supplements (before I had a tottering gait and my left front leg was arched). Overall our visit cost 2000 INR (including takeaway meds&supplements), plus - 1000 INR for some purchases in their shop (puppy training pads, some chewy stuff and Royal Canin Maxi Starter 1 kg). So, my friends, you need less than 50$ to make a street dog look like a superstar 😉 🐾 Day 4 🐾

A post shared by Chapati (@travelingchapati) on

Initially, they were hoping to find the little pup a home, but chose to adopt the dog they named Chapati. They picked that name because she was as thin as one, the couple told a leading English daily.

However, the happily ever after story doesn't end there as Chapati wasn't adopted by ordinary folks. Kristina and Eugene had quit their jobs to travel the world. Maybe it was fate that their first destination happened to be Kochi.

Soon they started researching how to travel with a pet around India. Now the family's adventures are chronicled on the canines own Instagram page.

Meet Mr. Shri Baldev, the greatest person and 'animal friend' as he calls himself ðŸ'ž Many years ago Mr. Baldev understood that he cannot just watch animals' sufferings anymore. From that moment on he dedicated his life to taking care of animals: he started to heal sick and wounded, he started to nurse small and exhausted, he started to treat every animal, who needed help. Even though Mr. Baldev doesn't have veterinary education, he saved so many lives, that in January this year he received an award "The Great Human Icon" as a "Pet Care Taker" 🏆 Mr. Baldev comes from Bhutan and had a vacation in Delhi, where we accidentally met each other and shared our stories ðŸ'• Regards to this great man 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 We are very lucky to know him. He made our hearts full of love and faith 😍 🐾 Day 44 🐾

A post shared by Chapati (@travelingchapati) on

While travelling with a dog is challenging and expensive, the couple told the Times of India it is "worth it". Chapati has been on every mode of transport you can think of - buses, trains, planes, cars, rickshaws, ferries, catamarans, even a motorbike.

Hello, friends! I am online again and want to show you how I travel by trains 😉 This is my night train from Mumbai to Jodhpur 🛤 I love trains, cause I can sleep really tight there and also I sleep with my parents 😍🍾 But frankly speaking, now I'm traveling illegally 👮🏽ðŸš"🤐 In India dogs can travel by trains only in AC First Class when you buy out the whole cabin, which costs even more expensive than a flight. As my parents are not on that budget, we prefer AC 3 Tier. So, each time we enter the train, I am hiding in my bag 🐣 Then, on our road, I have to hide under the sheet ☺ Lucky parents! Now I am small enough for this mischief to be managed 😉 🐾 Day 27 🐾

A post shared by Chapati (@travelingchapati) on

Thailand, Philippines and Nepal are just some of the countries this cool globetrotter has visited.

To others wanting to take their pet along for a holiday, they reveal most hotels have been quite accommodating. Mumbai and Bangkok were the only place they found hard to find a pet-friendly place.

Chapati at Chhatrapati 😉 🐾 Day 25 🐾

A post shared by Chapati (@travelingchapati) on

While sharing their travels around the world with their beloved dog, Kristina and Eugene hope to raise awareness about strays, who they believe make just as good a pets as a purebred.

You can follow more of this adorable dog's journey on her Instagram page - 'Traveling Chapati'.

( Source : deccan chronicle )
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