SPECIAL FEATURES:
Email
Stray dog follows cyclists for 1,100 miles
After completing the arduous 24-day journey through China, the celebrity puppy was adopted by one of the cyclists.
Thu, Jun 07 2012 at 11:34 AM
Photo: MSNBC
A stray dog in China latched on to a group of cyclists last month and kept pace with them for more than 1,100 miles in the country’s Tibetan Plateau.
The fluffy white mutt followed the bikers for 24 days from China’s Sichuan Province to Lhasa, ending her journey on May 24. The homeless pup’s trek began when 22-year-old cyclist Xiao Yong tossed the dog a chicken leg and the pup decided to stick around for the trip.
“We were shocked by her perseverance,” Xia Yong told China Central TV. “She followed us [from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province] to Litang [a town in Sichuan Province]. We then decided to make a cage for her when we had a steep road going downhill.”
The cyclists nicknamed the dog “Xiao Sa,” combining “xiao,” which means “little,” with the end of Lhasa, Tibet’s capital and the bikers’ final destination.
The stray ran along the cyclists over 12 mountains — some with elevations as high as 13,000 feet — and logged many miles a day on her short puppy legs.
“She once ran 37 miles in one day, going uphill. We were very impressed by Xiao Sa’s persistence, that inspired us all the way till our destination,” said Xiao Yong. “I’ll take Xiao Sa back home. I think she’s taking me as her owner now.”
Lu Bo, another cyclist, said Xiao Sa was a motivation to the team. The dog “made us so happy. Once a few of our team members lagged behind, she ran from hill top to the bottom, to bring these guys to the rest of the team. She injected power into us,” said Lu.
Xiao Sa is now taking a well-deserved rest with her new owner, Xiao Yong, and she even has her own account on Weibo, China’s micro-blogging service, which is similar to Twitter.
Check out some video footage of Xiao Sa's journey below.
Also on MNN:
You might also like:
Sign in with one of these accounts to add your comment.
EDITORS' PICKS
Advertisement
TODAY'S MOST POPULAR ON
- Tornado survivor finds dog during live TV interview
- 15 famous people who mysteriously disappeared
- 10 false facts most people think are true
- 5 mind-bending facts about dreams
- Man tattoos puppy, faces backlash
- 6 fascinating people who own almost nothing
- 9 habits that may do more harm than good
- The mystery of Devil's Kettle Falls
- The squirrel that wears many hats
- 15 houseplants for improving indoor air quality - A breath of fresh air
NEWSLETTER
Advertisement
I guarantee by day two of that dog running with them he was taken care of. You know that they camped out and that dog was fed and petted. Also, they built a crate for him on steep inclines. Most people naturally love animals and want to take care of them. That sweet little pup was inspired by the love and food he was given. If he wouldn't have had either he would not have performed those tasks. Much love to all you proud dog owners out there. We are not a rare breed, but a proud breed.
THIS IS A WONDERFULL STORY ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU
HEAR ABOUT THE ALL THE ANIMAL ABUSE LIKE MICHAEL
VICK. GOD WAS WATCHING OVER THAT LITTLE GUARDIAN
ANGEL---GOD BLESS HIM........
this is a great achievement for this fluffy white dog to follow these bicyclists 1,100 in 24 days. then it was great to see her get a home with one of the cyclists. REMEMBER A JOURNEY OF 1,000 MILES BEGINS WITH THE FIRST STEP!!!!.
I've been keeping up with this story since it first came out. They didn't have her run the whole way. Once they realized she was following them they made a basket on one of the bikes for her to ride in. And although chicken bones are overall not a good idea, fresh chicken bones are supple and not likely to shatter. Either way, they fed the dog with what they had. Most people to go on long bike rides with a bag of puppy chow.
wow incredible story of newfound friendship!!!
Whateva it takes to get homeless animals noticed so be it!! The dog did this deed on her own and Im sure if she couldnt make it they wouldve picked her up since they noticed her....If ur out here rescuing and trying to find homes for the millions and millions of strays then u would appreciate this story THE DOG GOT A HOME! thats what matters and she didnt have to die for it..
Animal abuse indeed.They could have given her a ride.She stayed with them because she was hungry and one of the idiots threw a chicken leg to her.A chicken leg? Really? I'm glad she has a new home,but the cyclists are cruel and heartless.
I agree - why the HELL would ANYONE make a dog run for 37 miles in a day?
.... the article says they made a basket for the puppy to ride in their bikes so it didn't have to run up steep hills.... it was fed for 24 days and given a home....fresh chicken bones are fine for a dog.
Common get real.what's cruel about that.
For such a determined pup on her quest to find food and companionship, you'd think the bikers could have somehow given her a ride for the entire rest of the way instead of making her run 37 miles in a day. (I really do hope that I misinterpreted that....so inhumane) Regardless, happy she now has a forever home where I pray she will always have love, shelter, and food.
This little girl has fantastic endurance. WHY didn't any of the riders try to carry her in a basket, as others have said? Poor little thing, but so determined.
read the article...they made a basket for her to ride in on the steep hills and when she was tired.
brilliant little guy
At least they didn't feed her dog food. With all the poisonous crap they put in pet food in Chine, the chicken leg must have tasted like a gourmet meal.
animal abuse.... horrible.....
animal abuse get real.the puppy wants to run animal abuse for the dog to be inside a small space apt.they like to run maybe you don't know that.
I'm surprised the government didn't have the dog imprisoned for not being a good communist or leaving it's home town without a permit.
Your remark is better suited for a political or social issue story. It adds nothing to this commentary.
PLEASE LEARN FROM THIS, IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH ROOM IN YOUR HEART FOR ONE MORE,PICK UP A STRAY RIGHT AWAY, DONT'T MAKE IT RUN TO FOLLOW YOU. BE A FOREVER COMPANION, FEED IT NUTURE THE HECK OUT OF IT, MAKE A DIFFERENCE! God Bless.
I find this story and event border line abusive. 37 miles in one day? Some of these bikers couldn't even do it. Of course the stray followed them - they fed him and he was hungry. Sorry, this is one story I cannot agree with or condone.
yes tequila . i agree whole heartedly
I agree, it's a little dog, she should have been picked up and put in a basket on one of the bikes. It's the usual BS: she was their inspiration because non-human animals were put on this earth just for our benefit!
I saw a picture of her on another site riding in a basket they built for her. They didn't abuse her. Once they realized she was following them they protected her and fed her. they didn't know of course if she was a stray at first.
Pages