Woof you take me along?

An indie pup from Kochi adopted by a Ukrainian couple has been officially recognised as the most-travelled dog. Want a crash course on how to travel happy with a pet? Listen to the gurus

Quite early into their six month-long tour of southeast Asia in 2017, Ukrainian couple Kristina Masalova and Eugene Petrus found an ailing, stray pup in Fort Kochi. Thin and tan like an unleavened flatbread, it immediately inspired them to call the dog Chapati.

Although they nursed the pup back to health, Masalova says they didn’t have the heart to leave her behind. At the time, the couple had quit their jobs, bought a one-way ticket to India and were to travel as long as their pockets permitted. The addition of a furry member, however, meant rethinking travel plans. “We couldn’t go back to Ukraine because we had a rented apartment. We couldn’t stay in India for long as our visas were time-bound. There was no option but to take her wherever we were welcome as a unit,” she says. 

Four years and 23 countries later, Chapati has deservedly earned “the most travelled dog” honour by the India Book of Records and National Register of Records of Ukraine. The couple has been documenting their adventures on their Instagram page, TravelingChapati, which now has more than 34k followers. There are many reasons that make Chapati a wonderful traveller, say the couple. The first, according to Masalova, is Chapati’s genetics. “She belongs to a breed of Indian indigenous dogs, who evolved on their own not less than 15,000 years ago and this makes them extremely flexible and adaptable. Since they live on the streets, they are accustomed to a nomadic lifestyle. Chapati is vigilant,  adaptable, devoted and intelligent. She also has aristocratic manners and carries herself with dignity.”

Chapati with “the most travelled dog” certificate from the India Book of Records and National Register of Records of Ukraine

Second is their own decision to introduce Chapati to a variety of transport—car, bike, train and ferry—early on. They have deliberately avoided air travel because the idea of their pet being ferried in a luggage compartment is  “taboo”.  Countries that have mandatory quarantine for pets, such as Iceland, Malaysia, New Zealand, are also out of bounds.

When you travel with a dog, it’s nearly impossible to have a thorough plan, thinks Petrus. This is especially true of long road-trips, which they also have found to be the best option. “Dogs can bring plenty of bureaucratic questions and refusals, so one should always leave room for improvisations.” The duo usually draws up a rough list of countries they plan to visit and a deadline to return. “But, while actually on the road, we plan only for our very next destination.” The only aspect which requires thorough planning is the documentation of the pet, which is mandatory for cross-border travel. “All countries have different requirements; some ask for a blood-titer test, which takes two to three months of waiting.” Among the countries they have visited, they rate Italy, Serbia and Nepal as the most pet-friendly.

“The more west you move, the more dog-friendly it gets. Ukraine, our homeland, has started to become more dog-friendly only in the last few years and it’s still light years behind Italy, where dogs and cats are allowed on most public transport systems. On the other hand, most countries of the European Union, and the USA, don’t allow dogs to enter public beaches during high-season time. In Asia, this was never a problem for us.” Their experience has shown that Serbians adore dogs and this was the country where passersby would treat and hug Chapati several times in a day. “Café owners were shocked when we asked them if we could enter with a dog, because for locals it’s obvious that you can,” says Petrus. What came as a pleasant surprise in Nepal though, was that Chapati was allowed into almost all the temples, which wasn’t the case in Thailand and India.

Chapati as a pup travelling in a long-distance train in India

What makes their trips doubly fun is how they “vibe” together as a family. “This is because we love each other and we are always in sync. Chapati makes us laugh almost each day and, sometimes, it even seems that she does that on purpose. She makes a lot of funny poses and noises,” Masalova says, adding that their most enjoyable outings are to spots nestled in nature, where they can safely unleash the dog. “She likes to gallop on the sand by the beach or in the forests.” Although the Coronavirus pandemic had put a pause to their adventures, the couple is now planning a road trip next month to Spain and Portugal.

Before you travel with your dog

>> Check the rules and requirements of the destination country on government web pages, because most of the blogs on the Internet have controversial information, which could be far from reality. If possible, contact the corresponding departments in both countries and clarify matters

>> Never put your dog in the luggage department of the airplane if it’s not a question of your lifetime immigration and total separation from your pet

>> Make enquiries about the destination country. Find out what is the attitude to dogs in that culture, the quality of veterinary services, do they sell dog food, etc

>> Don’t overplan and be ready for impromptu developments. You might think that some bureaucratic procedures will take a few hours, but it may turn to days and weeks

>> It’s best to carry dry commercial food and follow the rules of food storage. Once the package is opened, you should move the food to a sealed container. And always follow temperature recommendations. 
So, if it’s hot outside, don’t leave unpacked food in the car. It can cause severe gastroenterological problems for the pet

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