Stories of most backpackers will usually tell you how traveling on a budget was crucial for them to fulfill all their wanderlust dreams. That's how Ukranian couple Eugene & Petrus wound up in Chennai. Kochi wasn't in their plan but it was the cheapest ticket from Kiev. But clearly this was destined as very early into their adventurers itself they became the family of a scrawny little Indian pup!
A Kindred Spirit Awaited In Kochi
As the couple explored the rustic nooks and corners of Fort Kochi, they bumped into a little pup who was on the verge of dying due to starvation. The dog lovers sprang into action and got her the medical attention she desperately needed. Thereafter, they nourished and nursed her. And little did they know but she soon became family and there they were, Googling ways to travel with a dog.
The Found Themselves A Very Warm "Chapati"!
While the explorers were beginning to get familiar with India, they learnt the local lingo. They looked at their little cuddly friend and thought "Chapati"! Chapati was soon adopted and at the forefront of the couple's travel plans. They specifically chose locations where they new their little one would be welcomed.
After travelling across India, Chapati then trekked up the stunning peaks of Nepal in her parents' jackets and played in the waves on the beaches of Thailand. This adventurer has traveled to Italy, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Prague, Istanbul, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, etc. She has visited over 20 countries! Gosh, wouldn't we love to exchange our passports with Chapati right about now ?
Battling With Budgets To Make It Happen!
Travelling on a budget presents its own challenges and travelling with a pet would only add to it. There's added expenses, restricted entry and scope of catching fleas and diseases. That's what makes Eugene and Kristina so inspiring. Their love for Chapati has let them be motivated to the point that they take on all these challenges. While a number of people in our country look at Indie dogs and say they want a 'breed', these two gave their whole heart to Chapati.
Further, a lot of cases of abandoning of dogs and parents are attempted to be justified with the issues such as added expense or the problem of illnesses. So easily some shrug their shoulders and say that one had too many fleas or health issues but the fact is that when you open your home to a pet they are your family, they are your loved one and do we ever give up on them? Or rather could our emotional strings ever allow us to give up on them?
Awareness For Acceptance
The couple aims to inspire more travelers to travel with their pets and also to increase awareness about the unique breed of Indie dogs. The breed is often neglected in India itself and this backpacking couple wants to show the world that these pups are just as smart and lovable as purebred ones.
If you read about her adventures you will learn about the time she spent a day playing at a beach with other dogs on the go or about how a local barista gave her a special bowl for food and water. You will see Chapati posing in front of monuments and in the arms of folk dancers. Kristina stated in an interview how people not only marvel about the fact that she is a travelling dog but also on her breed. Unknown in other parts of the world, little Chapati makes herself known.
An Easy-Going Four-Legged Globetrotter!
The avid traveller that she is, Chapati is comfortable in all modes of transportation - buses and trains, planes, cars, rikshaws, ferries, catamaran, you name it! Krisitina stated that now when they start packing their bags, Chapati starts hopping and wagging her tale in excitement, eager for her next adventure.
I'm hoping that one day I'll bump into her in a far off continent to take her for a sprint, give her a treat and lots of hugs! And, maybe together we'll share a chapati?
' fill='%23359391'%3e %3cpath d='M46.1538462%2c43.5714286 L41.5%2c50 L36.8461538%2c43.5714286 L36.8670256%2c43.5714286 C36.3173077%2c42.7142857 36%2c41.6851429 36%2c40.5714286 C36%2c37.4854286 38.4535641%2c35 41.5%2c35 C44.5464359%2c35 47%2c37.4854286 47%2c40.5714286 C47%2c41.6851429 46.6826923%2c42.7142857 46.1329744%2c43.5714286 L46.1538462%2c43.5714286 Z M41.4294872%2c39 C40.6150641%2c39 39.9487179%2c39.675 39.9487179%2c40.5 C39.9487179%2c41.325 40.6150641%2c42 41.4294872%2c42 C42.2439103%2c42 42.9102564%2c41.325 42.9102564%2c40.5 C42.9102564%2c39.675 42.2439103%2c39 41.4294872%2c39 L41.4294872%2c39 Z' id='Location-white'%3e%3c/path%3e %3c/g%3e %3c/svg%3e)
