Runner Dion Leonard made a decision to adopt Gobi and bring her back to the United Kingdom – but she went missing while being prepared for quarantine. When Leonard arrived at the caller’s home, he was greeted by his furry friend.
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“I noticed this dog was at my feet and looking up at me and I’m thinking “I saw that dog yesterday walking around the campsite, that’s a bit odd”, Mr Leonard told BBC Radio. “It was love again at immediate sight”.
An Australian ultramarathon runner’s appeal to help find his beloved new pet has been successful, with him and the dog now reunited.
The story of Gobi lit up the world earlier this month, after she befriended Dion Leonard while he was competing in the Gobi March, a 250km-long endurance test across the Gobi Desert.
“She ran 77 miles during those three stages, she slept with me during the evenings and we just formed this bond that couldn’t be broken during the race”.
Calling their reunion a “miracle”, Leonard is planning on visiting Gobi a couple more times during her 120-day quarantine in Beijing. “That was it then”.
Posting on the Facebook page “Bring Gobi home”, Leonard’s joy was shared with the public. He met his goal and was working through “red tape” involved with Gobi’s travel, Inside Edition reported.
Dion Leonard is reunited with his beloved dog, Gobi.
“I knew as soon as the race had finished – and even during it – that I had to make an effort to try and get her back to the United Kingdom somehow”.
Overall, Leonard has raised a lot of money from strangers, which he says was needed to adopt and find Gobi.
“Thankfully we went over and as soon as I walked into the lounge she came running across the room and into my arms”, he told the Good Morning Scotland programme.
“It was a really touching moment when Gobi rushed over to Dion, wagging her tail and whining like a baby”, said emotional Lu Xin, 49, a volunteer who helped in the search. “I could not leave her behind as she had chosen me to look after and protect her”.
Dion and Gobi after finally being reunited. Without them, I wouldn’t have found her. “We especially went to the booths of express delivery companies, where chances were bigger that people may have sighted her”.
In the clip, Gobi, tail wagging wildly, can be seen squealing with delight and nuzzling into Dion on a sofa.
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“I am very heartbroken and saddened about it”, he said. “She is excited to meet Gobi and welcome her into our home in Scotland”.
