It was love on first flight! This dog was not only a woman’s best friend, but also her best companion: he introduced her to her pilot boyfriend in her last days.
Adri Pendleton, 29, had been living in Amsterdam with her two dogs for six years when her relationship ended, and she made the decision to return to the United States at the end of last year.
While the TikTok creator was ready to return to Redding, California, she realized the hard part would be getting her 15-year-old border collie Nelly back as well.
Nelly, who has since passed away, had developed epilepsy and was diagnosed with a mild heart murmur.
Adri Pendleton, 29, had been living in Amsterdam with her two dogs, Loki and Nelly, for six years when their relationship ended. She decided to return to the United States.
She soon realized the difficult part would be getting her 15-year-old border collie Nelly (pictured) back to the US as well.
Because of Nelly’s health problems, Adri was hesitant to put the dog in cargo for the plane ride home, and she couldn’t find an airline that would allow a dog her size to travel in the cabin with her on an international flight. .
Adri realized that the only option to get his beloved dog back was on a private plane, so he immediately began raising money to bring him home, posting videos on the TikTok account of his other dog, Loki, who soon they went viral.
‘People likes it [Loki] a lot. He has his face half paralyzed, so he’s a funny guy,” Adri said. People.
Fortunately, people also took a favorable view of Nelly and her plight: her videos racked up tens of thousands of views and her GoFundMe gained attention around the world.
Her videos were also noticed by German pilot Niklas Stoeterau, 26, who said he was “moved” by her story and contacted her via TikTok with a proposal to bring them back to the US.
Niklas, who was living in Hamburg at the time, said he could take Adri and his canine companion to New Jersey because they allowed him to bring a guest for a very low price.
“I thought maybe it’s not California, but at least it’s on the right side of the Atlantic and it could bring Adri and Nelly closer to home,” Niklas said.
“I called it my plus one and a half.”
Despite it being a plan that would solve her transcontinental problems, Adri admitted that she was not sure at first.
Niklas, who was living in Hamburg at the time, reached out via TikTok saying he could take Adri and her canine companion to New Jersey, which she accepted.
The traveling companions initially said goodbye in Newark, New Jersey, they couldn’t stop thinking about each other.
Sadly, Nelly passed away about a month after they returned to California, but Adri was grateful for the extra time he was able to spend with Nelly.
“I’ve had men take advantage of me in vulnerable situations before,” she explained, adding that she and her family checked Niklas’ background.
The couple were in constant contact before the flight, messaging each other for almost two months.
However, Niklas admitted he was “a little nervous” when the day arrived and went to pick up Adri and Nelly at Milan airport in January.
It turned out she had nothing to worry about, as the pair talked non-stop during the 15-hour flight, which included two layovers.
Niklas said he felt an instant connection with the dog’s owner, including similar interests like photography and country music.
“It was just something about her,” he gushed. “We could talk about the most random things and it seems easy.”
Another indication that Niklas was someone special was the instant affection that Nelly showed him.
“You would think she would be a little shy or not very fond of strangers, but we got along very well throughout the flight,” the pilot said.
Adri began posting videos on the TikTok he had for his other dog, Loki (pictured), which soon went viral.
Although the traveling companions said goodbye in Newark, New Jersey, they couldn’t stop thinking about each other.
“A couple of days after the flight, I said, ‘You’re very impressive. If you keep this up, I’ll invite you to California and take you on a date,” Adri recalled.
“I mean, it was clear that we were both interested in each other,” he added.
“I was glad that he had taken the first step,” Niklas confirmed.
Sadly, Nelly passed away about a month after they returned to California, but Adri is grateful for the extra time she was able to spend with Nelly.
“Definitely the best companion,” he said.
The handsome aviator visited Adri again in California in March and met his family, but they still don’t have solid plans to move or get married, as much as her TikTok followers would love to.
For now, Niklas has accepted a new job in Switzerland while Adri takes classes, hoping to become a canine behaviorist.
In reality, neither of us feels pressured. “We think it’s cool that TikTok supports us and is so excited, but we’re just doing our thing,” Adri explained.
‘They were happy. So that’s what matters.”