Iran war forces couple into a desperate flight with their dog, but their real nightmare began on the road
Pets are family.
A couple’s desperate flight from Doha with their dog, documented in a viral Instagram video, has stunned viewers with the sheer determination it took to keep their family together amidst regional conflict. Their journey, which involved navigating closed airspace and canceled flights, quickly became a testament to the bond between humans and their pets.
According to Newsweek, Pelin Cohen, 38, who was living in Doha, Qatar, at the time, found herself in a difficult situation when the US and Israel’s war on Iran began unfolding in the region. Flights from Doha were canceled, and the airspace was closed. Waiting without any clear end in sight didn’t feel right for Cohen and her partner, so they decided to leave until things settled down.
For Cohen, however, leaving their pup behind was never an option. “He is our family,” she stated firmly, emphasizing that their only choice was to figure out a way for all of them to travel together. This meant embarking on a complex road and air journey that spanned multiple countries.
It’s incredible how much effort this couple put into making sure their furry friend was safe
The couple’s initial plan involved a car journey from Doha, Qatar, to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a drive of about five hours. The Instagram video, shared by @poodletechno, shows their calm pup trailing behind them, seemingly unaware of the upheaval around him.
“Leaving Doha with our dog was not easy,” the video explains, detailing the “paperwork, stress, and uncertainty” they faced. “We chose the difficult way. Because he’s family.” The border crossing into Saudi Arabia was surprisingly calm, giving them a brief moment of relief. After arriving safely in Riyadh, the couple checked into a hotel to await their next flight. This is where the real nightmare began for their travel plans.
Flying with a dog required a mountain of additional paperwork. They needed export permits, import permits, veterinary documents, health certificates, and multiple approvals from various ministries. Cohen described coordinating all these permits and certificates across countries as incredibly stressful and time-consuming. “He has no idea all this hassle is for him,” the on-screen message in the video adds.
Despite the difficulty and cost, Cohen confirmed it was “worth it to stay together.” Their eventual route was a winding one, taking them from Qatar to Saudi Arabia, then on to Istanbul due to the lack of direct flights to Germany, before finally reaching their destination of Berlin.
The video quickly resonated with viewers around the world, racking up over 582,000 views and 38,000 likes on Instagram. Cohen mentioned the online response was overwhelming and deeply moving, adding that the support they received meant a great deal to them.
One user, Zukoandoz, commented, “Thank you for setting an example ~ no fur baby should ever be left behind ~ pets are for life.” Another viewer, Lindatravelpug, wrote, “I applaud this family for choosing to do the right and moral thing despite the difficulties. A pet is family.”
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