Dog Sneaks Aboard Flight And Follows Her Family On A Trip Overseas

A man from Hong Kong had no intention of bringing his dog, a schnauzer, on a recent family vacation to Japan. The little pup, however, apparently wasn't planning on being left behind.

After a five-hour flight, and two more hours getting through Japanese customs, he received a worrying text message from a relative who was supposed to look after the pet while the family was away. It turns out, the dog had gone missing - but as Chinese media reports, she actually never left his side.

Pictured is not the same dog from this story, but he seems to like hiding in suitcases too.Flickr/Austin Kirk

Pictured is not the same dog from this story, but he seems to like hiding in suitcases too. | Flickr/Austin Kirk

Acting on a hunch, the man opened his suitcase outside the airport and discovered the dog hiding inside with his stuff, reportedly safe and sound after her stowaway voyage. He says he forgot to recheck the contents of his luggage before zipping it up back home, where the dog evidently hopped in undetected allowing her to sneak aboard the flight.

It's unclear how airport security failed to notice the hidden schnauzer, but her secret journey ended early regardless. Her owner informed Japanese customs about the accidental smuggling, and the dog was flown back to Hong Kong as the family proceeded on their vacation without her.

This isn't the first time a dog has tried to sneak along on a trip. Last May, officials at New York's LaGuardia Airport found a little dog who had hidden inside his owner's bag while she was packing.

That incident, which ended well for all involved, prompted the Transportation Security Administration to issue the following advisory:

"It's always important to double check your bags before traveling, especially to make sure your Chihuahua hasn't stowed away inside one of them."

Good advice indeed.

SEE ALSO: 17 Pets Who Can't Believe You Aren't Taking Them On Your Trip