In June 2016, ultramarathon runner Dion Leonard faced the heat during a 155-mile race across the Gobi Desert in China.
A tiny stray dog began running beside him, covering about 80 miles during the week-long event.
Gobi now lives with Dion after he fought to bring her home.
Nine years ago, the Scottish ultramarathoner pushed through scorching conditions while chasing victory in that 2016 race.
On day two, everything shifted when an unlikely companion joined him on the trail.
Gobi stayed by Dion’s side throughout the ultramarathon.
“When we met in 2016, I was focused on winning,” Dion tells The Mirror.
He recalls she chewed his shoes and tried tricks to win attention.
At first, he barely noticed her antics.
Everything changed on day three when Dion prepared to take the lead while wading through a waist-deep river.
“She knew if she followed, she’d drown. In that split second, I turned back, picked her up and carried her across. As I looked at her in my arms, I thought – maybe this dog and I are going to be friends for longer than I first thought.”
By the finish, Dion vowed to bring the dog home.
Gobi went missing in the Chinese city of Urumqi, forcing Dion to mount a search.
She had been through so much and arrived injured and battered when they finally found her.
Even then, she offered affection freely.
“She has this ability to sense when people need affection. She’s like an angel in a dog costume.”
Their bond inspired the bestselling memoir Finding Gobi.
The book has reached readers in 24 languages and struck a chord with animal lovers worldwide.
Now aged 11, Gobi lives with Dion and his wife Lucja Leonard, 46, in the United States.
They have lived in the US for six years.
Gobi’s settled into family life and sleeps on the bed with them every night.
She still chases rabbits in the park and loves short runs, though her ultramarathon days are over.
Gobi often joins Dion and Lucja at races.
“She usually runs the last hundred metres with us to the applause of the crowd. It’s her moment and she loves it.”
Dion says rescuing Gobi repaired something inside him as well.
“I had a turbulent childhood. When I carried Gobi across that river, I thought about how no one cared for her, and I saw myself in her. I decided to be the person I needed when I was younger – someone to care.”
Together they have raised thousands for animal charities and inspired many adoptions.
They have even met presidents and royalty during their travels.
Gobi lives in the US with Dion and Lucja and has visited 34 states so far.
“She doesn’t know she’s famous – she’s just living her best life. She makes people smile every single day. That’s her gift to the world.”