"Please Take Me with You" Stray Dog Follows National Trek Group for 20 km on Tiny Paws

Followed People to the End Despite the Sweltering Heat
Story Revealed: Abandoned by the Roadside a Month Ago
Now Under Temporary Care by a Private Rescuer

The story of a stray dog who followed a group undertaking a great national trek for as much as 20 km has moved many readers. The puppy, reportedly abandoned by the roadside about a month ago, struggled through the sweltering heat, desperately walking to keep up with these strangers. On July 18, the animal adoption promotion social network “LuckyLover” shared Gongju’s story under the title, “The child who followed for a distant 20 km.”

A stray dog named "Gongju" followed the group embarking on the Great National Trek for an incredible 20 km. Luckylover Instagram

The informant, referred to as Mr. A, explained that he met the puppy by chance in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do during the trek and gave her the name “Gongju” after the local area. According to Mr. A, Gongju began to linger around the group from the very first encounter. He initially thought she would soon go her own way, but even after 5 km and then 10 km, Gongju remained by their side.

Exhausted in the midsummer heat, Gongju refreshed herself by wading into the rice paddies, and at crossroads, waited until the group caught up. At times, she disappeared from view and seemed to have gone elsewhere, but before long, she would again move her little paws to follow behind the group. Even when the group paused for rest, Gongju continued to keep close by. While the group took a break in a café, she reportedly waited outside in the heat for their return.

However, Mr. A’s group had to continue their journey all the way to Haenam. They hesitated to offer Gongju water or food at first, worrying it would encourage her to follow even further. Every time Gongju disappeared, the group tried to move on quickly, but whenever they looked back, she was already tailing them once again.

20 km Trek with the Group... The Story of Her Abandonment Discovered Later

The reason why Gongju desperately followed the group was revealed belatedly through comments from nearby residents. Villagers recognized the puppy, and after some inquiries, it was revealed that Gongju had been abandoned in the village about a month prior. Only after hearing that story did Mr. A begin to understand why Gongju was so determined not to lose sight of these strangers.

The reason Princess desperately followed her group was revealed later through conversations with nearby residents. The villagers recognized the puppy, and after inquiries, it was conveyed that Princess was a puppy abandoned by someone in the village about a month ago. Luckylover Instagram

Since it was a Sunday, the group could not reach the area’s animal shelters or veterinary clinics. After inquiries, they were told that Gongju could be kept temporarily at the local 119 Safety Center before being transferred to the Gongju City stray dog shelter. The group walked together again to escort Gongju to a safe place. Though Gongju started out energetically, over time, she grew more fatigued. Despite being given water, she started to breathe heavily and slowed her pace significantly. Still, Gongju did her utmost not to lose sight of the group, using every last bit of her strength to continue.

The distance Gongju walked with the group from Jeongan to downtown Gongju reached approximately 20 km. Mr. A expressed his hope that this difficult journey would ultimately lead to Gongju finding a new family.

No Family Found During Shelter Notice Period

The group eventually transferred Gongju to the Gongju City shelter, but she was unable to meet an adoptive family within the public notice period. Fortunately, as her story spread on social media, she is now being temporarily cared for by a private rescuer. Her new name is “Gongju Haetbami.” According to the adoption promotion account, Gongju is estimated to be about three years old and weighs approximately 7 kilograms. She is known to be friendly toward people and has a relatively gentle personality. The rescuer emphasized that they are not seeking an adoptive family just because Gongju became newsworthy, but they are waiting for someone who will love and take responsibility for her life until the end.

The group transferred Gongju to the Gongju City Shelter, but she could not find an adoptive family within the public announcement period. Fortunately, the story spread through social media, and she is now being temporarily cared for by an individual rescuer. Lucky Lover Instagram

As Gongju’s story spread, netizens expressed heartbreak that she trusted people again, even after being abandoned once. Comments included: “She must have followed so desperately, afraid that people would leave her again,” and “It’s heartbreaking that such a small dog walked 20 km.” Many people also wished that this time, she would finally meet a family who would never abandon her.

Some voices cautioned against impulsively adopting pets just because they are in the spotlight, urging prospective adopters to seriously consider their ability to commit to a pet’s lifetime. LuckyLover also emphasized that they are seeking a family who will walk through life by Gongju’s side, so that she will never be left wandering the roadside alone again, and encouraged careful consideration before adoption.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.