When Golan Shoshan and his girlfriend were wrapping up their three-year stay in Bali, Indonesia, they were busy packing and preparing for their move back to Israel. Everything was set—until life threw them a surprise they could never have planned for.
Just three weeks before their departure, a fierce storm swept through their village. When the skies cleared, a tiny black dog with wide, pleading eyes appeared at their doorstep. The couple had seen plenty of strays during their time in Bali, but something about this pup felt different. They named her Luna.
“Luna wasn’t the dog we went looking for—she found us,” Golan told The Dodo. “From the start, we both knew she was meant to stay with us forever.”
Curious about where she had come from, the couple asked around the neighborhood. The answer broke their hearts: Luna had been abandoned only days earlier. Though they had never owned a pet before, they knew instantly they couldn’t walk away from her. They rushed her to a vet for a checkup and a much-needed bath, relieved to find she was healthy enough to travel.
That night, Golan and his girlfriend began researching how to bring Luna to Israel. The process was far from simple. Indonesia and Israel have no diplomatic ties, and Bali has strict rules against exporting animals due to rabies concerns. The journey would be long, stressful, and delay their move by at least a month—but they didn’t hesitate.
They arranged for Luna to be driven 24 hours from Bali to Jakarta. From there, she boarded a flight to Bangkok, Thailand, where she was finally reunited with her new parents. Though terrified during the journey, Luna quickly bounced back once she was in their arms again.
Over the next few weeks, the couple focused on securing Luna’s paperwork so she could travel the final leg of her journey. When they finally boarded the 12-hour flight to Tel Aviv, Luna surprised everyone with how calm she was. “She was amazing on the flight,” Golan said. “We played with her beforehand to make sure she would be relaxed and sleep well.”
Once home, Luna’s joy was undeniable. She curled into her new life with ease, showered with affection and love. While she’s still working through her fear of strangers—a reminder of her rough past—she’s blossoming into a playful, trusting pup who adores her family and fellow dogs.
For Golan and his girlfriend, adopting Luna was never part of the plan. But looking back, they wouldn’t change a thing. “We didn’t expect to leave Bali with a dog,” Golan admitted, “but now we can’t imagine life without her.”
Their journey with Luna also left them with a greater mission: encouraging others to give homeless animals a chance. “There are so many loving street dogs out there, living scared and hungry,” Golan said. “Adopting one can change their life—and yours, too.”
Dedicated and experienced pet-related content writer with a passion for animals and a proven track record of creating engaging and informative content. Skilled in researching, writing, and editing articles that educate and inspire pet owners. Strong knowledge of animal behavior, health, and care, combined with a commitment to delivering high-quality content that resonates with audiences. Seeking to leverage writing skills and passion for pets to contribute to a dynamic and mission-driven team.