(Courtesy of Metro Trains Melbourne)
A Labrador who boarded a commuter train all by himself has gone viral for his solo adventure. After riding the train for about eight stops, his commute had a happy ending; the plucky pup was picked up by train station staff and reunited with his family.
Storm the golden Labrador boarded an 8:20 a.m. suburban commuter train unaccompanied at Hoppers Crossing Station in Melbourne, Australia. The train was headed to Flinders Street Station. Security cameras caught the pup, wagging his tail as he stood patiently behind the yellow line, waiting for the train doors to open.
The pup does a quick check of the carriage before jumping on the train just a few seconds before it takes off.
Screenshot of a video of Storm the golden Labrador boarding a train. (Courtesy of Metro Trains Melbourne)
However, someone intervened in Storm’s spontaneous solo adventure along the way, since, upon arrival at Flinders Street Station, another security camera caught the pup exiting the train with a Public Transport Victoria (PTV) staffer gripping his collar. Another staffer met the pair with a leash.
“In paws-itive news, we were able to reunite Storm with his owners, who were visiting all the way from Sydney!” Metro Trains Melbourne, who collaborated with North Melbourne’s Lost Dogs Home to return Storm to his owners, said in a July 24th post shared alongside the video. They were able to locate Storm’s family from his microchip.
(Courtesy of Metro Trains Melbourne)
Storm gets a pat from staffers. (Courtesy of Metro Trains Melbourne)
“It would be the best day ever having this pooch jump on your train!” one netizen commented. While another wrote, “He just needed an adventure of his own!”
Storm’s adventure didn’t end with his escort from the train. The lucky pup was taken behind the scenes at Flinders Street Station, where he got pats from all those he met. He also enjoyed a walk along the city’s Southbank before being picked up. Storm’s grateful family later shared photos of him enjoying a ball game in the park back at home.
(Courtesy of Metro Trains Melbourne)
Storm is back at home. (Courtesy of Metro Trains Melbourne)
While unaccompanied animals are a rare sight on Melbourne trains, pets are allowed to travel as long as their owners follow the rules: small pets must travel in suitable transporters, while dogs must be on leashes and are to keep clear of aisles, exits, and seats intended for human commuters.