'Unlikely companion joined me on ultramarathon - now she sleeps beside me'
Nine years ago, ultramarathon runner Dion Leonard from Scotland was battling the scorching heat of the Gobi Desert in China, focused on completing a gruelling 155-mile race in 2016.
But on day two, his life changed forever - thanks to an unlikely companion. A small stray dog began running alongside him, covering an incredible 80 miles over the course of the week-long race.
That border terrier mix, later named Gobi, didn't just capture Dion's heart - their story went viral, inspiring millions around the world. As Dion, now 50, reflects on almost a decade with Gobi from his home in the US, he admits the adventure hasn't slowed down.
'When we met in 2016, I was focused on winning,' Dion tells The Mirror.
'She was chewing on my shoes and trying to impress me with her little tricks, but I didn't pay her much attention.'
That all changed on day three. Dion was about to take the lead of the race, wading through a waist-deep river, when he heard frantic barking behind him.
'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 end of the race, Dion had promised to bring Gobi home. That promise took him on another journey - tracking her down after she went missing in the Chinese city of Urumqi and navigating red tape to bring her to the UK.
'She'd been through so much. When we finally got her back, she was injured and looked terrible, but even then she was so loving. She has this ability to sense when people need affection. She's like an angel in a dog costume.'
Their incredible bond became the bestselling memoir Finding Gobi, translated into 24 languages, and inspired millions of animal lovers around the world.
Now 11, Gobi lives with Dion and his wife Lucja Leonard, 46, in the United States, where they've been based for six years.
'Gobi's settled into family life - she sleeps on the bed every night - but she still has that adventurous streak. She chases rabbits in the park and loves to run. Her ultramarathon days are over, but she still has so much energy and joy.'
Although Gobi doesn't run long distances anymore, she loves cheering on 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 believes meeting Gobi didn't just save her life - it healed something in him too.
'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, Dion and Gobi have raised thousands for animal charities, inspired countless adoptions, and even met presidents and royalty.
'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.'
After initially living in Scotland, Gobi and Dion moved to the States six years ago, with the border terrier mix visiting 34 states so far.
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