When you travel to a new place can it can be scary for anyone, but it is especially difficult when you’re a small animal who has never flown before. The loud noises, having to be in a crate during a scary flight. All of this makes flying a stressful event.

But when you take on a pet, the responsibility to keep them safe is a big one and you promise to do it. You become their person in the world, and that means where you go, they go.

But for one owner, that responsibility became too much when they reached San Francisco, Calif., after leaving China. Upon arrival at the airport, the owner was told they had the wrong paperwork for their pet. So instead of figuring out a way to solve the issue, they decided to abandon the puppy at the airport and travel on to their next destination. 

Polaris is met by United Airlines employees after being released from quarantine. Photo by United Airlines.

The puppy was a six-month-old German Shepherd mix, and now he had nowhere to go. At first, United Airlines sent him to a facility in Los Angeles where animals quarantine when they arrive in the United States. 

The puppy was soon named Polaris by United Airlines employees, after the title of their business class section. The staff became enthralled with the happy dog and were determined to make sure he had a good life. They immediately took responsibility for Polaris once he was finished with his quarantine.

Polaris was allowed to stay at one of the airline’s offices. He was given his own bed, lots of treats and toys, and tons of love from the employees.

Polaris enjoying some of the many toys he was given by United Airlines employees. Photo by United Airlines.

The airline staff knew they wanted to keep Polaris in their airline family, so when they reached out for help in getting him adopted, they had only one request: He had to go to a United Airlines employee.

So the airline partnered with the San Francisco SPCA to find Polaris his forever home. After 30 employees applied to be the dog’s owner, United Airlines pilot, Capt. William Dale, was chosen to take Polaris home.

“United’s Customer Service team took on quite a challenge to ensure Polaris would be safe, healthy and find a loving home,” said Lisa Feder, the SPCA’s chief of rescue and welfare.

Capt. William Dale and his family were the lucky adopters of Polaris. Photo by United Airlines.

For the airline, this would be a memorable experience for everyone. “Sometimes we deal with the craziest of situations,” United spokesperson Vincent Passafiume told NBC News. “This was probably one of the oddest we’ve ever dealt with and also one of the most challenging,” he said.

“To be able to get the outcome that we did as a team and see that Polaris will go home to a family that will give him a good life is really a special moment for me.”

What a happy ending for this plucky pup who just so happened to make an entire airline crew fall in love with him.

Sources: Positive Outlooks | Daily Mail | NBC News