After a difficult breakup caused her to move back to the US from Amsterdam, Adri Pendleton found herself in a dilemma when it came to bringing her beloved 15-year-old dog, Nelly, back with her. Unable to have Nelly fly in the cabin due to her size, Pendleton was faced with the decision of putting her in cargo or finding an alternative method of travel. Determined to keep Nelly safe and comfortable, Pendleton decided to seek out a private charter to bring her home.
Pendleton started a GoFundMe and reached out to her dog Loki’s large following for help. An emotional pitch from Pendleton caught the attention of German pilot Niklas Stoeterau, who offered to help bring Nelly back to the US at a discounted rate. Despite initially being apprehensive of the stranger’s intentions, Pendleton and Stoeterau communicated for nearly two months to work out the travel plans. They finally met at a Milan airport and spent the next 15 hours getting to know each other as they traveled together.
During the flight, Nelly and Stoeterau seemed to bond well, with the elderly dog showing affection and comfort towards the pilot. After landing in New Jersey, Pendleton and Stoeterau found themselves unable to forget each other. A few days later, Pendleton took a chance and invited Stoeterau to California for a date. The feelings were mutual, and by March, Stoeterau was meeting Pendleton’s family and their relationship began to grow.
Tragically, Nelly passed away just over a month after arriving in California, missing the opportunity to see Pendleton and Stoeterau’s relationship continue to blossom. Despite the loss, Pendleton reflects on the experience, calling Nelly her “ultimate wingman” for bringing her together with Stoeterau. The bond that formed between Pendleton and Stoeterau during the flight with Nelly was strong and lasting, leading to a relationship that has endured despite the distance between them.
The story of Pendleton, Stoeterau, and Nelly serves as a heartwarming reminder of the power of love and connection, even in unexpected circumstances. What began as a challenging situation for Pendleton turned into a journey that brought her closer to Stoeterau and ultimately led to the start of a meaningful relationship. The memory of Nelly, the dog who brought them together, lives on as a symbol of the love that knows no boundaries and the bonds that can form between unlikely companions.
