In an astonishing display of devotion and determination, a man left fellow passengers and airline crew astounded as he boarded a cross-country flight from Los Angeles, California, to New York City accompanied by his colossal Great Dane, Darwin. Gabriel Bogner, 27, a start-up founder, embarked on this unconventional journey, defying the dimension specifications for hand luggage.
Taking up three seats on the flight, Gabriel and his gentle giant, Darwin, made an unforgettable entrance. Darwin, a five-year-old Great Dane, sprawled comfortably over two seats while her owner occupied the third. This was a rare experience for both the passengers and the crew, who were left speechless by the sight of the enormous canine.
Gabriel, who suffers from Crohn’s disease, a debilitating inflammatory bowel condition, explained that Darwin is his support dog, crucially aiding him in managing the challenges of his condition. A TikTok video of their airborne adventure, shared by Gabriel under his handle @gibbon1215, quickly went viral, amassing an astonishing 17.9 million views, 2.9 million likes, and over 12,000 comments.
The heartwarming footage captures the initial excitement as Darwin boards the flight, captivating the attention of front-row passengers and even taking a brief look into the cockpit to greet the pilots. Displaying remarkable composure, Darwin settles into her designated seats, curiously observing her surroundings before drifting off into a peaceful nap.
As the flight concludes, Darwin awakens and sits up serenely, as though she were a seasoned traveler. Exiting the plane in an orderly fashion, Darwin’s remarkable journey leaves an indelible impression. Gabriel shared his astonishment at the positive reception, recounting that onlookers were “gob-smacked and shocked,” yet thrilled to witness this extraordinary spectacle.
Gabriel’s inquiries about crating Darwin for travel were met with surprise when he discovered that even the largest crates were too small to accommodate his beloved companion. Reflecting on his decision to train Darwin for support, Gabriel shared his personal struggle with Crohn’s disease, a condition demanding substantial time and often involving excruciating pain.
In a statement, he revealed, “I took it upon myself to train her in some of these tasks like accompanying me to the bathroom, of which at one point in my life I was going 40 times a day.”
@gibbon1215 Who says Great Danes aren’t airplane dogs. Shoutout to @American Airlines for making our move to Brooklyn a piece of cake though! (Yes I bought 3 seats for us on the plane) #greatdane #dog #gay #fyp #tiktok #newyork #brooklyn #doggo ♬ Funny Background – Stefani
