A stray puppy that became world famous when she was carried across the finish line by a marathon runner is all grown up now, weighing in at a hearty 18 kilograms.
Thai woman rescues puppy while running marathon, now they’re a family (VIDEO)
Khemjira Klongsanun jogged her way into the heart of the nation in late January when she crossed the finish line of the Chombueng Marathon in Ratchaburi province carrying the tiny puppy she had discovered beside the road. An animal lover with a passion for rescues, Khemjira decided to take the puppy home and named her “Chombeung” to commemorate their unique meeting.
“Chombeung is about 8 months now and weighed in at 18 kilograms during her last veterinarian visit. She’s lived with us for six months now, and though I can’t be sure, I think she was about 2 months old when I found her,” Khemjira told Coconuts Bangkok this afternoon.
Chombeung now lives with the rest of Khemjira’s ginormous “family” that consists of 28 dogs and 30 cats – yes, she’s acquired a half dozen more dogs since we last spoke to her in January. All of the animals she owns are rescues or given to her by people who can no longer take care of them.
She is currently saving up to buy a nearly 3 hectare (18 rai) plot of land in Chonburi’s Phan Thong district she wants to turn into a sanctuary for her furry babies.
Khemjira tells us that she wants to start a fund to support street dogs hurt by cars.
When the accounting firm owner stumbled upon Chongbeung on Jan. 20, she picked up the startled, abandoned puppy and ran the remaining 30 kilometers of the race holding an extra life.
“I was running on the left side of the road and noticed that people kept dodging this particular spot. When I got to that spot, I saw a little tail wagging. Right then and there I made a promise that I was going to give my life to this dog,” she told us back in January.
Pictures of Khemjira crossing the finish line with Chongbeung started trending online after the race and within a week countless news outlet across the world had shared her story – Seth Meyers even talked about the pair on his late-night show back in February.
