Three-year-old staffy Athena escaped her minder while her family were on holiday, taking a solo trip around Sydney via the city's public transport.

Beverley Park

A staffie named Athena, staying with a minder while her owners were overseas, managed to escape and embark on a solo adventure using Sydney's public transport. The dog boarded a bus and then a train, amusing fellow passengers and staff before being safely collected by the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.

Athena's microchip, updated with her owners' details, enabled a quick reunion with her minder. The incident highlights the importance of microchipping pets and keeping their information current to ensure their safe return if they go missing.

Runaway Staffy takes day trip on Sydney's public transport

Named after the Greek goddess of wisdom, Athena, it seems, also has a nose for adventure. Yesterday, she took herself out for a day trip. Only fair, considering her owners are currently on an overseas trip of their own. The three-year-old staffie had been staying with a minder when early yesterday morning, she made a break for it. The puffer-wearing pooch politely took a seat on a bus like a well-seasoned commuter, much to the amusement of her fellow passengers. What we can see from the photo is that we would think that she was having a good time. She seemed to know where she was going. Whether that is something that she's used to or done before, we're not quite sure. This is where Athena's adventure began. No lead, no owner, no opal card. She hopped on the 476, like any other passenger, and rode eight stops to Coghra Station, where train staff spotted the furry fair dodger. Athena was taken to the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, where she had a warm bed, belly rubs and lots of new friends. But there's no place like home. Thankfully, her home wasn't hard to track down. Thanks to her very responsible owners, her microchip that had been implanted was updated with their details. She'll be reunited with her minder soon, and when her humans do eventually return home, she'll certainly have a happy tale to tell them. Tallulah Thompson, 10 News.

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