As Golan Shoshan and his girlfriend were wrapping up three years in Bali, preparing to move back to Israel last December, fate had other plans.

Three weeks before their flight, a violent storm swept through their village. When the winds calmed, a trembling little black dog appeared at their doorstep, her wide eyes pleading silently for help.

“Luna found us. We didn’t go looking for her,” Golan shared. “We both just had this gut feeling that she was meant to stay with us forever.”

The couple asked around and soon learned the heartbreaking truth — Luna had been abandoned by locals only days earlier. Though they’d never had a pet before, leaving her behind was unthinkable. They rushed her to a vet for a warm bath and a checkup.

That night, they began researching the complicated path of bringing a dog from Bali to Israel. The process would delay their move by at least a month, with countless obstacles: Indonesia’s rabies restrictions, lack of diplomatic ties, and Luna’s fear of travel. Still, they pressed on.

Luna endured a grueling 24-hour drive from Bali to Jakarta, then a nerve-racking flight to Bangkok, where she was finally reunited with her new parents. “The next day, she was back to herself,” Golan said with relief.

Weeks later, with her papers in order, Luna boarded the 12-hour flight to Israel. She slept soundly on their laps, as if she knew she was finally safe.

Today, Luna is thriving in Tel Aviv. Though still wary of strangers, she learns quickly, loves playing with other dogs, and showers her new family with joy.

Golan and his girlfriend never planned to adopt during their travels, but now they can’t imagine life without her. “There are so many sweet, scared dogs on the streets,” Golan said. “If more people gave them a chance, they’d discover the most loving companions.”