Back in 2019, a story unfolded in Russia that tugged at the heartstrings of animal lovers everywhere. Today that story has gained traction again because of one dog whose situation broke hearts worldwide. It’s the tale of Maru, a loyal Bullmastiff who trekked 125 miles through harsh Siberian terrain, her eyes reportedly brimming with tears, (no exaggeration intended) to find the owner who had abandoned her. This isn’t just a story about a dog’s journey—it’s about devotion, heartbreak, and the quiet strength of a creature who refused to give up, even when the world let her down. Let’s walk through Maru’s incredible odyssey, step by step, and feel the weight of her determination.
A Home That Wasn’t Forever
Maru’s story begins in Novosibirsk, a bustling city in southwestern Siberia. Born into a kennel, she was adopted at just five months old by a couple who seemed eager to welcome her into their lives. She was a gentle giant, a Bullmastiff with a heart as big as her sturdy frame. For six months, she lived with them, likely curling up at their feet, her deep brown eyes watching their every move with trust. But that trust was shattered when the woman in the couple developed an allergy to Maru’s fur. Instead of seeking solutions, they made a cold decision: Maru had to go. In early 2020, they contacted the kennel owner, Alla Morozova, and arranged to send Maru back. It was a quiet betrayal, one Maru couldn’t have seen coming.
The Train Ride That Started It All
With the decision made, Maru was put on a Trans-Siberian train in Novosibirsk, bound for Krasnoyarsk, where Alla’s kennel was located—some 400 miles away. It was early 2020, and the vast Siberian landscape stretched endlessly outside the train windows. A worker was assigned to look after her, but Maru, confused and anxious, wasn’t just cargo to be shipped off. She was a living, breathing soul who didn’t understand why her family wasn’t there. As the train rolled through the night, her panic grew. At a stop in Achinsk, roughly 125 miles from Krasnoyarsk, something snapped. Maru broke free, leaping from the train into the freezing darkness. The worker called out, but she was gone, driven by an instinct stronger than fear—her need to go home.
A Desperate Journey Through Siberia
What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Maru, alone and unprotected, began her 125-mile trek back to Novosibirsk. It was early 2020, and Siberia was no forgiving place—think snow-dusted forests, icy winds, and the ever-present threat of predators like bears and wolves. For two and a half days, she walked, her paws pounding the unforgiving ground, her breath puffing in the cold air. Volunteers later said her eyes seemed wet with tears, a detail that’s hard to shake. Was it the wind, the exhaustion, or something deeper—a longing for the people she loved? She didn’t stop, navigating a landscape that could’ve swallowed her whole, fueled by a dogged hope that her owners would take her back.
Found, But Not Unscathed
Maru’s journey didn’t go unnoticed. Alla Morozova, frantic after hearing of her escape, rallied volunteers to search for her. Word spread, and locals kept an eye out for the lost Bullmastiff. After two and a half days, on a quiet morning in early 2020, she was spotted near an industrial area in Krasnoyarsk—exhausted, limping, but alive. Her paws were torn and bleeding, a testament to the miles she’d covered. She’d made it partway back, but not to Novosibirsk. Volunteers found her wary but gentle, her spirit bruised yet intact. Alla rushed to her side, and Maru collapsed into safety, too tired to resist the help she so desperately needed. It was a bittersweet reunion—relief mixed with the ache of what she’d endured.
The Owner’s Final Rejection
You’d think Maru’s incredible effort would melt any heart, right? She’d walked 125 miles, defied the odds, all to return to the people she called home. But when Alla contacted the couple in Novosibirsk, the response was a gut punch. They didn’t want her back. No apologies, no second thoughts—just a flat refusal. Maru had poured every ounce of her loyalty into getting back to them, only to be turned away again. It’s the kind of rejection that stings to even hear about, let alone imagine how it must’ve felt for her. Alla, heartbroken for Maru, took her in, vowing she’d never face that kind of abandonment again.
A New Beginning for Maru
Today, Maru’s story has a softer ending. After her rescue in early 2020, she returned to the kennel in Krasnoyarsk with Alla, who became her new guardian. Her paws healed, though the scars—both physical and emotional—remained. She’s safe now, surrounded by people who value her for the brave, loving dog she is. The journey that gripped so many hearts has faded from the headlines, but Maru’s quiet resilience lingers. She’s a reminder of what loyalty looks like, even when it’s not returned. And while her owners closed their door, the world opened its arms, moved by a Bullmastiff who walked 125 miles for a love that wasn’t there.
Maru’s tale isn’t just about a dog—it’s about us, too. It asks what we owe the creatures who trust us, and how far they’ll go when we let them down. She may not have found her old home, but she found something better: a place where she’s enough, just as she is.
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
