by Dion Leonard
To the Ma family, I owe great thanks for finding Gobi. WorldCare Pet’s support and guidance was second to none, and the WorldCare Pet team in Beijing showed unconditional love, care, and dedication to Gobi around the clock.
I still smile when I think of the times I spent with the Urumqi boys from Lvbaihui Tribes Barbecue restaurant (especially when I remember the firewater they gave me. Ganbei Maotai!).
I miss my Beijing brothers from Ebisu Sushi and am proud to be able to call the city of Urumqi my home city in China. I do not know a more supportive, kind, and generous city on earth.
The Chinese media showed support and dedication for our story and the love within.
Back home in the UK, reuniting with Gobi could not have happened without Lisa Anderson, who looked after Lara and kept our house a home. Iona, Kris, Tony, and Gill are just a few of the wonderful people who supported Lucja throughout it all. And Ross Lawrie, I just have one thing to say to you: bobby-dazzler!
The media has played such an important part in this story. Jonathan Brown from the Daily Mirror was the first reporter to bring the story to press, Judy Tait brought the story to BBC Radio 5 Live, and host Phil Williams supported us from the start. They saw the story in ways that I did not, and they led the way in sharing it with others.
Invaluable support also has come from the BBC UK and World Services, Christian DuChateau at CNN, Amy Wang at the Washington Post, Deborah Hastings at Inside Edition, Oliver Thring at The Times, Victor Ferreira at the Canadian Post, Nick Farrow and Steve Pennels at Channel 7 Australia, Pip Tomson at ITV’s Good Morning Britain, and the Eric Zane Show podcast.
To all the many other journalists and radio and television hosts who covered the story, I am thankful for your help in sharing our journey.
So many people have donated money, sent messages of love and support, or prayed every day for us. They didn’t just believe in us—they made this whole thing possible.
I also want to thank Winston Chao; Mark Webber, for the tweet (Aussie Grit!); and Dr Chris Brown for his help, knowledge, and guidance. Richard Henson, who was an absolute legend, coming all the way to Urumqi to help. Tommy Chen, for being a great competitor and ambassador for Taiwan. Running coach Donnie Campbell, “one-two-three-one-two-three”; WAA Ultra Equipment, for standing by me; and William Grant and Sons, the kindest employers a man could wish for. Thanks are also due to DFDS Seaways and Air China.
Lastly, I am thankful for Team Dion and Gobi. Thanks to his daughter, Quinn, Paul de Souza made all of this a reality. Jay Kramer offered invaluable support, advice, and experience. Matt Baugher backed us and believed in us, and we owe him and all of the team at W Publishing, Thomas Nelson, and HarperCollins immense thanks for working so hard against such a tight deadline. Craig Borlase’s vision, guidance, and patience putting this book together were incredible.
About the Author
Dion Leonard, a forty-two-year-old Australian, lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, with his wife, Lucja. Dion has not only completed but also competed for the top prize in some of the toughest ultra-marathons across the planet’s most inhospitable landscapes: the brutal Moroccan Sahara Desert, twice in the 155-mile Marathon des Sables, and twice across South Africa’s Kalahari Desert, also 155 miles.
During Dion’s 155-mile race across the Gobi Desert in China, he fell in love with a stray dog (later named Gobi) who followed him during the week and changed both of their lives forever.
About the Publisher
Australia
HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
www.harpercollins.com.au
Canada
HarperCollins Canada
2 Bloor Street East - 20th Floor
Toronto, ON, M4W, 1A8, Canada
www.harpercollins.ca
New Zealand
HarperCollins Publishers (New Zealand) Limited
P.O. Box 1
Auckland, New Zealand
www.harpercollins.co.nz
United Kingdom
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF
www.harpercollins.co.uk
United States
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
195 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
www.harpercollins.com