This Unusual Aussie Love Story Has a Happy Ending

Mary Simpson
by Mary Simpson
Published:  July 5th, 2024

Staffordshire Terrier and Australian Magpie turn fans into fanatics when separation looms.

Photo Credit: Ann Hodgson / Shutterstock.com

If you haven’t been following the saga of this much-loved duo, we’re happy to report some hard-earned good news in this update to our article on the drama surrounding Maggie the Magpie and her BFF terrier, Peggy.


You see, the duo met up almost four years ago during the throws of COVID. Staffordshire Terrier Peggy was enjoying an outing with her people at the local dog park when fate intervened. Pet parents Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen discovered a Magpie chick that appeared abandoned. Fearing for its safety, the couple brought the chick home and nursed it into adulthood. And it was during those formative years Maggie the Magpie developed a crush on terrier Peggy. And vice versa.


This close bond explains why the bird refused to leave her newfound home once it was time to fly the proverbial coop. Now, because the only thing to do during those lockdown days was to hop on social media and share pix, the unusual romance was soon broadcast far and wide, gaining a massive following.


Enter the Australian wildlife officials who jumped all over the liaison, insisting that the couple had unlawfully removed wildlife from its natural habitat without a proper permit, license or authority. Knowing the now-domesticated Magpie could not survive in the wild, authorities swooped in, seized the bird and placed her in a facility where she would live out her remaining years.


A sad ending? Not so fast!


Cue the serious eye-roll as tens of thousands of Maggie and Peggy fans pushed back. Because Magpies have a lifespan of up to 30 years (seriously!), this sentence was deemed cruel and unusual punishment by her legion of followers. And that’s when they did what true fans always do – they fought the decision. Organizer Sarah Rielly says the duo share an unbreakable bond. “This bond is not just emotional but also crucial to their well-being.”


Others agreed and the Instagram petition soon picked up over 155,000 signatures that were sent to the office of the Queensland Premier, Steven Miles. Having previously thrown his support behind the reunion, the overwhelming pushback from across the globe helped solidify the decision to pursue this case.


Having previously shown his support for Molly being returned to the couple, Miles stated, “I think sometimes common sense needs to prevail… and if you look at the story, there is a better outcome possible.”


There was, and pet parents Wells and Mortensen confirmed they were overwhelmed with emotion when they picked their feathered friend up at the Wildlife facility. Apparently, so were Peggy and her new pup Ruby who have quickly brought Maggie back into the family fold.


Power to the people… and to happy endings!


WOW
Mary Simpson
Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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You might just be surprised at your dog's communication skills.

Bark Air, A New Airline for Dogs, Took Its First Flight from New York

Flying with a dog in the first class may sound like a dream for many pet parents. But, Bar Air, a new luxury airline has turned that dream into reality. The company describes itself as “the world’s first travel experience designed specifically for dogs first, and their human companions second.”The luxury airline took its first flight on Thursday, May 23, departing from New York and landing in Los Angeles. The inaugural flight transported six dogs of varying sizes - from a tiny Chihuahua to a golden retriever - and 11 humans, both passengers and crew. Before boarding concierges offered the dogs calming treats, noise-canceling ear muffs, and calming jackets to ensure a pleasant and stress-free flight. Once on the flight, the pups were served their beverage of choice during the ascent and descent and could munch on special cupcakes during the flight. Once in the air, dogs could enjoy a spa treatment and were offered blankets covered with pheromones for extra comfort. The crew is trained in dog CPR and fear-free behavioral practices to ensure the safety of four-legged travelers. The new airline is a subsidiary of Bark, a company behind several dog-focused brands, including the subscription service Bark Box. The company’s co-founder and CEO, Matt Meeker he’d been working on this idea for more than a decade.The company shared details of the inaugural flight in an Instagram post, writing: “Right now, at an altitude of 30,000 feet, there is a flight filled with dogs. Unlike any flight before it, these dogs are not merely an afterthought, nor are they treated like cargo or a burden to the crew and fellow travelers. Here dogs are the foremost priority.”“Every detail of this flight experience has been crafted with a ‘dog’s first’ mindset. It has taken 10 years, but we are finally confident that we can provide all dogs with the air travel experience they deserve: one that puts them first.”The inaugural flight was sold out, even though tickets weren’t cheap. Tickets for Bark Air flights from New York to Los Angeles cost $6,000 for one dog and one human in each direction, and one-way flights from New York to London cost $8,000. Many pet parents quickly pointed out that the cost is too high, but Meeker already acknowledged that in a May letter. “This is cost-prohibitive for most families, but less expensive than most options today. And this is also how most innovative products and services began,” he wrote. “Televisions, telephones, VCRs and DVD players, to automobiles, train and boat travel, and yes, even human air travel - all of these started with very high prices until demand was proven and the cost could be brought lower by serving the masses.”The new airline has no size or breed restrictions for dogs, but humans must be over 18. Humans are advised to keep their dogs leashed as much as possible, once on board, and to ask before approaching other passengers. Meeker, who traveled with his dog on two recent test flights, said that people hoped dogs would misbehave for the sake of the experiment, but they did no such thing. Even in moments of significant turbulence, all canine passengers remained undisturbed.“I don’t know why I’m surprised by this, but the dogs made it magical,” he said.The initial reaction to Bark Air has been extremely pawsitive. The company currently offers four round-trip cross-country flights a month but plans to expand its routes, starting with a New York to Paris trip beginning this fall. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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