A woman from the United States has become an overnight social media sensation after sharing a hilariously tragic story of her canine companion's last-minute sabotage. Karina's plans for an overseas flight were thrown into chaos when her dog, Kanela, decided to treat her passport as a chew toy mere hours before departure.
The Canine Catastrophe Caught on Camera
In a video that quickly spread across Instagram, Karina is seen holding the tattered remains of her passport, her expression a perfect blend of disbelief and exhausted amusement. Her flight was scheduled for the same day she filmed the clip, and all her bags were packed and ready. She recounts the moment of discovery with a tired humour, shifting between shock and laughter.
"I have a flight today. Bags are packed. And this is what my dog decided to do," Karina says in the now-viral footage. She describes walking into the room to find Kanela wagging her tail innocently beside the shredded document. The incident happened the night before her scheduled journey, turning smooth travel plans into a frantic dilemma.
A Teacher's Newfound Belief in 'The Dog Ate My Homework'
The situation led Karina to a startling revelation about a classic student excuse. As a teacher, she had often heard pupils claim their dog ate their homework, a line she never took seriously. This personal experience with Kanela's destructive appetite made her reconsider.
"As a teacher, I've had students tell me, 'Oh, my dog ate my homework'. And I've always responded with, 'Give me something better to work with'," she admits in the video. "They might have been telling the truth." This connection added a layer of relatable comedy to the stressful situation, resonating deeply with viewers online.
More Than Just Paper: The Emotional Loss
For Karina, the damage was about more than just a travel document. The passport held sentimental value as a record of her life abroad. It contained her first visa for China and stamps from countries like Greece, Myanmar, and South Korea. These memories made the loss feel profoundly personal, amplifying her sadness amidst the chaos.
Fortunately, Karina had a backup passport, a saving grace she joked about. "She is a smart dog. Baby, had it been this way, Oh, back to the streets you go," she quipped, suggesting the dog knew just how far to push her. In a poignant moment in the video, she asks Kanela if she is sorry, to which the dog places her paw on the ruined passport, as if offering a non-apology.
A Crucial Warning for All Travellers
Beyond the humour, Karina used her platform to share vital advice. In her post's caption, she warned that having a second passport does not solve everything. A damaged passport must be officially reported to authorities, a step many travellers might overlook.
She outlined the correct procedure: "If your travel is urgent, ask for an emergency passport so you can still leave the country. Once back home (or settled), you can replace it with a full-validity passport." Her final piece of advice was clear: "Even if you have a second passport like me, you still have to report the damaged one. They don’t play about their documents! Save this for future travels — and keep your dog away from international paperwork. Trust me."
Social Media Erupts with Relatable Reactions
The video struck a chord with netizens worldwide, particularly in India where last-minute travel dramas are highly relatable. Comments flooded in, mixing sympathy with laughter.
- "You owe all the kids back A's," one user quipped, referencing the homework excuse.
- "Girl, put inside of a passport case a file it away, safely," advised another practical viewer.
- A humorous comment read, "Your dog said, YOU AIN’T GOING NOWHERE."
- Another joked, "When a dog shows you who they are…believe them! Kanela a hater!"
The blend of panic, comedy, and a valuable public service announcement made Karina's passport saga a perfect viral storm, offering both entertainment and a critical lesson for globetrotters.
