In 1974, amidst the bustle of Moscow’s Vnukovo airport, a poignant drama unfolded on the tarmac. A passenger, preparing to board an Il-18 flight to Norilsk, engaged in a tense exchange with a flight attendant. Beside him, leashed and restless, was his German Shepherd. The argument concluded unfavorably for the passenger; moments later, he removed the dog’s collar. Thinking it was time for a walk, the dog bounded playfully along the runway, oblivious as its owner boarded the plane. It watched, confused, as the airstair retracted, the doors closed, and the aircraft began its departure. The German Shepherd chased the accelerating jet, its loyal eyes following until the Il-18 vanished into the sky. This heartbreaking moment marked the beginning of A Dog Named Palma True Story, an account of devotion that would captivate millions across the Soviet Union.
Left Behind at Vnukovo
It emerged that the passenger lacked the required veterinary certificate to fly with his pet and made the callous decision to simply abandon the German Shepherd at the airport. For the next two years, Vnukovo airport became Palma’s unlikely home. She settled near the aircraft parking area, returning faithfully to the runway each day. Having etched the silhouette of the Il-18 aircraft into her memory, she would eagerly approach every arriving plane of that model, scanning expectantly for the owner who never returned.
Palma’s unwavering presence soon captured the attention of the airport’s pilots and ground staff. Initial attempts to catch the wary dog proved futile. Palma caused no trouble, and despite regulations, the Vnukovo staff developed a collective soft spot for her. They provided food, though she remained cautious, refusing to eat directly from anyone’s hand or allow close contact. Efforts were made to discover her name; she eventually responded to ‘Alma’, which gradually morphed into ‘Palma’, the name she would become known by.
Palma the German Shepherd watching an Il-18 plane at Vnukovo airport during her two-year vigil
Day after day, regardless of weather, Palma maintained her vigil by the runway, her focus fixed on the Il-18s. A technician recalled witnessing the initial argument between the owner and the flight attendant, but specific details remained elusive. The dog’s persistent hope and loyalty were profoundly touching.
A Nation Moved, A New Home Sought
The story might have remained an airport legend if not for pilot Vyacheslav Valentey. Deeply moved by the dog’s plight, he shared Palma’s story with the widely circulated newspaper, Komsomolskaya Pravda. Journalist and photographer Yuri Rost, prompted by Valentey, visited Vnukovo to document the story. “Now we all feed her,” an airport employee explained to Rost, “But she doesn’t eat from anyone’s hand… With the exception of Volodin, the technician… but she doesn’t want to go to him either. She must be afraid to miss the plane.”
Komsomolskaya Pravda published Rost’s article titled “Two Years of Waiting,” which included a direct appeal to the owner: “Maybe this article will be read by the person who flew away on the Il-18… This person should urgently take leave of work, find the money and fly to Moscow.” The publication of A Dog Named Palma True Story resonated deeply across the country. Thousands of letters flooded the newspaper’s office, filled with offers from people eager to adopt the incredibly devoted dog.
The original owner, working in the Far North, was eventually identified. He contacted the newspaper, attempting to explain his actions by citing overwhelming personal problems and admitting he simply “forgot” about the dog. Crucially, he expressed no desire to reclaim Palma and didn’t even reveal her original name. With reunion off the table, the search began for a suitable new home.
A New Beginning in Kiev
The chosen adopter was Vera Kotlyarevskaya, an associate professor from Kiev and the great-great-granddaughter of renowned Ukrainian poet Ivan Kotlyarevsky. Understanding the challenge of earning the trust of a traumatized animal, Vera approached the situation with immense patience and care. She took a month off work and temporarily moved near Vnukovo airport. Daily visits gradually built a bond, and Vera slowly managed to gain Palma’s confidence.
Ultimately, Vera administered a mild sedative to Palma. The dog awoke the following day, startled but calm, in an unfamiliar apartment in Kiev. Vera documented Palma’s initial reaction in her diary: “A very balanced dog, with a stable nervous system… At home, she approached my sleeping daughter, licked her cheek and carefully took her ear between her teeth.” Despite this gentle nature, Palma made several attempts to escape in the early days, requiring windows and the balcony to be kept securely closed.
Vera Kotlyarevskaya bonding with Palma the dog after adopting her in Kiev
It took approximately six months for Palma to fully adjust. Gradually, she accepted her new surroundings and embraced Vera Kotlyarevskaya as her new owner, bestowing upon her the same steadfast love and devotion she had once held for the person who left her behind.
Palma’s Enduring Legacy
The true story of Palma, the German Shepherd who waited two long years at a Moscow airport, remains a powerful testament to canine loyalty and the kindness that can emerge even from heartbreak. Abandoned due to convenience, Palma’s unwavering vigil captured the heart of a nation, leading her not back to her past, but towards a future filled with the care and affection she deserved. Her story serves as a touching reminder of the deep bonds animals form and the responsibility humans have towards them.
