It’s amazing the things people will do for their dogs. For one woman, that means carrying her 52-pound dog around in a backpack — a way of cleverly getting around New York City’s subway rules.
Jackie Hornung of NYC is the owner of a white samoyed named Lumi. A viral TikTok video shows the owner out on the town with her big dog — carrying Lumi in her backpack!
@littlebearlumi Replying to @mjaucrame Big dawg. Big backpack 🎒 #fyp #dog #puppy #samoyed #nyc #funnydog ♬ Collide (more sped up) – Justine Skye
The unusual sight caught the attention of many people online and on the NYC subway. It’s common for dog owners to carry small and medium-sized dogs in bags while on public transport, but you rarely see such a big, heavy dog being carried around.
Jackie explained that it was her way of getting around the local subway laws, allowing her to take Lumi on the train: “Dogs have to be in bags on the NYC subway!” she wrote on TikTok. “So that’s why he’s in a backpack.”
@littlebearlumi Tongues out suns out #fyp #dog #puppy #samoyed #nyc #funnydog ♬ original sound – littlebearlumi
It’s an unusual solution, but the owner doesn’t seem to mind carrying her big dog around on her back, and Lumi seems to be having the time of his life.
When the two are out in public, it catches many people’s attention and makes them smile. Videos show people stopping to pet Lumi.
“He gets a lot of pets, which he very much enjoys,” Jackie told Newsweek.
She also told Newsweek that Lumi “loves being carried” and that he has plenty of room in his spacious bag, which has a platform at the bottom on which he can “sit naturally in.”
The MTA’s rule says that “no person may bring any animal on or into any conveyance or facility unless enclosed in a container” and that the animal “carried in a manner which would not annoy other passengers.”
No one seems to mind Jackie and Lumi’s adorable loophole: strangers on the train, and NYPD officers, just find the dog adorable.
@littlebearlumi Reactions to my 52 lbs dog in his backpack 🤣 #fyp #dog #puppy #samoyed #nyc ♬ original sound – littlebearlumi
It’s a really adorable solution that allows this big beautiful dog to explore New York City with his owner.
Lumi couldn’t be happier!
It’s adorable to see Lumi riding around on his owner’s back! What a cute idea!
Please share this adorable story!