Milk + Honey House, Barossa Valley

26/08/2026

26/08/2026

When war forced her family to flee Ukraine, Alisa Teptiuk made a decision that touched people around the world: she would not leave her dog behind.

In the early days of the war, 35-year-old Alisa, a Python programmer from Kyiv, fled with her mother, sister, their husbands, four children, and two dogs.

Nine family members squeezed into a small Peugeot 307 and began traveling toward the Polish border. Although the border was only about 90 miles away, thousands of people were trying to escape at the same time. Roads became completely overwhelmed, turning what should have been a short journey into a grueling 16-hour drive.

When the family finally reached the border area, they faced another massive traffic jam. Cars were barely moving, and it became clear that they could be trapped on the road for days.

So the family made a difficult decision.

They abandoned their car and continued the journey on foot.

Carrying whatever belongings they could manage, they walked approximately 17 kilometers toward safety.

But along the way, Alisa realized her elderly German Shepherd could no longer keep up.

She could have left the dog behind.

Instead, she lifted her beloved companion onto her shoulders and continued walking.

The journey was exhausting. She was carrying the weight of the dog while trying to keep moving with her family through an uncertain and dangerous situation.

But Alisa refused to abandon an animal that had been part of her family.

A photograph of Alisa carrying her dog toward the border was later shared widely around the world. For millions of people, the image became a powerful symbol of love, loyalty, and compassion during the devastating war in Ukraine.

She wasn't just carrying a dog.

She was carrying a member of her family.

And her story reminded people everywhere that when we truly love someone, we don't leave them behind—even when the journey becomes difficult.

24/08/2026

🥚 The first metro record of the season for a hooded plover nest has been recorded by BirdLife Australia volunteers.

It’s still early days for our most threatened beach-nesting bird and only time will tell if it’s a successful breeding season.

Here are five steps you can take to keep hooded plovers safe:

1. Leash your dog and walk at the water’s edge.
2. Don’t enter fenced areas or nearby sand dunes.
3. Don’t sit or remain near fenced or signed areas.
4. Move away quietly when you spot them.
5. Spread the word!

The Hooded Plover program is part of BirdLife Australia national beach-nesting program and is supported regionally by Green Adelaide, Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu, local councils and volunteers.

Learn more about hooded plovers - link in comments.

📸 Nest photo Jan Harrison, hooded plover photo Martin Stokes.


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06/06/2026

06/06/2026