Chihuahua Saved From Kill Shelter Gets 'Hunted' by Florida Alligator

A Chihuahua who could be among the world's most well-traveled rescue dog had the true Florida experience when he was chased by an alligator.

Senior Chihuahua mix Jonathan was rescued from a kill shelter by his owner Amanda Klecker, 37, a decade ago. Since then, she has made it her mission to show the pup as much of the world as possible. However, a recent trip to Florida will always be memorable for the pair, as they realised on the walk home that they were being stalked by a gator.

Klecker, who describes traveling with Jonathan as her "favourite hobby," told Newsweek they were in Orlando to speak at the Global Pet Expo before visiting her grandmother in the state.

"They were draining the ponds on the golf course in my grandma's community to do repairs, and I guess when the water goes down, the alligators are on the move," Klecker said.

"I was taking Jonathan on a walk when someone across the street ran out screaming to warn me there was an alligator laying underneath my rental car in front of the house.

"I immediately scooped Jonathan up off the ground, and ran around the side of the house to get inside, but the alligator kept following us right up to the door," Klecker added.

She said the gator "even did a loop around half of the house" before it eventually wandered off.

Klecker shared a video of the incident to her TikTok account (@jonathanwarrenthedog). She said that, while everyone else was "glamorizing Florida, Disney, natural beauty," she and her dog were "hunted by an alligator that followed us back to the house".

The photo montage shows Klecker carrying Jonathan, the gator creeping up behind them, Jonathan watching it through the window once they are safely inside, and the gator then eventually giving up and crawling away.

Jonathan was known as Johnny when Klecker first rescued him, but she told Newsweek: "When I met him, I knew his personality was more of a Jonathan."

He now lives a life of luxury with Klecker in New York City, and has gained an online following for his regular trips abroad.

Thankfully, Klecker and Jonathan are safe and sound, and have plenty more adventures in store, including an upcoming trip to celebrate his 10th "adoptiversary".

The senior dog has been all over the world, and in the last few months alone has seen the northern lights in Finland, taken a canal boat in Mexico, and visited the famous cliffs in Ireland.

Klecker said: "Before he was rescued, Jonathan would have only seen the inside of a cage before being put down, so it makes it all the more special to show him as much of the world as possible.

"Jonathan is the world's most well-traveled rescue dog, and a beautiful real-life underdog—my intention in sharing his story is to eliminate negative stigma around shelter animals, and show that no matter where you came from you can create an amazing life for yourself."

Jonathan's gator video has had a huge reaction from fans online, where it has racked up over 714,000 views since being posted on April 22.

One user wrote that the alligator "knows y'all from TikTok - he's a fan!", with Klecker replying that the gator was "literally a follower."

Another posted: "That's just the alligator distributing system working. CONGRATS!"

One even commented: "I think Florida is Australia's long lost cousin."

For anyone inspired by Jonathan's journey and wanting to take their own pets along with them on trips, Klecker offered some advice.

"We only travel with Jonathan in cabin, and would never put him in cargo," she said, adding she would not recommend that anyone take the risk of putting their pet in cargo for an elective trip.

"Jonathan loves his travel bag, and a huge tip I have is bringing your travel bag out early to get your dog comfortable in it, make it feel like a lux and safe space in your home, so when you're on the road, it feels familiar and calming to them."

Klecker added: "Our pets are part of the family, and trips feel complete when your whole family comes with you, as long as your dog is comfortable and healthy enough for the travel, it's a great experience."

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