The German Shepherd waited in vain for her owner for two years at Vnukovo Airport.
Palma’s story began in 1974, on the tarmac of Vnukovo International Airport near Moscow. That day, a man boarding an Ilyushin Il-18 flight to Norilsk got into an argument with a flight attendant. Beside him, his German Shepherd circled playfully on her leash. Irritated, he removed her collar and set her free.
As the man boarded the plane without looking back, the dog continued running happily on the runway. But when the aircraft’s door closed and it began to taxi, the dog stopped, confused, waiting for her master to return. Desperate, she chased after the plane, her eyes fixed on it until it disappeared over the horizon. This heartbreaking moment marked the beginning of a story that would touch millions of Soviet citizens.
It was later revealed that the owner lacked the proper paperwork. Without the required veterinary certificate to travel with his dog, he decided to abandon her at the airport. For the next two years, the airport became her home. Now alone, the German Shepherd settled near the parking area and returned to the runway every day, waiting for her owner. She memorized the aircraft model—the Ilyushin Il-18—and would run hopefully toward every plane of that type that landed.
Her behavior soon caught the attention of Vnukovo’s staff. Pilots and airport workers tried to catch her, but in vain. Despite strict rules, they decided to look after her. Fed and cared for, the dog refused to approach anyone—except a technician named Volodine, with whom she formed a bond. He helped give her a name: Palma.
For months, Palma kept her silent vigil on the runway, waiting for her master’s return. Her story eventually reached pilot Vyacheslav Valentey, who decided to share it with the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda. Intrigued, journalist Yuri Rost visited the airport to meet Palma and uncover this extraordinary tale of loyalty. He wrote an article titled “Two Years of Waiting,” calling on the owner to come forward.
The article created a sensation throughout the Soviet Union. Thousands of readers moved by Palma’s story flooded the newspaper with letters, offering to adopt her. A few weeks later, the former owner sent a letter attempting to justify his actions, citing personal difficulties—but he neither expressed a desire to reclaim his dog nor revealed his real name. Palma remained Palma, faithful to her post.
Eventually, a new family was found for her. Vera Kotlyarevskaya, a teacher from Kyiv, was chosen to adopt Palma. Determined to gain her trust, Vera stayed in Vnukovo for a month, visiting Palma daily. Gradually, she managed to tame the dog. However, Palma refused to leave the airport on her own, still clinging to the hope of seeing her master again. With the help of a veterinarian, they decided to administer a sedative. The next morning, Palma woke up in Vera’s apartment in Kyiv.
To Vera’s surprise, Palma accepted her new surroundings calmly, without fear or aggression. She slowly adapted to her new life, though she tried several times to escape—perhaps afraid of missing her master’s return. After six months, Palma finally settled into her new home, giving Vera the same love and loyalty she had once shown her first owner.
Palma’s story has endured through the decades and, in 2021, inspired the film A Dog Named Palma, which loosely retells the fate of this extraordinary dog who became a symbol of loyalty. As of today, there is no official French-dubbed or subtitled version of the film. The film’s success led to the release of a sequel, Palma 2, in Russia in 2025.
It should be noted that a distorted version of this story circulates on social media, incorrectly placing the events at other airports.
Palma on the tarmac and with pilot Vyacheslav Valentey.
Palma watching travelers. On the right, a still from the movie "A Dog Named Palma".
Palma with her new owner Vera Kotlyarevskaya.
Source: https://www.rbth.com/history/334819-story-of-soviet-hachiko