Couple’s World Tour with Their Dog Ends in Tragedy, but Journey Continues

Janell and Stu Clarke, an Australian couple who shared a passion for travel, embarked on an epic motorcycle world tour in 2014, bringing their beloved dog Skyla along. Their love for exploration had been a key topic on their first date in 2004, and after a decade of limited travel, they decided to see the world in one extended trip, driven partly by the high cost of flights from Australia.

In 2009, after Janell obtained her motorbike license, the couple began exploring Australia with their dog Skyla. The dream of a global adventure solidified when Stu, a former Royal Australian Navy engineer, retired in 2014. They initially planned a six-month journey, but this was extended as they prepared for a grand tour that would ultimately last several years.

Skyla, however, was diagnosed with cancer just before their departure. Despite this setback, with Skyla undergoing chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, the couple was determined to proceed with their journey. They set off from Dallas, Texas, in March 2014, with Skyla comfortably accommodated in a custom dog carrier.

As they traveled through Mexico and Central America, Skyla’s condition worsened. The couple faced the painful reality of Skyla’s declining health as they reached South America. She passed away in Venezuela on September 10, 2014, leaving Janell and Stu devastated. They considered returning to Australia but decided instead to take time to grieve and reflect, hiking in Venezuela as a form of solace.

Determined to continue, they adjusted their travel approach, focusing more on their relationship and taking their journey at a slower pace. They adopted Weeti, a disabled and epileptic mixed breed, in Venezuela, and later rescued Shadow, a miniature pinscher, in Colombia. In Turkey, they took in a third rescue dog, Azra, a puppy with a contagious virus.

Traveling with three dogs brought its own challenges, from finding pet-friendly accommodations to adjusting their pace. Despite the difficulties, the presence of Weeti, Shadow, and Azra provided comfort and joy. The couple continued their journey through South America, Africa, and Europe, encountering various obstacles, including the Covid-19 pandemic which significantly slowed their progress.

Returning to Australia proved to be a complex process involving extended delays, paperwork, and quarantine requirements. They opted to travel through New Zealand to facilitate the dogs’ entry into Australia, spending several months there before finally arriving in the Gold Coast on July 31, 2023.

Since their return, Janell and Stu have enjoyed reconnecting with family and introducing their rescue dogs. They are now waiting to bring their motorbikes back to Australia, ready to share their remarkable journey with others.