We all know those people who do everything with their dog – from going to work, to going on holiday – but one couple have taken it a step further.
They bring their pup with them when they go paragliding, and jump from great heights with their brave canine strapped to them in a harness.
Three-year-old Shepherd mix, Chico, has seen the Alps, Andes and Himalayas from 8,000 feet above the ground while attached to owner, Nico Cordero, 41, and wife, Laia, 36.
The fearless pooch is secured into a harness before taking to the skies – and he has so far paraglided in Europe, South America and Asia.
Adorable video footage shows Chico looking relaxed in Laia’s arms as they descend.
Paragliding instructor Nico, from Castejón de sos, Spain, says: ‘I’ve always had dogs, and I love doing everything I can with them.
‘The problem I have is that I really don’t want to leave him alone at home so me and my wife decided that when we go paragliding, he has to come with us.’
Nico says Chico loves flying – especially because he knows it will involve a long walk up the mountain, and he gets to spend the entire day with his beloved owners.
‘People always ask us if Chico has any bad moments when we’re flying and I always answer the same thing, which is that a dog always wants to be with its owners,’ says Nico.
Nico and professional skier Laia have taken their beloved pet paragliding all over the world, but make sure they take off from a lower height than usual to make sure he doesn’t get dizzy.
‘When I fly alone, I’ve reached over 19,000 feet in the Himalayas and over 17,000 feet in the Pyrenees,’ says Nico, ‘but with the dog I only do downhill flights, because if I go into the thermals with him, he can get dizzy.
‘When I was a child, I had always dreamed of flying and seeing the mountains from the sky. I live in the Pyrenees, in one of the best places in Europe to fly.
‘I wasn’t born near the mountains so I moved to fulfil my dreams and dedicate myself to the world of flight.’
Nico says paragliding is a big part of his life, which is why he is so happy he can share it with Chico.
‘I would say that I fly as much or more than I walk on the ground and I have everything under control when I’m flying,’ he adds.
‘When we’re with Chico, we care more about how hard the ascent will be because the journey back down is quick and we know he is safe with us.’
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