A dog has been photographed being a VERY good boy while on a flight with its owner, taking its job as an emotional support animal very seriously.
The large Alaskan Malamute was spotted sitting quietly in its own seat on a China Southern Airlines flight.
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It was reportedly accompanying its owner, who was said to be an emotionally vulnerable flyer, and was allowed to travel in its very own seat without charge.
A China Southern Airlines spokesperson told Southern Metropolis Daily that the well-behaved pooch was qualified as an emotional support animal. They also said it had been approved by medical professionals with the relevant certifications.
Photos and a video clip of the high-flying, friendly-looking white and brown dog soon went viral, prompting social media users on Weibo to praise the Alaskan Malamute for being so well-behaved.
In the video clip, you can see the doggo pop its massive head up over the seat, with its tongue hanging out.
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One person wrote: "Compared with annoying kids who keeps kicking other people's seats or old people who talk loudly, I'd rather sit with a service dog!"
Someone else commented: "Such a well-behaved and cute dog. I wouldn't mind sitting next to it!"
Many airlines may allow service animals - such as guide dogs - to travel on planes with their owners, but the specific requirements will vary.
They will ask for official identification papers and a valid health certificate for the animal, while some will also need 48 hours' notice before flying.
Last January an 'emotional support peacock' was denied an airline seat when its owner arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
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The passenger even had a ticket for the huge bird but United Airlines wouldn't allow it on board.
An airline spokesperson told Fox News: "This animal did not meet guidelines for a number of reasons, including its weight and size. We explained this to the customers on three separate occasions before they arrived at the airport."
A month later, a 21-year-old student flushed her dwarf hamster Pebbles down an airport toilet after Spirit Airlines denied it passage as she tried to fly home to south Florida last November.
Derek Dombrowski, a spokesman for Spirit Airlines, admitted that the airline mistakenly told the student that Pebbles was allowed to fly, but denied that they'd recommended killing the poor hamster.
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"We can say confidently that at no point did any of our agents suggest this guest (or any other for that matter) should flush or otherwise injure an animal," Dombrowski said.
"It is incredibly disheartening to hear this guest reportedly decided to end her own pet's life."
Maybe just double - and triple - check those requirements if you're thinking about flying with an animal...
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Featured Image Credit: Weibo/Luer Tuan Tuan
Topics: World News, News, Animals, Dogs