We’re thrilled to share the incredible journey of Krista Sobocan, a talented Canadian artist, photographer, and adventurer, and her loyal four-legged travel companion, Chase. What started as a chance meeting on the streets of Sucré, Bolivia, became a life-changing bond built on love, trust, and spontaneous adventure. Together, they now travel across breathtaking landscapes in Krista’s cozy camper van, spreading joy, creativity, and a powerful message about the beauty of rescuing a dog in need. Krista’s lens captures the world, but it’s her heart and Chase’s wagging tail that make the story unforgettable.
Hello Krista Sobocan, welcome to Dogopo! Let’s start at the beginning… Can you tell us a little about yourself and where your journey with Chase began?
I’m Krista Sobocan. I am a nomadic photographer, and storyteller who’s been exploring the world for the last three years, much of it in my camper van. My journey with Chase began unexpectedly in Bolivia. I never imagined a dog would become my best travel companion, but fate clearly had a different plan.
We heard Chase chose you! Can you walk us through that unforgettable moment in Sucre, Bolivia, when he chased down your van?
I was traveling through South America with a group of fellow travellers making a supplies stop in Sucre, Bolivia. I noticed this little husky-mix dog with matted fur and scars on his face following us through the downtown streets. He would walk confidently beside us, laying down next to us when we stopped for food or to see sights, coming close to ask for pets occasionally. We all loved up on him since he was such a sweetheart. As the sun start to set and we returned to our vehicle to leave, the dog wasn’t interested in saying goodbye. When we drove off, he began sprinting after us. He kept pace, dodging oncoming traffic and refusing to give up. I signalled from the backseat to our driver that the dog was running dangerously through traffic, and we quickly discussed the situation and decided to pull over. We opened the side door and the dog jumped up into the van like he knew it was his ride. He just curled up in a ball at our feet and he became our fourth member of our campsite that night.
What was it about Chase that made you stop, open the door, and say, “You’re coming with me”?
There was something special behind his eyes, he just had this intelligence and calmness about him, and a quiet confidence. Despite clearly living on the streets, he had this spirit that said, “I’m ready for more.” I couldn’t ignore that. I felt like I was leaving an old friend.
Rescuing a street dog in a foreign country sounds both brave and emotional. What challenges did you face in the early days of bringing Chase into your life?
We spent a couple weeks traveling together in the van through Bolivia. However, my previous travel commitments meant we had to leave the country with no realistic way of bringing him with me. It would be months before he would be able to get all the paperwork, bloodwork and health checks, vaccinations, microchip and neutering to qualify to leave Bolivia and enter the United States.
By this time, however, chases story had been picked up on social media and was getting a lot of attention and support from people all over the world who wanted to help me get him home. A man who saw my video of chase following us through the streets contacted me with some solutions, and he helped connect me with a group called Proyecto Ailludos who helped take care of Chase when I had to leave Bolivia and help facilitate his veterinary needs while we waited to bring him home.
What has life on the road been like together? How has Chase adapted to van life and constant travel?
Months later, I returned to Bolivia for the last time to pick him up and bring him home. I purchased a camper van for us to live and travel around North America full time.
It was a way for us to continue to travel in a way that was comfortable for both of us, since flights, buses and hotels were no longer feasible options. Since we met we have been traveling together van life style so that is pretty much all Chase knows. He adapts well to anywhere we go.
You capture breathtaking moments through your lens. How has having Chase by your side influenced your photography or artistic expression?
Chase has influenced my photography in the sense that he has become by travel partner but also my subject of many of my shoots. Since not every space is dog friendly, I always check that I’m traveling to places that we can enjoy together. He’s a natural in front of the camera, it’s like he knows when to turn on the charm and magesty. He is my forever muse.
What does Chase teach you every day, just by being who he is? If Chase could talk, what do you think he’d say about the life you now share together?
Chase has been one of my greatest teachers in life. Through him, I’ve come to understand the true depth of unconditional love, loyalty, devotion, persistence, forgiveness, and trust. He’s shown me these qualities in ways no human ever has, and learning them together through our bond has been one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.
If Chase could speak, I think he’d say, ‘I don’t need words to know how much you love me. I’ve felt it in every walk, every cuddle, every moment we’ve shared—and I love you just the same. Ps, Please feed me more steak’ lol
Can you tell us about any unique habits or surprising behaviours Chase has that really caught you off guard or melted your heart?
Chase has some funny and unique traits that I just love. He always lays down to eat his food. He doesn’t wag his tail like a typical dog, he spins his tail around in a circle like a helicopter. It’s so cute.
He never barks but when he has something important to say , he howls. Every day when I get up in the morning I get a good morning howl. When he’s mad he will step on my feet HARD (usually if dinner is late). When he plays he likes to pretend to attack me and bites my hands and sleeves (never hard always love bites, but makes sure to act and sound very vicious).
What would you say to people who see stray dogs as a problem rather than a soul looking for love?
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned from my experience with Chase is just how intelligent, resilient, and loyal stray dogs can be. Dogs who’ve lived on the streets have had to rely on their instincts in ways most domesticated dogs never have. While many dogs are given food, shelter, and safety from the start, strays have had to learn how to survive—how to look both ways before crossing the street, how to find or hunt for food, how to read people and other animals, and how to protect themselves in a world that wasn’t always kind. They develop a deep intuition and an incredible awareness of their surroundings. That kind of wisdom, born from experience, creates a bond built on mutual respect, and it’s been a gift to witness that through Chase.
Lastly, what message would you share with others who might be hesitant to adopt a street dog or travel with pets?
Rescuing an animal might seem daunting at first, especially if you’re worried about their past or how they’ll adjust. But what I’ve learned is that rescued animals don’t come to you broken, they come to you with incredible strength, depth, and the deepest capacity to love.. When you give a rescue animal a chance, you’re not just saving a life- you’re gaining a companion who will never take your love for granted. The bond you build isn’t instant, it’s earned, slowly and beautifully, and in that process, something powerful happens: you grow, too. Don’t be afraid to open your heart. The reward is unlike anything else.
Thank you once again, Krista! You and Chase bring so much heart, spirit, and adventure wherever you go. Keep exploring, keep inspiring, and give Chase a big cuddle from all of us at Dogopo.