Meet Nepheli, the pint-sized explorer. This dazzling dapple Dachshund made the extraordinary journey all the way from Austria with her paw-rents, Selina and Dominik, to the rolling green grounds of Knebworth for one reason: DogFest.
Read on to follow her tail-wagging adventure across borders, into crowds of adoring fans, and right into the heart of the UK’s most paw-some dog celebration.
Please can you introduce yourselves and how you came to set up the account for Nepheli?
We are Selina (22), Dominik (23) and Nepheli, a one-year-old miniature dapple dachshund from Austria. Travelling has always been a big part of our life as a couple and once Nepheli joined us, she became part of every adventure.
We started her Instagram account to document the memories we made together – not just the travels, but also the small, everyday moments that make life with her so special.
Where did you hear about DogFest and what made you want to attend Knebworth?
We discovered DogFest through Instagram as we started following more dog accounts and slowly became part of the community. Ever since, attending DogFest had been a little dream of ours. There are a few dog events in Austria, but nothing that really compares. What caught our attention was the whole setup. From the programme with different activities and shows, to the overall atmosphere and the variety of brands. It felt like something we wanted to be part of.
Have you done a road trip like this before and does Nepheli enjoy being a passenger princess?
We’ve done a few shorter trips by car before and even travelled with Nepheli by plane once to Greece. The longest we’d been on the road with her until now was a travel to Milan, Italy, with a day trip to Lake Como at the end. She’s always happy to come along, whether it’s the city, the mountains, the countryside or the forest, she’s curious and calm wherever we go. But when we’re at the beach, it’s a whole different kind of excitement. You can tell it’s her favourite place to be.
How did you start to plan the road trip and where else did you stop off on the way?
We started by mapping out the route and looking at how many breaks we’d realistically need, then planned some meaningful stopovers along the way. We left Austria and drove overnight to Brussels, Belgium, where we spent the next day exploring the city. That afternoon, we continued to Calais, France, where we drove along the beach promenade and stayed overnight right by the sea. From there, we took the ferry to Dover, UK, visited the White Cliffs for a little hike and finally continued to London. On Saturday we visited DogFest at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire. It was a beautiful mix of city sights and scenic nature stops.
What were you most excited to see/do at DogFest?
One of our biggest highlights was the dachshund meetup. We were beyond excited to see so many sausage dogs in one place! Meeting other dachshunds, snapping some lovely photos with them, and sharing that joy with Nepheli was really special. We were also looking forward to discovering new brands, taking part in the Agria Dog Walk, and experiencing the full DogFest programme – from the fun shows to all the different activities and everything that makes the event so unique.
What was your favourite part of the day?
Our favourite part was definitely meeting so many lovely people and dogs throughout the day. Everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming, and we really appreciated the chance to talk to the DogFest team. One moment that made the day extra special was being invited for a little interview at the end, something we’ll never forget.
Would you like to attend an event like this again?
Without a doubt. We’d love to visit an event like this again, especially DogFest. We’re already thinking about when and where the next road trip could happen to be part of another DogFest.
What adventure is next for you all?
The next chapter for us is our civil wedding in Graz, and Nepheli will walk down the aisle with the rings. Having her with us on that day makes it feel even more complete. Later in the summer, we’ll go on a short road trip to Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, to spend a few days at Doggy Beach with, Nepheli, my childhood dog Lucy, and my parents. And in August, we’re flying to Rhodes, Greece as a trio. As for our remaining plans this year, we’ll see where life takes us.
Thanks again for thinking of us, it truly means a lot. We really appreciate the opportunity to share a bit of our journey with you.
Whether your pup has crossed continents or simply crossed the garden, every dog has a story worth sharing.
We’d love to hear yours. Did you and your four-legged friend attend DogFest? Have you had a special journey or unforgettable moment with your pup? Share your stories with us via email or on social media – because just like Nepheli, every dog deserves their moment in the spotlight.
