The first man to fly over the North Pole had the honor of accompanying the first dog to fly over it, as well, but for either to have done it was considered not only “crazy dangerous” in the first quarter of the 1900s, but just about impossible. Umberto Nobile wasn’t to be denied. The Italian adventurer had long dreamed of flying a dirigible over the top of the world, and he simply ignored skeptics who said it couldn’t be done.
The dog, however, wasn’t in the original plans. The two month old stray Fox Terrier had been wandering the streets of Rome when Nobile found her. Hungry, lost and in dire straights, the puppy stood up on her hind feet and pawed at Nobile. And that was that. Nobile scooper her up, named her Titina (Ti-teena), and together, they would make history.
Titina wasn’t an enthusiastic flyer, but she loved Nobile more than she hated flying, and she certainly wasn’t going to be left behind when Nobile made his 1926 flight over the Arctic. As the aircraft named, “Norge” ascended from earth, Titina was held tight to Nobile’s chest, a green, red and white Italian sash wrapped around her neck.
Not everyone on board was thrilled with the presence of a dog. While Nobile was the designer and main pilot of the Norge, it was famed explorer, Roald Amundsen, who commanded the vessel, and he was furious at having to make room for a dog. Only sixteen men fit in the small gondola hanging under the airship, and no one could sit down save Titina who settled on a pile of clothes.
The polar flight was a success, and the pair became famous. A world tour introduced them to dignitaries, celebrities and politicians, and through it all, Titina was included in every photograph.
Watch the video of Titina below:
I am pleased to report that I saw Titina–stuffed, and in a case–when I visited General Nobile and his wife in their apartment in Rome, when I was in my teens. She was plainly well loved, even after death.