AN ADVENTURING dog baffled commuters as he boarded a train heading towards London from Whitchurch.

Sausage dog/Jack Russell cross Pip Smith had managed to escape from his home in Bere Hill, Whitchurch, to take in the sites of Basingstoke on Tuesday, August 30.

Pip’s owner, Stephen Smith, 61, said he had heard his canine companion getting stuck in the garden during the night, but when he went looking for him he could not see him.

Stephen’s son Greg told The Gazette: “This is not the first time Pip has gone on a wander, we usually find him down the road tangled in the football nets, probably after a little kick about.

“He has never got as far as the station. He must have known where he was going though as he crossed the road to go on the right platform heading to Basingstoke.”

The 33-year-old said that because of Pip’s small stature, he goes out through the cat-flap, but never goes too far and neighbours always bring him back.

“I just remember waking up to a text from my friend saying they had seen a post on Facebook that Pip had been on the train to Basingstoke,” added Greg.

The curious canine had passengers and guards on the train smiling and scratching their heads in bemusement as to where Pip had come from.
Gabriella Waller, who is a ticket officer at Basingstoke railway station, posted on Facebook to find Pip’s owner.

“When the train arrived at 6.37am the guard had Pip and said one of the passengers saw him get on at Whitchurch,” said the 27-year-old.
“He didn’t seem scared at all, he came off waggling his tail with excitement,

I think he just wanted to say hello to all the people on the train.”

Pip went on the return trip at 7.22am and was taken home by a family friend.

Greg added: “We have ordered him a dog tag just in case he decides he fancies another little trip out on his own.”