Skip to content
i Still Love Dogs
i Still Love Dogs

…Dog news, tips & fun stuff

  • News
  • Awww
  • Heroes
  • Grrr
  • Tips
  • Pittie Party
  • About
i Still Love Dogs

…Dog news, tips & fun stuff

Hank big mastiff flying first class

Big Mastiff Flying First Class Is Seizure-Detection Dog for Rescue Founder

Laura Goldman, October 28, 2015August 20, 2019

Hank big mastiff flying first class

“Holy shit I just saw the literal fattest dog,” Madeline Sweet tweeted Monday from an American Airlines boarding gate at LAX, with a photo of the big Mastiff that’s gone viral.

“It wasn’t until I boarded, I could hear whispers of ‘Oh my God, the dog is in first class,'” Sweet told NBC Los Angeles.

Most airlines don’t allow dogs that can’t fit into small carriers to fly inside the cabin, let alone in the front row of first class. The dogs must fly in the cargo area, which can be dangerous.

As it turns out, the Mastiff wasn’t getting any special treatment. Hank, who’s 3 years old and weighs 160 pounds, is a seizure-detection dog for his dog mom, Kari Whitman.

big dog Hank and Kari Whitman

Hank was riding on the dolly because he’s recovering from recent surgery and cannot walk, Whitman told NBC Los Angeles.

And about all those fat jokes: The average weight for a male English Mastiff is 150 to 230 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club — so Hank is actually at the low end of that scale.

Whitman, an interior designer from Los Angeles, happens to be the founder of Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue, which has saved thousands of dogs from high-kill L.A. shelters on the day they were scheduled to be euthanized. In fact, Hank was one of those rescued dogs.

She also created Greener Pup eco-friendly dog beds. All proceeds from the sale of these beds go to Ace of Hearts.

Whitman told NBC Los Angeles she and Hank always fly first class. You can follow their adventures on her Instagram, @hanktheworldtraveler.

To make a donation to Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue, click here.

Photos via Twitter; Instagram

Related

Awww Mastiff

Post navigation

Previous post
Next post

Recent Posts

  • Dogs—Not Cats—May Prevent Babies from Developing Asthma
  • Rest in Paradise, Patrick the Miracle Dog
  • Guide Dog Terrified by Thunder Led Blind Owner to Safety on 9/11
  • Once Again, Adopted Dogs Featured in 2025 Rose Parade
  • 7 Examples That Prove Trump Is Clueless About Dogs

Most “Paw”pular Posts

  • Due to 'Pit Bulls and Parolees' Lawsuit, New Villalobos Sanctuary Planned
  • 5 Reasons Why Jon Stewart Is So Doggone Awesome
  • Frank Sinatra Loved the Ladies...and the Dogs
  • Rape Charges Dropped Against Toney Converse of 'Pit Bulls and Parolees'
  • Leonard Nimoy's L.A. Pet Store Did Not Live Long or Prosper

Like i Still Love Dogs on Facebook

Like i Still Love Dogs on Facebook

Follow @iStillLoveDogs on BlueSky

Follow @iStillLoveDogs on BlueSky

Subscribe to i Still Love Dogs

Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts. I respect your privacy and will never sell your information.

Privacy Policy

about Laura Goldman
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
©2025 i Still Love Dogs | WordPress Theme by SuperbThemes
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You can opt-out if you wish.Got it! Reject Privacy Policy
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT