A woman who once had no fondness for dogs is now trekking across the globe with one of the most well-traveled pups on the planet — a resilient street dog named Butch.
Heike Pirngruber, a former television camerawoman for Germany’s ZDF, left behind a decades-long career 12 years ago to explore the world full-time. Since then, she’s journeyed through over 104 countries across every inhabited continent, largely on foot or by bike. But it was an unexpected friendship that transformed her travels — and her heart.
Back in March 2020, Pirngruber had plans to traverse the Americas by donkey. But after pausing her travels in a small beach hut in Baja California, everything changed. Having often been chased or barked at by dogs in the past, she had grown wary — even fearful — of them. That sentiment began to shift when a quiet, gentle stray named Max wandered to her door, lured by the smell of grilled chicken. With some encouragement from her friend Ronny, she let him stay. The next day, Max returned — this time with two canine companions.
Over time, those stray dogs helped ease her fear, unknowingly paving the way for the bond of a lifetime.
“I never liked dogs growing up,” Pirngruber told Southwest News Service. “But the moment I held Butch in my arms, I felt something I couldn’t explain. I just knew he was mine.”
She met Butch — one of seven neglected puppies, all flea-covered and unwanted — not long after. Despite the uncertainties of taking a dog on the road, Pirngruber didn’t hesitate. She looked into his eyes and made a choice that would reshape her journey.
“Butch is my best friend. I love him with all my heart,” she said. “He’s an Australian cattle dog — tough, made for the outdoors. And he’s only ever known life on the move.”
The duo has covered thousands of miles together, including long stretches in a tuk-tuk through South America. With Butch riding in the backseat, soaking up sun or shade, they took in breathtaking scenery and shared countless adventures.
After South America, they flew to Madrid, and Pirngruber briefly returned to Germany — only her third visit home in over a decade. But staying put never felt right.
“Each time I go home, I realize I don’t belong there anymore. The road is where I feel alive.”
Last November, she and Butch set out again, heading east through Spain, Andorra, France, and Italy, before boarding a boat to Greece. Their path is largely unplanned — a spontaneous, day-by-day adventure. Albania and the Balkans are next, with dreams of reaching Turkey, and eventually India or Mongolia.
“I don’t plan much. Sometimes I want solitude, other times I crave connection — through people or just my phone. I carry the basics: my camera, a first-aid kit, and the essentials for Butch, including his tick prevention,” Pirngruber said.
Traveling as a solo woman, she acknowledges challenges but emphasizes the good: “Ninety-nine percent of people are kind. Yes, there have been tough moments, but overall, the world is a safe and beautiful place.”
For someone who once feared dogs, it’s remarkable to see how a bond with a scrappy little pup turned into a global journey — and a lifelong friendship.