German adventurer Heike Pirngruber, once terrified of dogs, is now embarking on global travels with Butch, a rescued puppy she found in Mexico. The duo has traversed continents by foot, canoe, motorbike, and tuk tuk, visiting 104 countries across every inhabited continent. Pirngruber’s journey began with a chance encounter with a stray dog that led her to adopt Butch, transforming her life and travel philosophy.
Initially hesitant, she was convinced by a friend to feed the street dog, which she later named Max. The next day, Max returned with two companions, Brownie and Pushy, and Pirngruber began feeding them regularly. Her fear of dogs, stemming from years of solo travel and encounters with aggressive strays, began to change after this encounter. She eventually adopted Butch, a malnourished puppy who became her constant companion on the road.
Pirngruber, 53, is a former camera operator for ZDF, Germany’s largest broadcast station, and has been traveling full-time for over 12 years. Her travels started with a plan to cross the Americas by donkey in 2020, but she scrapped that plan after adopting Butch. Now, she and Butch have explored the Americas on foot, by canoe, motorcycle, and tuk tuk before flying to Madrid in April 2024. Since then, they’ve traveled through Spain, Andorra, France, and Italy, sailing to Greece as of November 2024.
Her travel style is unplanned, with the pair choosing their route day by day. ‘I choose where we go, mainly day by day,’ she said. ‘There are times when we want to get away from civilization and be by ourselves, and then other times I’m sitting in a square trying to get some contact with others, either in person or through my phone.’ Pirngruber embraces the freedom of not knowing where they’ll be each night or where she can pitch her tent. ‘Now, I love my freedom, I love living day-by-day, I love not knowing where I am staying each night or where I can pitch my tent. It’s such a thrill,’ she added.
Despite occasional challenges, Pirngruber remains optimistic about her experiences, noting that ‘ninety-nine percent of people are nice, and overall, I’ve had some great encounters with people.’ Her journey has not only changed her travel habits but also her perspective on life. ‘With Butch, I always have someone there. I am never alone. I have such a connection with him and I’m happy with him,’ she said.