Tom Turcich set out on a world-walking expedition in 2015. After a few months, he realized he needed a travel companion, so he got a puppy named Savannah. The two have spent the last seven years touring the globe, and their journey has now come to a satisfying conclusion.
The pandemic and other illnesses were among the difficulties he faced along the way, but Turcich never gave up. He continued to walk because of donations from his admirers, and Savannah always looked forward to it. For both of them, adjusting to living in one area will take some time.
Turcich set off on his voyage from his New Jersey home, and he just continued moving forward after that. Before starting to walk, he spent nine years planning. He pushed Savannah in a cart when she was a puppy while he walked. But as she grew older, she endeavored to walk as closely as he did. Together, they traveled between 18 and 24 miles every day while traversing 38 nations and six continents. They camped in tents for the majority of the time.
Turcich began his journey by walking across Central and South America after crossing the border from the United States to Mexico. They then traveled to Europe and continued their adventure from there before briefly entering the tip of Antarctica. When travel restrictions were relaxed after they spent some time trapped in Asia during the pandemic, they took a flight to Seattle before returning to New Jersey.
The paperwork required for international travel with a dog can be challenging, but Turcich put a lot of effort into finding it. He could also be patient if things didn’t go according to plan. He wasn’t in a rush to get from one place to another, and if Savannah couldn’t come, he wouldn’t go anywhere. Turcich is back in New Jersey with his friends and family after spending seven years abroad. He became the tenth person to complete a global walk, Savannah being the first canine to do it.
It was quite bizarre, Turcich remarked. “For a very long time, I had pictured how the ending would be. People were lining the streets and accompanying me as it happened. The main feeling was pure relief. It was incredible to finally be able to sort of put this behind me after it had controlled my life for 15 years.
Turcich claimed that his friend’s death was the first inspiration for his decision to walk around the globe. He decided to pursue it because their passing served as a reminder of how brief life is.
Savannah has only ever known travel, so she will need some time to get used to living in one place. Savannah continues to walk four miles every day, and she appears content to return home and nap afterward. Turcich expressed his relief at having finished his travels for the time being and his eagerness to settle back into life in New Jersey.