User submission

11.1K

I’m Cycling 26,000 Km Around The World With My Blind Dog Tulku

I’m traveling the Panamerican Highway by bicycle with my boyfriend Sven and our dog Tulku. During the journey Tulku became blind and survived 3 surgeries in order to walk again.

We started the trip in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina and will finish it in Alaska, USA. One morning in Peru we woke up in the middle of the desert and found our dog blind and unable to walk. It took 5 months, 3 different countries and 3 surgeries to fix her legs. She can walk again now, but she is still blind. We currently are in Colombia and already cycled 10 000km. We will ride 16 000km more.

More info: igg.me

Day 1: Starting In Ushuaia

I'm Cycling 26,000 Km Around The World With My Blind Dog Tulku

Day 22: Hiding From Freezing Patagonian Wind

Day 36: Exploring Waterfalls In Chile

Day 73: On The Panamerican Highway

Day 85: Having A Break Between Endless Switchbacks

Day 135: Cycling Through Conchas Gorge In Argentina

Day 168: Fun With Llamas In Altiplano

Day 176: Moving Forward In Bolivia

Day 188: Roaming Free On The World’s Largest Salt Flat

Day 215: Reaching The Highest Point (14855 ft.)

Day 257: Getting Cozy In The Basket

Day 260: Not Caring About The Nazca Lines

Day 378: Sniffing Around In Sechura Desert

The last day before Tulku became blind.

Day 397: Chilling On The Beach In Peru

Day 402: Cycling Through Banana Plantations

Day 453: Crossing The Equator Line

Day 569: Exploring Ruins Of Ancient Civilizations In The Jungle

Day 591: Recovering After The Surgery In Colombia

11Kviews

I travel the Panamericana with my blind dog

Read less »

I travel the Panamericana with my blind dog

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

Edie 9 years ago

i'm just too sad about the dog to enjoy their travels

1point

KiraPurlyte (Post author) 9 years ago

Don't be sad! Tulku is not sad! She's happy to tag along and wouldn't change it for a thing! Blind dogs can lead happy life as well!

3points

Load More Replies...

Amanda Lest 8 years ago

Hi Kira, your story is very inspirational. I assume your took Tulku from Europe to South America. What are the import requirements to bring a dog from Europe to South America, and how do you handle paper work cycling from one country to another? Are there any problems or quarantine? Thank you.

0points

Ros Beauchamp 8 years ago

Westies are tough little dogs, made me cry but it is wonderful she is making the journey with you she is one happy lucky and loved little girl.

0points

AbhishekShukla 9 years ago

I just want to know how you have funded your travel.

0points

DebbieReidEcps 9 years ago

I just think that your little dog is so amazing to be able to do all those things and by the look on her pretty face she is enjoying life

0points

AnaMeterc 9 years ago

Wonderful family trip, inspiring! Kisses for Tulku!

0points

GraceInRainbows 9 years ago

Cristalino is crystalline lens, it is changed by a little crytal ball and does it! no more cataratas!

0points

GraceInRainbows 9 years ago

I''m glad you can share this trip with her! :D

0points

GraceInRainbows 9 years ago

I am happy she is walking again! If you she has cataratas for sure, there is a surgery to solve it, it consists in replace the "cristalino"

0points

SeetaKaurChamba 9 years ago

This is so beautiful, wishing that cute dog will enjoy another hundreds km with you two

0points

KrisMcHoff 9 years ago

My dog has cataracts and is now blind, she leads a very happy life as well - going on 15 years. She would love to go for a basket ride too!

0points

PaulaCronin 9 years ago

Thank you for sharing your travels!

0points

KiraPurlyte (Post author) 9 years ago

Don't worry, the dog is fine and happy and enjoying life on or off the road!

0points

ZoeCooperAdams 9 years ago

What happened that blinded your dog and stopped him from walking ?? Poor thing , I can't quite work out how I feel about this x

0points

KiraPurlyte (Post author) 9 years ago

She got cataract in her eyes - we did lots of tests at prfessional vets and no of them could say the exact reason, might be bad genes or els

1point

Load More Replies...

ZoeCooperAdams 9 years ago

I hope you and Tulku enjoys the rest of your travels

0points

KiraPurlyte (Post author) 9 years ago

In her legs she has luxating patella, already fixed - that is a common problem between small breed dogs, usually happens in the first year

0points

daniellem27 9 years ago

What happened to him to make him sick?

0points

KiraPurlyte (Post author) 9 years ago

Nobody knows, we did lots of tests, but all the vets could say were only the diagnosis, not the reasons. It might be anthing...

1point

Load More Replies...

POST

Edie 9 years ago

i'm just too sad about the dog to enjoy their travels

1point

KiraPurlyte (Post author) 9 years ago

Don't be sad! Tulku is not sad! She's happy to tag along and wouldn't change it for a thing! Blind dogs can lead happy life as well!

3points

Load More Replies...

Amanda Lest 8 years ago

0points

Ros Beauchamp 8 years ago

Westies are tough little dogs, made me cry but it is wonderful she is making the journey with you she is one happy lucky and loved little girl.

0points

AbhishekShukla 9 years ago

I just want to know how you have funded your travel.

0points

DebbieReidEcps 9 years ago

I just think that your little dog is so amazing to be able to do all those things and by the look on her pretty face she is enjoying life

0points

AnaMeterc 9 years ago

Wonderful family trip, inspiring! Kisses for Tulku!

0points

GraceInRainbows 9 years ago

Cristalino is crystalline lens, it is changed by a little crytal ball and does it! no more cataratas!

0points

GraceInRainbows 9 years ago

I''m glad you can share this trip with her! :D

0points

GraceInRainbows 9 years ago

I am happy she is walking again! If you she has cataratas for sure, there is a surgery to solve it, it consists in replace the "cristalino"

0points

SeetaKaurChamba 9 years ago

This is so beautiful, wishing that cute dog will enjoy another hundreds km with you two

0points

KrisMcHoff 9 years ago

My dog has cataracts and is now blind, she leads a very happy life as well - going on 15 years. She would love to go for a basket ride too!

0points

PaulaCronin 9 years ago

Thank you for sharing your travels!

0points

KiraPurlyte (Post author) 9 years ago

Don't worry, the dog is fine and happy and enjoying life on or off the road!

0points

ZoeCooperAdams 9 years ago

What happened that blinded your dog and stopped him from walking ?? Poor thing , I can't quite work out how I feel about this x

0points

KiraPurlyte (Post author) 9 years ago

She got cataract in her eyes - we did lots of tests at prfessional vets and no of them could say the exact reason, might be bad genes or els

1point

Load More Replies...

ZoeCooperAdams 9 years ago

I hope you and Tulku enjoys the rest of your travels

0points

KiraPurlyte (Post author) 9 years ago

In her legs she has luxating patella, already fixed - that is a common problem between small breed dogs, usually happens in the first year

0points

daniellem27 9 years ago

What happened to him to make him sick?

0points

KiraPurlyte (Post author) 9 years ago

Nobody knows, we did lots of tests, but all the vets could say were only the diagnosis, not the reasons. It might be anthing...

1point

Load More Replies...

I’m Cycling 26,000 Km Around The World With My Blind Dog Tulku

Day 1: Starting In Ushuaia

Day 22: Hiding From Freezing Patagonian Wind

Day 36: Exploring Waterfalls In Chile

Day 73: On The Panamerican Highway

Day 85: Having A Break Between Endless Switchbacks

Day 135: Cycling Through Conchas Gorge In Argentina

Day 168: Fun With Llamas In Altiplano

Day 176: Moving Forward In Bolivia

Day 188: Roaming Free On The World’s Largest Salt Flat

Day 215: Reaching The Highest Point (14855 ft.)

Day 257: Getting Cozy In The Basket

Day 260: Not Caring About The Nazca Lines

Day 378: Sniffing Around In Sechura Desert

Day 397: Chilling On The Beach In Peru

Day 402: Cycling Through Banana Plantations

Day 453: Crossing The Equator Line

Day 569: Exploring Ruins Of Ancient Civilizations In The Jungle

Day 591: Recovering After The Surgery In Colombia

Games

Kira Purlyte

Kira Purlyte