Just over 100 days ago, a group of 19 Buddhist monks set off for a 2,300-mile “Peace Walk” across the United States, calling for unity, peace, and compassion.
They began in Fort Worth, Texas, with a final destination of Washington, D.C. They have just finished their stop in Richmond, Virginia, where they celebrated 100 days of the journey, with their sights now set on the final stop in D.C.
They will end their arduous journey with a gathering at the United States Capitol, where they will address the public.
Over the past few months, monks have traversed inclement weather and faced injuries. While they were joined with their canine companion, Aloka, at the start of the trek, the dog has been on a bit of a hiatus, healing after a surgery.
Aloka, who indeed has his own Instagram and has gained immense popularity as the group’s Peace Dog, has been in the care of all 19 monks since they first found and rescued him during a different peace walk.
“We found him in India when we walk 112 days in India. He follow us the whole time. He’s a true hero,” Bhikkhu Pannakara, spiritual leader of the walk, said in a video.
During this time, Aloka fell sick and was even hit by a car.
“But he still stand up and walk,” Pannakara said.
Even when the monks tried to put him on a truck and let him go to safety, the dog refused.
“He jump off, he wanted to walk. That inspires a lot.”
Now, Aloka comes with the monks on all of their journeys.
“I brought him here and he’s a U.S. citizen now,” Pannakara joked. “Every one of us love him so much.”
That love is evident in the care Aloka receives.
Although the dog loves to walk alongside his human counterparts, Aloka needed surgery to heal a leg injury earlier this year. He was taken off of the trail and brought to a clinic, where veterinarians provided the care free of charge.
Since then, regular updates have been shared on Aloka’s social media accounts as he healed from the procedure and began joining the monks again in short walking stints.
As winter weather has made the walk more arduous, Aloka’s safety remains a priority. While he can often be seen in a Snoopy-adorned puffer coat, dog booties, and sweaters of all styles, when he needs a break, he has his very own van that travels in tandem with the 19 men.
“Since the snow began falling at noon today, our Aloka has been keeping a very patient watch from the escort car. He sat so calmly, guarding the venerable monks from his seat as he followed them through the beautiful white snow,” an update from the dog’s page shared three days ago.
“Even from inside the car, Aloka takes his job seriously! He stayed focused and alert, making sure the venerable monks were safe on the road. It is a very peaceful and polite way for him to participate in the Walk for Peace during this wintry weather.”
One team member, Nghia, is the driver of the group’s RV and has followed them since the start of the journey, always having resources on hand for the group’s safety. Now, he spends a lot of time caring for Aloka.
“These acts of kindness from the team help him so much with his recovery as we continue our path alongside the venerable monks,” an update shared. “We are so grateful to have such a supportive crew looking after our furry friend.”
Other updates show Aloka sitting in the driver’s seat of the parked vehicle, wearing red pajamas. At the end of each day, he is reunited with the monks, where they often sleep together on mats or cots in churches or community centers in that day’s city.
“Even though he hasn't been walking on the road today, he has been very busy guarding the venerable monks from the escort car, keeping a watchful eye on everything,” a caption on a video of Aloka snuggling up in a pile of blankets explained.
“After a long day of ‘patrolling’ through the windows and meeting so many new friends, he certainly deserves this quiet time to recharge.”
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Header image courtesy of Aloka the Peace Dog/Facebook
