According to the Facebook page for Aloka, a celebrity internet, four year old pup, is believed to be an Indian Pariah dog. He began life as a street dog in India and followed the monks on a previous peace walk. And now, with that same loyalty Aloka demonstrated towards the monks previously, his ambitious 2,300 miles walk, has carried him every paw step of the way from Texas to South Carolina.
His journey is truly special—he was once a stray wandering in India who began following the Venerable Monks. He walked with them for over 100 days across India, very much like the WalkForPeace we are on today! Though his exact birthday remains a mystery, his loyalty and peaceful spirit are clear to everyone he meets.
May you and all beings be happy and at peace
The 110-day pilgrimage began on October 26, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. It is scheduled to end in Washington, D.C. in February of this year. The purpose of the walk is to promote compassion, non violence and peace.
Fans have gathered including lots of children who become so excited to meet Aloka who bring food to the group and offer compassionate messages of care for both the monks and their four-legged companion.
On Monday, Aloka underwent a successful one-hour surgery at the Charleston Veterinary Referral Center in South Carolina which addressed a chronic leg injury (CCL tear) he had incurred while he was still a stray.
This is an injury Aloka experienced in India when he was still a stray. It healed well and he has been doing great throughout this journey, but we noticed signs of discomfort and wanted to address it immediately so he can fully recover.
In the latest update, the monks are hoping he will rejoin the trip in just a few days, but it will be different for the dog this time. The veterinary team wants him to have a “careful and gradual recovery process.”
So, for the first week, he will walk for ten minutes at a time for up to six times a day and as he heals, the time he walks will increase.
Aloka has walked alongside the venerable monks, bringing joy and inspiration to so many hearts. Now it is time for him to rest, heal and regain his strength. We will take great care of him every step of the way.
Aloka has received the best of care and guidance. He has ridden in the escort van many times for his own safety. While in Georgia, he rode in the van due to the cold weather and the crowds. And even though he was comfortable, Aloka cried and wanted to be with the monks walking.
On Instagram, Aloka has more than 252,000 followers, and on Aloka the Peace Dog Facebook there are over 615,000 followers.
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