A spirited Boston bull terrier named Honk Honk has officially been recognised as the first dog to travel around the entire world. Though many have credited this achievement to other famous dogs, such as Laika, the Russian dog who orbited the Earth aboard Sputnik 2 in 1957, and Savannah, the rescue dog who walked across the globe with her owner Tom Turcich between 2015 and 2022, Honk Honk’s adventure predates them all.
Sally Smith Unveils a Forgotten Journey
Now, thanks to British journalist and author Sally Smith, Honk Honk’s incredible journey has finally been verified. Smith uncovered the dog’s remarkable story while researching her book, The Women Who Went Round the World. Honk Honk’s global voyage took place over 13 months in 1910, beginning in New Jersey, USA, and spanning across Europe and Asia before his return home.
A Loyal Companion on a Global Expedition
“Honk Honk is finally getting the recognition he deserves, even though it’s a century late,” says Sally. His story came to light as I was looking into Harriet White Fisher’s incredible journey. Harriet was the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by car, and Honk Honk was her loyal companion throughout the trip.
The dog accompanied Harriet in her Type 1 Locomobile, treating the car as his home for the entirety of the journey. During the trip, Honk Honk had numerous adventures. While the car travelled at a slower pace, he would dash into the surrounding countryside, barking at wild animals in nearby jungles. His fearless nature and charming personality won him many friends in the countries they passed through.
Mischievous Moments and Memorable Adventures
He was quite a gentle dog, particularly for a bull terrier,” Sally shares, “though he did manage to stir up a bit of mischief on occasion. There’s one story about him eating a begonia in an Italian garden, and in India, he had run-ins with local wildlife, including jackals, chipmunks, and goats.
Honk Honk’s diet on the road was as diverse as his adventures. When bones weren’t available, he would eat soup and bread, and despite the lack of a regular diet, he remained in good health, avoiding snake bites and other dangers during his travels. He was a loyal guardian too, standing watch outside Harriet’s tent while she slept in remote locations. At other times, he joined her in grand hotels across Asia, where the staff often doted on him.
An Unlikely Friendship
One particularly memorable moment from the journey involved a monkey that Harriet adopted during their time in Sri Lanka. Initially, Honk Honk was unsure of his new companion, having previously enjoyed chasing monkeys. However, the two soon became inseparable, with the little monkey even performing somersaults on Honk Honk’s back.
Honk Honk’s Legacy Lives On
Sally continues to discover new details about Honk Honk’s extraordinary adventures. It’s such a wonderful story, she says. “He was a joyful, tough, and tenacious little dog, and there’s still so much more to uncover about his remarkable journey.”
The full account of Harriet White Fisher’s journey, along with stories of Honk Honk’s travels, can be found in Sally Smith’s book, The Women Who Went Round the World.
