From Pandemic Walks to a Life-Changing Canine Partnership
In the midst of pandemic uncertainty and lockdown fatigue, a young man embarked on a journey that would redefine his life. Yati Gaur, then 28 years old, began his first long-distance walk on September 1, 2020. Despite skepticism from many who questioned why anyone would want to walk 520 kilometers on foot, one person's advice resonated deeply: to photograph the journey and capture places through untrodden paths.
The Transformative Power of Walking
"The pace of walking, the silence, the changing landscapes, and the constant dialogue with myself made it unlike anything I had known before," Yati recalls of his initial journey from Rishikesh to Badrinath. What began as a solitary exploration soon became a passion he wanted to repeat. At that time, he had no plans to build a career around walking or become a social media personality, though he occasionally shared photographs without strategy or expectation.
An Unexpected Meeting in Rajasthan
In January 2021, during a walk through Rajasthan, Yati encountered a litter of puppies in Bhojawas village. Among them was one special puppy who approached him while the others ran away. "It felt like love at first sight," Yati says of the moment he met the dog who would become Butter. After seeking permission from villagers, he picked up the puppy and carried her in his arms.
Challenges and Commitment
Working in the hospitality industry with working parents and a sibling, Yati initially struggled with how to care for a puppy. Butter spent time with a neighbor before returning to Yati when managing two dogs became difficult. Attempts at day boarding failed as Butter kept falling ill, and adoption efforts proved unsuccessful when an NGO demanded ₹80,000 to take him in.
"I didn't have that kind of money," Yati explains. "So I decided against it."
The Unbreakable Bond Forms
On his next journey, Yati took Butter along, adopting a slow travel approach where they would stay in one place for extended periods. When Yati once left Butter with shepherds in Rishikesh, believing it would provide a good life for the dog, Butter followed him 12 kilometers downhill. Even after being left again, Butter returned to wait outside Yati's hotel room, scratching at the door.
That moment revealed the truth: Butter wasn't going anywhere.
Training for the Long Haul
Yati began systematically training Butter for long walks, gradually increasing distances, teaching endurance, and adapting food and rest routines. "Soon I realized Butter was better equipped for these journeys than I was," he says, a realization that gave him confidence in their partnership.
The Epic Journey Together
On November 1, 2022, they embarked on their longest walk together—from Badrinath through Uttarakhand, the plains of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, all the way to Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi. From there, they continued through Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to Somnath in Gujarat.
Yati experimented with customized shoes for Butter but found them uncomfortable. Instead, he focused on adequate rest, weather-appropriate gear, and long breaks to ensure Butter's comfort and safety.
A Social Media Sensation
Today, Yati Gaur—who lives in Noida—has become a well-known social media influencer under the name theunfoldingplay, with over 106,000 followers. Through his posts, he shares stories from the road, capturing travel not as a checklist of destinations but as lived, breathing experience.
Butter is now believed to be the first Indian dog to walk nearly 15,000 kilometers on foot, accompanying Yati across 13 Indian states.
The Essence of Their Journey
The bond between Yati and Butter transcends simple companionship. Built not overnight nor out of convenience, it developed through miles of trust, patience, and shared silence. What began as a solitary walk for Yati evolved into a unique partnership that proves sometimes the greatest reward isn't awaiting at the end of an expedition but accompanies you throughout the journey itself.
