A Unique Paw Passenger
The subway is a very common mode of transport in the whole of Europe, including Turkey. Thousands of Istanbul locals use their subway system to travel to work, school, etc. However, one day, passengers on one particular subway noticed something incredibly strange… There was a dog onboard! He didn’t appear to have an owner with him, yet he would ride along as though he was just another passenger. More so, he was so calm and well-behaved that the passengers found it incredibly odd and a bit unsettling.
It became a bit of a pattern for these locals. Every day, while going about their business, they would be greeted by a friendly dog on the subway. Naturally, they began to wonder where he had come from and where on earth he was going.
A Mystery
The dog became a bit of a mystery to everyone. Without a collar, nobody knew who to contact in order to find out more about him. However, he appeared to be incredibly well-trained, hopping from one train to another without anybody to lead him. Every morning, without fail, he would show up at the subway station as if he had very important places to be. Although people found it incredibly cute and quite humorous, they also felt bad that the dog was completely alone.
After a while, they began to worry that he was a stray, simply looking for his owner. A few people even put up posters of him, hoping that somebody would recognize their missing dog. However, weeks went by, and nobody responded to these posters.
Seen Everywhere About Town
With that being said, it didn’t seem as though the dog was stressed or looking for anybody. Instead, he simply appeared to be traveling the city as though he was a tourist. He had no issues taking the subway by himself. He seemed to know the subway system like the back of his hand (or, in this case, paw). In fact, the locals would go on to see him using other modes of public transport as well, including trams and ferries!
In between his adventures, he would hang out at the various stations, sleeping in the sun. When the weather was bad, he would even curl up for a nap on one of the indoor benches. After all, traveling is a tiring task… It didn’t take long for the pup to become a bit of a local legend.
Boarding and Disembarking
People were most amazed by how easily the dog boarded and disembarked the trains. Some people find it stressful to use public transport. However, the dog appeared completely relaxed, moving from one train to the next, finding a seat and settling in. He didn’t appear fazed by the crowds or loud noise of the subway station. He would even stare out the window, observing the scenery as he drove past. Just by looking at him, it was evident that he knew exactly what he was doing.
According to a photographer who observed the dog for a day, he waits at the nearby benches until he hears the vibration of the approaching train. Then, he approaches the edge of the tracks, knowing exactly where the doors will be. Most passengers allow him to enter first.
The Authorities
Naturally, people grew increasingly concerned about the lone dog traveling the subway. Where was he getting food and water from? What if he hurt himself during his travels? He didn’t cause any issues for the other passengers, as he mostly kept to himself… They were simply concerned about his well-being. Without any other obvious options, some locals decided that the best step would be to contact the authorities. They didn’t want the dog to be taken away - they only wanted him to be taken care of.
Little did they know that the authorities, as well as other residents, had already heard plenty of stories of the traveling pup… More so, they had already put a plan into motion.
The Public Transportation Department
The Department of Public Transport had already been made aware of the traveling dog. According to Aylin Erol, the head of customer relations at the Istanbul Metro, the dog caught their eye a few months prior, which meant that they had been keeping tabs on him for a while. Erol and his team could tell that the dog was special, so they never really intervened. Instead, they simply began to track his movements. However, after a few weeks, they wanted to ensure that he was healthy and fit to be in such close quarters with their other passengers.
The staff at the metro would share stories of where they had seen the dog that particular day, trying to understand his path and why he was using the subway in the first place. They came to realize that he didn’t seem to have a destination… He simply loved the travel.
A Trip to the Vet
They were so intrigued by his actions that they took their supervision a step further. Over the span of a few months, they grew incredibly fond of the lost dog. To ensure that he was safe and healthy, the staff of the transportation department decided to take him for a quick checkup at the local vet. One day, they lured him into a crate and drove him to the nearby clinic. It had become abundantly clear that he was a stray.
For this reason, a few members of staff grew protective over the pup, feeling it was their responsibility to ensure that he was well taken care of. While vets can be expensive, they didn’t mind paying if it meant that the dog would receive any necessary help.
Health Tests
Everybody had expected the dog’s health tests to show a number of red flags. After all, he had been living on the streets for at least a few weeks at this point. However, the complete opposite was true. The tests showed that he had previously received all of his necessary treatments. More so, the green tag on his ear indicated that he had already been sterilized. Nobody knew who had taken care of the dog previously, but it was obvious that he wasn’t just another street dog.
He appeared to be clean and well-fed. Even though it seemed as though the dog was perfectly healthy, the metro staff did not stop there… They wanted to do everything possible in order to ensure that he would be okay in the future.
Tracking Him
Even though the authorities now knew that the dog was healthy, they were far too curious to see where the dog was traveling to simply leave him be. They wanted to know where the dog was at all times. While still allowing him to roam the subway freely, they decided that the best option would be to put a tracker on him. This way, he could never get lost while still being able to go wherever he wanted.
Officials gave the dog a tracking microchip that would transmit his location to a computer at the metro station, showing exactly which route the dog had taken throughout the day. They had no idea just how far their new furry friend actually traveled per day…
A Long Journey
While everybody had expected the dog to travel quite far, they were absolutely shocked to see his actual route. Through the graph that formed via the tracking device, they were able to see that, on average, he was traveling to around 29 subway stations every day! This is far more than the average human in Istanbul travels on the subway. They estimated that he covers a total distance of roughly 30 kilometers a day by train.
It became clear that the dog feels the most comfortable while in a moving vehicle. In fact, he had probably seen more of the city than most tourists - or locals, for that matter!
The Furthest Destination
One train trip in particular had taken him further than he had ever been before. On one adventure, the pup found himself on a ferry, leading him far away from the city center, where he usually began his subway journeys. He ended up on the Princes’ Islands Archipelago, southeast of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara. While we are sure that he enjoyed his day on the beach, people are stumped as to how he found his way home! He would have had to have taken multiple ferries, trains, and trams in order to return to his starting location.
However, the very next day, he was back at it again. It seems as though this dog has an incredibly good memory, as he managed to find his way home using the exact same transport as he did on the way there.
His Favorite Journey
Most dogs get excited about their favorite treats or going for a walk. However, this dog is unlike any other. Instead, he gets excited when it comes to taking his favorite train line. It seems as though he has a taste for history, as records show that he most often travels the city's historic tram lines. According to the information from the tracker, the M4 Metro Line is by far his favorite. Every few days, he would sit on this tram in particular, seeing the city’s most famous sites and attractions.
No matter how far he would travel, he always returned to the M4. He became so well-known on this train that frequent passengers would look forward to seeing their favorite traveling dog while on their way to work in the morning.
The Ferry
It also became obvious that the pup thoroughly enjoys his time on the water. Whenever he would take the ferry, passengers would comment about how content he looked, jumping up so that he could peer over the barriers. The dog often took ferries to neighboring islands and across straits. Chris McGrath, a journalist who followed the dog around for a day, commented on how comfortable he appeared while traveling.
More so, he claimed that it was incredibly peaceful watching the dog lie around on the ferry, basking in the sun. Whenever the boat would hit larger waves, the pup would start barking, showing off his playful side.
Knowing the Routes
McGrath also mentioned how intentional the dog looked every time he boarded a ferry or train. It was almost as though he had a plan before arriving at the station. According to McGrath, when two trains arrived at the same time, the dog would look at one, decide that that is not the train that he wants to be on, and move towards the next. It seemed to him that the dog could read the destination boards, deciding which part of the city he wanted to visit that day.
Nobody is quite sure how the dog came to be so self-aware. In fact, most locals suggest that the dog seems to know more about the public transport system than them!
A Good Passenger
It’s important to note that the dog has never bothered any of the other passengers. In fact, it seems as though he thoroughly understands the rules of etiquette that come along with public transport. He minds his own business, normally choosing seats towards the back of the train. More so, he gives way to embarking passengers and waits before entering the train. Over time, passengers have gotten so used to seeing the dog on the train that they have started treating him like a regular.
While it is obvious that the pup wholeheartedly enjoys traveling around the city, we still aren’t entirely sure what he gets out of his long journeys. He takes the saying ‘it’s not about the destination, but the journey’ to a whole new level…
An Engine Fanatic
After a few months of monitoring the dog's behavior, the staff of the metro came to realize that the dog simply loves being around the engine of the train! He always goes directly for the seats located on top of the engine, and if they are occupied, he sits as close by as possible. When he’s on the Metro or subway train, he sits right on top of the wheels.
After referring to him as ‘the traveling dog’ for so long, the staff members finally decided that they should give him a name. It only made sense to consider his love for the engine when making this decision.
Boji the Dog
In Turkish, the middle section of the train is known as the Boji. For this reason, they decided that this would be the perfect name for the dog who was always on the move. Before long, everybody started calling him Boji, almost as though the public had adopted him as their own. Boji had been popular amongst the locals before, but now that he had a name, everybody wanted to see what the fuss was all about.
People from other areas of Istanbul even visited his local station in order to get a look at the traveling dog. He was basically becoming a local celebrity!
A Local Celebrity
When Chris McGrath got word of Boji the dog, he immediately booked a ticket to Istanbul. Once there, he spent an entire day following the dog around, photographing him, and writing about his movements and patterns. After just one day, it became evident to McGrath that Boji had become somewhat of a local celebrity amongst the people on the subway. Everybody has either seen him or wants to see him.
McGrath recalled the time that a new restaurant owner at the station almost shooed Boji away before the people seated at the restaurant corrected him, explaining that Boji was a local dog who explored the station freely.
Taking Care of Strays
Boji is obviously the most famous stray dog in Istanbul, which gives him certain privileges. However, for the most part, the Turkish people treat stray animals incredibly well. In fact, they do their very best to help them in any way that they can. For example, you will often see water and food bowls lying around in the streets. Boji is often seen eating or drinking in this way. It is evident that Boji is taken care of, as he is well-nourished and even looks clean.
On top of this, he is allowed to sleep at the station. Since becoming well-known around town, he has upgraded in his hound life, finding a home in a place he really loves.
Metro Station Resources
After becoming so popular and well-known, the Metro decided that they wanted to ensure that Boji’s needs were all taken care of. As a result, they created their very own ‘Boji station’, which included fresh water, a food bowl, and even a warm bed. Now, Boji can travel the city while still having a place to call home. The subway even put a photo of Boji up next to the refreshment station.
These actions go to show just how much they had come to care for the stray dog. This area is obviously also available to other stray animals, not just Boji.
The Municipalities Responsibility
Over time, municipal members have developed a sense of protection and responsibility over Boji. One station even donated a kennel in case he ever gets tired and wants a place to rest. To this day, they still keep tabs on Boji using the tracker, ensuring that he never gets into any trouble. The municipality also wants to ensure that people know how to interact with him in a safe and respectful way.
For this reason, there have been talks about putting up posters that explain Boji’s situation. This will also help people understand how to treat other stray animals.
Training Boji
Transit officials treat Boji as though he is their own. According to McGrath, one member of staff even took him home for a week, bathed him, ensured that his shots were up to date, and took him to a few training sessions. On top of this, they gave Boji his very own collar - with his name on it and everything! Boji also underwent a behavioral study to ensure that human interaction was not a problem for him.
Unsurprisingly, he did very well, which makes sense considering how long he had already been using the subway and other public transport systems.
Boji’s Personality
According to McGrath, Boji is the perfect dog. He is super happy and shows no signs of aggression. He always receives pets from train passengers, which he has no problem with. In fact, he absolutely loves the attention. All he wants to do is travel the city. Although his actions are rather bizarre for a dog, everybody has simply gotten used to him. He seems to be perfectly content when traveling on his own.
He’s incredibly calm and confident, walking around as though he is just another commuter. While nobody knows exactly what breed Boji is, we are pretty sure that he is a mix.
A Rule Breaker
It is safe to say that Boji is a bit of a rule-breaker. He does exactly what he wants to do, when he wants to do it. It’s almost as though he plans his schedule beforehand and plots his train route accordingly. He always arrives on time, sitting patiently as he waits for his train to arrive. Unlike a lot of people, he is perfectly content deciding his own schedule and interactions. He’s also unbothered by the fact that he does not have an owner.
According to McGrath, he also doesn’t listen to anybody. If you try to tell him to do something, he either completely ignores you or looks at you as though you are crazy. Boji believes that he is just another passenger, so why should he take orders from a stranger?
A Typical Dog
Even though Boji likes to act like a human, there is one thing that gets him going, just like every other dog… Cats! The only time that locals have seen Boji get excited or energetic is when a cat is nearby. Unfortunately, stray cats are a bit of a problem in Istanbul, which means that Boji often finds himself in a bit of a tricky situation. Every time Boji sees a cat in the distance, he begins to chase it.
According to McGrath, it happened 3 to 4 times in a single day. One time, he even ended up chasing a cat all the way to a nearby park. It’s rather strange to see such a calm dog act so excited, but the locals still adore him… even with his cat-chasing tendencies.
The Locals Love Him
There is no denying the fact that Boji is a special dog. For this reason, the locals absolutely love him. After all, who doesn’t want to pet a dog that’s sprawled out taking a nap? It’s not every day that you see a dog alone on a train. Most of the time, Boji’s rides involve plenty of treats and cuddles. While he may not enjoy taking orders from people, he definitely enjoys the attention and pets.
One of the subway locals, a man by the name of Abdulkadir Yalcin, admits that seeing Boji on the train in the morning is a highlight of his day. According to him, Boji brings them all joy, making them smile while on their way to work.
Representing Something More
However, while Boji provides the Istanbul locals with something humorous and adorable to look forward to every day, he also represents something more. In most countries, Boji probably would’ve been taken to an animal shelter as soon as the Metro noticed that the dog was riding the trains. The way that the people care for Boji shows just how generous and kind the Istanbul locals really are. Boji is a good reminder that Turkey is full of beauty, even within its rail and subway systems.
More so, Boji reminds locals to enjoy the smaller things in life. For many people, traveling the subway has become a highlight of their day, as they get to see the friendly dog making its way around the city. Even though you are rushing to work, you can still enjoy the moment.
A Social Media Celebrity
Boji has even become a bit of a social media influencer. Anonymous Turkish residents made an Instagram account for their favorite traveling buddy, often sharing images and videos of Boji while he makes his way around the city. It has also become a trend for passengers to take a photo with Boji when they see him. His account also shares information regarding his travel route and what he saw on that particular day.
Social media has allowed the people of Istanbul to keep up with their favorite street dog. It’s safe to say that everybody is intrigued when it comes to Boji, which is exactly why he has accumulated so many followers over the years!
Giving Back to Boji
Boji is an incredibly unique dog. Most people think that somewhere down the line, he previously had an owner. This would explain why he has had his shots and been sterilized. However, we aren’t sure what happened to this owner, as nobody has ever stepped forward to claim him. Either way, the people of Istanbul have taken Boji in as one of their own. He receives so much love and care that a lot of people would call him spoilt! While this may be true, Boji definitely deserves it.
Subway passengers look forward to seeing Boji every morning as he makes their day. In return, authorities ensure that he is well taken care of and receives all of the care that he needs. To this day, Boji is still navigating the Istanbul public transport system…
Looking to the Future
Every so often, the authorities of the metro take Boji to the vet, ensuring that he is still healthy. On top of this, his refreshment station can still be seen at his favorite stop. Boji is incredibly well taken care of, which goes to show just how much the Istanbul locals have grown to love him. While we aren’t entirely sure what is next for the traveling dog, we can only wish him the very best!
For all we know, he might just take a train to a new country entirely… If that were to happen, we hope the people in his new location treat him as well as the people at his local station.