In the beautiful city of Istanbul, a stray dog named Boji has gained celebrity status thanks to his unique birds, crossing the city on ferries, trams and subway cars. Boji’s extraordinary bird birds caught the public’s attention a few months ago and local authorities were amazed by its genius.
Alviп Erol, head of customer relations at Metro Istanbul, marveled at Boji’s skills and said: “He knows where to go. He knows where to get out.”
Boji’s daily travel covers an impressive distance, and projections estimate that he travels up to 30 kilometers, or approximately 18.6 miles, per day. Navigate through numerous metro stations and make at least two ferry crossings.
Chris McGrath, a Getty Images photographer who spent the next day with Boji around town, described the dog as a “free spirit” with an irresistible urge to travel on public transportation. Travelers and travelers usually share photos and selfies with Boji on social networks, where he now has his own Twitter and Instagram accounts, with tens of thousands of followers.
Boji has become a beloved member of the community, recognized and appreciated by many. His growing fame has even led to moments where the protective Lagareños always seek his favor, defending him from anyone who could hide him.
City staff have taken on the role of Boji’s guards, ensuring his well-being. Receive you, provide you with grooming and a thorough medical examination, including a behavioral study to ensure that your interactions with humans and other animals are positive. He set up a small farm for Boji near the Metro stations and offers him food every time he returns.
City staff closely monitor Boji’s activities using a smart phone app, worked with McGrath to document his daily trips. Boji has a strange ability to find the doors of the train with precision and can only participate when he is about to reach the train. He is known for being persistent; Once the passengers disembark, they attempt to board.
When Boji boards the ferry, he actively chooses the side of the ship that will receive the greatest amount of solar light, which he also prefers for aquatic travel. He even enjoys the vibrations of the ferry as it sets sail and, in turn, barks at the waves.
Although he encounters several stray cats on his trips, Boji is not very fond of them. Istanbul is known for its abundance of cats, earning the city the nickname “Catstabυl,” and Boji has been observed keeping them there.
Given the widespread presence of stray animals in Istanbul, Boji usually finds food easily. Many restaurants and houses discreetly provide water and food dishes for the animals, something Boji seems to know.
The municipality plans to install informational signs about Boji in the transportation system to guide people on how to interact with him, so that, as McGrath says, “listen to anyone.” Boji’s energetic independence is what makes him unique, and he simply dedicates himself to doing what makes him happy: exploring the city and traveling on his own terms.
