People Kept Seeing A Dog Using Public Transport In Istanbul, And Authorities Placed A Tracker On Him – It Turns Out He Commutes Over 20 Miles Each Day
Dogs on public transport are not that uncommon. We are all used to seeing people bringing their pets or guide dogs that help individuals with disabilities get around.
But one stray dog makes commuting more enjoyable for everyone. Boji rides public transport in Istanbul, Turkey, every day.
He does this without any assistance or guidance—totally independent and knowing where to get on and off. He frequently changes trains and buses, and many people spot him throughout the day.
It's no wonder this dog has become a sort of celebrity and one of Istanbul's trademarks. He even has his own Instagram account where people can post photos and locations of his sightings.
Frankly, he has become a hero to everyone who has ever tried to navigate the city's complex and confusing public transportation network. The dog is very friendly and calm, and people enjoy his company. Is there a better way to combat the boredom of commuting?
The authorities came up with the idea of attaching a tracking device to monitor the dog's routes and determine which lines he uses most often. The results were surprising. Each day, the dog travels about 20 miles and even uses ferries. Scroll down to read more:
Boji is a stray dog who enjoys moving around Istanbul by using public transport
Boji caught the attention of other commuters, who began taking pictures of him in the subway, on trains, and even on the ferry.
He is very intelligent and knows the rules of public transport (better than most of us)
He bothers no one
Istanbul is home to an estimated 400,000 to 600,000 stray dogs and cats, and the citizens of this metropolis share a special bond with them. This is one of the first things that foreigners notice when they visit for the first time.
He gives way to disembarking passengers, waiting for them to exit before entering the train once it’s fully emptied
He is very calm
Boji waits outside if the weather is nice and goes inside if it’s bad
He enjoys his rides
“Historical sources from the Ottoman era show that dogs served as guards for neighborhoods; scavenged for food since there were no municipal sanitation services; and would bark to alert people when there were fires, which used to happen frequently,” says Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist and expert on human-animal relationships. “But it wasn’t just a functional relationship; it was considered a good deed to feed and care for them.”
“The bowls of food and water and homemade shelters that modern Istanbul residents place on the streets for the city’s dogs—and its abundant stray cats—harken back to Ottoman times, when mosques had drinking-water troughs for animals, charitable foundations were established to feed them, and travelers described seeing ‘little straw huts’ set up for dogs,” adds Gretchen Rubin, a happiness researcher who emphasizes the importance of kindness in communities.
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality attached a tracker to monitor how far the dog travels
The results were interesting
Boji travels around 29 stops a day, covering a distance of 17 to 19 miles
He also has favorite lines
One of the dog’s favorite means of transport is the M4 subway line. It is an 18-mile, 19-station rapid transit line
Boji is a stray dog, a crossbreed of Sivas Kangal and shepherd dog.
Boji has been thoroughly checked recently, and the examination showed that he is completely healthy
Boji loves company
Seeing how stray dogs and cats are treated with love, respect, and care in this modern and mysterious city makes us want to visit even more. Istanbul is notorious for its relationship with stray cats; as noted by Dr. John McDougall, a physician and author, "Animals in urban environments often reflect the compassion of the community." You can read more about some of their stories here and here.
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