Boji, a stray dog in Istanbul, is one of many, yet stands out with his incredible passion for travel. Smart Boji has made the most of the city's lenient policies for animals, taking buses, subways, and even ferries to roam freely between neighborhoods. He can visit up to 29 stops in a day, sometimes traveling over 30 kilometers, bridging continents.
Commuters praise Boji for his impeccable manners, waiting patiently for passengers to disembark before hopping on. In crowded carriages, he lies down quietly; when it's quieter, he sprawls across seats. Boji is not just friendly; he's also happy to pose for photos with strangers.
As Boji's fame grew, animal welfare organizations stepped in to safeguard his well-being. He was given a health check, microchipped, and fitted with a tracker. Monitoring Boji's travels revealed his preference for the T1 tramline and the T4 subway.
The poignant backstory reveals Boji used to spend weekends on Princes' Islands with his owner. The busy owner could only spend weekends with Boji, but passed away years ago. Boji's daily journeys are a quest for the lingering scent of his owner, reliving treasured memories. He knows the train schedules by heart and follows rules impeccably, a testament to his owner's diligent training.
For five years, Boji has been riding public transport daily in search of his owner, never missing a day, holding onto the belief that somewhere in his memory, his owner awaits.
