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In the middle of Istanbul’s rush hour, it’s not unusual to see Boji, a mixed-breed street dog, calmly waiting for the next train. Sometimes it’s a ferry. Other times, a tram or subway car. But no matter the route, Boji rides with purpose and style.
He’s become a familiar face across the city’s public transportation system, winning the hearts of commuters and transit workers alike. His name started popping up online when locals began sharing photos of the independent pup on their daily commutes. That’s when municipal workers decided to start tracking his movements—and what they found surprised everyone.
“He knows where to go. He knows where to get out,” said Avlin Erol, who leads customer relations at Metro Istanbul. And it’s true. Boji doesn’t just hop on at random. He knows his routes. On an average day, he can travel up to 30 kilometers, passing through dozens of metro stations and even catching a couple of ferry rides.
“He’s such a free spirit,” said photographer Chris McGrath, who spent a day following Boji through the city. “All he wants to do is ride on transportation. Every time he goes past a bus or van or any form of transport, he just wants to get on it. It’s really quite bizarre.”
It all started with a few curious tweets, but now Boji has his own social media accounts with tens of thousands of followers. Riders share selfies with him and swap stories about their favorite run-ins with the now-famous dog. He’s more than just a commuter—he’s become a part of the city.
McGrath described a moment that summed it up perfectly. “He went into one restaurant and two men sort of shooed him away, yelled at him,” he recalled. “And then you hear someone else, another restaurant owner, yelling at those guys going: ‘It’s Boji! It’s Boji! Don’t shoo him away!’”
City workers have taken Boji under their wing. He recently spent a week at a care facility where he was groomed, given a full medical check, and observed to make sure all the human attention wasn’t stressing him out. They even repaired his tracking collar and gave him a clean bill of health.
A small kennel has been set up for him at one of the metro stations. It’s there if he needs food or rest, but Boji doesn’t linger. He’s got places to be.
“He knows exactly where the doors are,” McGrath said. “As soon as he hears the train coming, he moves to the right spot and waits.”
For Istanbul, Boji is more than just a dog. He’s a daily dose of joy, a gentle presence in a busy city—and proof that even in the middle of everyday chaos, a little wonder can still hop on the train.
PUPdate: Amidst the controversy of Boji’s travels, the clever pup has found his forever home. He is now enjoying the domesticated life filled with love and adventure.
