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.
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