Precisely in a relatively difficult period for the Turks, with a faltering economy and growing political tension, there seems to be something that crosses all camps: the love for a dog that travels every day on its own in the metro.
Boogie the dog "lives" in the bustling streets of the city of Istanbul, but it would be a mistake to call him a street dog.
He has become a regular figure for many of the city's residents because he travels tens of miles every day on his own, even though he has no destination at all, and for many he is part of their daily routine.
In recent weeks more and more people have started documenting his travels, presumably because he himself also felt increasingly safe to travel in the city’s cluttered transportation system.
It is not clear who owns it, if any.
The authorities in the city also began to pay attention to the phenomenon and attached an electronic chip that can be tracked via the cell phone.
"The municipality has noticed that his daily journey includes at least 29 metro stops and at least two ferries. He also knows how to get on the trains and ferries without any help, and how to get off them," said Getty Images photographer Chris Magrath, who photographed him traveling Around the city.
"We noticed he knows exactly how to get there and where he's going, it's like he has a purpose," said Metro employee Eileen Errol.
According to the information accumulated so far, Boogie likes to sit in the middle of the train car, which in Turkish is called "Boogie" and that is why metro workers started calling him.
Because of his fondness for the various passengers he "agrees" to be photographed with them and therefore became a reluctant network influencer on Twitter and Instagram.
If that wasn’t enough, he seems to have adapted to the manners needed in public transportation, waiting for others to get off before getting on the wagon himself.
"You are sitting on the train and suddenly you see Boogie. You look at him and he remains calm and relaxed, and you can not help but smile and enjoy the moment," Errol said.
Here are some photos documenting Boogie's marvelous journey every day:
Boogie rides a ferry and enjoys all the attention, Photo: Chris McGrath / Getty Images
Boogie again enjoys the ferry, and knows how to get on and off on his own,
