Boarding and Disembarking
People were most amazed by how easily the dog boarded and disembarked the trains. Some people find it stressful to use public transport. However, the dog appeared completely relaxed, moving from one train to the next, finding a seat and settling in. He didn’t appear fazed by the crowds or loud noise of the subway station. He would even stare out the window, observing the scenery as he drove past. Just by looking at him, it was evident that he knew exactly what he was doing.
According to a photographer who observed the dog for a day, he waits at the nearby benches until he hears the vibration of the approaching train. Then, he approaches the edge of the tracks, knowing exactly where the doors will be. Most passengers allow him to enter first.
The Authorities
Naturally, people grew increasingly concerned about the lone dog traveling the subway. Where was he getting food and water from? What if he hurt himself during his travels? He didn’t cause any issues for the other passengers, as he mostly kept to himself… They were simply concerned about his well-being. Without any other obvious options, some locals decided that the best step would be to contact the authorities. They didn’t want the dog to be taken away – they only wanted him to be taken care of.
Little did they know that the authorities, as well as other residents, had already heard plenty of stories of the traveling pup… More so, they had already put a plan into motion.
The Public Transportation Department
The Department of Public Transport had already been made aware of the traveling dog. According to Aylin Erol, the head of customer relations at the Istanbul Metro, the dog caught their eye a few months prior, which meant that they had been keeping tabs on him for a while. Erol and his team could tell that the dog was special, so they never really intervened. Instead, they simply began to track his movements. However, after a few weeks, they wanted to ensure that he was healthy and fit to be in such close quarters with their other passengers.
The staff at the metro would share stories of where they had seen the dog that particular day, trying to understand his path and why he was using the subway in the first place. They came to realize that he didn’t seem to have a destination… He simply loved the travel.
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