Old Dhaka Mourns Beloved Stray Dog Tomi After Decade-Long Life

Residents of the Lalbagh area in Old Dhaka are mourning the loss of a well-known local canine resident named Tomi, a stray dog who spent over a decade living in the neighborhood. Over the course of his long life, Tomi became a familiar and cherished presence among the people living near the BGB Gate No. 2 area along Lalbagh Road, integrating himself deeply into the daily fabric of the community.

Throughout his many years in the alleyways of Old Dhaka, Tomi was not merely ignored as a typical street animal. Instead, he was actively looked after, fed, and protected by the local residents who came to regard him as a neighborhood fixture. Among his primary caretakers was a local man named Nazimuddin, who formed a particularly close bond with the stray dog and shared a daily routine of care and affection with the animal.

Reflecting the deep sorrow felt by those who looked out for the canine companion, Nazimuddin expressed his grief by recalling his interactions with the animal, saying, "মামা খাও, ভুল হয়ে গেছে মামা." This emotional connection highlighted the unusual and tender relationship that often exists between community residents and the stray animals they adopt into their neighborhoods.

Tragically, Tomi's long life came to an end recently when he succumbed to a tumor. Despite the medical challenges posed by his condition, the dog remained a central part of the local environment until his passing on the seventh of September, 2026, marking the end of an era for the people who had watched over him for more than ten years.

In the wake of his death, the community chose to honor the memory of the stray dog in a manner typically reserved for human residents. Locals took the unusual and touching step of putting up obituary banners and condolence posters featuring Tomi's picture directly within the alley where he spent his life, ensuring that his presence in Old Dhaka would be remembered by all who pass through the neighborhood.