Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creative mind behind Hamilton, recently shared his family’s heartbreak over the death of their beloved dog. Tobillo — a cherished member of Miranda’s family for over 13 years — passed away “peacefully in her sleep,” surrounded by Miranda and his wife, Vanessa Nadal.
Lin-Manuel Miranda writes crushing note on Instagram after losing his dog
In a heartfelt Instagram tribute, Miranda recounted the serendipitous encounter with Tobillo on Cabarete Beach in the Dominican Republic. A stray at the time, Tobillo instantly captured their hearts by nipping Vanessa’s ankle, which led to her name, as “tobillo” means “ankle” in Spanish. “She knew exactly the heart to melt to make a better life for herself,” Miranda fondly recalled. At the time, Miranda was in the midst of writing the song “Dear Theodosia.” Tobillo’s entrance into their lives marked their transition from a “couple into a family.”
Throughout the years, Tobillo displayed unique quirks that endeared her even more to the family. Miranda described her signature move on couches or beds — a bucking and spinning routine reminiscent of her survival instincts on the beach, where she would dig past the hot sand to find cool earth. A video shared in the post captured this characteristic behavior.
Tobillo was not just a pet; she was also Miranda’s loyal companion and creative partner. She would often accompany him on walks around the neighborhood to help him find lyrical inspiration. Initially wary of the couple’s children — Sebastian and Francisco — Tobillo quickly warmed up to them when she “realized how much food they would drop and how much they would run with her.” Over the years, she stood by the family’s side through their “ups and downs,” providing unconditional love and support.
Miranda expressed deep gratitude to the Veterinary Emergency Group for their “compassionate care” in Tobillo’s final days, as well as to friends, family, and fans who shared their “fan art and love” for Tobillo. “Thank you for choosing us, Tobi,” Miranda ended his heartfelt note. “Our hearts are broken, but it would be selfish to ask for more than the time you gave us.”
