Lin-Manuel Miranda and his family are mourning the loss of Tobillo, a dog who became his first “child” with his wife Vanessa Nadal. Tobillo entered their lives in 2012 after they found her as a stray on Cabarete Beach in the Dominican Republic. Tobillo’s name, meaning “ankle” in Spanish, originated from her playful habit of nipping at Vanessa Nadal’s ankle (which was also their first impression of the pup).
The Mirandas adopted Tobillo, and she became a member of their family for over 13 years. Notably, Lin-Manuel Miranda was in the process of writing “Dear Theodosia” when Tobillo entered their lives, and he has expressed that she helped turn them from a couple into a family.
Taking after her theater dad, Tobillo was famed for her unique “dance” on couches and beds. It involved a bucking and spinning motion, which they later interpreted as part of her survival instincts from her time on the beach. After returning to her beach a year later, she would do her “dance” to dig up the hot sand to create a cool spot to rest.
She also served as a writing companion to Miranda, accompanying him on walks where he sought lyrical inspiration. Furthermore, while she was initially wary of Miranda’s children, she soon warmed to them (especially after realizing they were a source of dropped snacks).
Miranda’s tribute highlighted Tobillo’s role as a source of unconditional love and support throughout the family’s “ups and downs.” He also expressed gratitude to the Veterinary Emergency Group for their compassionate care in Tobillo’s final days. The outpouring of support from fans and fellow celebrities has been strong, with over 286k likes and almost 5,000 comments since posting to Instagram.