Tobillo
Tobillo, or Tobi for short, was rescued from the beaches of the Dominican Republic in 2012. Lin-Manuel Miranda and his wife Vanessa Nadal were vacationing in the country when they met the stray puppy at the beach, where the pup proceeded to playfully nip Vanessa’s ankle – Which led to them naming the pup Tobillo, which is Spanish for “ankle.” Tobillo sadly passed away in March 2025 at 13 years old, with Miranda sharing Tobillo’s story through a memorial on Instagram.
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lin-Manuel Miranda is an American composer, lyricist, actor, singer, and producer who has taken the entertainment world by storm. He is best known for creating the hit Broadway musicals “In the Heights” and “Hamilton,” both of which earned him critical acclaim and a slew of awards.
Miranda’s breakout role came in 2008 when he wrote and starred in “In the Heights,” a musical set in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The show was a hit with both audiences and critics and won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
However, it was Miranda’s next project, “Hamilton,” that truly cemented his status as one of the most talented and innovative artists of his generation. The musical, which tells the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton through a mix of hip-hop, R&B, and traditional show tunes, was a cultural phenomenon that swept the nation. It won 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
In addition to his work on stage, Miranda has also made a name for himself in the film industry. He has acted in several movies, including “Mary Poppins Returns” and “Moana,” and contributed music to films like “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Moana.”
Miranda has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including celebrities like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Weird Al Yankovic, and Barack Obama. He also co-wrote the music for “Bring It On: The Musical” with Tom Kitt and Amanda Green.
One of the milestones in Miranda’s career was his involvement in the song “Almost Like Praying,” which he wrote in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. The song features a chorus of Puerto Rican artists and all proceeds went to the Hispanic Federation’s Unidos Disaster Relief Fund. The project raised over $22 million for the cause.
Miranda is also an advocate for animal rights and has worked with several animal non-profit organizations. He and his wife, Vanessa Nadal, are the proud owners of three dogs, two of which are rescue dogs. In 2017, Miranda partnered with the ASPCA to launch the “Find Your Fido” campaign, which aimed to raise awareness about the benefits of adopting shelter dogs.
