Hachiko-the most loyal dog who ever lived....
81The world we live in today is a world of fast times and sometimes, even faster friendships. People come and go out of each other's lives in a dizzying whirl, words spoken, faces forgotten. This is what makes it even easier to appreciate those friends who have lasted, those who are near and dear to us. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I believe that sometimes, our animal companions are the most dedicated and loyal out of any human companions - the unconditional love we receive from them knows no bounds. So when I came across a story of an Akita dog whose love for his master was limitless, I had to write about it. This is the story of that dog - the story of Hachiko.
In 1925, Professor Ueno Elizaburo walked every day to the station to take the train to his job at what is now known as Tokyo University. His dog Hachiko accompanied him every day to the station. Of course, he could not go with the Professor to his job but every day at 3:00, when the Professor returned to the station, Hachiko was waiting faithfully at the gates for him, come rain or shine.
On May 21 of that year, Professor Ueno died of a stroke whilst at work. Hachiko was at the station that day, waiting for his master to come home. On this day he waited, and waited. Did he know something was wrong? I often wonder if he knew in his mind that his master would not return. But did this stop Hachiko from going to the station everyday? The answer is a resounding no.
Every day, for nearly 10 years, Hachiko went to Shibuya station at 3:00 and sat in the same spot he always sat in, waiting. He would wait until the station closed. Professor Ueno's former gardner and the stationmaster understood what the dog was doing and fed him and gave him shelter. Soon word spread of this loyal dog. The Japanese culture is focused on family and loyalty. Hachiko was seen as a prime example of what humans should aspire to. People began travelling to see him, to feed him, or just to touch his head for luck. On March 7th, 1934, Hachiko was found dead on the platform where he had waited for the Professor for so long. He had continued his pilgramage, even when old age and arthritis began to make it more and more difficult.
Hachiko's death made the papers in Japan nationwide and a day of mourning was declared. Contributions from mourners all over were sent in and a statue was erected in memory of Hachiko by famed sculptor Andeo Teru - placed in the exact same spot where Hachiko had waited all those years. The statue was taken down and melted for the war effort to make weapons. The amazing thing is, after the war Andeo's son, Takeshi made another statue, which is in the same spot and stands to this day. Hachiko can also be seen stuffed in Japan's National Museum.
I often think, would a human have done this for anyone else? We all have the tendency to be a bit selfish in our lives. It's human nature. It's also human nature to move on, "get over it". Hachiko had to know that something was not right. Yet day after day after day, he waited for his master to come home. Akitas are known to sometimes be indifferent, to do their own thing, to not have the pack mentality. Yet this dog thought of nothing but waiting for his master, and even when he never showed, he continued his journey. How many of us would have given up? How many of us would have become angry - where is he? I'm not waiting for him again! I think that Hachiko really believed that his master would return and he didn't want to not be there for that homecoming. The unswerving loyalty of this dog has moved myself, and countless others, to tears.
I know people who think animals are stuipid, here for our entertainment, simple creatures who don't understand much. How wrong they are. When my husband goes on a business trip, one of our cats mourns until he comes back. Animals are not simple creatures. They are complex with a range of emotions just like ours. Simply because they cannot speak it to us doesn't mean those emotions are not there. I defy anyone to read the story of Hachiko and tell me otherwise. For me, Hachiko is a true hero who should be celebrated by all. Loyalty and love like that are very hard to find indeed.
Rest in peace, little Hachiko. You have taught us all a lesson about what unconditional love really is. If everyone acted in the manner that you have, what a wonderful world this would be.
http://metropolis.co.jp/biginjapanarchive349/303/biginjapaninc.htm
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I love hachiko
This story has really opened my eyes on the way animals are. This story brought tears to my eyes it showed me the true meanin of loyalty
We all love u Hachiko!!!!Hope i get to see u in ur next generation!!!Once again We LOVE UUUU!!!
when i watched the movie i cryed
the next day i reaserched hachiko
I remember my mother telling me of this story when i was a little girl. I can't remember if I cried more then or now. I love u Hachiko :)
I cried throughout the show when Hachiko did not know that his master had died.Hachiko did not gave up waiting for his master at the station. I feel that we should all be kind to animals as they too have feelings and...I LOVE YOU HACHIKO:(
i watched the move and i couldn't stop crying! it was so sad!
oh no! don't watch that movie! it is way too sad! my dog Buddy and I say go for a walk instead:)
much less likely to make u cry
I too cryed and was so sad for days, thinking of that poor dog and what he would have gone through for 9-10 years of not having his master show up..missing him... mourning him. How sad, I still cry when I think about it. But as we know this is not the only case of dog loyalty for examply Greyfriars Bobby who sat on his masters grave for years till he also died on the grave. It goes on and on. I love dogs and cats for that matter all animals they are wonderful and we should treat them all as special and look after them cause they look after us no matter what.
He looks a little bit like my Chow Chow "Oso" aka bear(RIP)12~13 yrs old. A well raised dog will never let his master/friend down. (Sigh) They'll even take a bullet for you.
i really luv this movie coz i can't stop my tears falling
down even im a boy.. but my gf is crying while watching that movie.. coz it too sad.. and
a true story between man best friend..(Hachiko)..
he is my hiro
i love u hachiko,, u are the best inspirate for my life.. cu with your generation...
after i watched the movie i cried so hard the next day i went to Shibuya to honor his statue. R.I.P, Hachkio I love you.
this good story for as he gave us moral lesson
Hachiko is a loyal dog he is very cute i think he will never give up when he can"t find back his owner.CUTE!
but at the end , hachi with his master together, i believe, RIP
I cry when I watch the clip if it is my dog i will keep him till i died hachiko always find back his family member and if he cannot find and in the end the poor cute dog died. :(
love you hachiko the loyal and brave little poor dog that died ......
I REALLY LOVE YOU HACHIKO! YOUR SO LOYAL. I WISH MY DOG IS SAME LIKE YOU. I WILL ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF MY DOG BEACAUSE OF YOU! MUCH LOVE FOR HACHIKO
I LOVE YOU HACIKO YOUR SO LOYAL. I WISH ALL DOGS ARE SAME OF YOU BECUSE YOUR MY HERO.
My family loves you .you really brought tears in our eyes.you are a great hero
your 1 of the best loyal dog... in our world...
i watching this story and i cant stop crying..so sad...
I watched the movie on TV tonight after my wife told me about it. A great lesson on undivided love, devotion and loyalty. If I travel to Tokyo, I must visit Shibuya to pay my respects to Hachiko.
wonderful movie for me i rememver my dead dog but i think my dog is safety now..i learn how to love animals tnx hachiko
my coment is HACHIKO was a very kinly and loyalty
I've heard this touching sad story from my former primary school teacher. When I read this story again, I cried my self to sleep. I believe this story should be an inspiration for us to be better human beings... luv Hachiko-you're the true hero!
it is the most touching story of a dog i've ever watched!
I LOVE THE SHOW HACHICO. I HAD A DOG LIKE YOU BUT YOUR NOT LIKE HIM. YOUR DA BEST DOG I EVER SEEN IN THE TV I WISH I HAVE A DOG LIKE YOU.WHEN I SAW THE MY TEARS CAN'T STOP FALLING.YOUR 1 LOYAL DOG
I LOVE THE SHOW HACHICO. I LOVE THE SHOW HACHICO MY TEARS CAN'T STOP FALING
the most loyal dog
his story was so entertaining and crying scenes
Hachiko was a brave dog so loyal to his master..
I thank Hachiko because he open my heart.. Hachiko wait so many years,, y cant I? Wen i saw this my eyes tears cant stop from falling.. huhuuh
thank you hachiko for the values! i think thats an amazing story but it has so many crying scenes that i really cry out loud :(( i wish ur not dead i wish ur still alive so i can visit japan always anytime i want just for you
i just watched this movie today...then after watching it, i researched about hachiko right away...
Hachiko's story made cry and cry and cry...my tears did not stop until the end.. :(( T_T
The story really inspired many people like me..
I think when a million of people watch this movie at the same time, and at the same spot...that specific spot would be flooded by tears.. :((
Hachiko you will always stay in my heart and mind..you will always be an inspiration, not only to me, but also to everyone who have watched your story.. :))
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH HACHIKO!!!
animals are 100% betr tan humans..especialy d great hachiko.LOVE U HACHIKO.....u brought tears into ma eyes...
when i watched the movie hachiko on you-tube i was focus only on the dog actor...its cute, but when i start understanding the meaning of the story implies on the movie, i felt something within i can't understand, i remember our dog named tiger, he was the same with hachiko, loyal and loving to us... long live all dogs like them!!!
i love u hachiko mhuaaa i mizz u ur the most loyal dog!!
in the end master of hachiko died in many many years ago tan hai xin
we all love you hachiko :) forever
Miss u buddy.
when i watch your movie hachi... i cry.. i ? u hachiko,,,
that was so sad I even cryed i love you hachi
There are no one can do what he did... !
the word of here, it's nothing in exchange for what he did, and the great lesson he left behind in order to learn the human beings the true meaning of LOYALTY and REAL LOVE.
I have tried hard to didn't cry when I was watching this movie for the first time, but I failed.
Failed because it is hard TOO find some one who's loves all of this limit, even if he was one of your family or even your son.
Rest in peace & love you hachiko
Hachi You are great….
I am your greatest fan
U showed the real meaning of LOVE and LOYALTY.
Your story actually made me too sad that I am thinking of u more time.
Rest in peace Hachi with your master in heaven….At last I hope you both met each other in heaven. Hachi your love is greatest than any love in this world…i guarantee it…u r great
i like this story. .
although i didn't like dogs but i love hachiko..
Thanks Richard Gere for making a great movie with all
your star actors.
I agree, I don't think a human being would do what
Hachi had done. He truly loved his master. What
a connection the two of them had. That is how I feel
about my late dog, Lady. I know she is waiting at
Rainbow Bridge for me. I can't wait until I see her
again.
Tears, flood of tears come to one's eyes as they watch
this movie. This dog didn't want anyone else.
He truly was sad and lonely for his master and
love beyond belief.
Thanks again
Carol Pierce
Darlin and Skye
rest in pease
after i read the book "hachiko-the faithful dog" tears came out of my eyes.i also have a dog which is very faithful to me.i am sure that one day or the other its statue will be there in the chennai railway station.love u hachiko.
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katie lanette kiourkas 2 years ago
this story means alot concidering that no one would ever wait that long, nowing that that person was never coming back... when i watched this movie with my BEST FRIEND FOREVER, natalia, i was drowed in my own tears litterally:""""(, i hope this story touched you like it did to me. hachiko will ALWAYS be my true hero no matter how muck it takes!!!!