As a dog-lover, I am a little disappointed in myself that I didn't know this incredible story until a few days ago. I hope a few of you haven't heard it either... because it is a real winner.
In Japan during the early 1920's a university professor named Eizaburo Ueno adopted a purebreed Akita dog that one of his students pointed out to him. Eizaburo treated his new dog like a child, and they did almost everything together. As Hachiko got a bit older, the dog would even follow him every day to the train station in Tokyo while the professor went to work.
Every single day, when the professor returned, Hachiko would be waiting at the station for his "father" to return and they would go home together.
in 1925, the 3pm train returned one day and Eizaburo did not exit the train. Sadly, Eizaburo was not just running late, but had unfortunately suffered a stroke at work and died. He never returned to the train station where his loyal dog was waiting for him.
While Hachiko was looked after by a local gardener, the dog would go to the train station on his own every morning and evening at precisely the time that the train would depart and arrive - it is not known (and how could it be) how it is that the dog knew what time of day it was. There Hachiko would wait for hours for his beloved owner to return.
Hachiko continued this process for the next 8 years... never missing a single day. Aparently undeterred by the fact that his longing for his friend and "father" was never satisfied (and obviously couldn't be.) He performed this routine until the day he died.
This is a true story
At the train station in question (Shibuya station: Toyko) there is a permanent statue in honor of Hachiko and it is quite the famous tourist attraction for dog lovers and just people who appreciate a good story.
It makes me a bit "misty-eyed" whenever I think about this story: Dogs are truly wonderful creatures. I think if the same situation happened to me my spoiled brat doge would probably just follow whoever had the best treats.
There was an episode of Futurama that had a similar and heartbreaking theme that ended up getting the show an Emmy nomination. It is called "Jurassic Bark" and even if you don't care for Futurama (I don't) you really should see that one.
There has also been a Japanese movie and an American remake featuring Richard Gere, which I am going to watch right now. It won the hearts of people around the world and was featured in newspapers in Japan and many other countries.
location of Hachiko memorial in Japan
