fordsooperdooty
Orange Kounty Kalifornia
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In a Tokyo Train Station, there is a Lifesize bronze statue of an Akita, sitting and waiting. A tribute and a touching story of what defines the love between a Dog and his owner.
Loyalty, faithfulness and unconditional love are qualities that have earned dogs the title of "man's best friend". One particular Akita dog took these qualities to such an extreme, he has earned a place in the hearts of all people, and has kept that place for 75 years!
Nestled amid hoards of harried commuters, a variety of shops and department stores, and a giant television screen that covers half a skyscraper, a life sized bronze statue of a dog can be found at Tokyo's busy Shibuya Train Station. Despite the diminutive size of the statue in comparison to the massive neon flash of the city, it isn't difficult to find. Millions of Tokyoites have been meeting at the landmark since 1934 and continue to do so today.
The faithful dog Hachiko belonged to Dr. Eisaburo Uyeno, and were inseparable friends right from the start. Each day "Hachi" would accompany Eisaburo, a professor at the Imperial University, to the train station when he left for work. Upon returning, the professor would find the dog patiently waiting, tail wagging. The pair would happily walk home together. This routine continued until one fateful day in 1925, when the professor had a heart attack and died before he could return home.
Despite the fact that Hachiko was less than two years old at the time, the bond between dog and owner was strong. Hachiko continued to wait at Shibuya station for his friend who was to never come back. At times, he wouldn't return home for days at a stretch.
The Akita became a familiar sight to commuters as he kept his vigil for over ten years, every day. On March 8, 1935, Hachiko finally went to meet his master in Heaven. He died on the very same spot he last saw his friend alive.
The people who passed the loyal dog each day and fed the dog were so touched by his story that they erected a statue in his honor.
Being a dog lover, the Hachiko statue has become an important pilgrimage for me each time I find myself in Tokyo. During my last visit with "Hachi," I encountered an old man who had also come to pay his respects. He told me in broken English "I knew him. I used to bring him treats. The station was much smaller then." With that he approached the statue, gave it a friendly pat, wiped a tear from his eye and slowly walked away.
Though Hachiko stood only two feet tall and weighed 92 pounds, the message he left on the importance of good friends is enormous. Hachiko's life has been portrayed in a book and motion picture (The Hachiko Story). Travelers going through Shibuya station can buy gifts and souvenirs of their favorite canine, and a beautifull mosaic of Akitas at play covers the nearby wall of the station.
Hachiko may be gone but he will never be forgotten. The story behind the statue is one that has endured and continually warms the hearts of locals and tourists alike. And is why we cherish out pets.
(Read "The True Story of a Loyal Dog"-Pamela Turner)
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Spike88
New Glasgow,Nova Scotia Canada
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beautiful story thank you for sharing it with us
Margie UPS~44
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Wonderful! Thanks!
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TURK2500
USA
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I agree, nice story. The same bond can be found in the story about "Edinburgh's Greyfriars Bobby". Here's a link: "Bobby"
Turk2500
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Hoops
Indiana
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Very nice, thanks for sharing Slate.
The Hoops. ED and Becky
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