Hachiko was an Akita who lived with his owner, a professor named Hidesaburo Ueno, and his wife. Professor Ueno loved Hachiko. He was more than a pet, he was family to Professor Ueno, and in turn, Hachiko gave him all of his love an loyalty. Hachiko followed his master to the train station in Japan every day to see him off to work and would return at the same time every day to wait for him to come off the train, and would happily follow him home.
On one day in May, 1925, Professor Ueno did get off the train. He had died at work from a cerebral hemorrhage. Still, Hachiko waited. Over the next year or so, he would change hands from owner to owner, however, no one was able to contain him. He'd always escape to return to the train station to wait for his master. Eventually he became a stray choosing to stay at the station.
Some say Hachiko returning to the station was habit... however, specialists (whose area of expertise is animal behavior) state that many dogs are able to adapt to new situations very easily. Many times owners pass away, are unable to keep their pet or even simply abandon them, and once adopted into a new home, after a time they tend to adjust and even enjoy their new family. And after all, Hachi was with the Ueno family for only 1 of his 11 years. He was a very intelligent and friendly dog. A dog that could easily have adapted to a new situation.
It was very obvious Hachi was driven by love and loyalty... not by routine. His master's love, a love Hachi returned in full, drove Hachi to wait ever on for his master's return.
The people who had seen Hachiko with his master before his master's death, adopted him. The Train station controller made him a place to sleep, those who frequented the station would bring him food and water. This went on for 9 years. All 9 years Hachiko would wait at the gates at the exact time he always did when Professor Ueno's train was pulling into the station.
Hachiko died on March 8th, 1935. The two movies made of his story, "Hachiko Monogatari" from Japan, and more recently "Hachi, A Dog's Tale" Starring Richard Gere, both imagine the spirit of Hachi's beloved master returning for him the day Hachiko passes away.
A statue dedicated to the memory of the Loyal dog was erected on the very spot where Hachiko waited. Every 8th of April, there is a solemn ceremony honoring Hachiko's unwavering loyalty.
So just remember the story of Hachiko, and other loyal dogs like him. Especially if you have a pet. Remember how their love and loyalty is unconditional, and give your pets an extra hug tonight to show them the feeling is mutual.
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