An original story of a faithful Dog.
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THE STORY OF HACHIKO
(A true story)
Hachiko was a dog known for his infinite fidelity and love to his owner, Eizaburo Ueno, a university professor. Every afternoon, Hachiko waited at the Shibuya train station until his owner returned from work - even after his tragic sudden death.
This display of affection and loyalty has made Hachiko's story become world famous. It has even made it onto the big screen!
This is the perfect example of the love that a dog can feel for their owner and we know this tale will move the hardest of hearts.
Hachiko was an Akita Inu who was born in 1923 in Akita prefecture, Japan. A year later he became a gift for the daughter of a professor of agronomic engineering at Tokyo University. When the professor, Eisaburo Ueno, saw him for the first time, he realized that his legs were slightly crooked. They resembled the kanji that represents the number 8 (八, which in Japanese is pronounced hachi), so he decided to name him Hachiko .
When Ueno's daughter grew up, she married and went to live with her husband, leaving the dog behind. The teacher had grown very fond of him, so he decided to keep Hachi instead of giving him away.
Ueno went to work by train every day and Hachiko became his faithful companion. Every morning he accompanied him to the Shibuya train station and in the afternoon he went back to meet him when he returned. True loyalty!
One day, while teaching at the university, Ueno suffered a sudden cardiac arrest that ended his life. However, Hachiko continued to wait for him in Shibuya.
Day after day Hachiko went to the station and waited for hours for his owner, looking for his face among the thousands of strangers passing by. These days turned into months and months and eventually into years. Hachiko waited tirelessly for his owner for nine long years. Through rain, snow or sunshine.
The inhabitants of Shibuya knew Hachiko and during this time they were in charge of feeding and taking care of him while he waited in the door of the station. This loyalty for his owner earned him the nickname "the faithful dog."
People have shown much affection and admiration for Hachiko and his loyalty. So much so, a statue of him was revealed in 1934 in front of the same train station where he waited for his owner every day.
On March 9, 1935, Hachiko was dead at the foot of the statue. He died because of old age, in the same place where he had waited for his owner's return for nine years. The remains of the faithful dog were buried next to those of his owner in the cemetery of Aoyama in Tokyo.
During World War II all bronze statues were cast to manufacture armaments, including that of Hachiko. Nevertheless, a few years later, a society was created to produce a new statue and to put it in the same place. Finally, Takeshi Ando, the son of the original sculptor, was hired to rework the statue.
Today the statue of Hachiko continues to stand in the same place, in front of the station of Shibuya. Every April 8 commemorates his fidelity.
After all these years the story of Hachiko, the faithful dog is still alive because his love, loyalty and unconditional affection shook the heart of a population. And still continues to do so today. His legacy lives on.