Hachiko.

The real-life story of Hachiko (whose name was actually "Hachi") is one of incredible tear-jerky potential...be warned! Hachi was an Akita whom you may or may not be familiar with: The story begins in the fall of 1923 when a gorgeous litter of 8 purebred Akitas was whelped in Odate City in Akita Prefecture (Odate city is rightfully proud of not only Hachiko...but of being the founding location of the Japanese Akita breed). Hachi's sire was: Oshinai; and his dam was: Goma (which means "Sesame"); His price: 30 Yen. He presents as a cream-coloured Akita in photos...(he was often called "tan")...he could have been a dilute red sable...but... (this is the breeder in me!...gulp...) It is important to note that purebred Akitas were a rarity, with only 11 known in all of Japan at that time...

Hachi was acquired at 8 weeks of age by Dr. Hidesaburo Ueno, a professor of agriculture at Tokyo Imperial University. He named the puppy "Hachi" (for the number 8, which was purportedly the litter order in which Hachi was whelped...tis also a lucky number in Japan). Every day, the doctor would take the train to work & he would, upon his return, be greeted by Hachi at Shibuya Station. What loyalty!

Tragically, Dr. Hidesaburo suffered a cerebral hemorrhage while giving a lecture & passed away without ever returning to to the train station where loyal Hachi waited...and waited. He was even given away, yet returned to the station to await his person's return. Hachi endured callous cruelty, beatings & mistreatment by passers-by. Yet, incredibly, he continued to arrive at the train station every day at precisely the time when his person's train was due, never to greet his best friend again.

It was natural that his story would eventually reach the ears of a proper dog-person...& it did! In 1932, when Hirokichi Saito, chairman for The Association for the  Preservation of the Japanese Dog heard about Hachi, he published an article on the mistreatment of the poor dog & Hachi became, very quickly, a carefully tended & respected, canine icon (at which time the "ko" was added to the end of his name to show respect, love, admiration & devotion).  Commuters, officials & shopkeepers alike, made note of this exceptional dog & his tremendously poignant devotion. Eventually, Hachiko became well-known throughout Japan (& the world)...thankfully, this profoundly wonderful guy received lots of cookies.

In 1934, a sculpture of Hachiko was created by acclaimed artist Teru Ando (who was an acquaintance of Saito). Hachiko himself was present at the unveiling! The statue, unfortunately, was melted down during WWII (on the last, darned day of it). But, in 1967, the artist's son created a 2nd statue, which still stands today.

The extraordinary spectacle of Hachiko's watch occurred for the next 9 years, 9 months & 15 days. At which time, he passed away of cancer. There truly is nothing like the loyalty of a dog. Don't you agree?