Hachiko: A Dog's Tale

Hachiko: A Dog's Tale is a story about unflinching loyalty and devotion. Perhaps one could also think of it as a love story of sorts.

The real Hachiko was born in 1923 and was owned by a university professor, Eizaburo Ueno, to whom he was completely devoted. Every morning for two years, Hachiko would walk to Shibuya station with the professor and then return in the evening to pick him up.

Professor Ueno died suddenly while at work and every day, for the rest of his life, Hachiko searched the Shibuya train station, waiting patiently for his friend. Despite several attempts on the part of others to adopt him, Hachiko would soon flee and return to Shibuya to wait.

Hachiko became renowned nationwide for his loyalty, praised in Japanese school textbooks and hailed in at least two major films. A life-size statue was erected in 1934 (see photo), when Hachiko was still alive and hanging around the station. Japan went into mourning when Hachiko died in 1935, under the care of five leading doctors. His body was then stuffed and put in the National Museum.

From what I was able to garner off the Internet after watching the movie, Akitas are well-known for this kind of loyalty and devotion.