I'd like to share a brief synopsis of a true story about a man and a dog, based on a Hallmark movie I saw on Sunday night. It was called, Hachi, A Dog's Story. The movie starred Richard Gere portraying Parker Wilson, a music professor at a school in Rhode Island , and it is based on a true story that was made into a film in Japan, in the 80's and later shown around the world.
Hachiko, or Hachi, as he was usually called , was a puppy when he was shipped to Rhode Island, from Japan, in a crate, which dropped and broke open. As the story evolves, Parker happens upon the little lost dog where it was wandering the street in search of a friendly face and the two immediately become attached to one another. It was the beginning of a love story between man and dog.
At first, Parker's wife did not feel that a puppy would fit into their busy lifestyle, but with time and as she watched her husband playing with the little fella daily, she realized that their home would be Hachi's home. Every day, when Parker went off to the train station, which took him to work, Hachi would follow and return home to wait, until evening when he heard the train whistle signal his master's arrival home again. Immediately he was off, like a streak of lightening, to sit on the low brick wall that circled around the town fountain, until he saw, Parker come through the gates. Hugs and doggie kisses poured out his affection to his owner and were returned with a joyous greeting. This went on for many years.
One day, Parker did not come home because he had suffered a massive coronary and passed away. Hachi did not understand what had happened and for over nine years, he would faithfully go to sit at his usual place near the train station. In the evenings he would sleep under a broken train carriage so as to be nearer to the station. The kind people in town knew Hachi and his story and always saw that he recieved food and water. Many tried to take care of him but he was faithful to only the one he loved and lost.
As the seasons came and went, Hachi became weary with age and finally one last evening he went to wait for Parker, where he put his tired head upon his paws and went to sleep for the last time. In spirit , he was once again joined with his beloved Parker to share forever after.
The story was so touching because of such love and devotion that was displayed by that faithful dog that I could not help but cry for him. Stories that touch the heart with such love and faithfulness make us realize that we can learn to be more devoted and loving to one another. Pets can teach us how to live together as brothers and sisters in a world that is sometimes cruel. However, kindness and love will always light our path so that we can be sensitive to the needs of others, if we open our hearts and minds to appreciating the many blessings around us each day.
The people of that little town in Rhode Island, erected a life sized statue of Hachi which sits on the very spot where he always waited, faithful to the very end. It is a fitting reminder of the faithfulness and love between a dog and his beloved master.
