Have you ever came across any inspiring true story turned movie? If its a 'No.' then its time for me to introduce one of the most inspiring true story on earth - 'Hachiko: A Dog's Tale'. No worries mate, its an English movie.
But first, have you guys ever heard of Hachiko - the most loyal dog in history? No? Neither had I until a few years ago maybe 5 years ago if I am not mistaken. But if you ever travel to Japan then odds will you will heard about him. Hachiko is a national hero to the Japanese. He has his own statue next to Shibuya Train Station in Tokyo, where every day hundred of people taken photograph with him. A dog so famous there have been several movies made about him even Hollywood had made a movie about Hachiko.
I think you should at least know what the story is all about before I start.Years earlier, a puppy is sent from Japan to the United States, but escapes when his cage falls at an American train station. Professor Parker Wilson finds the dog. Parker takes it home with the intention of returning the animal to its owner. His wife, Cate Parker does not want them to keep the puppy. Later that night, Parker learn that the dog is an Akita. Parker takes him to work where Ken, a Japanese professor transliterate the symbol on the collar where Hachi is known as number 8 in Japanese signifying good fortune. Parker decide to call the dog as Hachiko. Parker mystified by Hachi's refusal to dog lik activities like chase and fetch.
Until one morning where Parker leave for work and Hachi follow him to the train station, he refuse to leave until Parker walk him home. Later in afternoon, Hachi walks to the train station, waiting patiently for Parker to come home. Parker relents and walks Hachi to the station every morning. After Parker depart Hachi walks home, returning in the afternoon to see his master's train arrive and go home together. They continue to do this everyday.
One day Praker get ready to leave and Hachi barks at him and refuse to join him. When Parker does leave, Hachi chase him by holding his ball. Parker is suprised but pleased that Hachi finally willing to play fetch with him. Later that day Parker is teaching, still holding Hachi's ball , when he sunddenly suffer a heart attack and dies.
Hachi waits for his owner everyday, while sleeping in the rail yard at the night. Hachi loyalty is profiled in the local newspaper and after seing the article Ken visit Hachi and offer money to Jasjeet , a hot dog vendor who used to give Professor Parker his coffee for any expenses for the dog but Jasjeet declines it by saying everyone in the station will taking care of Hachi.
Cate comes back to visit Parker's grave on the tenth anniversary of his death where she meets Ken. Walking past the train station, she is stunned to see Hachi maintaining his vigil.Overcome with grief, Cate sits and waits for the next train with Hachi. Hachi continue to walks to the same spot in front of the rain station to the final day where he recollect his life with his master. He then imagines Parker coming out from the station and the two greeting each others. But it was Hachi dying and reunite with his beloved master in heaven. Hachi is laste seen lying on the snow alone and still.
This movie is a beautiful testimony to loyalty and love. Lets start with loyalty. Every day, for nearly ten years, Hachi went to the train station and sat on the same spot as he always did waiting patiently for his beloved master, Professor Parker. He will wait until the station closed. I often think, would a human have done this for anyone else? We all have the tendency to be a bit selfish in our life. Come on it human nature. It is also human nature to move on. But Hachiko know that something was not right. Yet day after day, he waited for his master to come home. Akitas are known to sometimes be indifferent, to do their own thing, to not have the pack mentality. Yet, this dog thought of nothing but waiting for his master even he never showed up, Hachi still continued waiting. How many of us would have give up? How many of us would have become angry - WHERE IS HE? I think that Hachiko believe that his master will return one day it the reason why he continue waiting for hhis master. The loyalty showed by Hachiko has moved me as well as the others to tears.
Lastly, love. When Professor Parker's wife,Cate received a phone call from someone wishing to adopt Hachiko but having seen how close her husband is with Hachiko, lastly she declines. This have shown that between Professor Parker and Hachiko is inseparable. This has taught me what unconditionally love really is and the strong bond that can be build between humans and animals. Besides that, it also taught me that how wrong are human to think that animals are stupid, a simple creature that does not understand what are human talking about and here for their entertainment. As you can see how strong is the bond between Professor Parker and Hachiko till Hachiko willing to wait for Professor Parker for 10 years. Could you just imagine that?
Hachi: A Dog's Tale really inspired me and changed my life. May Hachiko's story keep inspired people around the world and also remind us to show humanity to all living creatures. I really hoped that everyone of us acted in the manner that Hachiko have.
May your soul rest in peace, Hachiko.
