national

Modern-day Hachiko waits over a week for its owner in snow and rain

19 Comments
By Philip Kendall

A dog in the city of Iida, Nagano Prefecture, has become the focus of Japanese animal lovers’ attention after he was spotted waiting patiently at the side of a mountain road for more than seven days despite the blisteringly cold weather and frequent rain.

The dog has refused to budge from the area for days, and simply stares downhill at the long stretch of road as if waiting for his owner to return, like a modern-day Hachiko.

As depicted in the 2009 movie Hachi, Hachiko was the name of a dog that waited patiently for his master every day outside Tokyo’s Shibuya station for an incredible nine years after his death. The dog would go to meet his master Hidesaburo Ueno coming home from work at the same time each day for years, but after Ueno suffered a stroke and died, his dog continued to return to the station daily until his own death nine years later, much to the sorrow of local residents and station staff who grew to love and pity him.

Visitors to the station today can see a memorial statue of the faithful pooch standing outside the entrance closest to the famous “scramble” street crossing, appropriately named the “Hachiko exit”.

The light-brown dog discovered in chilly Nagano prefecture was first spotted by a local couple on Dec 4 while they were out driving. The couple, both in their 70s, were driving along the high mountain road when they spotted the sad-looking dog standing in an open section of land near the roadside, facing down the sloping path.

The dog is said to be of muscular build and was believed to have been kept as a hunting dog, though now clearly malnourished and having been exposed to the elements for so long he is started looking rather worse for wear.

“He may have strayed too far from his master,” commented the couple who first sighted the pooch, “but if he’s simply been abandoned, wait as he might his master almost definitely isn’t coming back. I feel so sorry for him; he must be hungry.”

More than seven days later, apart from having turned to brace against the bitterly cold wind, the dog has remained in the same spot and is seemingly still awaiting his owner’s return.

Quite why no one has picked the pooch up and taken him somewhere safe and warm, we have no idea. We’ll be sure to bring you more information about this sad but infinitely dutiful dog as soon as it emerges.

Source: Chunichi News

Read more stories on RocketNews24. -- Super Patient Pooch Lets Owners Stack Towels on His Head -- Ikebukuro Station Sausage Stand Puts on the Dog for Growing Fanbase -- The Perfect Pet: Video of Ultra-Obedient, Sweet-Smelling Tortoise Goes Viral

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19 Comments
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Would someone please give that poor dog some food and water.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

We will be sure to bring you more information about this sad but infinitely dutiful dog. ??????

Call the Japanese version of the "Animal humane society" for Christ sake!! Or print the location, so someone can rescuce the dog!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Animal shelter should take care of him. If the owner wants him back, then pick him up at the shelter. Or they can trace the owner if the dog has an identification chip.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Just shows how far a dog will go for its owner. Its bitter sweet this time though. Let him wait as long as he likes, but at least give him some food and water in the mean time.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

... spotted by a local couple on Dec 4 while they were out driving.

Also, please keep your eyes on the road. We don't want to read about an accident of another elderly driver.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Food and water, good. Someone drop a dog house over him, please, with the entrance facing up the road, and slip a blanket underneath. Thanks, and a happy New Year.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Don't want to say it, but I wonder if the dog was abandoned by its owner. Wish I were near Nagano.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Jeez, that dog is such a copycat

3 ( +5 / -2 )

It's very touching. Dogs are well know very loyal and faithful to their master. I am sure the Knight from Winchester may understand that dogs are not like humans who copy.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Wow...touching story.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

As depicted in the 2009 movie Hachi,

Um, what? The original was made in 1987. Though I guess Japanese movies don't count...

Sweet dog. I miss having a pup around to look after and spend time with.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Some cruel folks here...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This strikes me as another story like the two dogs after the Tsunami, filmed by a TV crew and just left there.

I KNOW Japanese are animal lovers, but for people not to leave the poor dog some food or water is just wrong. I have a friend in Nagoya, but I don't know if she would want a strange dog in her house while she already has a neurotic Yorkie...

Are there any JT members in or near Ida who could take the dog some food and water at least?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"I feel so sorry for him; he must be hungry.”

So give him some food for the love of Pete!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Teary-eyed. Just remembered our mongrel, Luigi Boy, who months before he died of old age kept on looking out on the street as if waiting for us to return. Haven't been home for 3 yrs now as I'm still financially crippled eversince I was laid off last 2009. I wish the dog find a home soon.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Just remembered our mongrel, Luigi Boy, who months before he died of old age kept on looking out on the street as if waiting for us to return. Haven't been home for 3 yrs now as I'm still financially crippled eversince I was laid off last 2009

Not quite sure what you're getting at there trinklets2.... Either way, no matter, you had a dog that loved you. My cat still waits at the door, 5 months on, for other kitty (who was killed) to come home. I find the pure grief of an animal far more heart-rending than human grief/longing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Kitty chosen, how about bringing home another similar-sized and playful kitty and making a big song and dance about its entrance?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Good that a shelter finally took him in. He shouldn't be outside exposed to the elements, or hit by a car, trying to take care by himself.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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