Faithful Dog, Hachiko

It had been 9 years, yet Hachiko still waiting for his master to go back home with him. His master was a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo. How he met Hachiko, I do not know... let films or books tell us about it because I can't even remember either how I met Zorro, my cat at the first place.

Their relationship lasted for almost 2 years or less, it was in 1924 that the master first met with this extraordinary dog. During the fellowship, Hachiko and Professor Hidesaburo Ueno became best friend; most of the time, Hachiko greeted Ueno at the end of the day nearby Shibuya Station. Unfortunately for Hachiko, on May 1925, Professor Ueno did not return... their daily routine well, no more. The professor died due to suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage (to be honest, I don't know what kind of disease is this, all I know is that, it's a deadly one) and never again his fellow friend met him again.

Poor Hachiko because no matter how smart a dog can be, they just don't understand what does 'never return' really mean. They know about death, but 'disappear' is out of their dictionary. [Not that I’m suggest that dogs have dictionary, I hope you know what's my point okay] Hachiko also don't know what does faithful mean, all he knew is that he just want to meet his friend- Proffesor Ueno. It's like a baby, when they cry, they just cry without knowing that they are crying. Not until their brain develops into maturity then they will understand that their 'action' is equal to crying. [What I'm talking about?]

Since dog like Hachiko don't understand why they do what they do, he waited for his master faithfully for the next 9 years at Shibuya station, hoping for his master returns. [Oh how I wish someone would do the same for me at the Kuching International Airport constantly for 5 years waiting for my return.]

After his master's death, Hachiko was given away to someone else but he seems to be so faithful. He would routinely escape, returning again and again to his old home. Realized that Professor Ueno no longer lived at the house, due to his animal instinct I guess, he would looking for his master at the train station. Hachiko waited, waited and waited.
His acts of faithfulness attracted the attention of the regular commuters. 'Many of the people who frequented the Shibuya train station had seen Hachiko and Professor Ueno together each day. They brought Hachiko treats and food to nourish him during his wait.' (Quote from Wikipedia)

On 8th march 1935, Hachiko found death on the street near Shibuya. His heart was infected and few yakitori (Japanese for marinated chicken kebabs) sticks were found in his stomach.

Hachiko was born on 10th November 1923 but until now his story was made more alive than his 11 years of living. He is called, 'faithful dog Hachiko' and hundred of dog lovers often turn out to Hachiko as an icon of loyalty.

What can we learn from this story? In Japan, his faithfulness to his master's memory is applied to fire up the spirit of family loyalty all should strive to achieve. Teachers and parents used Hachiko's story as an example for their children to follow. We may not be impacted much by the life of Hichiko because it happens in Japan and only recently made known today. [At least for me] But where else we can find a model of faithfulness. It can be found in the Bible... It can be found in the Book of Daniel. Daniel remain faithful to God.