Hachi: A Dog's Story

This beautiful tale of loyalty and friendship will surely make dog lovers cry. It is a remake of the Japanese film Hachiko Monogatari about an Akita named Hachiko who found love and friendship with a music professor named Parker Wilson. Parker tried to find the owners of the puppy who he found wandering in the train station and he even offered it to other people. But no one claimed Hachi. Even then he was becoming more attached to the dog. His wife was reluctant at first but she soon accepted the loving Hachi into the family as well.

For the next two years, Hachi grew more attached to Parker. He would often accompany the professor to the train station every morning and then wait for him to come home. It became their habit to meet outside the station. Hachi would wait for his master on the same spot. Some people near the train station noticed this too.

Then one day, his master never came back. Hachi did not know that Parker has passed away. Parker's daughter decided to take him in but he would still go back to the station and wait for his master. The people who knew Hachi took pity on the dog. They decided to watch over him as he continues to wait for Parker. Hachi waited for nine years.

I cannot begin to fathom what it must have been like for him all those years. Waiting and not knowing when that familiar voice would be heard again is an experience even humans would find unbearable. What was it like for someone who can't talk and ask the people around him 'where is my master and friend'? Did he even begin to understand after so many years that he would never see Parker again?

Hachi's loyalty and the sadness he experienced through all those years brought tears to my eyes. It's common knowledge that dogs are loyal companions, but what Hachi did is just unimaginable. I've never cried as much since I watched Marley and Me.

For the story alone, I'd give this movie a 10 out of 10 rating. This is one of those movies that remind us why dogs are called 'man's best friend'.