Same basic story. Hachi was the name given to the dog in the
American movie remake of the story.
The original, real life dog lived in Japan. He was named Hachito and
passed away back in 1935 or 1935. As in the American movie version,
the real Hachito waited for his master's return for 9 long years at
the train Station.
There was also another similar story written by one of our famed
American short story writers. That might have been O'Henry, but I
really no longer remember the exact details or if he was really the
author. I read this short story in high school. That story might
not have been about Hachito specifically, but it was about a dog who
waited... Very, very touching. I know that O'Henry had his own
dog buried close to him. So he had a strong love of dogs. So maybe
that's why I think he was the author of the story I'm thinking
about. But I'm not positive of the author. I just remember the
short story. It took place here in the US around the turn of the
Century (last).
The newest, Americanized movie of Hachito has recently been on the
Hallmark Channel. It is a real tear jerker. Nevertheless, it also
shows devoted our canine friends can really be. If you get the
chance, watch this move! If I ever get to Japan, one of my "must
sees" is the statue in honor of the real Hachito in Tokyo.
Liz
Wait a minute, I think the dog in the story I was told was named Hachi???
Gloria
