I am here and you are not alone...

The Winter of 1924...
A tiny dog, an orphan stood there, with it's white and hazelnut fur glistening in the powdery snow. It was a Japanese Akita - brand new, and lost in a strange snow-covered town. It looked up, it's eyes now gleaming with a plea - 'Just take me home...Please master!' And that was it. Prof. Ueno knew he simply 'had' to take the pup in. Little Hatchiko became the new soul mate of Prof. Ueno. The sleepy town of Shibuya came alive each morning when Hatchi followed his master to the railway station. He raised his paws to play with the Prof., sometimes snatching a parcel of food from his hands. He playfully bid him goodbye and returned sharp at 5 every evening - that's when master's train came back. And then they both walked back home in bliss, savouring each other's company.

1925
Hatchiko was no longer tiny, he was big and strong. But he loved his master with the same intensity, and a child's loyalty, as he had a year ago. So he waited, yet that day was different. Hatchi was sitting at the station as usual, waiting for the 5 o' clock train as usual. 5 o' clock, 6 o' clock and 7. Nighttime was here, where was his master? It turned out, Prof. Ueno died at the University and never made it to the train for Shibuya. He was gone, but Hatchi was here. And who would explain this to him...?

1935
Hatchi was11 now, quite old for a dog. It was cold, the same wintery pallor covered the town as the year he met his master. He was waiting, for over 9 years now. People took note from different parts of Japan, to come to him and give him food while he waited for his dead master to return. Shibuya Station was his home now. Master was in his memories. And he knew master would come back.... And when he did, Hatchi and master would walk back home together...

A few weeks later...
No amount of coaxing could make Hatchi touch his food. His end was near. His greying fur was a sign of his age. He was still waiting, but master did not come. Slowly his lids drooped and he shut his eyes. Forever. He reunited with his master in heaven...he thought back of 1924, as his soul drifted from his body. He left Shibuya forever...

Today
Shibuya is not the same anymore, not its people and not even its railway station. But Hatchi? Oh everyone knows about him... You see, there's a bronze statue built in his memory. It's an homage to the loyalty of the dog. And for he was no ordinary dog, he sometimes watches people cry beside his statue. And he laughs. He's with his master now, he feels no pain... Only bliss...

I strongly recommend that you watch Hatchiko A dog's story today...then tell me if you could ever compare human friendship to a dog's loyalty and companionship...I bet you won't be able to...