Amazing Stories of Loyalty!

Dogs have always been praised for their unconditional love and loyalty to their families and owners. Even in our own lives we feel the total admiration from our four legged friends. They greet us when we come home, comfort us when we are sad, and snuggle close on a cold day. They are our best friends! Here are two amazing and true about the lengths of loyalty that bind a dog to his master.

Bobby, the Wonder Dog:

Bobby was a Scotch collie and English shepherd mix that managed to find his way home after getting lost on a family trip. Bobby traveled at least 2,800 miles from Indiana to Oregon in just six months in 1923. The Braziers identified the dog upon his return by three unique scars that he obtained before he was lost. His monumental feat of faithfulness did not go unnoticed. He was featured around the world in a series of newspaper articles and in Ripley’s Believe it or Not. Having won the heart of a number of people, Bobby received hundreds of letters, ribbons, collars, and even keys to various cities. He was also given a silver medal, engraved with the record of his long-distance journey by the Oregon Humane Society. After accidental abandonment on a cross country trip, Bobby made his way back over 2800 miles to his family’s home.

Hachika:

Hackiko was an Akita who was brought to Tokyo by his owner who was a professor at the University of Tokyo. Every day, Hachiko would wait at the nearby Shibuya train station for his master to return. The man died in May 1925, but that did not stop Hachiko. He returned to the train station continuously for nine years, patiently waiting for his master to return.
About a year after his master’s death, one of his former students spotted Hachiko during his daily vigil and after following Hachiko home, learned about this remarkable dog. The student wrote and published several articles about Hachiko amazing loyalty to his owner. Eventually, national newspapers picked up the story and Hachiko soon became famous. He also earned the nickname “Chu-ken Hachiko” meant “faithful dog Hachiko.” In 1934, an artist erected a statue of Hachiko at Shibuya Station, and Hachiko was present for its unveiling. The statue was recycled during World War II, but later resurrected by the original artist’s son in 1948. Another statue of Hachiko stands in his hometown in front of the Odate Station and a third has been erected in front of the Akita Museum in Odate.

Article Courtesy of Kara Poole