In brief, Hachiko is an Akita breed dog born in late 1923. In 1924, he was adopted and brought to Tokyo by a university professor named Hidesaburo Ueno. From then on, Professor Ueno and Hachiko quickly formed a routine: Every day, Hachiko accompanied Professor Ueno to near Shibuya station and then returned home by himself. The dog would appear at the station at the end of the day, joyfully welcoming Ueno as he saw him emerge from the station. However, in May 1925, Professor Ueno did not appear at the Shibuya station as usual.

On that day, Professor Ueno suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at the university and passed away, never returning to Shibuya station, where a faithful dog continued to wait.

After Professor Ueno’s passing, Hachiko was given away, but he often escaped and repeatedly appeared at his late owner’s former residence. Eventually, Hachiko realized that Professor Ueno was no longer living there and began searching for his owner at Shibuya station, where he had accompanied him many times before. Every day, Hachiko came to wait for Professor Ueno to return, only to never find his friend among the commuters at Shibuya station.

The image of the dog faithfully waiting at the station captured the attention of passersby. Many of them had seen Hachiko accompanying Professor Ueno daily in the past. They cared for Hachiko and provided him with food. For nine years, Hachiko continued to sit there, waiting for his owner to return.

Hachiko passed away on March 8, 1935, and was found on a street in Shibuya. Today, Hachiko’s remains are preserved at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno, Tokyo, Japan.

Hachiko the dog has become an emblem of loyalty for the people of Japan. Even though he is no longer with us, Hachiko’s story continues to be widely spread and remembered to this day.

Not only Hachiko but also Shep, Leão, and many other loyal dogs have their own stories that are shared every day, serving as a testament to loyalty, a true friend of humanity.