Within minutes, the Oklahoma tornados left many without homes or possessions. Families would soon be sifting through their homes- now a pile of wood and rubble.  At times of utter loss, what you hold dear becomes quite clear. 

During a television interview, a woman spoke of the terrifying moments during the storm.  She had only two wishes: that she and her dog would be fine.  One of her wishes had come true.  At that moment, the camera changed focus to a black fuzzy head popping out from under the wreckage.  It was her dog! 

Not all endings were happy.  In honor of the animals that didn't make it home, here's some thoughts I'd like to share with you- from a dog's point of view.
 
1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years; any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you adopt me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want from me; don't be impatient, short-tempered, or irritable.

3. Place your trust in me and I will always trust you back. Respect is earned not given as an inalienable right.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment; I am not capable of understanding why. I only know I have been rejected. You have your work, entertainment, and friends, but I only have you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice and your tone. You only have to look at my tail.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it, and if it's cruel, it may affect me forever.

7. Please don't hit me. I can't hit back, but I can bite and scratch, and I really don't ever want to do that

8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right foods or I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak. It may be I am just dog-tired.

9. Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old and may also need love, care, comfort, and attention.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, regardless of what you do, I will always love you.

As published in: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
By Stan Rawlinson,1993

Who says animals don't express emotion?  This video of Bella the dog and Beavis the beaver has been viewed on YouTube over 245,000 times.  

Before Beavis passed away, he and Bella were inseparable. They ate together, played together, and even shared living quarters.  Beavis passed away in 2012, but the pair's story resurfaced after a video that the owner shot of the two appeared on Reddit.

In the heartbreaking video, as Bella realizes that her friend is not coming to life, she whimpers, nuzzles, and licks her friend as if trying to say goodbye.

My dog Hachi had a "crush" on my parents elderly cat named "Misty".  For years, Hachi would tentatively try to approach Misty- only to be rebuffed by a loud hiss and a fierce stare.  When Misty died, she was buried in the backyard with a simple ceremony.  After the burial, Hachi began whimpering and digging frantically at the soil.  For days, he wouldn't leave the site.  

Unlike Bella and her beaver friend, Hachi never got the chance to show his devotion to Misty... until the very end.

Today is Hachiko Memorial Day in Japan, so...

In honor of my favorite dog, I'm thrilled to introduce a brand new, in-depth book by historian Mayumi Itoh on the true life story of Japan's most famous dog.  Ms. Itoh details little known facts about Hachiko's life - full of twists and turns and is certainly “stranger than fiction.”  It's a totally fascinating read that will have you riveted!   
 
Mayumi Itoh is a former Professor of Political Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  She has also taught at Princeton University and Queens College, City University of New York.  She is the author of several books and has written extensively on Japanese foreign policy and domestic politics in academic journals. 

Itoh in her 2010 book, "Japanese Wartime Zoo Policy:  The Silent Victims of World War II", writes: "Let us not forget Mahatma Gandhi’s axiom, 'The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.'  

It is to be hoped that mankind has learned its lesson from the march of folly during World War II and other wars in recent years, in which countless animals have perished.  It is also to be hoped that animal protection groups and wildlife conservationists in the world will gather their resources to further raise public and governmental awareness of a responsibility toward animals in times of war and disaster on the part of humans.  

It is further to be hoped that international organizations—such as the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) —will mobilize their forces to lobby governments to ratify an international treaty concerning the protection and care of captive animals in times of war and disaster, in the near future.  This application to animals of 1949 Geneva Convention concerning the treatment of non-combatants would mark the moral progress of mankind, as suggested by Mahatma Gandhi, if belatedly." 

Itoh digs deep about Hachiko, professor Ueno, and shares a historical perspective on the impact between the famous dog of Japan and Japanese society of that era.  I learned more about Hachi in one day than in years.  It's compelling and a must read for any true Hachi lover!

Wishing You a Very Happy Hachiko Memorial Day!!

(The Flower Festival, Buddha's birthday, is also celebrated on this same day)  
  

Scene from Ceremony on April 8th, 2009  
Crowd gathers to pay respect at Shibuya Station

Every year on April 8th, Hachiko is celebrated with a traditional ceremony at Shibuya train station.  In Japan, Hachiko is revered for his legacy of devotion that has touched hearts around the world.  

I've always believed that this loyal dog is truly a universal ambassador of good will.  Viewers from around the world share the profound emotions that his story generates.  Every time I visit Shibuya Station, I'm always touched by the lively crowd that gathers to snap photos with Hachiko.  There's a purity about him.  Everybody seems so joyful and animated, and it's such a magical moment!

Responding to the pleas from desperate animal owners, Hiroshi Hoshi and Leo Hoshi helped rescue over 200 animals that were lost and "left behind" during the devastating tsunami in Japan two years ago.  During these efforts they witnessed the dire conditions of animals trapped inside the protected exclusion zone.  On January 28th, the Hoshi's were placed in custody at the Futaba Police station.   

To lend your support  for the Hoshi's, you may sign the petition at:
https://www.change.org/petitions/free-hiroshi-hoshi-and-leo-hoshi-fukushima-animal-rescuers

To: Fukushima Japan, Chief Prosecutor Toru Sakai 

Your Honorable Mr. Sakai:

On behalf of the Hachiko Animal Federation, Inc, a non-profit organization in the United States we humbly request that you release the Hoshi Family, Hiroshi and Leo on their own merit and without any bail. 

The Hoshi's have actively rescued, cared for and placed animals in adoptive families for almost two years. Because of the unforeseen disasters in Japan, unfortunately, many of these animals were sadly left behind in the Fukushima Exclusion Zone, or Nuclear Zone. It appears that there were no plans in place to deal with such drastic human circumstances and much less to include the animals that were people's household pets. The Hoshi's have actively rescued over 200 animals on their own with very limited monetary resources. The Hoshi Family is a humanitarian group and their sole mission has always been and remains one of altruism; to help reunite animals with their families or to find new families for animals in need.

The Hachiko Animal Federation was formed to honor your national treasure and our mascot, Hachiko, the loyal Akita dog. Our mission was and remains to assist animal shelters in Japan as well as animal rescue groups and volunteers who received little or no aid from the Japanese government. Our group will continue to assist Fukushima animals and animals around the world. 

Your Honor, we ask that you take into account that the Hoshi's were saving animals lives and they would not have become involved if the Government of Japan had only rescued and shown mercy to its animals left inside the Fukushima Exclusion Zone. We ask that you release Hoshi Hiroshi and Leo Hoshi as quickly as possible. For almost two years, the Hoshi Family has acquired a very large network of supporters in Japan, in the United States and internationally who are so grateful for all of the animals that they have been able to rescue, obtain medical treatment for, spay and neuter and, in the best case scenario, find homes for as well. These "happy endings" are something we all want. Surely, the Government of Japan would like this for the animals as well. We love Japan and hope that your great nation will rebuild and prosper. We would also like to tell our children and the world, that Japan did their best to help rescue animals and help the animal rescuers. We have asked the Ministry of Environment and the Fukushima Prefecture to rescue the surviving animals. To this day our request remains the same. 

Your Honor, please take into account the fact that the Hoshi Family's goal was to save lives. They wanted nothing more then to end the suffering of the cats and dogs they encountered. Animal owners begged for them to go in to the Zone and try to save their animals. Once there, it was impossible for the Hoshi Family to leave without trying to help all of the animals that they saw. These volunteer animal rescuers are not criminals. They are humanitarians who love both people and animals and could not stand to see animals suffering. Please do all you can to release Hiroshi and Leo Hoshi as quickly as possible. Their families need them and so do their animals.

We cordially thank you.

The Hachiko Animal Federation
U.S.A.

One year ago, to the day, Hachiko won the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million (PBMM), when he beat a good set of juveniles to claim the honour. Probably recollecting his moment in the Sun, Hachiko once again sped away as if to celebrate that success, by not only winning the Rusi Patel Trophy for top class horses on the PBMM day, but also crowning it by etching out a new record held by Cabriolet, also owned by the Shirkes.

Last year, after the Ponnawalla Breeders Multi- Million win, owner Vijay Shirker said, " I am delighted to finally win it--though with a furlong to go I frankly thought we had lost, because Hachiko until then was just not able to collar leader Sikandar despite my rider's (B Prakash) best efforts, and a couple of others -- Machiavellianism and Day's Best -- were closing in fast".

Shirke was doubly delighted because Hachiko was trained by none other than his childhood friend Mansingh Jadhav. "I hadn't even seen the horse when Mansingh picked him up for me at the Sohna stud farm," Shirke continued, "he just told me he was a good horse, and should do well." Incidentally, for the trainer too this was the first ever victory in the coveted race.

Owner Vijay Shirke revealed the story behind how and why the horse was named Hachiko. 

"Hachiko is a Japanese dog that was immortalised by the Japanese people by erecting his statue at a railway station where he would come daily to wait for his master. 

He was so devoted he kept up his routine even when the master was no more. I was touched by that story because I am a dog lover myself, and my dog also is extremely devoted to me," said Shirke.

The owner, Mr Vijay Shirke and the trainer  MK Jadhav had never won the ‘Juvenile Derby’ in its history of twenty odd years.  They have won many races, a number of Classics and the Invitation Cup as well, but the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million had eluded them. 

The Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million panned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable day at the races. The colourful cosmopolitan crowd were vocal and vibrant and the general atmosphere was one of fun and frolic. The crowds were pouring in from all directions and swanky luxury cars streamlined at the gates to drop off the elite and the petite of the society.  This race has a rich history of just over 150 years and this is one race that stops the nation. 

I receive emails about animal devotion and heroics from around the world, and here's another heartwarming story to share about Sophie, a very tenacious and brave dog friend: 

Huffington Post "Good News", 2/8/13:  A maltipoo who saved a puppy from a coyote attack has people clamoring to call her their own.

Applications from across the country poured in for Sophie, 2, since the attack several weeks ago at her previous owners' Calif. home, San Diego 6 reported. The family, hearing a cry from the backyard, looked out to see a coyote lunging at their newly adopted puppy, 7-month-old Lulu.

Defending her new sister, Sophie heroically placed herself between the two and suffered injuries to her shoulder, neck and sides.

"This hero protected her canine friend from a coyote!" reads a post on the Facebook page of Helen Woodward Animal Center, where the family surrendered both dogs for their protection.

A few days after the incident, a local family adopted Lulu. Sophie, however, needed the supervision of veterinarians before she could find a permanent home.

Shortly after she healed from a procedure, Fox News aired her story. Soon, staff received applications from cities as afar as Billings, Mont., Columbia, S.C. and Camden, N.J.

To field the requests, the center asked applicants to write a 300-word essay, 10 News reported.

"Sophie is worth it," said Shannon Bush, who works at the center. "She really embodies every characteristic people hope to find in a furry family member -- loyalty, heart and sincere devotion."

According to a press release, Sophie's new home will be unveiled during a "Mardi Paws" parade on Tuesday in Rancho Santa Fe.

“We found the perfect family,” Animal Services Manager Ed Farrelly said in the release. "We all want to celebrate and say goodbye."

From Fido Friendly magazine-
You’ve heard of the Dog Days of Summer? Well, for three doggone great evenings in November, the Hallmark Channel is inaugurating the Dog Nights of Autumn. The network is celebrating our favorite four-legged friends from Tuesday to Thursday, November 6 to 8, from 6 p.m. thru 12 a.m. ET/PT each night. And how are we celebrating? With dog movies, that’s what. Lots and lots of films featuring and starring canines of all breeds and temperaments.

The reason for all of the dogged cinema is Hallmark Channel’s special exclusive presentation of the 2012 American Humane Association’s Hero Dog Awards on Thursday, November 8 (8 p.m. ET/PT, 7C). But before and after that, it will be wall-to-wall dog friendly films.

The fur starts to fly on Tuesday at 6 p.m. with the 1996 live-action feature version of “101 Dalmatians,” starring none other than Glenn Close as everyone’s favorite villainess, Cruella De Vil. Jeff Daniels, Joely Richardson and Joan Plowright co-star in the family tale of an evil woman who kidnaps puppies to sell them for their fur. Then at 8 p.m. that same night, Hallmark Channel presents an encore showing of “Puppy Love,” its hugely popular 2012 Original World Premiere Movie starring the lovely and talented Candace Cameron Bure in the story of a big sloppy dog who brings love to the life of a single mom and a handsome ballplayer (Victor Webster). That’s followed at 10 p.m. on November 6 by “You Lucky Dog,” a 2009 Hallmark Channel Original Movie featuring Natasha Henstridge, Harry Hamlin and Anthony Lemke – but whose real star is a sheepdog named Lucky. That inconvenient hound will become a hero before the charming film is done.

Then we move to Wednesday, November 7, when “You Lucky Dog” has an encore play at 6 p.m. Then at 8 p.m., audiences are treated to the moving 2009 feature “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale,” which stars the great Richard Gere and Joan Allen in the unforgettable story of one Akita’s magical loyalty to his master and the family that adopts him after tragedy strikes. At 10 p.m. that same night, viewers will experience the 2008 Hallmark Channel Original Movie “Accidental Friendship,” which stars Chandra Wilson of “Grey’s Anatomy” fame. Wilson gives a phenomenal performance as a homeless woman who befriends a police officer. Ben Vereen also makes a cameo in a movie that shows the special bond one woman has with her beloved dogs.

That brings us to Thursday, Nov. 8, when things get started at 6 p.m. with a repeat showing of “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale,” followed at 8 p.m. by the World Premiere of “Hero Dog Awards.” The awards, the second annual presentation, honors four-legged heroes for their service to mankind, paying tribute in categories including Service Dogs, Military Dogs, Guide Dogs, Emerging Hero Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Law Enforcement/Arson Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, and Hearing Dogs.   The evening wraps at 10 p.m. with a showing of “A Dog Named Christmas,” from the 2009 Hallmark Hall of Fame Collection. It features Bruce Greenwood in the sensitive tale of a developmentally challenged young man (Noel Fisher) who works to convince his rural community to participate in a local shelter’s inaugural “Adopt a Dog For Christmas” program.

You’ll just have to trust us that there won’t be a dry eye in your house by the conclusion of this one. Put it all together and it’s clear that at Hallmark Channel, we believe in giving everyone a new leash on life.

Tuesday, November 6
‘101 DALMATIANS’ (6:00 p.m. ET/PT, 5C)
‘PUPPY LOVE’ (8:00 p.m. ET/PT, 7C)
‘YOU LUCKY DOG’ (10:00 p.m. ET/PT, 9C)

Wednesday, November 7
‘YOU LUCKY DOG’ (6:00 p.m. ET/PT, 5C)
‘HACHI: A DOG’S TALE’ (8:00 p.m. ET/PT, 7C)
‘ACCIDENTAL FRIENDSHIP’ (10:00 p.m. ET/PT, 9C)

Thursday, November 8
‘HACHI: A DOG’S TALE’ (6:00 p.m. ET/PT, 5C)
‘2012 AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION HERO DOG AWARDS’ (8 p.m. ET/PT, 7C)
‘A DOG NAMED CHRISTMAS’ (10 p.m. ET/PT, 9C)

 

Hachiko: A Tale of Loyalty- Immortalized in a Statue, Dog Who Showed Undying Devotion to Master 80 Years Ago Is Inspiring Human Connections.  At a crossroad of busy 24/7 Tokyo, half a million people a day hurry by.  But some pause, spending a moment with a dog who is the stuff of mythology, reports CBS News correspondent Barry Petersen.  “His gaze looks lonesome,” says 11-year-old Shinsaku, “like he knows his owner may not come back.”  His name is Hachiko, who waited every afternoon at the train station for his owner, a professor, who died suddenly in 1925.  But Hachiko didn’t understand that his master was gone. So for a decade, until he also died, he lived as a stray so he could come to the station at the same time with the same mission.  To wait.  In 1934 a statue was erected for the dog said to embody Japan’s sense of loyalty after he became famous from newspaper articles and books.  Tokyo’s most famous dog also has a role to play in this modern day city of 13 million – because, if you want to link up with someone here, you just say, ‘meet me at Hachiko.’”  Over the decades, many a friendship started here – and many a blind date that led to marriage.  And Hachiko still fuels the popularity of the breed – the Akita – distinctly Japanese with what some say are distinctly Japanese values. 

Dear Vicki:

On Saturday, May 19th, my faithful dog Hachi and I traveled to Woonsocket, Rhode Island to attend the unveiling of a permanent bronze statue of the legendary Japanese dog Hachiko.  It was to be an exact replica of the statue of Hachiko in Japan.  There was no way I was going to miss this.  

The ceremony was being held at the train depot at One Depot Square where the Hachi movie was filmed, also now known as Hachiko Place.  This statue dedication ceremony was part of the Cherry Blossom Festival held in Pawtucket and Central Falls, RI and they saved the best for last.  As soon as Hachi and I got out of the car in the parking area next to the depot, Barbara, who works for the Blackstone Valley Heritage Corridor (admin offices in the depot) saw us from a distance and opened her arms as a welcoming gesture.  She knew in advance that I was attending with my Hachi.

It was a beautiful day for a statue dedication.  My Hachi became an overnight sensation because the many people that attended either wanted to take pictures of him or with him.  Several of the children attending asked if my Hachi was in the movie.  I told them that his cousins were in the movie.  I just happened to have a copy of the Hachi movie with me so we put it on inside the depot until the ceremony started at 3pm.

The master of ceremonies started the ball rolling with a speech and then introduced several people connected with the dedication ceremony including the Mayor, the Japanese consulate general and several other Japanese officials.  The ceremony was very moving with many locals in attendance .  I was not aware that Barbara spoke with the master of ceremonies and told him of my 250 mile drive from New Jersey to attend the festivities.  I was caught off guard when my name was announced and had to go up in front of the audience.  I was introduced to the audience and I introduced Hachi also.  

After the ceremony was over, Hachi and I were interviewed by a Japanese television newsperson inquiring on how my Hachi came to be with me.  This interview will be broadcast on Japanese TV. I have attached some photos of this monumental event.

Vicki, you deserve a standing ovation … with the dedication of this statue your dream of bringing this story to the screen has gone far beyond all expectations.

Michael Sultana