Loyalty

The other night I watched a great movie ( ok, it was a bit slow but I still liked it). It was titled HACHI . It was based off a true story of a man and his dog. Now my family always teases me about the type of movies that I like. I know that I am odd but I love a good story, a clean story, true stories  and violence... is something I try to avoid at all costs. Actually Jeff and I went to a movie last night and even though many people said it was wonderful... I disagree. It had way too much violence in it for me. I had to close my eyes most of the time and it took me forever to go to sleep last night. Maybe it is because I don't like to anyone suffering or in pain. I think there is way too much violence and suffering in the world already, why should I pay to see more of it?  Anyway, enough about my issues and opinions.

I just wanted to share the true story that this movie was based off of. So read it and let it be a great reminder to us all about the importance of LOYALTY!

 

Life  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D

In 1924, Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo took in Hachikō as a pet. During his owner's life Hachikō saw him out from the front door and greeted him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya Station. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno did not return on the usual train one evening. The professor had suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage at the university that day. He died and never returned to the train station where his friend was waiting. Hachikō was loyal and every day for the next nine years he waited sitting there amongst the town's folk.

Hachikō was given away after his master's death, but he routinely escaped, showing up again and again at his old home. Eventually, Hachikō apparently realized that Professor Ueno no longer lived at the house. So he went to look for his master at the train station where he had accompanied him so many times before. Each day, Hachikō waited for Professor Ueno to return. And each day he did not see his friend among the commuters at the station.

The permanent fixture at the train station that was Hachikō attracted the attention of other commuters. Many of the people who frequented the Shibuya train station had seen Hachikō and Professor Ueno together each day. They brought Hachikō treats and food to nourish him during his wait.

This continued for nine years with Hachikō appearing precisely when the train was due at the station.

Professor Ueno's former student returned frequently to visit the dog and over the years published several articles about Hachikō's remarkable loyalty. In 1932 one of these articles, published in Tokyo's largest newspaper, threw the dog into the national spotlight. Hachikō became a national sensation. His faithfulness to his master's memory impressed the people of Japan as a spirit of family loyalty all should strive to achieve. Teachers and parents used Hachikō's vigil as an example for children to follow. A well-known Japanese artist rendered a sculpture of the dog, and throughout the country a new awareness of the Akita breed grew.

Eventually, Hachiko's legendary faithfulness became a national symbol of loyalty.

 

"Lack of loyalty is one of the major causes of failure in every walk of life"   Napoleon Hill

" The scholar does not consider gold and jade to be precious treasures, but loyalty and good faith."  ~ Confucius

Never too old to learn!

I have always heard the saying..."You can't teach an old dog new tricks".  Well, I am not sure that I believe that in every circumstances, but I did like this article about learning from your dog. I had a dog from the age of 10 years old till I left home for good, at 21 years old. I had moved away for the summer or a year or so, but I always came back home and there was my sweet dog that never seemed to have forgotten me. This was just a cute reminder... that we need to never be TOO OLD to learn or change our ways or to appreciate what we have.

 

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face
to be pure ecstasy
When it's in your best interest
practice obedience
Let others know when they've invaded your territory
Take naps and stretch before rising
Run romp and play daily
Thrive on attention and let people touch you
Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do
On warm days stop to lie on your back on the grass
On hot days drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree
When you're happy dance around and wag your entire body
No matter how often you're scolded
don't buy into the guilt thing and pout
run right back and make friends
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm
Stop when you have had enough
Be loyal
Never pretend to be something you're not
If what you want lies buried
dig until you find it
When someone is having a bad day
be silent .....
...sit close by.
...and nuzzle them gently.

 

" It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."  ~Attributed to Harry S. Truman

"When the student is ready, the master appears."  ~Buddhist Proverb