I would like to share info with fellow dog lovers about the statue of a special dog. The statue is in Woonsocket in the state of Rhode Island. I am posting this article in my capacity as an online volunteer for the local Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (BVTC - http://www.tourblackstone.com) and also as a person who loves dogs.
The dog's name is Hachi (also affectionately known as Hachiko in Japanese). Hachi became famous in late 1920s and early 1930s Japan for his undying love for his master. He was so loyal that he waited for many years for his master, Prof. Hidesaburo Ueno to return, because he couldn't understand that the good professor had passed away while at work and would never ever come back. Hachi continued his wait for 9 years until his own death in 1935.
In 2009, a movie was made in the US based on the heartwarming story of Hachi. The story is set in "Bedridge", a small fictional town in New England. The name of the movie is "Hachi: A Dog's Tale" and starred Richard Gere, Joan Allen, Jason Alexander, Sarah Roemer and others. However, the real stars of the movie were two Shiba Inu puppies and three adult Akitas named Chico, Leyla and Forrest.
Most of the movie was filmed in Woonsocket, RI. After the movie was screened, the Japanese Consulate donated a bronze statue of Hachi to the town of Woonsocket. The statue is an identical copy of the Hachi statue that sits at the front of the train station in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, the very location where the real Hachi waited for his master for 9 years. It has been installed at the Woonsocket Depot Square, which served as the elegant little railway station in the movie.
Rather than go into more details, let me provide a few links for you to explore:
Hachi: A Dog's Tale
See actual Hachi film locations on Google Maps
There is also a Facebook page that you can visit and click "Like" AND share with your friends:
Hachi Trail - Facebook
Please visit the statue if you can and help the town of Woonsocket with your tourism dollars. If your interest level is high, you can start at the statue and visit all the other movie locations in Woonsocket, using the second link above.
Equally important - please share this info with friends and family, and particularly with people who love dogs in particular and animals in general.
If you like this diary, please Recommend it so that it stays afloat and remains visible for a little longer. Thanks for reading!