Singapore’s Hachiko (Please watch!)
I have previously blogged about a dog named Hachiko. The golden-brown Akita (a breed of dog) was made famous because of his extraordinary loyalty towards his owner. In 1924, both Hachiko and his owner (a professor at the University of Tokyo) would greet each other at the train station. This happened everyday for a year until one day the professor died of cerebral hemorrhage and did not return. Hachiko waited for the next 9 years outside the train station until he died, aged 11.
I then blogged about Spot, the American Hachiko who waited by the side of the road after his owner got killed in a car accident.
In 2003, a dog named Mimi was separated from her owner in Singapore. It is uncertain how Mimi’s owners couldn’t find her one day. Although they loved her, the family decided to move away… and so unable to find her family, Mimi ended up outside the house… living on the streets.
In the video below, H.O.P.E.* describes Mimi’s life as: “From a pet, to a lost dog, to a lost and abused dog”. For 8 years, Mimi laid on the grass bed by the roadside waiting for her owner’s return. Rain or shine, Mimi never moved and continued to wait there. She survived on food scraps given to her by kind passersby.
In June 2011, someone called SPCA… and they found Mimi’s owner. The family went back to the area and found her on the same grass bed… where she had been waiting for 8 years.
After 8 years, she had forgotten her name – but both Mimi and her family were reunited!
After 8 years, her suffering did not end. Her owner had to leave the country for work, and Mimi was diagnosed with cancer.
Watch the video to see what else happened to her. Would you wait for your loved ones for 8 years?
Tsem Rinpoche
*H.O.P.E. stands for Homeless & Orphan Pets Exist. They are a non-profit organization that was established in April 2008. I admire them as they have a strong NO-KILL policy. Based in Johor Bahru, their mission is to improve the welfare of stray and abandoned dogs in Malaysia. They rescue animals, re-home them, sterilize them and educate the public about animal welfare.
Or view the video on the server at: http://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/A-Story-of-A-Dog-Singapore-Hachiko.mp4
Many animals do have the wish to inspire and fulfil their special bonds with human beings through love, devotion, loyalty and companionship. True heartwarming stories of animals solidifying the fact that animals-human bond is so unique, particularly like these bogs of “Hachiko” related by our guru, have often been told to enhance such facts relating to other animals, like that of cats, horses, monkeys, dolphins – and many others too. There was also a story that I have read about a cannine named “Champ”. He, himself has survived two attacks by coyotes and managed to survive himself. Champ was accredited with saving of his owner, known as Betty Owens of North Alabama, of breast cancer and second time of cheek cancer, by persistently sniffying at the infected parts of her body, forcing her to check with her family’s doctor to find out why. Yes, Champ has made the correct diagnosis in both the occassions – and Betty had both her cancerous growths removed, and today she is cancer free. “Champ” is a real fitting name for this cannine, and may he live long to continue saving more sentient beings, and be blessed with a good human rebirth!!! OM mani Padme Hum.
Animals were not made to be our companions, food, abused and etc. Animals were once humans like us too, and could have even been our mothers once. This story shows animals are capable for higher emotions and instincts.
I am so sad and can’t control my tears from falling down. Pray that Mimi will have happy days at rainbow bridge!
Beautiful story!!
Dear Rinpoche
This is the kind of story that makes me appreciate my dog more. He is often the only one that waited for me when I got home very late from work, played with me when I wake up at night, accompany me when I am sad and lonely, and share my food at times.
I could not bear if something bad happen to him. I would rather only have one dog and take care of it well, rather than having many and neglect them with some lame excuse.
Valentina