Woof...

Hachi, was an Akita, a breed of dogs from Japan best known for their intelligence & loyalty. Hachi or Hachiko as he was called lived from 1923 – 1942 in Japan. Why is his story special? He was the epitome of loyalty, as he waited outside the railway station where his master would go to and return from work. Hachi was always there to see him off and welcome him. The best part is he continued to do it 9 years after his mother passed away. I saw the film Haciko on HBO and realized how much I loved dogs. No, it was not a revelation I’ve always loved dogs watching the movie gave me goosebumps and just emphasized my love for dogs. 

My love affair with dogs began on a scary note, my first contact with pet dogs was Pinky a Pomeranian, my cousin’s pet and I wouldn’t stay in the same room as that dog. I was about 10 or less than 10. Then followed another Pomeranian, I'm not sure whether the earlier dog or this one was pinky. I was scared this time too. I wonder why, maybe I did not like it when they jumped on me for play or sniffed at my feet or even licked. But that changed and don’t remember exactly when that happened. Today I speak to every dog on my street and mom thinks we are both (Dog & me) crazy. Maybe there is a dog magnet in me which causes them to appear when I am out in the streets. Yes, they understand English & Tamil at least with me and even smile at me. That brings us to Tommy, a mongrel raised by a kind family from across the street. My house overlooks theirs and their daughter was my schoolmate. Tommy looked like a husky because of his greyish white coat and big round eyes expressive eyes. He’d just sense me standing on the balcony and pop out of nowhere and look up at me. Our favourite pastime was eating, yes; I fed him biscuits, healthy ones, Marie. He would come every time I called out; maybe he did that to anybody. He was everybody’s pet dog. Even my niece knew him by sight or rather he knew and popped out from his hibernation every time she was visiting us here.

Then one fine day Tommy was no longer around. On inquiry I was told he was put to sleep, yes, I had noticed that he was a lot thinner than his usual self, moody and his coat was no longer the same. I guessed it was just a matter of time before there would be no Tommy waiting at the gate wagging his tail or lounging at the entrance waiting for a stray biscuit or roti or a bowl of milk or just resting in the shade. He was my Hachiko.

P S Now that Tommy is gone I wish I had taken one picture. 24/11/11- Tommy's son is all grown up & runs around the building, chasing cats and barking at every stranger & noise. But nothing can replace Tommy.