I first heard of Hachi or Hachiko from the Japanese anime “Super Gals”. The anime series sets mainly in the Shibuya District in Japan. In most of the episodes, the anime’s main hero, Ran Kutubuki is mostly found staying at Hachiko’s monument when contemplating.
I thought that Hachiko was just a fictional character not until last night, when I was able to download a movie titled “My Dog Hachi”. The movie was starred by Richard Gere and was released last 2008.
Anyway, Hachiko is an Akita. And in real life a monument (made in bronze) was placed at his waiting place near the Shibuya Train Station in honor of his memory. Well, Hachiko’s story teaches us of the real meaning of love, loyalty, and friendship. His story tells us of how he waited for his master to come back until his death. According to the movie, he waited for nine years somewhere near the train station after his master passed away.
Hachi’s story reminds me so much of my very own pet, Balto. Balto’s a mongrel . Born last February 8, 1998 with his twin sister Ponga. I was still in 5th Grade when we got them. Both Balto and Ponga were our first pet dogs when my whole family moved to our very own house on April 1998.
We actually got their names from movies. Balto from the Alaskan dog hero Balto and Ponga was derived from the name Pongo of The 101 Dalmatians since her fur’s white with black spots. Balto was supposedly called “Baltok” but he wouldn’t respond when called with that name. Yeah, think “Marley and Me”.. Dog choosing his own name…
Anyway, having no friends since we’re new in the neighborhood, me and my siblings would always play with both puppies. Unfortunately, Ponga passed away days before my birthday on May 1998.
And since that day Balto has been our pet dog. He’s kinda short but an alpha male. In fact, it’s as if he owned the whole subdivision. He’s really that brave that a German shepherd didn’t stand a chance against him. He gets into fight with other dogs but he has allies too.
I still could remember him playing tag with other dogs in the neighborhood at a then empty lot beside the subdivision. It was a beautiful sight. However, there was also an incident when he stepped into some other dog’s turf when following us (me and my family) while we headed to our parents’ friends’ house one afternoon. He was mobbed: he laid on the cement road on his back while one dog bit him in the right leg and another on the left and another took him on the face. They really pinned him down but (I think) 2 other dogs came barking and rescued Balto. The sight left me amazed.
Not only did he get respect from other dogs but from the people in the neighborhood as well. Actually, everybody knows him better than they’ve knew me. Haha! It’s because when we leave the house to go somewhere in the neighborhood, he would follow us. At night when my parents attend a prayer meeting, he would go with them. Even during the procession for the “Stations of the Cross” at Lent, he would follow us and would sit near the altar.
He’s quiet mischievous. One time I got worried when he chased a newly born calf --- think of the amount we’ll pay for if the calf dies. There was also a time that he played around with pigs. While he was pup, he catches one of our chickens. Though when we kill our chickens for meal, he would never eat the bones we fed him. Also, I caught him playing with a bird on the street. The bird pecked him and then he jumped and and as if trying to bite the bird. Then the bird pecks him again. (^^)
Yet again everyone loves him. When I got a cat during high school, he never tried attacking Miming. Even though it’s obvious that he’s a jealous dog, he tends to take care and play with Miming’s kittens. And some point Miming attacked a dog who fought Balto in our very own lawn one afternoon.
There’s so much to tell about him. But I guess it’ll take forever…
There’s so much I would have wanted to tell him too…
Balto died this year, in the evening when I returned to Iligan.
Everytime I call my family, I never missed asking about Balto. He’s always been a part of our family. He has always been my companion, playmate, and friend.
When I arrived in Iligan. Balto wasn’t in good shape anymore. Both his eyes have cataract. He’s deaf and thin. And I knew that day would come since he reached 12 years and because it was evident that he was getting too old.
My sister told me that she told Balto to wait for me since I’m already coming home.
And he did.
I remember those afternoons we played together. The mischief he’s done. The times I talked to him. The times I defended him against Papang. And lots and lots of memories of him…
“Balto”
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In memory of Balto. My friend. My own Hachi.
You are treasured forever.
February 8, 1998 - February 10, 2010
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