Friendships are important to our own growth and development. In our personal lives I am sure we can list all the friends we could not live without. It is the same in the blogging sphere I could not be inspired if it were not for some of the viewers who continue to share with this blog and I enjoy returning the favour to see what you are thinking and posting.
Growing up I always wanted to attend boarding school. To do so, I had to pass the Common Entrance Examination (National Test) which I did and I was able to attend the top boys’ school in Jamaica for high school – Munro College. There is a certain level of independence that you develop in such an environment. I am grateful for the many lessons I learnt because of that period in my life. My first semester back in 1998 I remember it vividly, it was horrible. Although I had always wanted to be there nothing could prepare me for it. I went from chasing the car when they were leaving in first form to being comfortable with them leaving me behind. By the end of the first year I was running them off the campus. Leave!
What made the experience unforgettable was that I had friends who I could count on. I was not the popular student but I was indeed a great friend. I can recall people would feel secure in sharing their deepest concerns with me. In the earlier years I became my class representative on the Students’ Council – which I enjoyed. Today, some of those friendships continue.
What I have found interesting about myself is that I find it hard to revisit the places in my life that have impacted me. I struggle to visit my high school and other places. It is not like I don’t want to be there or I am ungrateful in anyway; I love these places so much that I prefer to reminisce on all the memories than to walk up the long drive way and remember all the buildings I called home. I remember distinctly years ago returning for a graduation ceremony and because it is a traditional school everything was the same. The buildings had their antique look and the boards still creek.
I watched a movie a few days ago by the name of Hachiko: A Dog’s Story and it is one of the most tear dropping movie I have ever seen. I have watched movies with animals before but this dog deserves an award. The cinematography and the way the camera captures the dog’s emotions is very captivating and it makes the viewer connect with the movie on a level that makes this movie memorable.
It has become cliché to say a dog is man’s best friend – this movie proved more than that. I do not think we understand the relationship and influence we have on our pets. I pick up the cat I live with at home and hear her purr and wish animals could talk or we could interpret in some way what they are thinking because they have their own personalities that make them unique.
Hachiko: A Dog’s Story is a true story of a Japanese dog named Hachiko and his master, a professor. The movie is an American adaptation of a legendary Japanese tale.
The movie begins with the college professor heading home from school and sees this puppy on its own by the train station. Because it was so late he picked up the cute Japanese Akita and brought it home for the night with the intention of taking to the pound or to find its rightful owner. His wife Cate Wilson (Joan Allen) is not happy that he brought the dog home and later agreed that the dog will be there for the night. One night turns into weeks, months and years. Everyday the dog would follow Parker Wilson (Richard Gere) to the train station, walk home and then return to welcome him off the train. The movie sets you up for a huge disappointment because it chronicles for years where this would be the routine of the dog and the college professor.
So you’re expecting something and it happens!
Parker Wilson (Richard Gere) suffers a heart attack while at school and dies at hospital. Back at the train station Hachiko waits and waits and waits, no Parker Wilson. Hachiko repeats this routine for more than nine years until his own death. This dog’s unwavering loyalty to its master makes you emotional – might make you sob watching this movie.
I love drams, but this movie takes it to another level. I remember right after the movie I couldn’t do anything else but rush to my bed to lie down, my head was just giddy – not to say that will happen to you, but this movie will have an impact on you. Normally I returned to my blogging or to watch something else on television but not that night. The movie was directed by Lasse Hallstrom who has worked with animals before on other projects.
Each one of us expresses their loyalty in different ways. Certainly Hachiko’s expression of his loyalty and devotion to his lifelong friend can teach us all a lesson or two. I do not think I will forget this movie. It has made an indelible mark in my mind.
I appreciate you taking the time to review this movie. It looks like an inspirational story that I would be interested in. I get very emotional when their are animals involved in movies. I will look for this! Thanks! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your high school experience–very interesting.
That looks like a great movie as well. I remember reading the traditional Japanese story and seeing the statue.
Cool.
Our furry friends are incredible creatures. They are extremely loyal and can truly be great companions but after owning dogs all my life I realized that we are no fair to them. They spend 80% of their lives locked indoors. I wanted my dogs to be truly happy, that why I sent them in a luxury crate to The Dog Island. Finally they can run around free and enjoy life.
I love animal movies & I love movies based on true storys. I definitely must see this one.
Hello, Corve:
what beautiful story about friendship and a special dog in a movie…
I share similar experience about getting education with some help from kind people…life is amazing, we receive kindness from the nature such as animals and mother earth all the time, we indeed need to count our blessings and keep loving and giving…
Happy Post!
enjoy a great weekend!
U R Cool!
I cant wait to see this movie…!! Thanks..!
It is amazing that Hachiko continued to visit the train station years after the guy died, what’s even more remarkable is that is based on a true story. This is one I will be looking out for.
By the way Munro the # 1 boys school in Jamaica…
***scratches head
Just playing-great school Corve.
Which school is number one? lol
We are not talking champs here. lol
Corve, I guess # 1 can be base on academics, sports , prestige or even placement in schools challenge quiz don’t know. I know however that KC, Calabar and JC might see other wise. I am not in a debate about # 1. I went to a little known school.
By the way I saw “up in the air” today. I think you did a review on it earlier.
Yeah I wrote a review on that. How did you find it?
Big up your school. Let us know.
I use to live in Japan and I always passed the statue on my way to work. It is a story I have often featured on my websites. I couldn’t possible watch the film…way too sad for this loon 🙂 .
As for returning to your past Corve, sometimes the memory is all you need. I remember returning to places I have loved in my youth and were sorely disappointed.
Thanks for the comment. Can’t believe you used to live there. Must have been cool.
You just need one of those translators like in UP. I too have heard this story, but didn’t realize it was a movie.
An awesome entry. Sounds like a great movie, but very sad. We love our kitty as well.
Purr.
I was looking on you tube & found a promo video for the Japanese movie too. I had tears pouring down my cheeks watching both versions. I am a sucker for sad dog movies
I will have to look into this. You describe it in such wonderful depth of emotion that it begs to be seen; I’m not surprised I hadn’t heard of it (most of the tv and movies I watch are at my wife’s behest, lol), but I’ll have to watch it now that you’ve talked about it here 🙂
/hugs
The “GOod” DOctor
You will enjoy it.
this movie sounds wonderful. what is it about connection? i think, for myself anyway, we like to be reminded that the bonds of affection we share are deeper than we realize and this does not exclude the animal kingdom.
thanks for stopping by my blog. i hope you’ll be back. i’m glad, at least, that it led me to this post. i’m going to go get this movie now! and i look forward to exploring your blog here.
Corve,
wonderful post…this movie sounds like something I would enjoy.
I will keep looking for it.Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Happy Valentines Day early!!
Terri
Enjoy your weekend too. Its Valentines Day – show someone you love them. Valentines Day is not only for lovers.
Sounds like an amazing movie, I will definatly be checking that out, thanks for sharing!
You will love it.
Yes Corve a beautiful story of friendship,I enjoyed the read,memories of our friends are wonderful!!!! And in other to have a friend we must be friendly and you are!!! 😀 Thanks for your visit.
Love browsing your site, always find out random interesting stuff.
Emily RandallHusky Training
Hey, no fair making me cry twice before breakfast! Sheesh.
My Cardigan Welsh Corgis’ registered names begin with “Yasashiikuma”, the name of the kennel where they come from. The kennel’s owner, a White Canadian, named her kennel Yasashiikuma (meaning “gentle bear”) because she originally bred Akitas.
Have you heard of Greyfriars Bobby, a 19th-Century Skye Terrier who stayed by his master’s grave in Edinburgh for 14 years? Disney did a good version of the story in 1961.
this movie …just gudddddddddddddddddd…i just love the dogs like this..they loved more then humenbin…..thnx for the g8t story…
This was truly a wonderful story. If you are an animal lover, as I am, it will touch your very soul. I found myself sobbing as having taken in and raised many rescueds it reminded me of their great love and how much I truly missed them. It is so sad that dog’s life spans are so short.
This is a two way process..give and take..If we show goodness to our pets then they will love us more…Sad story of Hachiko the dog.
hi. I watched this movie too. It is the best story i have ever heard in my entire life. I wish humans were like that. I was depressed and giddy for a month after watching the movie.I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS MOVIE. I love hachi, and hope he sees his owner in heaven. I can only feel happy knowing he is in heaven with his owner, his best friend