You may have already heard the legendary story of the world's most famous Akita, Hachi-ko.  The smart pup happily greeted his owner, a professor at the University of Japan, at the train station (every day after work.   Even after his owner's death, Hachi-ko continued to faithfully visit the train station every day for almost 10 years, waiting for the professor.  That was one loyal, loving and optimistic companion. 

Just yesterday we got caught in traffic, were 25 minutes late to the restaurant, and discovered that our boyfriend didn't bother to wait for us.   Let's just say we're definitely thinking of trading him in for an Akita…

Anyway, back to the famous pooch…Today Hachi-ko has become a symbol of Japanese virtue.  The pup's unequaled loyalty became the focus of several newspaper articles and a bronze statue of the pup was built at the train station in his honor.  The revered pup was also the subject of the 1987 movie, Hachiko Monogatari, and a new American movie about Hachi-ko and his relationship with the professor is currently in production starring Richard Gere (as the professor not Hachi-ko).

Yes, over the years the Akita has proven to be one amazing, loyal breed.  The beautiful dogs came from royal beginnings as the companions to several Japanese emperors and later made headlines when Helen Keller brought the first Akita to the US in 1937. 

Unfortunately around the same time the Akitas first made an appearance in the States, their population had dwindled dramatically and by World War II the breed was almost extinct.  The dogs were regularly slaughtered for their fur and even for their meat. 

That's when Morie Sawataishi, a hero of dog lovers everywhere and the subject of the great new book Dog Man by Martha Sherrill, decided to take matters into his own hands.  

Sherrill's touching book opens during WWII in a small snow covered mountain village in Japan.  Morie is portrayed as a tough but tender man who courageously breaks the law by hiding his endangered Akita puppy. 

The survival of the Akita eventually becomes Morie's passion and true life calling.  He begins to breed the pups and even passes up promotions and prestige to help their survival. Morie Sawataishi has been single-handedly credited for saving this amazing breed.

Dog Man is available at Amazon.