Hachi Spirit Blog

It can often take a lot when understanding a dog’s emotions. There is something truly special about the bond between us and our dogs. For centuries we’ve kept them as our companions, allowing them to hear our greatest fears, know our biggest dreams, and witness our lives when we are at our most vulnerable.
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We let dogs into our personal lives, allowing them to be more than just a pet – they quickly become our best friends. I felt that my Hachi had such admirable qualities – a certain calm, centered energy. I truly tried understanding a dog’s emotions when connecting with him.
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And while we’ve been able to experience this relationship firsthand, it’s been hard to explain why dogs can create such deep bonds, especially when they don’t even speak our language.
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But now, thanks to new research, we’re learning why dogs have been our best friends and why they will continue to be. Find out more and continue reading on the blog.
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When it comes to understanding a dog’s emotions, it’s all about your surroundings. What’s happening that causes your dog to act a certain way? Let me know in the comments. When you learn more about your dog, they’ll learn more about you, too!

When I first spotted Hachiko’s statue at Shibuya Station, it was love at first sight. Soon after being introduced to his story, I adopted a Shiba puppy and named him after the loyal dog. We were inseparable for sixteen years, all the way up until his passing. I learned many life lessons from my little best friend, and it’s what inspired me to want to make sure everybody knew the joy a dog shares. All of this is how I came to make the film “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale”.
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Since then, I’ve gone back to Shibuya and Hachiko’s statue many times. And it’s always just as exciting as the first. The sight of Hachi surrounded by all his admirers, around the clock, is such a thrill! It’s still unbelievable that I even had a part in getting Hachi’s story on the big screen for the world to enjoy…
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Hachi friends have wanted to learn more about Hachiko’s real-life tale, all of the truth behind the myths. Of course, there are many tales about the loyal dog and several wonderful books. But, this past September, I went to Shibuya, Tokyo to wander around and see what I could learn first-hand.

Our dogs are our reflections. I think we all have seen people who act just like their dogs — and vice versa. But why is that so? How do our dogs seem to be just like us?
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Do you remember that animated movie, 101 Dalmatians? It was such a unique movie because it showed a different side of the canine world. Of course, none of it is real, it was not based on a real story, but there is a part in it that is one of my favorites because it shows how our dogs are our reflections.
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It’s that scene in 101 Dalmatians right in the beginning when different owners are walking by with their dogs on leashes and the dogs look like their owners. Remember it? I like it because it is a visual representation of the fact that dogs do reflect their owners.
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Oh, not physically (well, maybe sometimes!) but mostly in behavior and attitude. Dogs are our reflections. That sounds a little funny, but it is true!
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Our dogs are our reflections in many ways. They often act just as you would given different situations. Treat your dog well and they’ll do the same to you! How is your dog a reflection of you? Read the article and let me know in the comments!

My childhood is filled with memories of adventure – running through fields to catch mice, making friends with chameleons, hauling my little red wagon door-to-door to sell flower seeds to neighbors.
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Since I was little, I’ve been called to chase adventure. Rather than playing with dolls, I preferred to arm wrestle the boys. I craved action and wasn’t afraid to test the limits.
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True happiness is found in lovely moments, and you can experience those wherever you are. What is a memory that you have where you felt true happiness? Read the article and let me know in the comments!

In the film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, we show Hachi, the main character, seeing the world through his eyes. While we feel closely attuned with our canine friends – they see and think of the world a bit differently from us; through a dog’s eyes.
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By nature, humans and dogs are wired to experience an incredible bond, something we’ve been well aware of for quite some time. I know I have with my dog. New scientific research is continuously revealing just why this connection is so strong, showing that dogs and humans actually influence each other in more profound ways than we ever knew. Through dog cognition, we can understand this profound bond.
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Question of the day: We can all relate to our dogs doing seemingly crazy things! What behaviors do you notice in your pup? And why do you think they’re doing it? Let me know in the comments on the blog!

Chico, the last of the three Akitas who together played the part of Hachi, passed away on Saturday morning, August 4, 2018. Co-stars Layla (his real sister) and Forrest are now reunited over the Rainbow Bridge. The first time I saw Chico was at Boone’s Animals for Hollywood training ranch. He had just arrived and I […]