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'Siberia is a home to the cultures of indigenes, including people whose ancestors migrated to the Americas'
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Happy ending as Siberia’s own Hachiko finally gets a permanent home at hospital

By 0 and 0 and 0
25 December 2014

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Heartbroken Masha had been turning up looking for her beloved master every day since he passed away at the facility in Koltsovo last year. Picture: The Siberian Times

It is a happy ending straight out of a heart-warming Christmas tale.

For the little dog that has waited in vain at the same spot for the owner who has already died has finally been given a permanent home - in the very hospital where she has patiently sat for the past 12 months.

Heartbroken Masha had been turning up looking for her beloved master every day since he passed away at the facility in Koltsovo last year.

It was a tragic tale mirroring that of the famously loyal Akita dog Hachiko in Japan, who arrived at a train station every evening for 10 years to greet its owner even though he had died.

Masha became a well-known, and much loved, figure at the Novosibirsk District Hospital Number One, where patients and workers ensured she had a warm bed and food to eat.

When her story was featured in the Siberian Times, staff were inundated with requests from around the world from people desperate to adopt her and give her a home.

Initially the hospital had been keen to help find her a loving family to take care of her. But now we can reveal Masha is able to stay there, and has been given her own special cosy spot near the elevator.

She has even grown to love her new home and enjoys being fussed over and stroked and cuddled by visitors and staff. Best of all, she loves to walk with nurse Alla Vorontsova, who clearly adores the dog. 'Our beautiful Masha, such a lovely and clever dog,' she said.

Masha the dog


Masha the dog


Masha the dog

Masha became a well-known, and much loved, figure at the Novosibirsk District Hospital Number One, where patients and workers ensured she had a warm bed and food to eat. Pictures: The Siberian Times

'Masha will always stay here, because she is waiting for her owner. I think that even if we will took her to his grave, she would not believe it. She is waiting for him alive, not dead.

'One morning I came to the hospital and did not see Masha on her place. I thought 'Oh my God, someone has stolen her for sure. Could someone steal her? How could it be?'

'Vladimir Sergeevich, the chief doctor, came out too and was also worrying about her. But after some time she came back - she had just been walking in the street. We were so happy!

'People in Russia tried to adopt her three times, but she always came back. I also heard that a number foreigners wanted to adopt her too, but it is impossible - she doesn't want to leave hospital. And besides, we love her and she loves us. How could she live somewhere far away? She would just die of longing.'

The nurse added: 'Here all the patients come to her, stroke her and give something tasty, especially the older people. She warms their hearts.'

It is clear that Masha has become attached to the nurse, and runs behind her. When she sees her at a distance she immediately starts wagging her tail. Staff and patients walking around the corridor do not appear to bother her either, and if she feels tired she simply lies on her bedding and goes to sleep.

Masha, who looks like a dachshund with short legs, has been coming into the reception at the hospital in Koltsovo every day for the past two years since her owner was admitted.

The man, a pensioner from the village of Dvurechie several kilometres away, had fallen ill and had turned up with his pet. Whilst he was staying on the ward, Masha was his only visitor and she even trotted off home to guard the house before returning to the hospital in the morning.

Sadly he died last December but the loyal dog has continued to turn up every day, perhaps because she has nowhere to live, or because she believes her master is still there.

Masha the dog


Masha the dog

'Here all the patients come to her, stroke her and give something tasty, especially the older people. She warms their hearts.' Pictures: The Siberian Times

Masha’s story is similar to that of the famous Japanese dog Hachiko, who used to greet his master on his return from work at the Shibuya train station in Tokyo.

When his owner, agricultural science professor Hidesaburo Ueno, died in 1925 he continued to visit the station every night for 10 years still expecting to meet him off his 4pm train.

In 1935 the dog’s body was found in a Tokyo street and his remains were stuffed, mounted and put on display in Japan’s National Science Museum, while a bronze statue was erected outside Shibuya.

A Hollywood movie of the sad story, starring Richard Gere, was released in cinemas in 2010.

There are also similarities to Greyfriars Bobby, a little Scottish terrier who was unwilling to leave his dead master’s grave in Edinburgh, Scotland, for 14 years in the 19th century.

Comments (6)

So very glad to hear the good news! I read the previous story and commented and this story just made my day.
OutBackJack, Buzzards Breath, Wyoming, USA
29/12/2014 11:47
5
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it's nice to hear that somebody takes care of this cute animal. there are good people in siberia.
john, finland
27/12/2014 02:58
7
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=°o°= =°o°= =°o°= =°o°= =°o°= =°o°= =°o°= =°o°=
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARINA
Beaucoup de bonheur dans ton beau pays
= °o° = = °o° =
= °o* =
Jocelyne, FRANCE
26/12/2014 13:54
5
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there is nothing to equal the love and devotion of a dog... so very happy to hear that this sweet little soul will be taken care of....
Larry Coffey, santa maria, california
26/12/2014 07:36
11
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Wow! That's so nice. Thank you people for showing love for Masha. I wish I could adopt her.
Gauranga, India
25/12/2014 20:25
9
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it's a "beau conte de Noël "

Love her. Thanks to take care of her, she also take care of patients and workers (with her heart).
Jocelyne, FRANCE
25/12/2014 14:59
8
0
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