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Heartbroken little dog becomes Siberia's own 'Hachiko'

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24 November 2014

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'One day, and we very much want this day to come soon, our Masha will trust somebody.' Picture: Svyatoslav Odarenko 

A little dog that waits in vain at a Siberian hospital for the owner who has already died has been dubbed Russia’s own Hachiko. Heartbroken Masha has been turning up looking for her beloved master every day since he passed away at the facility in Novosibirsk last year.

It is a 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 has become a well-known, and much loved, figure at the Novosibirsk District Hospital Number One, where patients and workers ensure she has a warm bed and food to eat.

But, aware of her obvious sadness at being unable to find her owner, staff are hoping an animal lover will come forward to adopt her and give her a new home.

Chief doctor Vladimir Bespalov told Novosibirsk Vesti TV: 'You see her eyes, how sad they are - it’s not the usual shiny eyes for when a dog is happy. You can see this in animals in the same way as with people. 

'There is nothing medicine can do for her here, but we are still hoping that Masha will be able to find another owner. One day, and we very much want this day to come soon, our Masha will trust somebody.'

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.

Dog Masha waits for her owner


Masha's sad eyes


Masha with hospitals visitors

'You see her eyes, how sad they are -- it’s not the usual shiny eyes for when a dog is happy.'  Pictures: Vesti. Novosibirsk

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 a year ago 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.

Nurse Alla Vorontsova said: 'She is waiting for him, for her owner. Just recently a family tried to adopt her, but Masha ran away and returned to the hospital. She was taken on Friday evening, and at 3am on Saturday she was back here.'

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 (39)

Best wishes! That's what real dog love is all about...! Hugs from Lisbon my lovely!
Maria, Lisbon, Portugal
26/11/2014 16:55
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maybe somebody can bring Masha to the grave of his owner, then he can realise the fact
megng, hong kong
26/11/2014 15:21
2
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maybe somebody can bring Masha to the grave of his owner, then he can realise the fact
megng, hong kong
26/11/2014 15:20
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WHAT LOYALTY DEVOTION & LOVE.... VERY VERY RARE TO FIND THIS IN HUMAN BEINGS ANYWHERE.. HOW ANYONE CAN BE CRUEL & SADISTIC, KILL & TORTURE TO EAT THEM ! I WILL NEVER KNOW OR ACCEPT, THEY ARE OUR VERY BEST FRIENDS ...I HOPE THAT EVERYONE WHO SEES HIM WILL BE ALWAYS KIND & CARING...
SHIREEN, MONACO-----MONTE CARLO
26/11/2014 14:34
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My heart breaks for this little dog. I have 5 at home who are my life and i often wonder as i get older who is going to love and look after them the way i do. Hope Masha finds a loving home worthy of her devotion and loyalty.
fiona, Camden, Sydney Australia
26/11/2014 02:26
15
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This breaks my heart....
azalaia, Amsterdam The Netherlands
26/11/2014 00:01
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More character and loyalty then many people on this planet.
Hope Estella, TX
25/11/2014 11:54
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These stories break my heart. I have three dogs that I love dearly but one of them, Nicole, who looks a lot like Masha and I seem to have a certain connection. She will be waiting for me at the door if I run errands. If I move from one room to another she'll be right there with me. She even follows me into the bathroom! When she jumps on the bed with me she has to physically touch me when laying down. I'm thinking of making a video for my dog in case I pass on before her, she loves to watch tv.
Gregory Lambert, Mountain Home, ID/USA
25/11/2014 04:05
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Please take care of Masha, very loyal dog, i love this little dog. C'est une histoire très émouvante, comme celle de Hachiko et de beaucoup d'autres. I hope shiny will become in her eyes, thanks for this.
Jocelyne, FRANCE
25/11/2014 02:56
17
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