Homework answers / question archive / Louise Xu Long draft Lawrence Beemer April 26, 2021 Hachi: A Dog’s Tale Introduction This paper has been prepared to discuss the movie Hachi: A Dog’s Tale and explain its thesis in relation to the human and dog connection that is witnessed in everyday life

Louise Xu Long draft Lawrence Beemer April 26, 2021 Hachi: A Dog’s Tale Introduction This paper has been prepared to discuss the movie Hachi: A Dog’s Tale and explain its thesis in relation to the human and dog connection that is witnessed in everyday life

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Louise Xu Long draft Lawrence Beemer April 26, 2021 Hachi: A Dog’s Tale Introduction This paper has been prepared to discuss the movie Hachi: A Dog’s Tale and explain its thesis in relation to the human and dog connection that is witnessed in everyday life. The paper will briefly feature the plot of the movie to give the reader a better understanding of what is to be discussed later and to share the perspective that was expressed in the film entirely. The paper will also discuss some aspects related to the movie's synopsis. The analysis will explore the relationship between human beings and dogs. Further, the evaluation will explore how and why dogs are essential to humans, why most people prefer to live and share their lives with dogs as pets, and the various things that dogs can do to humans, making them the ideal pet for most people. Plot The movie is based on a true story in Japan in the 1980s despite the fact that the film is based in the United States in the late 2000s. The movie starts in the classroom where Ronnie, a student, gives his presentation about his hero. Ronnie states that his hero is his grandfather Parker Wilson and his dog Hachi. Parker is a music professor who goes to work in Providence, Rhode Island and his means of commute is the train. He gets there at around 9 AM every morning and is back with the train at around 5 PM. During his routine, he finds a dog that the platform has abandoned; with his tag misplaced, Parker has no other option but to go home with the dog. They become fond of each other as time passes, and their bond becomes unbreakable. Ken, who is Parker’s friend and coincidentally Japanese, comes to visit and explains to Parker that his dog is a Japanese breed and the tag on his collar translates to 8 or Hachi, and thus they refer to the dog like that. Interestingly, the dog initially finds its way to follow Parker to the station every morning and comes to wait for him as he gets out of work every afternoon. In the initial days, Parker is worried that the dog will have to wait for him until he gets off work. However, he is later amazed that the dog goes back home and meets him again when he hears the train horns in the afternoon. One day Parker has a fatal stroke and does not show up at the train station in the evening. Hachi still makes his trips to the train station each day like he was still going to meet his master even years after his death, thus remaining loyal to him even after his passing. Even though the dog stays in the family and goes to live with Parker’s daughter and her husband, who are Ronnie’s parents, Hachi still maintains his loyalty to his true master. He is sad at the 10th anniversary of his passing even though he seems a little older but has not forgotten his true master (Hallstrom, 2009). One of the most common and apparent traits observed throughout the movie is that Hachi was loyal, faithful, and loved Parker unconditionally. Hachi did not forget the fact that it is Parker who saved him when he was abandoned and stranded at the train station. Hachi acted like he vowed to show gratitude to Parker and dedicate the rest of his life to serving him and being his friend for the rest of his own life, which is evident in the movie, especially after Parker's death. The Relationship Between People And Dogs It is not clear when exactly man and dog started their relationship, but some scholars suggest that the relationship began over 14,000 years ago. It was evident that some of the earliest human remains were buried next to their dogs, as was the custom then. Another indication that man has lived with a dog for a long term to create the human-canine bond as it is referred to today is that human beings seamlessly understand the emotions of dogs better than they do of any other animal. The correlation with dogs is almost as if both these species have heart-to-heart conversations, which is not the case. What makes it more interesting is that man does not have such a bond with any other animal as he does with a dog. Any person, young or old, can easily comprehend when a dog is happy, sad, or even primarily hungry by listening to their growl or bark. There is no such bond with any other animal that man interacts with, thus confirming the bond between the two. Moreover, a human being cannot tell the difference between a happy or sad bad by just looking at their facial expression or the sounds they make even if they spent multiple years together. The same case applies to any other domesticated animal. None gives good feedback and is easy for human beings to communicate with. Ideally, wolves and dogs share the same DNA with a slight difference of only 0.1%. The mother only passes the difference, and in essence, it is that small percentage that differentiates the wildness of the wolves from the sweetness of the dogs. It is astounding how little the difference between the two is scientific despite the magnitude of the difference between the two that exists socially, especially between them and human beings (Sommerville et al., 2017). Things Dogs Can Do to Humans One of the most common impacts that pets and, more specifically, dogs have had on human beings is that various studies have shown that the interaction of pets has primarily led to a reduction of cortisol. The hormone is related to stress. This interaction has also been known to reduce the blood pressure of persons suffering from high blood pressure. Hypothetically, after a stressful day in the office, any individual would look forward to a relaxing evening that would soothe away the stress and the anxiety that keeps them tense. Most dog owners feel the warmth and joy that they get home to, especially when they step into the house and the dog starts to jump around in pleasure with the excitement of seeing their master. Dogs are also known to be a source of support and comfort. Due to their therapeutic nature, some therapists and caregivers have been known to keep dogs in hospitals and nursing homes to provide the needed cosiness that helps the patients relax and forget whatever it is that they are going through. The presence of a dog is most certainly going to ease up any tension in a severe and sad environment. Playing with the dog will certainly make the patient happier since the dog focuses all of its attention on the person who shows it any affection (Bleak, 2020). Taking care of a dog also further teaches the master more about empathy and dealing with other people or animals. Studies have shown that pet owners are more likely to be empathetic than people who do not own dogs. It is mainly because every once in a while, they get to put themselves in the shoes of the helpless animal, thus trying to understand how it feels to be that helpless, especially when they are hurt or sad. Pet owners also get to comprehend more about taking care of other people and animals by developing more patience as they deal with their pets on a day-to-day basis (Hart & Yamamoto, 2017). According to Bleak (2020), Dogs have also been known to be good assistants, especially when guiding persons with disabilities such as the blind. Guide dogs have been trained to offer assistance for the better part of the last couple of decades, especially to the visually impaired and the blind. These dogs are trained to go through obstacles and navigate their masters in several circumstances to a point where their masters can handle several activities only through the assistance of the dogs rather than them being a bother to others. The masters are also given the most appropriate commands to communicate to the dogs whenever they want to do anything. A means of messaging is created between the two. Dogs are also known to be a source of fitness. While the dogs are playing with their masters, making the owners more energetic and physical in terms of fitness. The occasional playfulness and exercising help the owner rally their cardiovascular health. It is essential, especially for those who are a little older and need more regular exercise. It is advantageous to them instead of just sitting and having no regard for their cardiovascular health (Sommerville et al., 2017). Based on the sentiments of the paper, it is clear why human beings and dogs are attracted to each other. Dogs have traditionally been considered the closest animal to humans. Human beings generally benefit from the affection and companionship that they get from dogs as pets. In contrast, the dogs themselves benefit from the fondness and friendliness that they get as they are welcomed into the homes of their masters. Dogs also teach human beings the importance of loyalty and how it should be carried out regularly. It is also believed that humans generally benefit a lot more from their companionship with the dogs than what the dogs help, and this is great for humanity. No price can be put on relieving stress, healing of anxiety, and any other solutions brought about by the companionship between the two parties. Yes, the dogs get food, shelter, and the proper care when they are under the friendship of their masters, but it is also worth noting that the dogs can still fend for themselves and adapt in the wild as they did thousands of years ago. From the film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, one can understand the deep bond dogs have with their owners. Other than companionship, Dogs offer physical, emotional, and mental benefits to humans, affording people a bond that is in the most instance not found with other people or animals. References Bleak, B. (2020). The Use of Dogs in Therapeutic Practices. Hallstrom. L (Director). Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009). Stage 6 Films. Hart, L. A., & Yamamoto, M. (2017). Dogs as helping partners and companions for humans. The domestic dog: its evolution, behavior, and interactions with people, 2nd edn. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 247-270. Sommerville, R., O’Connor, E. A., & Asher, L. (2017). Why do dogs play? Function and welfare implications of play in the domestic dog. Applied animal behaviour science, 197, 1-8.