Much has already been said, studied, and researched about animals’ ability to sense and feel. Animals also display human traits, such as loyalty, honesty, love, and friendship. Animals certainly use and rely on sensory feelings just as much as we do. What’s more? Here are three fascinating stories about loyalty in animals.
Hachiko, the Japanese national hero
The story of Hachiko is one of the most famous stories of loyalty in dogs. In fact, so great is his story that he is considered to be a national hero in Japan!
Eizaburo Ueno, a professor at Tokyo University, adopted an Akita dog named Hachiko. The professor was also known to have treated Hachi just like his own son.
Hachi and the professor become so close that Hachi would see his owner off to work in the morning at the Shibuya Train Station, and was also there waiting for him in the afternoon when the professor came back from work.
On May 21, 1925, Hachi was waiting for his owner to return from work, but he never did. Unfortunately, the professor had suddenly died while at work from a cerebral hemorrhage. However, Hachi continued to go back to the train station every morning and afternoon at the exact same times, just as he did with the professor until he himself passed away close to the station in 1935. Hachiko also has a statue, placed in front of Shibuya train station, in honor of his loyalty and love toward his beloved owner.
Hachiko also has a statue, placed in front of Shibuya train station, in honor of his loyalty and love toward his beloved owner. (Image: Bugsy via Wikimedia Commons)
Kwibi, the friendly gorilla
Kwibi, a male gorilla, was raised by an English millionaire, Damian Aspinall, in Kent, England. When Kwibi turned 5 years old, he was returned to the wild in Gabon. Over the course of time, Damian started missing his friend dearly and decided to make a trip to meet him. He had been warned that as Kwibi was living in a wild jungle, he may have turned aggressive, and especially hostile, to humans. There was also no guarantee that after 5 years, Kwibi would even remember Damian.
However, as soon as the two saw each other, Kwibi instantly recognized Damian. Damian mentioned that Kwibi looked into his eyes and he could see the love for him in them. He even recognized his name as Damian called him. Kwibi hugged and caressed his friend and also introduced him to his wives and children. The loyal friend followed Damian all the way to his camp and stayed there with him through the night.
Watch this video of Kwibi and his friend:
Toldo, the loyal cat that showed loyalty to his owner
While cats are not as famous as dogs for their stories of loyalty, Toldo is a great exception. Toldo belonged to Renzo Iozzelli and stayed with his family in Montagnana, Italy. Renzo had rescued Toldo from ferocious cats when he was only three months old. The two were very close to each other and quite inseparable. Unfortunately, Renzo passed away when Toldo was three years old. Toldo’s story is famous because the cat continued to carry gifts to Renzo’s grave and regularly visited the grave. During the funeral, Toldo followed the procession right to the burial at the cemetery. He brought all kinds of gifts to the grave, such as leaves, twigs, flowers, and toothpicks. Renzo’s wife knew that it was Toldo that was leaving all these gifts for Renzo at the grave. Locals even saw Toldo spend significant time at the grave to essentially keep guard and to be with Renzo, especially during the night.
While cats are not as famous as dogs for their stories of loyalty, Toldo is a great exception. (Image: Screenshot via YouTube)
Many people, who were unaware of Renzo and Toldo, tried to shoo the cat away from the cemetery, and even tried to throw stones at him to get him out. However, Toldo was not deterred and continued to visit Renzo’s grave faithfully.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest
