Have you seen the movie Hachi: A Dog’s Tale? It’s a remake of a 1987 Japanese film about a dog named Hachiko, his human, and their amazing, true story. I don’t think that the movie, which stars Richard Gere, Joan Allen, Sarah Roemer, and some adorable Japanese Akitas, even had a theatrical release in the United States. Tim said it’s more of a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, and I think he’s right.

But it’s such a sweet, beautiful story. The basic premise is that an Akita puppy, in transit from a Japanese monastery to a U.S. destination, gets lost in transit and ends up with a college professor (Richard Gere). The two become best friends and every day Hachi walks the professor to the train station and then meets him again at night when he returns home from work. Until one day—

I’d better stop there. It’s hard to believe this is a true story, although if you’ve had a dog for a best friend it’s not too hard to believe at all.

I think this movie is appropriate for all ages (unless you have an exceptionally sensitive child). It deals with love and the kind of loss that all of us will experience at some point. Every single one of us cried, but in a good way. If you watch it, make sure you have a box of tissues handy!