Dog From China Escapes New Owner, Travels 40 Kilometers and Returns to Deceased Master's Home; What's The Scientific Reason Behind This Bond?

The story of a dog named Big Yellow who trekked 40 kilometers back to his old home after his owner died went viral in China, drawing analogies to the renowned Richard Gere film "Hachi: A Dog's Tale."

According to The Independent, the eight-year-old dog, dubbed Big Yellow by his original master, was fostered by the user's son when his father died during the Chinese Lunar New Year in 2021.

Chinese Dog Travels 40KM to Find Dead Owner

The dog managed to sneak away and journey back to the countryside where his original master resided. The dog traveled for a week, as demonstrated in a social media thread on Douyin by a lady only known by her family forename, Li.

Li added that her neighbors brought him food because they appreciated his commitment. Big Yellow's owner's son visits the hamlet on occasion to see how he is doing.

According to Li's official statement, Big Yellow - the dog - may not understand what death is or why the person he cares about the most is no longer with him today.

The original owner's son, who had previously taken the dog with him from his rural home, decided to keep it in his father's hamlet.

According to Daily Advent, Big Yellow has regularly walked the street corners of the hamlet in fast check of his registered proprietor and spends a lot of time at the door of the family house, standing in line and waiting for him to return.

Social Media Users Touched Over Dog's Action

Countless social media users have been moved by the dog's actions and have expressed their sympathies for the dog.

"This dog has lost everything. All the dog wants to do is wait for his owner to return," a person commented per South China Morning Post.

Another said: "He reminded me of my aunt's dog, who was distraught when my aunt died and accompanied her by the coffin for a few days without eating and drinking."

Readers expressed their thoughts on the incident and compared it to Richard Gere's film, which primarily focused on the true story of a dog named Hachiko who spent nearly nine years waiting for his deceased master.

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Scientific Reason Behind Dogs And Their Masters' Connection

A study from Azabu University in Japan may hold the key to understanding the ageless tie between people and dogs - and it has to do with the most fundamental sort of connection.

Big Think said dogs have been man's best buddy for at least 15,000 years. People care for and nurture their dogs, who relieve their owners' fears and make them feel safer. As a result, this symbiotic connection benefits both parties.

Dogs consider their owners to be family, too. Dogs are the only non-primates who rush toward people for safety and comfort when they hear human noises.

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