Tami Akanuma and her dog Babu - story w/pics

[Kadie]

In this Wednesday, March 23, 2011 photo, Tami Akanuma, 83, holds her Shih-tzu dog "Babu" at an evacuation center in Miyako, northern Japan. When a massive earthquake struck on March 11, 2011, Akanuma was with her dog at home located 200 meters (about 219 yards) away from a coast. Soon after the lights went out, the dog started running around furiously. Then she prepared to walk her dog, even though it's a bit early from their regular dog-walking hours. During her preparation, tsunami alert was issued and she opened the door of her house for evacuation, and the dog dashed out toward a hill, which was different walkway from regular course. According to Akanuma, when she became sluggish, the dog looked back on her and seemed it urged her to walk, and once she caught up with her dog, it stroke out again. And finally Akanuma could arrive at a shelter about 1 kilometer (0.62 mile) away from her home, just before the tsunami engulfed the walkway they took. Babu was usually unwilling to take a walk, so Akanuma believes that the dog might have predicted the tsunami. Babu celebrated her 12th birthday on March 23. JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT.

from daylife.com

[virgogal]

1. The bottom picture------sheer bliss. Lovely.

[snappyturtle]

2. What an endearing account! nt

[xchrom]

3. Recommend

[dhill926]

4. animals have a special intelligence......

great story!

[TahitiNut]

13. That's why they're MAN's best friends.

:evilgrin:







:hide:

[hlthe2b]

5. I have been so touched by the stories of the Japanese & their dogs

I have to admit that I really was unaware how special dogs are to them. I am even more endeared to them now. :loveya:

[JanMichael]

6. Wow. She has lived through WWII and now this

amazing life. What a neat story-

[AsahinaKimi]

7. sugoi ne! wonderful pics!

Akanuma san! ganbare yo!!!

頑張れ日本 !!

[LisaL]

8. I wouldn't be surprised if the dog did sense the tsunami was coming.

[adigal]

9. Animals do know - remember the elephants in the last

tsunami? They all broke off their "ties" and ran up the hills. None of them died. And I remember stories of other animals fleeing. I am sure they can feel the earth shuddering under the oncoming water.

[Liberal_in_LA]

10. lovely story

[1monster]

11. Shih-tzus are really smart and loving dogs. I believe the dog deliberately saved

his companion's life.

Our little "lap dog" turns into a valiant defender if he perceives danger to his house mates, including the eight cats who live here. They are stubborn as all get out when they think they are right...

[TahitiNut]

12. Shit. Damned monitor.

Got all blurry. It's a good monitor, too.

[Kadie]

14. Hi TahitiNut!

:hi:

[TahitiNut]

16. Greets, KD!

:fistbump:

[femrap]

15. I love animals....

and the people who love them....the rest of the people, not so much.

[BrklynLiberal]

17. Wonderful love story.

[Raine]

18. Aw so sweet

brings tears to my eyes :cry: but happy ones. :-)