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Alice Yan

A pet dog in China has been waiting outside his owner’s home for weeks, unaware of his passing. Refusing to eat or drink, the loyal canine has captured the hearts of countless social media users.
This touching story, centred around the dog nicknamed Ah Wang, has drawn comparisons to the 2009 film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, inspired by a true story from Japan in the 1920s.
In the film, the dog Hachi waits every day for its owner at a railway station for 10 years following his death, until the day it died.
Ah Wang, living in a community in the Baoshan District of Shanghai, is well loved by locals for being obedient and not barking at children or elderly residents.

The dog garnered attention when concerned neighbours contacted Shanghai TV Station after noticing it had vanished on January 6, prompting concern for its safety.
Ah Wang had been cared for by a male resident, surnamed Gao, for a decade. Gao, who lived alone, died due to a sudden illness on December 11, according to reports.
Since then, Ah Wang has remained in the building’s corridor outside Gao’s home each day. Residents have placed clothes on the ground for it to lie on, trying to keep the dog warm during the chilly weather.

While some residents offered water and dog food, Ah Wang refused to eat any of it.
Although a few neighbours attempted to hug the dog in hopes of bringing it home, Ah Wang would run away upon sensing their approach.
Its mysterious disappearance on January 6 left many residents anxious.
“Last night, it rained and thundered. The temperature dropped to around 2 degrees Celsius. We checked multiple times but found it still hadn’t returned,” said a resident, who wished to remain anonymous.

“According to a folk saying, if a dog stops eating and drinking for many days and then runs away, it is likely searching for a quiet place to die,” he added. “We hope to find Ah Wang and save its life.”
As news spread on social media, the search for Ah Wang intensified, and the dog was located on January 8. A female resident discovered it hiding in a grassy area in the community while feeding homeless cats and dogs.
“Its body was shivering and it looked despondent. Tears were streaming down its face,” the woman reported.

She brought Ah Wang to the residential committee’s office, where officials provided it with ham sausages. Initially reluctant, Ah Wang later devoured 10 sausages in one sitting.
Chen Zi, a manager from Shanghai Jiege Pet Animal Garden, informed the media that Ah Wang may be suffering mentally from its owner’s death.
“From our observations, the dog is in a distressed state. It was normally alert, with no strangers able to approach. However, our veterinarians could easily pick it up today. We will conduct a physical check-up,” Chen stated.
Resident Huang expressed his desire to adopt Ah Wang to “provide it with a warm home.”

“I live near its owner and often played with it before. If it’s allowed, I would like to adopt it,” Huang said.
Gao’s son, who had rarely visited his father, said that he did not wish to adopt Ah Wang.
The residential committee favours allowing Huang to adopt the dog so that it may continue living in a familiar environment, one where it feels comfortable.
“I am moved to tears by Ah Wang’s loyalty. I hope it can live happily,” remarked one internet user.
Another user commented: “Poor little baby, I hope your new family treats you well.”


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Unaware of owner’s death, loyal China dog waits daily in corridor for his return, moving many

After a Shanghai man died in December 2025, his dog waited daily in the corridor for his return, touching many by its loyalty. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/IMDb

Ah Wang, above, had been cared for by a male resident, surnamed Gao, for a decade; however, Gao, who lived alone, died suddenly on December 11. Photo: QQ.com

Local residents who provided water and dog food grew concerned when Ah Wang refused to eat or drink and went missing, prompting them to search everywhere for it. Photo: QQ.com

A resident found it hiding in a grassy area of the community while she was feeding homeless cats and dogs, and the residents managed to retrieve Ah Wang. Photo: QQ.com

One resident expressed a desire to adopt Ah Wang to offer him a warm home after he is nursed back to health. Photo: QQ.com

Ah Wang was reported to be in a distressed state when found, and veterinarians had to conduct a thorough physical check-up. Photo: QQ.com

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People & Culture

Story draws comparisons to 1920s Japan tale, where dog waited for owner at railway station for 10 years after his death, until it too died


Story draws comparisons to 1920s Japan tale, where dog waited for owner at railway station for 10 years after his death, until it too died.


Pets

Unaware of owner’s death, loyal China dog waits daily in corridor for his return, moving many

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Story draws comparisons to 1920s Japan tale, where dog waited for owner at railway station for 10 years after his death, until it too died

Story draws comparisons to 1920s Japan tale, where dog waited for owner at railway station for 10 years after his death, until it too died