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

SCMP | Jan. 16, 2026, 8 p.m. | Original

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

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.

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
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

The dog garnered attention when concerned neighbours contacted Shanghai TV Station after noticing it had vanished on January 6, prompting concern for its safety.

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