A Japanese monk who brought home an abandoned puppy was saved by the very same canine when he came across a bear in the woods.
Tougen Yoshihara, the head monk at Youkoku Temple in Niigata, was walking through the woods with his one-year-old beagle, Chico, when a wild bear suddenly appeared in front of them.
The bear, standing about 1.6 meters tall, caught Yoshihara completely off guard as he had never come face-to-face with such a large animal before.
Panicked, he stumbled while trying to flee and fell hard, injuring his right shoulder.
Despite being physically fit and an avid exerciser, the 45-year-old monk felt helpless in that moment. He recalls thinking he wouldn’t be able to survive the ordeal.
Startled, the bear eventually retreated, with Chico chasing after it into the woods.
Yoshihara, in pain and worried, began searching for his brave pup despite his injured shoulder. While he was still looking, his wife called to say that Chico had made it home on his own.
Overcome with emotion, Yoshihara cried with relief. When he finally returned home, he found Chico waiting with his head held high, as if fully aware of his heroic act.
Returned For Being Too Loud
Chico had once been returned to a kennel by his previous owner for being “too noisy.”
Tougen Yoshihara eventually adopted him, bringing the abandoned pup home.
The Buddhist monk now lovingly refers to Chico as his “savior.” That night, he even let the dog sleep beside him on his bed.
Since the story was shared online, it has received an outpouring of heartwarming responses. One commenter noted that beagles like Chico are known for their “loud and playful nature,” and said they were glad the pup was able to find a good owner.
Another user said they cried after reading the story as a fellow dog owner.
A third user described dogs such as Chico as “loyal and intelligent creatures” who “always return the love they receive with unwavering devotion.”
According to local reports, Niigata Prefecture has already recorded more than 160 bear sightings this year, two of which resulted in injuries.
The local government is now urging residents to carry bells, radios, or other noisemaking devices while outdoors to help deter potential bear encounters.
