Sumnmary: The Haruka animal sanctuary takes in cats and dogs suffering from trauma. The employees struggle to help these unfortunate animals but the arrival of an old dog changes everything.
Tatsumi Port Island has an animal sanctuary. Named Haruka in honor of its original owner, the sanctuary takes in cats and dogs suffering from physical or psychological trauma. However, more and more animals are being brought to the shelter and the employees are struggling to help all of these unfortunate creatures. There are so many dogs and cats, so little time in a day and not enough hands to care for everyone. That's when a miracle happened.
One summer day, an old dog entered the sanctuary while an employee had opened the door. As if he owned the place, the dog walked up to the reception desk. The secretary, Miss Himari Ito, was surprised to see him there.
He is an old white and gray Shiba Inu. Strangely, his eyes are red. He must be at least 12 years old, if not older.
“Hi, you!” said Himari. “Where are your owners? It's sad that they want to abandon you here.”
The dog barks and wags his tail. Himari then notices that he is wearing a collar with a tag. Koromaru's name is written on it along with a phone number.
“Well, I'll give them a call,” said the secretary, seeing that no one was coming. “They must be worried about you.”
Himari dials the number and a mature woman's voice answers.
“Hello. Who am I speaking to?”
“Hi, this is Himari Ito from Haruka Animal Sanctuary. Your dog is here.”
“Koro-chan? That doesn't surprise me. Those were his last wishes.”
The woman, who is none other than the famous Mitsuru Kirijo, explains to Himari that Koromaru is very old.
“He senses that he will soon pass away. He is 12 years old after all, even though he is in good health. Koro-chan is a very intelligent dog. He has always sensed that animals in distress are being sheltered at your facility and he wants to help them before he dies.”
“Like a therapy dog?”
“Tout à fait. If there are any forms to fill out, I'll be happy to come by and take care of everything.”
“Well, Miss Kirijo, this is... an unusual situation. You understand. For your dog to be considered a therapy dog, it must be recommended by a mental health professional.”
“I can give you the names of psychologists who can vouch for him. Otherwise, can you accept Koro-chan as a resident like any other?”
“Like an abandoned dog that we rescued? But Miss Kirijo that's illegal!”
“Why would that be against the law? You don't have to lie. You'll write in your report that the dog arrived on his own today, that you contacted the owners, and that they are leaving him in your care. That's what Koro-chan wants.”
Koro-chan barks again, as if following the conversation. Miss Himari Ito sighs.
“Very well. We'll take Koromaru in like a stray dog.”
“I thank you. Bonne journée.”
The secretary says goodbye, hangs up the phone, and looks at Koro-chan. The employee who had opened the door had not left the place. He heard everything.
“Well,” he said, “I never thought I'd see that in my lifetime. A dog deliberately abandoned to fulfill his last wishes.”
“I know,” said Himari. “We'll have to warn the other employees. Emergency meeting!”
The secretary gathers all the employees and organizes an emergency meeting to explain Koro-chan's case. The dog followed her into the meeting room. He is lying on the floor, looking very happy.
Although none of the employees are against him staying, especially if he can help the other animals, they think the boss won't be happy.
“Miss Minako Koichi is on vacation in the United States,” said Himari. “You all know this. I don't see myself calling her to ask if she's okay with us getting another dog, despite the special circumstances of his arrival.”
They all agree with her. And so Koro-chan becomes not only an angel for Haruka sanctuary, but also its unofficial mascot. No matter what trauma they have suffered, Koro-chan opens the hearts of the residents. From a male dog abused by its former owner to a blind female cat who lost her kittens, to a three-legged male dog, to a male cat paralyzed in his hind legs.
The employees then notice something curious. The animals are protective of Koromaru. Every time he is cuddled by someone or receives a treat for his good work, the dogs bark, some growl, the cats hiss and shake their tails. Koro-chan then barks back to silence them and calm them down.
When Minako Koichi returns from her vacation, rather than being angry, she falls for Koro-chan's charm.
“You're so cute, Koro-chan!”
Koro-chan pants and wags his tail. He's happy.
“Would you like to be our official mascot?”
Koro-chan seems to be nodding his head in agreement.
“The employees told me you're very smart but a dog that says ‘yes’? I've never seen that before. Can you do it again?”
Koro-chan nods his head again.
“Oh my, that's incredible!”
Koromaru then became the official mascot of Haruka animal sanctuary. He spent the rest of his days caring for cats, dogs and even humans who needed his companionship. When Koro-chan finally passed away, it was while sleeping and dreaming of the good times in his life.