For years, artist Liang Renchuan has been visiting beaches near his home in Taiwan to collect driftwood, which he uses to create unique works of art.

And on each of those visits, Renchuan has been accompanied by his faithful dog, Hachiko.

Renchuan rescued Hachiko as a stray puppy 14 years ago, on the day of the artist’s father’s funeral.

“He appeared in the funeral parlor that night,” Renchuan told The Dodo. “He became a part of my family.”

Whenever they’d visit the beach to collect driftwood that had washed to shore following storms, Hachiko thrived.

“He was quite lively, especially at the beach,” Renchuan said. “Carrying the wood was mostly my job. Hachiko usually just wanted to play.”

These were cherished memories for them both.

Back at Renchuan’s studio, Hachiko always remained by his dad’s side, eagerly watching him work and stopping to pose in photos of his creations.

Hachiko’s presence was always welcome.

In that space full of collected driftwood, Hachiko was even known to occasionally craft wooden “art” of his own.

Sadly, Hachiko’s life as Renchuan’s friend and assistant couldn’t go on forever.

Earlier this month, after a long and happy life, Hachiko suddenly passed away in the studio he lovingly shared with his dad.

His spirit, however, wouldn’t so quickly fade.

Knowing Hachiko had been getting on in years, Renchuan had crafted this — a life-sized statue of the dog, constructed with pieces of driftwood they’d enjoyed collecting from the beach together.

“I wanted to leave a memento after he was gone,” Renchuan said.

With Hachiko’s passing, Renchuan set out to finish his memorial of the beloved dog — painting it with his colors and adorning it with Hachiko’s collar.

“I want to tell him, ‘Go and have fun. My dad will be with you in heaven,'” Renchuan said.

Hachiko’s statue now serves as a touching tribute to a life so cherished by his heartbroken dad, who wrote:

“We used to go to the beach together to get driftwood. Now I can only use driftwood to get you back again.”

With each future visit to the beach, Hachiko’s spirit will no doubt be felt there as well.

Renchuan has found solace in his artistic way of honoring Hachiko’s life, but others less creatively inclined can do the same in other ways. As Dr. Stephanie A. Sarkis of Psychology Today puts it, there’s no wrong way to grieve the loss of a pet:

“Some people will tell you that you should ‘get rid of’ all your pet’s belongings. Some will tell you to keep a photo of your pet in your home,” Sarkis wrote. “Here’s the thing — you do whatever you feel gives you comfort … Whatever feels best to you is what works.”