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When Mum births a litter of free dogs, one pup has the multicolored, shaggy appearance of his ancestors—the great Illyrian Sheepdogs. Mum and Pa name the pup Lyri and teach him the Illyrian legacy of protecting sheep from wolves, bears, and the occasional linx. Uncle Wuf captivates Lyri with stories of their ancestors as fierce guard dogs and instills in Lyri a sense of pride in being a free dog. Indeed of sheep, Lyri is tasked with protecting his pack. Mum teaches her pups to find food in garbage heaps and residential areas, on farms, and around grocery stores. While foraging, Lyri gets distracted and forgets about protecting his pack. People load his siblings into a van and drive away, leaving Mum and Pa distraught. One by one, Lyri loses his remaining family until he is the last free dog suffering through brutal winters where food becomes more and more scarce.
Kosumi uses a narrative writing style and personification to deliver this endearing tale about a pack of free dogs. She explores themes such as the importance of ancestral legacy, the strength of familial bonds, the depth of parental love, the power of duty, and the debilitating nature of grief following loss. The story provides a stark contrast between the exhilaration of freedom enjoyed by animals in the wild versus the painful reality of starvation and exposure to the elements. Kosumi depicts the impact of urbanization on wild animal populations. However, she balances this bleak portrayal with an affirming view of humanity in the form of the kind shopper who offers burek to a stray dog during a winter storm or the street vendor who gives chicken to a hungry dog and her pup. Heartwarming and uplifting, this tale sends the message that every dog deserves love and security.