NOTE: THIS IS AUTOMATED TRANSLATION FROM ALBANIAN

Koha Ditore (trans. Daily Time) is the leading daily newspaper in Kosovo. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koha_Ditore

Four years ago, the author and cartographer from California, Sarah Bergquist-Kosumi, would come to Kosovo to meet her husband's family members and, in addition to this motive, get to know Kosovo's heritage. She encountered an unpleasant reality, but one that would inspire her first graphic novel "The Last Free Dog". The main character is the Illyrian delta, Lyri, the theme is about stray dogs and the environment. "I was really shocked by the garbage dumps, the number of stray dogs and the apathetic response of people to these issues," Sarah Bergquist-Kosumi confesses.

Lyri is the name of the homeless dog, which the author makes a character in her graphic novel entitled "The Last Free Dog". Far from fiction is the reality from which Sarah Bergquist Kosumi was inspired. He would encounter an ugly landscape of an illegal garbage dump that resembled a hill. At the very top of the landfill, the author would meet a small stray dog ​​that was looking for food. The meeting would serve as the starting point for the author's three-year long ordeal to research and write a story. "The Last Free Dog" is intended for all ages, with the aim of highlighting the problem of stray dogs in the Balkans and especially in Kosovo, raising collective awareness on this issue, alongside calls for environmental protection.

However, the emotional character of the story is not left aside, which tends to convey other messages, such as the importance of family ties.

"In the heart of Kosovo, a herd of puppies is born, among them one resembles the legendary image of the Illyrian Delta: Lyri. An Illyrian dog's pride and joy is to guard his flock of sheep from wolves, bears, and even lynxes. However, the new Lyri does not climb the high mountain peaks, but instead he climbs the waste hills. Lyri faces many challenges in a rapidly changing world as she grows from a puppy to a dog. The heritage and traditions of his breed give him the patience and strength needed to face the challenges of living as a free dog", begins the novel, which is neatly illustrated by one of the pioneers of the strip in Kosovo. His works are detailed and descriptive that coincide with real images of Kosovo's landscapes. Until the final portrayal of this narrative, it was possible to invest in a personal and cultural search between the connections that the author had with Kosovo, and this search had led her to reflect on the reality in Kosovo.

The reality in Kosovo is the basis of the graphic novel "The Last Free Dog"

"During my first visits to Kosovo, I was not able to communicate well, so I spent a lot of time observing and comparing what I saw with California, the country I come from. I was really shocked by the waste dumps, the number of stray dogs and the apathetic reaction of people to these issues", the author expressed in a conversation with TIME, adding that this observation had made her curious to understand the mindset of Kosovar society. Until the moment when she had learned more about the tragic past for Kosovo and the interweaving of this past with current problems, like this one she chose to deal with artistically.

The interest in presenting a solution to various social problems and the aim to show that there are different paths in the landscape and life of homeless dogs in the Balkans, were among the main motivations for it.

"While writing the book, I used my imagination to see what Kosovo would look like without homeless dogs and pollution, and I really liked what I saw. I knew that others would also like that image", added Bergquist-Kosumi, who completed basic studies in human geography at California State University-Chico, while at the "NYU Center for Urban Science + Progress" she received the title as a Master of Applied Urban Sciences and Informatics. She works as a mapping engineer. With "The Last Free Dog" he made his debut as an author.

She also sees graphic novels as a tool that includes the practice of learning through visual materials and as such has also been used as an educational effort which she calls key for the new generations of leaders in relation to environmental issues.

“This book sets a model for what leaders can do to solve problems. However, the challenge to make an impact would be much more complex than what is presented in the book", said the author.

Sarah Bergquist-Kosumi and Shpend Kada while working on "The Last Free Dog"

Graphic novels as a form are proving to be rapidly growing in popularity. This is because of the attractive approach for readers of all ages, because they offer the author and illustrator the opportunity to convey exactly how the written scenes should be interpreted. The more direct approach of a visual narrative turns out to be more influential as people tend to recall more of what they see than what they read. Starting from this premise, the author herself uses this medium precisely for the impact it has.

"Readers relate more to a story when characters lead them through an idea, rather than simply being told, 'This is a problem worth fixing.' Creating a connection and personification with the characters allows the reader to see the issue through their eyes", said Bergquist-Kosumi.

Her focus has also been on the characters themselves and their relationships which neatly present human family ties and aspirations, enabling the reader to better understand the protagonist's challenges and indirectly receive other messages.

"I have chosen to portray this narrative using anthropomorphic features in the descriptions of the characters and the challenges that stray dogs go through", added the author, showing that she also paid importance to the language she chose to use. It is a simple English and understandable by everyone, while it intends to act in the same way with the translation into Albanian, which has not yet been concreted, because they are looking for a publishing house in Kosovo, to publish the book in the Albanian language.

Her perception of street dogs differed from that of Kosovar society. The author managed to understand this difference only after her research on what the Government of Kosovo and non-governmental organizations had done for this problematic issue. He had come across many initiatives and projects that had turned out to be inefficient, but the turning point for him would be the encounter with the perceptions addressed to the problem itself.

The main character, Lyri, looks up to his uncle Wuf with great admiration. Uncle Wuf is convinced that being a free dog is a better life than having an owner...

"I have read about many tragic attacks where people and children have been attacked by stray dogs. Those cases were horrible, so it made me think a lot about the different perceptions of dogs between the country I come from, the USA, compared to people in Kosovo. I think that dogs in Kosovo are seen as very annoying and unreliable, and this book tries to change this perspective", said the author, adding that she is happy that there are real efforts to change problems such as environmental pollution and stray dogs in Kosovo. It has taken the example of "Four Paws International" and the voluntary organization "Lets Do It!", which focuses on environmentalism.

Through this special novel, the author aims to encourage Kosovar and international readers to be more involved in collective issues and solving problems that affect everyone.

"I hope that readers from Kosovo will raise their voice more about the problems around them. I hope they get more involved, in whatever way they can, whether it's volunteering to clean up the environment, adopting stray dogs or supporting dog shelters," she said, adding that change is possible.

"The Last Free Dog" as a polished mirror of an unpleasant reality in Kosovo teaches love for homeless animals and underlines the importance of protecting the environment. It tells a story of resilience, love and the capacity people have to make positive changes with the right strategies.

“'The Last Free Dog' also explores the importance of family values ​​and community ties, emphasizing the idea that we are stronger when we are together. It highlights the idea of ​​how humans and animals can form deep bonds that last. It's normal to ask for help when you need it!" concluded Bergquist Kosumi, who together with Shpend Kada will be present at the promotion of the book in Pristina, in March.

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