You don't need a home to become an icon.

The black dog with the red bandana who marched in Chile's student protests of 2011. He became a global symbol of resistance — painted on walls from Athens to Hong Kong.

You don't need to be born in a house to find your place in the world.

Based on the developer's real rescue dog. Once a stray, some fears never fully leave — but Laika is loved exactly as she is. She runs for every street dog still waiting for their family.

You don't need an owner to become loved.

A stray dog who became beloved by an entire city. He roamed freely, greeted everyone he met, and was never alone — because everyone wanted to be near him.

You don't need to be trained to be free.

A free spirit who traveled an entire city on his own terms — hopping trams and ferries, following curiosity wherever it led. Nobody owned him. Nobody had to.

You don't need a vet to keep going.

She endured more than most. She never stopped. In-game: Aloka's HP doesn't refill between stages — but her max HP grows with every level she survives.

You don't need an owner to stay faithful.

For nine years after his owner died, Hachikō returned to Shibuya station every day to wait. Not out of habit. Out of love that outlasted logic.

You don't need a warm bed to find your pack.

The inseparable duo of 1860s San Francisco. Two strays who found each other — and became so beloved the city passed a law to protect them.

You don't need training to know what's right.

The protest dogs of Athens. They showed up to every demonstration for years — facing tear gas alongside students, never asked to, never stopped.

You don't need a home to become a legend.

The original. A stray from Moscow who was launched into orbit in 1957, never to return. She went further than any of us.